Page 88 of Dangerous Exile
“We’ll see about that, you ungrateful little wench.” His clammy hands folded into fists. “You’re just like your mother—you were worthless from the first and you belong in the same wretched hole I flung her into.”
Too far.
Sensing him coiling, Evan’s hold on Talen tightened, pushing him down. That’s why the bugger had stood. He needed leverage.
Juliet smoothly jumped to her feet and moved to the tea on the low table in front of Talen. Her eyes not lifting to Talen, she poured a cup of tea and turned back to Lord Gundall, handing him the cup as she sat on the chair directly to the man’s right side. Her eyes were locked solely on Ness’s father.
Talen hid a smirk to himself. It always was a pleasure watching Juliet work her magic. The baron had no idea what was about to hit him.
“Truly, Lord Gundall, I do not imagine you would want to make an enemy of not only your son-in-law, but my husband as well?” Her voice soft as a kitten, Juliet’s eyebrows arched slightly, as though she was asking a small child if he stole an extra sweet from the kitchens. “It is my understanding that the Whetland family and the past men in your line have been allies in certain business ventures for decades, almost a century. No?”
The fire petered out from Lord Gundall’s eyes and he nodded, though his look remained wary as he stared at Juliet. “That is so.”
She nodded, the sweetest smile on her face. “I would hate to see any future opportunities be jeopardized by a sour response at this juncture.”
“Juncture?” Lord Gundall’s voice lifted in ire, his forefinger flinging out to Talen. “That man stole my daughter from me—my property.”
“Come now.” Juliet drew his attention back to her, her voice even softer. “I think that after the death of Gilroy, if Ness was anyone’s property, she wasn’t yours. She would have become the Earl of Whetland’s property—his responsibility. Do you not think that would have been the order of things? I thought it was, but maybe you know something I do not?” She batted her eyelashes a little too long.
Lord Gundall’s head snapped back. “I guess…”
“And the earl, my husband’s grandfather”—she motioned to Evan—“whole-heartedly approves of Ness’s union with Mr. Blackstone, especially since he’s been restored to his rightful place as the Earl ofWashburn. In fact, Lord Whetland was just telling me during tea this morning how much he enjoys Mr. Blackstone’s company.”
The baron heaved a sigh. “But I—I get nothing from the union.”
“Nor will you.” Talen spat out, his words venom. He’d stayed quiet long enough. “Ever. Never. If one hair on Ness’s head is put out of place, if the slightest scratch appears on her arm, if she so much as flinches because someone breathes the wrong way upon her, I will destroy whoever caused those mishaps without a second thought.”
Evan’s hold disappeared from his shoulder and Talen stood, moving around the table and leaning over his father-in-law, his glare slicing him in two. “I will destroy them with a healthy dose of torture along the way. And I do not blink twice at blood or screams for mercy. Are we clear?”
The baron’s mouth slackened, agape for a long moment, and then he nodded.
Juliet slipped the teacup from his hand.
“It is good that we are all in accordance on this.” Talen stood straight, motioning to the open doorway. “You may leave now.”
“But I—I just arrived.”
“And now you are leaving. Your horses and carriage have been waiting since the moment you alighted.”
With a huff, Lord Gundall scrambled to his feet, his attempt to avoid bumping into Talen not successful. Talen’s lips twisted into a snarl at him and the man scurried out of the drawing room and to the front door of Whetland.
Talen and Evan stalked him out.
Evan slammed the front door closed before the baron even cleared the doorway.
Talen exhaled a long breath, satisfied at his own restraint at not killing the miserable rat. “Good riddance to the bastard. Though I don’t know that I won’t be seeing him again. There will always be another chance to kill him, I guess.”
Evan’s left eyebrow lifted. “You think he’ll come back begging?”
“Most likely, from what Ness has said. No morals, no pride that man. Only aware of his own needs. But if I have to buy him off with some pitted, rock-strewn swath of land to be rid of him, I’ll do it.”
Evan turned away from the door. “Why give him the satisfaction?”
“Because I don’t care about him.” Talen glanced at Evan as they started a slow stroll back to the drawing room. “I don’t care about the land. If it keeps the wretch content and out of our lives until he withers away and dies, it’s but a small price to pay for what I gain.”
A half smile lifted Evan’s cheek. “Ness?”
“Aye. She is worth it.”