conversation we shared had been most stimulating. Or, at least, instructive to us both. And then there was all of dinner as well.” I shrugged. “No doubt my sentiments are faulty, a result of my refusal to see reason.”
He met my gaze. “No doubt.”
He dared insult me in my own home?
My mother glanced from me to Lord Williams and back as though trying to puzzle something out, then placed a placid smile on her face. “It is fortuitous you have already met.” She glanced at my father with a small narrowing of her eyes.
Daniel cleared his throat. “Perhaps you should serve the tea, Margaret.” He indicated the service set upon a side table.
“It was fortuitous,” I said, ignoring Daniel, “as I was able to discover some of Lord Williams’s finer attributes. I was especially impressed by his respectful manner in offering advice and his articulated taste in music.” I smiled, but unless he was a complete dolt my words would hit their mark. “To what do we owe the honor of this visit?”
Lord Williams looked to my father with some surprise before returning his gaze to me, his expression containing a hint of uncertainty. “I have come to better acquaint myself with your family.”
To acquaint himself with my family? Whatever for?
“Well, here we are.” I made no attempt to hide the disdain from my voice. “I am confident we are all very pleased by your arrival. However, we are expecting another visitor and I must ensure everything is properly prepared. Please excuse me.”
I curtsied, but before I could turn Daniel grasped my arm so I couldn’t move. When I glanced at him in surprise, he gave a small shake of his head.
“Margaret,” my father said, “Lord Williams is our expected visitor.”
I frowned and looked at my father over my shoulder. “But what about—” Daniel pinched me.
“Daniel, why’d you—” My gaze shot back to Lord Williams with understanding. He was the man? Lord Williams and I were—engaged?
With dread pooling in my chest, I surveyed the baron’s expensively-tailored clothes and icy blue eyes. My first misgivings had been correct.
But no. We couldn’t be together. It was impossible. He despised me and I hated him.
Surely this was taking his warning too far. Did he expect to ensure I would never marry his cousin by marrying me himself?
That was ridiculous. No man would throw his life away in such a stupid manner. Yes, it would be convenient. But we would certainly never respect each other. Even mutual toleration was out of the question. My life would be unbearable.
I could not marry this man.
My mother stepped forward. “Allow me to introduce our other daughter. Alice, dear,” my mother said, “this is Lord Williams.”
“How do you do?” Alice responded behind me.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Alice,” Lord Williams replied with a deep bow and a smile.
I frowned. Maybe I was wrong altogether. Maybe he wasn’t here for any reason other than to prove a point, to show that his title commanded all to bow to him and be subservient to his wishes. In which case there was no reason to fear. Because I would never bow. Neither would I allow him to hurt my family.
I stepped next to Alice and placed an arm around her shoulders.
My mother motioned toward the door. “You must be weary after your travel, my lord. Please allow me to show you to your room.”
“Thank you.” Lord Williams nodded to Daniel and bowed to me. I turned away.
The moment he was out of the room I spun to my father. “How did this happen?”
Daniel stepped next to me. “Margaret, perhaps—”
“Daniel, you know he is here only to flaunt his power over us.”
“You think he wants to marry you solely because we didn’t accept the ride he offered?” Daniel asked. “That’s ridiculous.”
“No, because I wouldn’t give heed to his words at the Hickmores’.” I turned back to my father, not quite keeping the desperation from my voice. “Father, he is condescending and a liar. He humiliated me at the Hickmores’. He’s the reason we—”
“Margaret,” my father broke in. “You will not speak ill of a guest in this house.”
His decisive tone should have stopped me, but he needed to be made aware of the true nature of the man he had allowed into his home, of the ruin he was capable of. “But—”
“I am ashamed at the lack of character you displayed. It will not happen again. You will show our guest every courtesy while he is here.” His eyes