Wrapping the sheet around his waist, he secured it tightly and stepped from the tub and went and sat on the edge of his bed where he combed his fingers through his dripping hair. The answer he'd been seeking now seemed so obvious to him. He'd simply go to Lord Phelps and offer the man an inordinate amount of money in exchange for Lydia's hand. If he truly were in as precarious of a situation as was implied, he'd jump at the opportunity to fill his coffers. Levi was certain.
Dressed impeccably and with eager anticipation, he made his way to Berkley Square to pay an unexpected visit to Lord Phelps. Baldemorrow showed him into the drawing room where he anxiously awaited Lord Phelps arrival by pacing back and forth across the rug.
Surprise registered on Lord Phelps face as he entered the drawing room and saw Levi waiting to greet him. “Lord Phelps, I thank you for indulging me this evening. I find I have a matter of great import I'd like to discuss with you. Shall we move to your study?”
“Very well, Ludington,” Lord Phelps said as he turned on his heel and quit the room.
It was hard for Levi to wait patiently while Lord Phelps poured them each a measure of brandy from his sideboard. He didn't care about niceties right now, all he cared about was getting permission to wed Lydia.
“What brings you here tonight, Your Grace?”
“I've come to discuss a delicate matter with you.”
Lord Phelps looked languidly at Levi over the rim of his glass. “You've managed to arouse my curiosity, Your Grace. Don't keep me in suspense any longer.”
“I've come to confess I've made a grave mistake and beg you to allow me to make it right.” He took a deep, fortifying breath before continuing, “I should never have forced your hand where Miss Phelps and Lord Whitworth were concerned. I beg of you to reconsider the agreement you have with Lord Whitworth in favor of the one I'm about to present to you.”
Lord Phelps mouth hung agape. “You're asking me to rescind on the marriage contract between my daughter and Lord Whitworth?”
“Yes,” he said without pause. “I see now that I made a mistake and I'm willing to pay handsomely to make it right.”
For a moment, he saw greed fill Lord Phelps eyes, and he knew the rumors he'd heard must be true.
“It would do my daughter no credit to cry off from her engagement to Lord Whitworth. The rumor mill would certainly begin to fly.”
“Rumors will always be tossed about the ton, sir. I'm more than prepared to make you an offer that will help compensate for any inconvenience you might face.”
“Let me ask you one thing, Ludington. Why do you wish to marry Lydia? Especially when you know of her disgrace?”
Levi looked the man he hoped would one day be his father-in-law squarely in the eye and admitted, “I care a great deal about Miss Phelps, sir.”
“Do you love her?”
“That's a weighted question,” he admitted honestly.
Did he love Lydia? He wasn't quite certain.
Did he desire her? Absolutely.
Did he feel drawn to her unlike he'd ever felt drawn to another woman before? Without a doubt.
Did he feel like time went too swiftly when he was with her while it seemed to drag on in never-ending monotony when they were apart? Definitely.
Did his whole world light up when she turned her sea-green gaze upon him? Yes!
“I care a great deal about your daughter, sir, and am confident in time I could come to love her very deeply.”
Lord Phelps expression was unreadable as he steepled his fingers together and placed them under his chin. “My daughter's love cannot be bought.”
Levi was offended he even suggested that it might be. “Whether Miss Phelps comes to love me or not will have no bearing on the offer I'm prepared to make. The blunt I'm willing to impart is for your benefit, not hers. You are the only one in the position to break the agreement between her and Lord Whitworth, that is why I've come to plead my cause to you.”
Reaching into his fob pocket, Levi retrieved a small slip of paper and pushed it across the desk towards Lord Phelps. “This is the amount I am willing to pay.”
With shaky hands, Lord Phelps turned the paper over and glanced at the sum Levi had scrawled down on the parchment. His eyes widened in shock. “You can't be serious.”
“I am very much so, sir.”
