“Koryn, listen to me very closely. You were not invited here, neither to dinner, nor to our house. I would not push me. Because I can and will cancel the ball and send you packing right now. That would be no hardship on me to do that. In fact, I would love nothing more than for you to give me a reason to have this ball cancelled. You need to leave my sight before you figure out that I am not a man to be trifled with.”
The older woman glared at Aidan. “I don’t have to listen to a single word you say. This was my brother’s home. He would have let me do what I want. And did. He gave me permission before he died to use whichever house we want; in any capacity we want. We shouldn’t have to ask permission from his upstart son who didn’t even want to be the Duke anyway. I think for that reason alone, we should be able to do what we want, whenever we want to. Regardless if this is your home or not.”
Rhia gaped at the women, she had never heard such anger spewed at once before.
Aidan glared right back. “My father died and left the Dukedom, this home, and many others; -yours included-, in his will to me. He may have given you permission at one point, but it no longer stands. You don’t get to do what you wish. Not when it comes to my home. Any of my homes. I may not have wanted the title, but it is mine. And mine alone. I may not always wish to be addressed as the Duke, but make no mistake, I am one. I hold the power here, not you Koryn. Do not try to argue who is in the right here, you will lose.”
Cole stood this time. “Aunt Koryn, we were having a pleasant evening. And you went and showed us exactly why we didn’t invite you to our dinner. We do not need your assumptions, nor your hatred. And hearing you speak with such vulgarity is horrid. We are in polite company. And for you to assume she is my mistress? That is the worst kind of slander. I would be very lucky to be with a woman like Rhia. And not as my mistress. As would Aidan. You need to think before you speak. You are digging yourself into a very deep hole. As Aidan pointed out, she is here as a guest, recovering from a terrible illness. Nothing more. You don’t have the right to question who does or doesn’t stay in our home.”
He stopped and took a deep breath to calm down, “Aidan is correct in telling you to be very careful. He is a powerful man, and is only allowing you to stay here because he is generous and kind. Even when he doesn’t wish to be. Aidan is the Duke. There is no changing the fact. Nothing you say or whine about will change it. The title passed to him when our father died. Think before you speak.” Cole ran his hand over his hair, dislodging a few pieces from his tidy queue. “And Koryn, you should know and remember that I too, am a powerful man. I have enough contacts and influence in town that I would be very, very careful if I were you with your next few words.”
Koryn scoffed. “Ha! Influence? Don’t make me laugh Cole. You barely speak to anyone at any function, I have seen it, time and time again. So, don’t try to make yourself into something more. I have never even seen you dance at any ball or go out of your way to engage conversation of any kind. Don’t fool yourself into trying to be more than you are. You are pathetic. Afraid of people, afraid of the women who flock to your side. You sit in the corner, cowering from any and all conversation.” She laughed, and Rhia didn’t even know what to say or do. She couldn’t believe what was happening.
“And Aidan? Kind? Really? You call that kindness? Since we have arrived, your family has gone out of their way to make our lives miserable. Sticking us in quite possibly the worst wing in the house is generous? We should be in the family wing, not in the furthest wing in the house from them. That isn’t done in regular gentry. But what would you know about it? What is or isn’t done? You avoid any outside communication. And any people. It’s pathetic really. You should be ashamed of the way you have treated us. This won’t be forgotten or forgiven.” She glared at Aidan; whose breathing had picked up. His hands were clenched into fists, and Rhia could see his jaw twitch with the strain of holding something back.
Koryn continued, “You haven’t been generous in the least. Not allowing us to have what we need when we stay in this home? We have asked time and time again for more staff, better linens, hotter bath water, I could go on and on. What you all are is a joke. And I am ashamed to call you family. I am disappointed in you. My brother would be too. He would have shown you what true hospitality looks like. He was the most generous man. He would be turning in his grave if he saw how we have been treated. Shame on you. You should know better. Katarina and I should always take priority over anything and anyone else, especially to that cretin at the table. We are family whether you or I like it or not. We demand to be included in everything that happens in this house. It is the only way I will forgive this rude behavior. I also will demand that she not be allowed around my guests.” Koryn glared at Rhia and pointed her way.
