Page 50 of The Dare Before Christmas

Barnaby huffed out a breath and then nodded.

“Thank you,” he said sincerely.

“It’s my pleasure,” Hester said, patting his cheek fondly. “Now, in you go, and good luck.”

Barnaby turned and knocked on the study door.

“Come,” called a deep voice from inside.

Steeling himself, Barnaby entered the lion’s den.

The duke was standing by the fireplace as Barnaby entered, and his expression gave little away. Though he must be close to sixty years of age, the man was still powerfully built and looked full of strength and vigour. His dark hair was tinged with grey, his green eyes cool and piercing, and his presence exuded authority in a way few men could.

Barnaby gathered his nerve and closed the door, walking into the room. “Your grace.”

“Sit,” Bedwin said.

“I’d rather stand, sir,” Barnaby replied, not wanting to be in a position where the duke could loom over him.

“And I’d rather you hadn’t compromised my daughter, but it seems none of us shall have what we want this day,” the duke replied coolly.

Barnaby sat.

Bedwin observed him for a long, silent moment as Barnaby fought not to fidget. Then he turned and walked to a crystal decanter on a tray with glasses arranged on a side table.

“Drink?”

Barnaby’s eyebrows went up and he looked at the clock. It was barely ten thirty in the morning.

The duke followed his gaze. “It’s that sort of day. Do you want one or not?”

“God, yes,” Barnaby said with feeling.

Bedwin poured two glasses and handed one to him before taking his own and returning to his position by the fireplace. He stared down into the flames and sipped his drink before returning his attention to Barnaby.

“Well? Explain yourself.”

Barnaby took a large swallow of his brandy. “I tried to stay away from your daughter, sir, I swear that I did. She’s beautiful, and funny and clever and… and she takes my breath away. I knew the first moment I met her that she was a danger to me.”

“A danger to you?” he repeated, incredulous.

“Yes,” Barnaby said simply. “I expect you know I had hopes of Lady Millicent.”

“I am aware of the gossip,” Bedwin replied. “She had several young men dangling after her the past two years, but you were her clear favourite.”

Barnaby nodded. “Then you know I made a complete twit of myself.” He coloured, frowning. “I don’t think I ought to say more about that.”

Bedwin regarded him over the rim of his glass. “Much as it pains me to say so in the circumstances, I disagree. The lady led you on. She was secretly engaged to another the entire time. A humiliating experience for any man. I can well imagine your feelings.”

Barnaby clenched his jaw.

“Quite,” he said tersely. “Which is why I was in no hurry to repeat the experience. I swore never to look above my station again. I certainly had no intention of turning my attention to a duke’s daughter of all things. When Lady Victoria wrote to me and made me aware of her feelings, I knew I must keep my distance. I believed I had replied to her in a way that made it plain there could be nothing between us. That was not the end as I had hoped, however, but then I told her to her face that despite my deep admiration of her, there could be nothing between us, and I swear to you I meant every word. At least, I meant it when I said it.”

Bedwin glared at him but said nothing, so Barnaby ploughed on.

“But I could not keep the promises I made to myself. Each time I saw her, my admiration for her grew and… Sir, you must know she’s a force of nature. A whirlwind of life and adventure that sweeps you up and before you know what you’ve done, you’re somewhere you ought not be. Please, understand, I am not suggesting this is in the least her fault, she did nothing wrong. She was simply beguiling and such an unearthly temptation I could not make myself stay away from her.”

“She wrote to you to tell you of her feelings?” Bedwin said after a long moment, interest glinting in his green eyes as he completely disregarded everything else Barnaby had said.