Temptation: 3 (Timeless Series) (30 page)

Geoff sought out his brother the next morning, finding him in the library. “Markham, I really do need to speak with you,” he said, entering the room.

Markham glanced up and a sardonic expression crossed his face.
“Ah, yes, the charming brother.” When Geoff offered a confused look, he chuckled and withdrew a wallet from his lined jacket. He opened it and pulled out a twenty-pound note. “You won the bet. I take it you want your money.”

Relieving him of the money, Geoff grinned. “I figured I would, but that’s not why I’m here.”

“Oh?” Markham’s eyebrow lifted.

He cleared his throat. “It’s about Penny.”

“Has this to do with the two of you marrying?” Markham’s attention went back to the books on the shelves he’d been perusing.

“In a way.”
Suddenly not sure how to broach the subject of Penny’s situation, Geoff began pacing, practically wearing a hole in the beautiful woven rug as he reached for the right words. Finally he stopped. Rubbing the back of his neck, he hesitated.

Markham glanced at him. “Well? Let’s hear it, now that you have my attention.”

“Penny’s not cooperating,” he blurted out.

The duke laughed. “Since when has she ever cooperated? Geoff, just marry the minx and get her with child. Once that’s done, she’ll have something else to focus on besides causing problems. In my mind, you should’ve dragged her to Gretna Green when you had the chance.”

“This isn’t something to joke about,” Geoff said hotly, not bothering to hide his irritation, though in hindsight, he wished he’d done exactly that. “Penny’s talking about staying in America and going to San Francisco.”

“All the more reason to hurry with your plans.
She’s the most willful woman I’ve ever known. The sooner you have her under your control, the sooner your problem will be solved.”

“That’s just it, Markham. She won’t marry me.”

“What? Of course she’ll marry you.”

Without saying more, Geoff’s pain-filled gaze moved to the scene in the rug and he silently studied it.

“Why?” Markham asked. “What’s happened?”

“She’s in love with another man. He’s seduced her.” Thinking of it all brought Geoff’s anger to the surface. He could do very little to hide this fact, so his voice held fury when he added, “He’ll not get away without paying the price for his seduction because if he doesn’t marry her, I’ll call him out. I’ll kill the bastard.”

“Calm down. Talking like a hothead’s not going to solve the problem. What do you mean she’s in love with another man? Who is he? Who seduced her?”

“Lucas’s brother, Parker Davis.” He shoved a hand through his hair. “It’s a big mess, Markham. I don’t know what to do.”

Markham’s eyes grew round with shock. “You’re saying our host seduced her.”

“Yes, and Pen has some harebrained idea about leaving here and going on to California.
By herself. She says she won’t marry me because I deserve someone who loves me more than her, and she won’t marry him because she’d rather die than marry someone who doesn’t love her. My God. It’s such a bloody coil.”

“Wait!” Markham held up a hand. “You lost me. Start from the beginning.”

Geoff took a big breath and let it out slowly. Then he recounted to Markham all that he’d learned in the past few days about Penny and Parker Davis, also telling him about the earl’s coercive actions and striking her, leaving out the last horrible details Mindy had mentioned.

“So, you see why the bastard has to be forced into marriage with her?” Geoff asked once he finished.

Lost in thought, Markham’s gaze remained glued to Geoff. “Maybe she’d be better off marrying you,” he finally said, his expression turning more serious.

“No.” Geoff shook head. “She loves him. I saw that with my own eyes.” He wiped his face, becoming agitated once again.

“Are you sure? I can use my influence to bring the man to the altar, but you have to be sure you’re willing to let her go,” Markham said quietly, his scrutinizing eyes searching for some sign.

“Though she denies it, marriage to him will make her happy. I love her enough to want her to be happy. Maybe that’s stupid, but
it’s how I feel.”

“My God.
You’ve grown up in front of my very eyes,” the duke said, smiling wistfully. “It takes maturity to make a decision like that. I’m proud of you.”

