were to make it clear to me instead of coming up with more empty exclamations against the girl. Tell me why you are so resistant to this particular strain of charity.”
“I will not be trapped into an argument of words with you,” he said. “I know how you women are, twisting the words of men to your own advantageous.”
“You know women well?” she asked sweetly.
His face purpled with rage. “There, you are doing it right now,” he exclaimed. “It is most insufferable to be treated in such a fashion. Earlier, you laid down the law regarding that little ward of yours, and now I shall take the liberty to do the same. I will not stand for this disrespect. The idea that a woman such as yourself could possibly choose a snivelling child of no means or bearing over the possibility of marrying an established lord such as myself is shocking. It only goes to show how very completely a woman takes leave of her wits when faced with a child. You have been too long without a husband, madam. It is high time that you set aside your wild ways and embrace your role in society. You will have children if you demand them, but they will be our children and not the run-off of the lower social spheres.”
Margaret stood now as well, her hands clenched at her sides. “You forget yourself,” she said quietly. “You have not given the child a chance, and yet you speak with such disdain of her heritage. I have a duty to my late friend, Molly Smith, who spent her last days in misery and loneliness for the sake of this little girl. I will not forsake that duty now.”
She saw Reginald’s face pale quite suddenly and unexpectedly. He took a step backwards, swaying for a moment with anger simmering in his features. She saw that she’d gained the upper hand somehow, although she didn’t understand exactly what she’d done.
After a long moment, he spoke again, his voice cold and even as it had been at the beginning. “What about your duty to your husband?” he asked. “If you claim such loyalty and morality.”
“I have no husband,” she said simply. “We are not married yet, Lord Waddington.”
“And perhaps we never will be,” he said in the same icy tone. He took a menacing step forwards, and for a moment Margaret felt afraid. She realised just how strong and imposing the other man was and felt alone in the room. He stopped a short distance from her, his face very near to hers. “I will not marry you as long as that brat is around. Find a way to get rid of her, and perhaps I will allow you to come crawling back to me.”
Margaret forced herself to stay still, looking him in the eye. Every muscle in her body wanted to step away, run away, to cleanse herself of the slimy character of the man towering over her. But she would not give him the satisfaction. She lifted her chin and stared him down.
“I think it would be best if you left,” she said coolly.
“Are you throwing me out?” he asked with a coarse laugh.
“I am telling you that no further good can come from your presence in this house. I have not broken our engagement – you have. You are offering to marry me, and with me comes the child. She is a part of my story now, and I will not be separated from her. If you will speak in such a manner about the one I love most, then I see how insurmountable our marriage would be. Please, leave this house before you are in danger of saying something more unbefitting of a gentleman.”
He worked his jaw for a moment, his face contorted in rage, and then turned from her in a sudden movement, taking his hat from the chair and stalking from the room. She let out a deep breath, shaking a little. It had taken more courage than she had guessed to stand up to him.
She heard him stamp down the hall, and then froze when she heard her father’s voice. He was home earlier than expected. She went to stand by the door and overheard their conversation.
“Lord Waddington!” her father exclaimed happily. “I am so glad that you came to visit today. I was worried that we would not see you under the circumstances.”
“Do not speak to me as though we are already family,” Lord Waddington retorted