Levi watched as Lord Phelps contemplated his offer. To be quite honest, he was a bit offended it was taking the man so long to accept. He quickly added, “Not only will you receive the promised amount, your daughter will become the Duchess of Ludington, a title that is quite a bit more prestigious than the one her current fiancé can offer her.”
He knew he sounded proud, but he also knew a man like Lord Phelps would find the title hard to resist. Levi quickly added, “Your future grandson will one day become the Duke of Ludington, inheriting the title along with all the property and wealth attached to it.”
If that wasn't enough to convince him, Levi didn't know what was.
“I will have to speak with Lord Whitworth before I can accept.”
Levi rose from his seat and leaned across the desk, placing both hands on the surface in front of him. “Talk to him at once. I expect an answer by tomorrow night, or I will rescind my offer.”
Lord Phelps nodded his agreement as Levi left the room. He took long strides down the hall, feeling optimistic about what had just happened. He couldn't wait to tell Lydia the good news.
The following day Levi felt on edge. He prowled about his townhouse in agitation as he anxiously awaited word from Lord Phelps. What in tarnation was taking the man so long to accept his offer? Perhaps Lord Phelps was more foolish than he thought.
Levi wished he was in the country where he could mount his horse and ride through the fields behind Channing House at breakneck speed in an attempt to calm his nerves. For now, he'd have to be content with running sprints up and down the stairs. It was an exercise Gentleman Jackson had suggested to help him build up and maintain his stamina.
He had just reached the top landing of the staircase when he heard his butler call out, “You've received a summons from Lord Phelps, Your Grace. He wishes to speak to you at once.”
“Of course, he couldn't have simply sent word,” Levi ground out irritably beneath his breath as he jogged to his bedchamber to change.
Levi was the picture of confidence as he walked into Lord Phelp's study. He had no way of knowing Lord Phelps was about to refuse his offer. Folding himself into a leather chair across from the rich mahogany desk, Levi propped one foot casually on his thigh and asked, “What have you decided?”
Lord Phelps squirmed in his seat. “While your offer is most generous, Your Grace, I find I cannot accept.”
Levi's foot dropped to the ground. He was dumbfounded. “Whyever not?”
Lord Phelps drummed his fingers annoyingly against the surface of his desk. “Lord Whitworth has threatened me with legal action if I break the agreement.”
Levi placed his head in his hands and groaned. He hadn't thought of the possibility of Lord Whitworth threatening Lord Phelps with a breach of promise suit.
“He reminded me, quite passionately I might add, that their engagement is legally binding, Your Grace. There is nothing I can do now.”
“Break the agreement anyway,” Levi commanded, his jaw twitching in anger.
“I've explained to you that I cannot, Your Grace.”
“No, you've explained to me that you will not. Break the agreement and let him take legal action. My solicitor will represent you at no charge to you.”
“We'll never win,” Lord Phelps exclaimed. “There's no valid basis for the termination of the contract I have made with Lord Whitworth. No judge will side with me.”
Without thinking things through clearly, Levi impulsively blurted out, “I ruined Lydia first.”
Lord Phelps face paled at his admission. “Pardon?”
“Two and a half months ago Lydia snuck from the house to accompany me to Dead Man's Tavern. I c
ompromised her that night and regrettably did not do the honorable thing by asking for her hand.”
Lord Phelps swallowed loudly. “If this is true, it does you no credit, Your Grace. Please tell me you are lying.”
“I am not, sir.”
Small puffs of air escaped Lord Phelps mouth in an annoying repetitiveness. His face began turning purple, and Levi almost regretted confessing his misdeeds to him. “Is my daughter's virtue intact?”
Gratefully, Levi could answer with a hearty, “Yes.”
“Then what proof do you offer that this is true? Your word only?”
Levi thought for just a moment before admitting, “The back of her left shoulder has a small, heart-shaped birthmark on it. I discovered it that night.”
Lord Phelps gasped then quickly closed his eyes as if trying to block the truth from his mind. “Where is your honor, Your Grace? How could you do such a thing?”