“It bloody well hurts to be this mature,” Geoff said with a self-deprecating laugh. Mere breathing became too painful to bear. “I’d rather have her love.”

Markham placed his hand on his shoulder and squeezed reassuringly. “I know, son. Letting go of childhood dreams is hard.”

“I’m not mature enough as the desire to hurt that bastard is a strong one.”

Chuckling, Markham wrapped an arm around his shoulder and started for the double doors, urging him along. “I’ll take care of this. Though it doesn’t seem like it, she is doing you a favor by not marrying you. You’d never be happy with just part of her.”

“Please, save your platitudes. I’m not in the mood.”

~~

Parker glanced around the table. Despite the Harvest Ball being a huge success, lunch was a somber affair and no one attempted to lighten the mood with conversation.

When done, Parker rose, followed by Lucas.

Markham’s voice interrupted as they reached the door. “Might I have a word with both of you?”

“I have a few moments to spare,” Parker said, shrugging as Lucas said, “Is everything all right?”

“I have a problem that needs to be addressed. It won’t take long.” Markham stood and threw down his napkin.

Once in the library, Parker went to the bar, sensing the note of seriousness in the duke’s request. He filled a glass and held up the bottle. “Would either of you care for a drink? I have a feeling I may need one.”

“Not a bad idea.” Markham smiled.

Except the smile didn’t quite reach his eyes, Parker noticed.

He glanced at Lucas and earned a grin and a nod. Parker poured two more drinks before handing them out. Then he settled into a chair, keeping his gaze on Markham and sipping as the man took a seat across from him. “What’s on your mind?”

While Lucas sat in another chair, the duke cleared his throat, taking a moment before he spoke. “I’m not sure how to put this. It concerns Lady Penelope.”

“What about Penny?” Parker sat up taller in the chair.

“It seems there’s been a bit of impropriety going on,” the duke said, his focus resting on Parker. “The lady’s father was one of my best friends and I cannot allow her mistreatment to go unnoticed.”

“Mistreatment?”
Parker grinned. “Of Penny?”

“You know damn well what I’m alluding to. Do you deny you seduced her?”

“I don’t believe this.” Parker snorted, shaking his head. He glanced at his brother, who appeared stunned.

“Is that true, Parker?” Lucas asked once he could speak.

“This is too much,” Parker said, chagrined at being taken to task for something he’d tried so hard to avoid. To have to explain his behavior to either of these men, especially over Penny, didn’t sit well.

“You seduced her?
After you gave your word?” There was no mistaking the anger in Lucas’s tone.

“No,” Parker denied quickly,
then amended, “Yes. Hell, I don’t know how it happened.” His gaze moved to the duke’s and he flinched at the fury those piercing ebony eyes held. “I don’t believe I owe either of you an explanation. This is between Penny and me.”

“You believe wrong and you’d better readjust your thinking,” the duke ground out. “I’ve already explained the duty I feel for the lady and I’m not dropping your mistreatment of her.” He pounded a fist into his palm. “I demand satisfaction.”

“Oh?” Parker’s entire body stiffened at the air of command in the duke’s tone. His voice became just as angry and just as loud. “You demand?” He glared at Markham, not backing down. He’d be damned before he’d allow a man such as the duke to order him around.

“Parker, you have to see how this affects him and how he views it,” Lucas chimed in when it was obvious neither man was willing to relent. “You know you’d feel the same about Catherine. We’ve already had this conversation, so I’m expecting you to do what’s right.”

“I don’t like being dictated to,” Parker warned, holding on to his patience by a silk thread. Nodding to Markham, he taunted, “You can’t force me to do a damn thing, so don’t even try.”

The duke’s silence produced a satisfied smirk, but taking in Lucas’s frown, Parker added, “And before you get all riled up, you should know I offered marriage right after it happened, in fact insisted on it. She only cried and said she had to marry Geoff, so I dropped it.”

