Lucia stared at him. The man facing her was a stranger. “You had me investigated?”
“No one humiliates my mother or me, whore.”
Lucia slapped him hard across the face, but he only smiled. “You’ll pay for that.”
“Let. Me. Go.” She jerked away.
“We’re not finished yet, dear.” His face was inches from hers, fat lips spraying spittle on her cheek. “You will marry me.” He clutched her chin, yanking her to face him, fingers dug into her cheeks. “I will not be humiliated.”
“This isn’t the Middle Ages, Reginald. You can’t force me to become your wife.”
He smiled. “I won’t have to. You’ll do it willingly because if you don’t, I’ll make certain everything your father has worked for his whole life is destroyed. I’ll ruin your family name, your father, and you. You know I can do it.”
Lucia stared at him in disbelief. Reginald made no threats he did not keep. And with his position and connections, he could do it.
“Now, my dear, I have acquired a special license. Is tomorrow too soon?”
Lucia’s eyes met his. The malevolence in his face sent chills racing across her skin. How could she marry him?
Then she thought of her father, all he’d worked for destroyed. Her mother thrust out of her social circle. Ethan and Francesca whispered about behind raised fans. “No,” she whispered. “Tomorrow will be fine.”
“Unfortunately,” Lord Brigham’s voice boomed from the doorway. “I have a prior engagement tomorrow. The wedding will have to be put off indefinitely.”
Lucia started at her father’s voice. She hadn’t heard him enter, and neither had Reginald, but he seemed unconcerned.
“I do not believe that is a wise decision, Lord Brigham.”
“By God, unless you want me to get my pistol and shoot you now, Dandridge, you’d better step away from my daughter and get out of my house.”
Reginald stepped away from her.
“Now get out.” Lord Brigham pointed at the open door. Paolo and two footmen stood just outside.
“I warn you—” Reginald began.
“Mr. Tavola!” Brigham yelled to the butler. “My pistol!”
Reginald didn’t need any more encouragement. He fled, only pausing in the doorway to promise, “You’ll pay for this, Brigham. I give you my word.” He retreated, heels clicking on the polished wood floor.
“Father! Shouldn’t we go after him?”
“Are you hurt, Lucy?” Her father crossed to her and took her arm.
“No, I’m fine.” She stared at him. “But didn’t you hear what he said?”
“Doesn’t matter.”
“It doesn’t matter? He’s going to ruin us.” She clutched his hand. “He’s going to ruin you!”
Lord Brigham huffed. “Man overestimates himself.”
“But the cabinet position—”
Her father waved a hand. “Oh, I’ll lose that, no doubt, but I wouldn’t have you married to that swine for a hundred cabinet positions. I owe you an apology, daughter.”
Lucia’s jaw dropped. She had never heard the word apology come from her father’s lips before.
“That’s right,” he went on. “I should have seen the man’s true character before. I wasn’t thinking of you, and I admit it. By God, Dandridge is powerful and wealthy, and I never looked past that. Thank God you put a stop to this before it was too late. All I have ever wanted was for you to be happy, you and Francesca both. Can you ever forgive me?”