Shame washed over Levi, making him feel the worst sort of a cad. He could not imagine anything more uncomfortable than telling the father of the girl you'd compromised of her ruin. He did not recommend it.
“Sir, I know it does me a no credit to divulge my actions to you, but perhaps it can sway the judge in your favor.”
Lord Phelps gave a mirthless laugh as he rose from his seat. Leaning across the desk, he hissed, “What makes you think I would allow a man with no honor to wed my daughter?”
Levi flinched. He hadn't expected that. “I was foolish that night,” he promptly admitted. “I should have never touched what didn't belong to me, and I see that so clearly now, but I can't change what's in the past. All I know is I cannot sit back and watch Lydia marry someone she despises.”
“If she despises him so much, why did she allow him to compromise her?”
“I fear it was simply to make me jealous.”
Levi watched as Lord Phelps picked up the newspaper that was sitting on his desk and began shredding it, discarding the strips of paper haphazardly across the desk. “I don't know what kind of game you are playing with my daughter, but it would appear you have forced her to be a wanton, a fact that angers me beyond reason. You leave me no choice, Your Grace. I must call you out.”
Levi's night just went from bad to worse. Unwilling to accept the fact that Lord Phelps had just challenged him to a duel, he snapped, “Don't be foolish, sir. A duel would cause more scandal than a broken engagement ever would.”
“And would prove far less satisfying. Meet me at Hanover's field at dawn and bring your second with you.”
Levi was flabbergasted. “Are you at least going to allow me to choose the weapon?”
“Very well, what will you choose?”
“Fists,” Levi said coldly, feeling confident he could outmatch Lord Phelps with his hands and remain from killing him in the process.
He went straight from the Phelps's townhouse to Alexandra's with the intent of asking Aaron to be his second. He was surprised when he was shown in to discover that Lydia was there taking tea with Alexandra. Her lovely eyes looked at him in delightful surprise, and he had to look away so she wouldn't see the guilt that was consuming him.
“How unexpected of you to drop by, Levi,” Alexandra said with a smile. “What brings you here?”
“I need to speak with Aaron at once.”
Alexandra's cheery smile slid from her face. She rose from the settee and came to stand before him, placing one hand on his arm. “Your jaw is twitching, Levi. Whatever is the matter?”
He didn't want to tell either woman what the problem was, so he quickly mumbled, “Nothing.”
“Don't you dare lie to me,” she hissed, reminding him very much of their late mother.
Sensing the tension that was brewing, Lydia came and joined the pair. Her concerned gaze nearly undid Levi, making him feel like the most despicable human being in England. “Where's Aaron?” he asked gruffly, wishing to escape Lydia's wild sea-like eyes.
“Tell me what's going on, and I'll tell you where he is.”
“Don't play games with me, Alexandra. I'm in no mood for them.”
Acting as if his rudeness didn't affect her, Alexandra grabbed Lydia's arm and dragged her back to the settee and resumed sipping her tea as if Levi wasn't even in the room.
“Damn it all, Alexandra. Do you really want to know what the problem is?”
“No, I was simply feigning interest in your well-being,” she quipped sarcastically.
Turning his eyes on Lydia, he shouted, “Your father has challenged me to a duel.”
Both girls inhaled sharply, but it was Lydia who rose to her feet and came running towards him. “You jest,” she said, searching his face for the truth.
“I wish I were.”
“But why? Why would he do that, Levi?”
“Yes, whatever prompted such an extreme reaction from Lord Phelps?” Alexandra asked, joining them in the center of the room.
Levi curtly explained all that had transpired. When he was finished, he noticed that Lydia's eyes no longer looked like the sea on a calm summer afternoon. They looked as if a storm was gathering just along the horizon.
“You told me you'd find a less scandalous way to marry me, Levi Worthington,” Lydia shrieked as she gave his arm a hearty whack. “Participating in a duel with my father is not exactly living up to your promise.”
“What would you have me do about it now? I tried to make him see reason, but there was none to be found.”