Then she gave a dramatic sniff, “I have dealt with many sleepless nights worrying if my guests will be treated the way Katarina and I have been. It would ruin our social standing. And it would be all your fault. I cannot have that happen. Absolutely not. It is already bad enough that I have to worry that my guests won’t even come to the ball since everyone is so scared to see his gruesome face. Most had to be talked into coming here. I assured them he would be on his best behavior and no one would have to see his face if they didn’t wish to. I also had to tell them that he wasn’t as gruesome as most people believe.”
Cole, Aidan, Lydia, Lily and Rose all yelled their protest at that. Rhia just sat in her chair, her jaw dropped open in shock. Aidan was the furthest thing from gruesome she had ever seen.
Lydia got up from her seat, and came forward to glare at her sister in law. “That is it Koryn. You will leave immediately. How dare you speak to us that way? Still the spoiled girl you always were. You have gone too far. There is absolutely no reason for you to come in here tonight, but yet you had to be yourself, and start saying things that you have no business saying. What we do in our house is none of your concern. And how we run our home is also not any of your business. If we want to stick you out in the dowager house, you should be grateful. We didn’t have to allow this ball to be held. Aidan did out of the goodness of his heart. And none of this is helping your case with Aidan. He should be treated with the utmost respect, and yet all you have shown him is contempt. Koryn, you need to leave this room immediately, and pray that Aidan won’t send you from the estate. I wouldn’t begrudge him if he did send you packing. It’s the least you deserve. How dare you say anything like that about your own nephews?”
Lily, Rose and Cole were still voicing their protests of everything their aunt said. Aidan put a hand up and everyone went silent.
Aidan put his hands flat on the table, and leaned forward. “Listen to me, and listen closely. Everything you just said to me is poisonous and horrific. You must truly have no wish to stay at our home, because you just made up my mind for me. I had no desire to have complete strangers in my home, interrupting my family and our solitude. I do not care if you host your ball here. In fact, it was the most improper way to host a ball at a house that isn’t even yours. I will send you from this house at once. I do not care if people think I am gruesome. I have had people say worse things about me, to my face or behind my back, and for a very long time in my life. This is nothing new, and it has stopped bothering me a long time ago.” He glared at his aunt, and his cousin. Rhia could see his face was red, and it was a mask of anger and indignation.
“But, Koryn. Since you felt the need to keep pushing me and my generosity, and kept spewing your words, you will be sent from my home immediately. You are not the mistress of this home. You are not the Duchess, or even the Dowager Duchess. You hold absolutely no power here. You think you get to decide who comes to things or not? Rhia is my honored guest. Again, I remind you of this. She will come and go wherever she pleases. You went too far Koryn. As you always did. Your brother may have coddled you and given you everything in life, but I am not him. You are not my concern, nor do I care for your wellbeing. You came here, to my home and have done nothing but complai
n since you walked inside the doors. I have been patient and tried to give you everything you requested of me. And yet it was never enough for you. For either of you. I could have and would have forgiven those things since they were innocuous, but for you to come in this room, and start using your mouth to spew your words, I am done. Finished. You have insulted me, my brother, my family and this lovely woman here. You have said the most awful things to me and about me, about someone you know nothing about and you have demanded more things I will not give you. You decided to test my patience and you lost. I am not as kind and generous as people say. I must have some of my father in me after all. Since you couldn’t just let us have our lovely dinner, and had to keep running your mouth, go ahead Koryn. Send your correspondence to those you invited. Your ball is done.”