The duke’s demeanor softened somewhat as the man cast his eyes down before he spoke again, his voice a little more controlled. “She’s now talking about going off to California by herself. I can’t allow that to happen.”

“Yes, I’m aware of her plans to follow through on her adventure.” Parker clenched his fist, totally annoyed with Penny and her goddamned plans. He exhaled a long breath. “I can’t force the lady to marry me. I’ve already told her I think she should marry Geoff.” When he caught Markham’s startled expression, he added, “
’Tis obvious they love each other.”

Markham’s gaze stayed on Parker’s for a moment before curiosity formed in his eyes.
“Really?”

Parker shrugged. “Like I said, I’ve already asked the lady to marry me.
Several times. ’Tis clear I’m not what she’s looking for in a husband.”

“I fear she no longer can be so unaccommodating.” Markham sighed. When both Parker and Lucas looked at him with eyebrows raised, Markham spent a few minutes telling them what Geoff had told him about the earl, finishing his diatribe with, “I think it’s time to confront the lady and let her know her options are limited.”

“I’ll not force anything on her,” Parker said. Noting both men’s challenging stances, he put up a hand. “I can see she’s in a difficult position, but she either wants to marry me or she doesn’t.”

“As Geoff said, the lady has made her choice. She’ll have no alternative but to honor that choice,” the duke replied just as firmly.

“We’ll see,” Parker murmured doubtfully. He rose from the chair and strode over to the bell pull. When the servant came into view, he said, “Please find Miss Layton and have her come into the library, would you, Jason?”

“Yes sir, Mr. Davis.
Right away.”

Parker moved to the fireplace and turned to both men. Leaning his elbow on the mantel, he said skeptically, “Just remember, I’ll not force anything on her. The lady has an aversion to controlling men, and I’m about as controlling as you can get, so don’t expect miracles.”

Markham didn’t add to Parker’s statement, but his expression clearly said, “Yes, we will see.”

A few minutes later Penny appeared at the library’s entrance. After gracefully closing the double doors, she took her time advancing into the room, stopping in front of Lucas and Markham.

A smile touched Parker’s lips when expectancy filled her lovely face.

“You wanted to see me?” she asked in that aristocratic tone he loved.

Parker’s smile progressed to a full-out grin. “It seems the duke has something he needs to discuss with you,” he said, trying to keep his tone solemn. He turned to Markham and added sardonically, “Your Grace?”

A displeased scowl flitted over Markham’s features. He cleared his throat. “I’m not too sure how to put this delicately, but I’ll try.” He took a big breath and let it out, obviously stalling. “It has come to my attention that the two of you”—he indicated Parker and Penny with a nod—“have been behaving in an unseemly manner. And because of this, I’m expecting you both to do the right thing.”

Penny glowered first at Markham, then at Parker, and finally back at Markham. She spent a moment schooling her expression before she spoke. “Excuse me? I’m not sure I understand what you’re saying,” she said, placing a smile on her face. Her voice was soft and questioning, showing none of the earlier anger on her face present right after the duke’s words.

“I’m not Geoff, Penny, so don’t try that on me,” Markham said in a curt tone. “You know precisely what you did and I expect nothing less than marriage. Is that clear?”

Irritation flashed in her eyes. “No.” She crossed her arms in front of a puffed-out chest.

“What do you mean, no?” yelled Markham, who’d come off the sofa.

Parker hid his grin. The tiny woman going head-to-head with the imposing man towering over her in an obvious attempt to intimidate was a sight to see.

“I choose not to marry.”

“You should’ve thought of that before you acted because you no longer have the choice.”

“Why?” Penny’s chin inched higher. She did self-righteous indignation very well. “Does it automatically mean marriage for a man?”

“May I remind you, you are in no position to argue the point,” the duke said, his voice becoming cold and unyielding.

“We are not in England, and you have no control over me. No one does.”

Her gaze turned to Parker, hurt glinting in her eyes. His amusement died.