“You can't go,” she cried. “This is preposterous.”
“Go where?”
Just then, Aaron waltzed into the room, oblivious to the tension that filled the room. Alexandra sidled up to him and pleaded, “Tell him he can't go. You must stop him, Aaron. He won't listen to us.”
“I don't even know what you are speaking of. Care to explain yourself, my dear?”
“Lord Phelps has challenged Levi to a duel, and he plans on accepting.”
“Ah,” Aaron replied, leveling his gaze on Levi. “I surmise he found out about the tavern?”
“You are correct.”
“Then it would appear you have no other choice than to accept his challenge.”
“Thank you,” Levi exclaimed as he threw his hands up in the air. “Care to explain that to these two?”
“Yes,” Lydia interjected. “Care to explain to me how fighting with my father will solve anything?”
“It'll prove Levi has honor,” Aaron explained patiently.
Lydia gasped. “That's absurd.”
“No, it's not,” Aaron said gently. “You see, your father has called Levi out because he's learned of events that have brought his honor into question. If Levi bows out of the duel, your father will feel justified in his assumptions and Levi's honor will forever be tainted. If he accepts the challenge and shows up for the duel, he will prove to your father that his honor is still intact.”
Alexandra and Lydia exchanged a confused glance. “You can't be serious,” Lydia exclaimed. “That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard.”
“I don't understand men,” Alexandra admitted candidly.
“Neither do I,” Lydia agreed.
Ignoring both of them, Levi turned to Aaron and asked, “Will you be my second?”
“No!” Alexandra shrieked at the same time Aaron said, “Of course.”
Alexandra looked at her husband as if he'd gone daft. “You can't encourage this behavior.”
“I'm not encouraging anything, merely supporting my brother-in-law in his time of need. I know he'd do the same for me.”
“He'd never have to, for you aren't dumb enough to find yourself in such a situation.”
Aaron ignored Alexandra's remark and turned his attention back to Levi. “What weapon did you choose?”
“Fists.”
Aaron was thoughtful for a moment before he grinned and said, “Well played.”
Levi closed his eyes and rubbed his temples. The night's events were giving him a headache. “I figured it was the safest choice. I can hol
d my own while refraining from killing the man.”
Lydia's face went pale. “You'd kill my father?”
Levi opened his eyes and glanced at her grief-stricken face. Ignoring propriety, he cupped her face in his hands and said, “Darling, that's precisely why I chose fists. I have no intention of killing your father. He will come to as little harm as possible, I can assure you. Had I chosen pistols, I couldn't guarantee the same thing.”
He watched as her eyes fluttered closed, her dark lashes standing out in stark contrast against her pale cheeks. He felt the fight leave her body and his hands moved from her face to her shoulders in an effort to keep her upright.
He leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on her brow. “I hope someday you can forgive me for all of my mistakes.”
Far before the sun ever started rising, Lydia was awake. In fact, she'd never gone to sleep. How could she when she was too busy fretting about Levi and her father?
She'd been watching out of the sole window in her bedchamber when her father entered his carriage to meet Levi at Hanover's field. She wanted to run to him and beg him not to go but knew that would only cause more problems. Her father had no idea she even knew about the duel and would certainly be furious to learn that it was Levi himself who'd told her of it.
When she could no longer see the carriage, she crawled back into her bed and tried to force sleep to come, but it was to no avail. Soon, she got up and went to the window once more, holding the thick, brocade drapes back with her hand as she stared at the street below, waiting for her father to return safely home.
She stood there for just over an hour, her eyes burning from lack of sleep when her father's carriage returned. Unable to contain herself, she let the curtains fall back into place and dashed downstairs to greet him, to see how he fared. In the deepest part of her heart, she feared he wouldn't return home alive. She knew Levi was much stronger and more agile than her father and feared he hadn't stood a chance.
The Duke's Dastardly Mistake (Unlikely Pairs Book 2) Page 7
