then. Perhaps it will improve your health to know that I've granted your request and brought Micheline Tevoulere here to be my bride."
It was impossible to keep the irony from his voice since the duke had never been kind enough to make a "request" in Andrew's memory. His father's propensity for issuing ultimatums had resulted invariably in his refusal to comply. Now, however, he thought that peace might be served by his pretending that Micheline was here because the duke had wished it. Sandhurst would have done anything to make her new life more pleasant.
Micheline stepped forward and dropped into a brief curtsy. The lavender of her gown and the nosegay of violets tucked into its bodice served to emphasize the vivid color of her eyes. Sunbeams burnished her hair and haloed her lovely face.
"I am so pleased to meet you at last, Your Grace."
"You speak English! Well, well. And you're a beauty. My son is very fortunate."
"Not so fortunate as I, Your Grace," she replied firmly
"Hmmph!" The old man arched his white brows. "That's a matter of opinion, but then, Andrew always has been skilled at charming the ladies." He turned his attention back to his son. "I suppose you're expecting me to lavish praise on you for doing as you were bidden!"
Sandhurst's entire body was taut. "Far from it. I am marrying Micheline because we love each other, and I had hoped that you and I might declare a truce for her sake."
"I thought so. You couldn't resist telling me that you are doing this because you want to, and not because I wished it! As usual, you go your own way without any respect for other people—least of all your own father!"
"Are you saying that you'd be happy if there were no love between Micheline and me?" His eyes were dark with rage.
"Don't prattle on to me about love, boy! It's beside the point. What I can't forgive is the way you disappeared for two full months! No one knew where you were; it was impossible to make wedding plans in view of your record of rebelliousness. Now you turn up unannounced and declare that you've been a good boy and expect me to smile and pat you on the head! April's nearly gone. It's too late to send word of your wedding to London. I wanted every nobleman in England to come to Aylesbury Castle for this occasion, but—"
"In the first place," Sandhurst ground out, "the last thing I yearn for in this life is to be patted on the head by anyone, least of all you. Secondly, this is Micheline's and my wedding—not yours. If I'd had my way, we'd have been married a fortnight ago in London, but because you wanted to have the ceremony here, I thought to comply in the hope that this might be an opportunity for all of us to make peace and a fresh beginning. As for your desired guest list, I don't give a damn who attends this wedding so long as Micheline and I and the priest are there. It would be agreeable to have family and friends present as well, but even that isn't necessary. Now, if you want us to leave and be married elsewhere, just say so. Otherwise, I would appreciate it if you could endeavor to soften your tongue, at least in Micheline's presence."
The duke's face had gradually turned a shade of mauve. "I knew you hadn't changed. I heard that you were going to marry the girl, but I knew that you'd never admit defeat."
Micheline wanted to speak up and ask why a father would want to defeat his own son, but the air was so heavy with tension that she lost her nerve.
"I'm not broken, if that's what you mean," Sandhurst said, an edge of steel in his voice. "And as you know, I have no desire to continue these perverse little games of yours, the object of which seems to be the breaking of my spirit. I have more important, productive ways to spend my time."
"Oh, I'm well aware of that. You've always had something better to do than obey your father." The duke heaved a mournful sigh and dropped his head back against the chair, then glanced over to Rupert, smiling wanly. "Fortunately, not all my offspring are so arrogant." Now the old man turned his attention back to Micheline, who was looking both bewildered and stricken. "Let me assure you that you shall have your wedding here. I