Koryn looked shocked and backed down a little. “Well, I never. There is no need to be so hasty. I mean, honestly, it was only hurt feelings that made me speak out so. Seeing this woman here, enjoying this family dinner, when my daughter and I should be your priority and invited to every function, is hard. And shocking. We are just trying to host this lovely ball to celebrate Katarina. She should hold everyone’s attention. And you all have barely acknowledged us. Really, this is all just nonsense. I apologize Aidan. I didn't mean it that way. Any of it. Please, let us just forget this evening happened. I am sure that we can forgive this?”
Aidan looked down and shook his head. He was getting ready to speak when Katarina spoke up.
“Mother, you should go lie down. I think this has upset your nerves,” she turned to look at Aidan, “I am sorry for this unpleasant night. We will let you get back to your dinner. There is no need to make decisions in haste when emotions are so high. Perhaps we can take some time to re-acquaint ourselves again. It has been a while since we have seen one another. And not just running around planning the ball. But, just the two of us getting reacquainted.”
She had walked closer to Aidan as she was speaking, until she was practically rubbing up against him. She looked up at him and deliberately rubbed her considerable breasts against his arm.
Koryn just sneered, lifted her nose in the air, and walked out of the room.
Aidan stepped away and moved closer to Rhia. Katarina looked over at Rhia and gave her a snide smile. “Who are you again? A guest of the Duke? How sweet.” Like she hadn’t heard the entire conversation.
Aidan stepped in front of her. “This is Rhiannon Forester, and yes, she is a guest here. I would appreciate it if you showed her the respect she deserves.”
She looked up at Aidan and touched him on his arm, rubbing it back and forth in a caress. “Of course. I would never give her a reason to think I don’t want her here. That is absurd Aidan. She must be made to feel welcome at all the events and activities. I would hate for her to feel unwelcome.”
Rhia’s stomach clenched. Katarina was certainly putting on a good show for Aidan. And seeing this gorgeous woman touching Aidan made her see red.
She had never been jealous, and barely knew Aidan, and therefore didn’t have any reason to be upset with whom he touched or didn’t touch. But it was like a slap seeing Katarina’s continued touches.
Katarina moved closer to Aidan again, rubbing his chest and reaching out and grabbing hold of his hand. “I will talk to my mother; she listens to me. I just want you to know how much I appreciate you letting us stay here. I will have to show you how much later. After all, it is not every day a woman gets to hold a lovely ball in her honor. And seeing her handsome cousins, well that is just the cherry on top isn’t it? I don’t know what my mother is thinking. Of course, people want to come here. You are a Duke after all. People want to see you Aidan. You have hidden away too long. There are going to be plenty of people there who cannot wait to see your handsome face. I for one am thrilled to see just how handsome you have turned out to be. I just hope you save me a dance? I am an exceedingly good dancer at the waltz.” Katarina caressed his chest again and rubbed her breasts on him as she turned to walk away. “If you need anything at all Aidan, my door is always open to you. For any reason. Day or night.”
Rhia knew exactly what she was insinuating while she was talking to Aidan and she hated every moment of it. This was worse than having someone call her a whore. Seeing this beautiful woman caress and touch Aidan in such a way made Rhia sick to her stomach. All the food she had eaten threatening to come up again. She had to get out of here. Couldn’t stay in this room any longer.
She knew that Katarina was beautiful in a way she could never be. She was also his family. Men of the ton often married their cousins to keep it all in the family. Aidan was most likely going to marry her. Or a woman like her. One that had a title, money and influence. She was exactly the kind of woman he should be married to.
Rhia needed remember that she was a cripple, with no money and no prospects. Had to get it through her head that no matter what she felt for Aidan, feelings and thoughts didn’t matter. Weren’t important when it came to things such as these. She knew she had worth as a person, but knew that this was not the life she was meant for.
Katarina gave one last brush against Aidan, and leaned up to give him a soft kiss to his cheek. She whispered something in his ear, which caught him off guard. She rubbed his arm once more.
“I hope we have our little chat soon dear cousin. I long for it. A nice talk between you and I. I cannot wait and have much to discuss with you. It will be such a treat, spending time alone with my very handsome cousin.” And with that, she sashayed out of the room.
