Page 51 of Courting Claudia
“I don’t care what happened. You’re not marrying her. You’re not even from a decent family,” her father spat. “Not to mention that piece of garbage you call a newspaper. If my daughter were associated with you, it would disparage my reputation in Parliament.”
“Your daughter is already associated with me.”
It was evident that Derrick was trying to tell her father about the compromise, without having to give him specifics. But her father was not listening. He rarely did.
“Nonsense. A few dances mean nothing. She’s danced with other men before. She’s betrothed to another; she can’t marry.”
“Richard Foxmore?” The words came out in short, clipped tones.
“Precisely.”
“She’s not betrothed to him.”
“I beg your pardon.”
“Claudia said Richard has never asked for her hand.”
“Yes, but he and I have discussed it. He’s planning to ask her tomorrow. They have an engagement to meet.”
“He’s too late.” Derrick’s tone prickled the hairs at her neck. He did not yell with anger as her father did, yet the anger was there. Quiet and controlled, held just beneath the surface.
“Go to the devil, Middleton,” her father said, seemingly unaffected by Derrick’s words. “I don’t have to explain this any further. You may not marry my daughter. Now get out of my house.”
“I compromised your daughter today, and I will marry her, because she does not deserve to have her reputation shredded.”
“Compromised? What did you do?”
“The details do not matter. What matters is, we announced our engagement at Lady Oliver’s house but an hour ago. I suspect everyone in London knows by now.”
There was a long pause before her father mumbled, “Compromise. Wrong bloody man. Should have planned such a situation myself.” Then he cleared his throat, “Middleton, your honor is surprising. But take heart, I will not demand you marry her to save her reputation. She’ll ride out the scandal herself. I’ll send her to the country to make it easier on her.”
His words sliced into her heart, as clean as the sharpest of knifes. He was a harsh man; she’d always known that, but she suspected he loved her. In his own way. But to do this? To prefer that she be ruined rather than see her marry a man he didn’t approve of? She squeezed her eyes shut to keep the tears from falling.
“You would rather see your daughter ruined than allow her to marry me?”
Derrick had put her own thoughts into words. It was worse hearing them out loud. One tear slipped. She allowed it to fall, leaving a cold, damp trail down her cheek.
“Yes. No question about it. My reputation is far more important than hers. Girls like her have lived through scandals before. She’ll be fine. She’s sturdy.”
“Sturdy?” She heard Derrick take a ragged breath. “I’ve tried to be patient and polite, but I’m tired, so let us see if this is easier for you to understand. Claudia and I will be married this Saturday. You are welcome to attend, but only if you support her. If not, stay home. This isn’t open for discussion. The announcement will be in the Times tomorrow.”
“Bastard. You can’t do that.”
“Try and stop me,” Derrick said coldly.
“You won’t get her dowry.”
“I don’t give a damn about her dowry. Keep it. Roll in it if you must. Were it up to me, know that Claudia would cut ties with you as soon as we wed, but I know her, and she won’t want that to happen. But it is in your best interest to be kind to her. I’d hate to see anything nasty written about you in my paper.”
“Are you threatening me, Middleton?”
“No, I’m warning you.”
Before she could move from the door, Derrick pushed it open. His gaze met hers, and compassion warmed his eyes, if only for a brief moment.
“Come with me, Claudia. You won’t be staying here any longer.”
“I can’t live with you,” she said.