Aidan looked so shocked that he didn’t even get a word in edgewise. He had wanted them to leave immediately, but here he was letting them stay. Rhia had heard enough. She needed to get out of here, right now.
Didn’t want to have more discussions about having been called a whore, despite never having met those women before in her life. She didn’t need to hear anything else. She just needed to get back to her room, and lock the door. Not have Aidan, or his family to come help her. Then tomorrow, whether she was feeling better or no, she and Julia would be leaving.
She didn’t need to have his cousin or aunt attack her again. She was only so strong. And could only take so much abuse. Tonight, had been her limit. She had to get her feelings to stop building toward Aidan. And she needed time to do that.
Rhia slowly stood. “I think I will return to my room. It has been a lovely dinner. Thank you for the invitation, your Grace, my ladies, my Lord.” She gave an awkward courtesy, trying not to look at anyone. She saw out of the corner of her eye Lydia standing, worry written all over her face, as well as concern for her.
Lydia had voiced a protest after Rhia had stood, but Rhia had ignored it. She had to. She couldn’t listen to them, and needed to get out of here before she lost every ounce of dignity she had. Taking one step away from the table, then two, and her cursed leg folded out from under her. Rhia held back the curse she desperately wanted to say, and bit her lip to keep it inside.
Aidan’s strong arms caught her before she hit the ground. She hadn’t heard him come up behind her. Then before she knew it, she was airborne, snuggled up in his arms, against his hard chest. Exactly where she didn’t want to be. “I can help you get back to your room,” came Aidan’s reply.
She shook her head, “No, Aidan, I mean, your Grace, please finish your dinner with your family. I still can’t eat as much as I once did. My stomach couldn’t handle one more bit. And, I am quite tired. All the excitement of the evening has taxed me, what with walking in here and the lovely meal. I am simply not up for this any longer. Please excuse me your Grace. I will leave you to finish up.”
She finally looked up into his face as she spoke and he was shaking his head at her, confusion written all over his features. “No, we are almost finished anyway. And besides, there is absolutely no way that I am watching you walk out of here. Not when you can’t even take two steps without your leg giving out. I am capable of getting you to your room without causing you injury.”
&nb
sp; She scowled at him, getting angry that he wouldn’t let her leave with what was left of her dignity intact. “Your grace, I don’t need your help. I have been walking on my own for 21 years. I also have been falling and failing after my accident. Alone. You weren’t there to help me then, and soon you won’t be again. As soon as I can, I will get my leg strong again so I can leave your family in peace. It won’t be much longer. Maybe tomorrow or the next day. I can handle travelling the rest of the way there now that I have Julia. If you will excuse me please. I need to rest up to prepare for my journey.”
Aidan recoiled so violently, she felt it in her entire body. “What? You just got here a few days ago and have barely begun to recover from your illness and you want to leave already? Rhia, be serious. You know you aren’t well enough for that sort of travel. Especially not tomorrow or even days from now.” He said through gritted teeth.
She could see the pain in his eyes and she said, “I am just fine. I can handle it. It is what needs to be done. Please put me down. I can get to my room myself. I shall see everyone in the morning. Thank you again for the invitation and the lovely dinner your Grace, my lady.”
She refused to look into his eyes again after her last statement and Aidan slowly let her slide down his body, and to the floor. Then he let his arms drop and he took a step away from her.
She nodded at him and whispered, “Thank you, your Grace. Have a pleasant rest of the evening with your family.” She curtsied again then she turned and carefully stepped away from him. She made it five agonizing steps before her leg gave way again.
She grabbed the table for support and steadied herself, taking a deep breath and blinking hard against the burn in her eyes. She would not cry. Not here. It was imperative that she didn’t cry in front of these people. They had already seen her at her worst, she didn’t need to add this to the list.
The Duke Who Loved Me Page 18
