Ravenscar had been waiting impatiently all through the innkeepers conversation, and as soon as he left, Rachels father strode across and unceremoniously opened the door and walked in. Michael followed quickly, closing the door behind them.
Rachel sat in a chair across the room, her elbow propped on the arm of the chair and her head on her hand, looking wilted. A young man with a thick head of black hair and handsome features was striding impatiently back and forth across the floor. He swung around at their entrance, but it was clear from the stunned expression on his face that he was not expecting to see Michael and Ravenscar.
Good God! he exclaimed involuntarily.
Rachel looked up at the force of his exclamation, and she froze when she saw their visitors. She jumped to her feet, her hands clutching her skirts, and the fear on her face pierced Michaels heart anew. F-father! Lord Westhampton!
Did you think you would get away? Lord Ravenscar roared, his face flooding red with fury. Did you think you could just dash off and nothing would happen? Have you gone mad? Are you dead to all sense of propriety?
Lord Ravenscar Michael began, coming up beside him.
Ravenscar cast him a single cold glance, saying, No. Unfortunately she is not your wife yet, Westhampton. She is still my concern. He turned back to his daughter, saying, Your mother is prostrate with grief. You have ruined us all.
Rachels face turned even paler, and tears welled in her eyes. Im sorry. So sorry. I did not want to hurt anyone.
My lord, it was all my fault. The young man came to stand between Rachel and her father. I begged Rachel to run away and marry me.
Of course its your fault! Ravenscar roared. Do you think I dont know that? This one hasnt the wit to come up with an idea like that. But you couldnt keep from seducing her, could you?
My lord! Birkshaw gasped. I did not touch her, I swear! I love your daughter!
Ravenscars face went from red to purple as Birkshaws words rendered him speechless for the moment.
You have an odd way of demonstrating your affection, Michael said crisply, stepping into the gap. Convincing Miss Aincourt to elope with you practically on the eve of her wedding, with scores of guests here to witness the scandal. You have exposed her to unimaginable gossip and encouraged her to break her trust, all the while knowing that you have not the means to support a wife. And you hadnt even the foresight to hire a carriage to make your escape, he finished in disgust.
The other man flushed, whether from anger or shame, Michael was not sure. I know you have good reason to hate me, my lord, and I beg your pardon. I had no intention of doing wrong to you. It is just that my love for Miss Aincourt is overwhelming.
Birkshaw turned to look at Rachel, and she smiled at him through her tears, love glowing on her face. Michael felt as if a knife had just sliced through his vital organs. He turned and walked away, struggling to compose himself. Rachel had never looked at him with even a third of that emotion, and he saw clearly now that he had no hope of becoming the man she loved. He walked over to the sideboard, staring blindly down at the rough wood surface, seeing only the bleakness that lay over the rest of his life. A life without Rachel. Without love.
Overwhelming! Ravenscar barked. You are a fool. Between the two of you, you have ruined her life. Elopingspending the night on the road with a man who is not her husbandgood God, man, the entire world will know she is a wanton. Her good name is destroyed. Are you such a mooncalf you dont see that? No man would marry her now.
I will marry her! Birkshaw declaimed dramatically.
Over my dead body, Ravenscar snarled. You have ruined us with your silly posing! Do you understand me? Ruined us! Do you honestly think that after what you have done I would allow you to marry my daughter? And how do you propose to take care of her? Did you think of that before you swayed her to run away with you? Eh? What will you do, take her back to your bachelors rooms? Live on some paltry allowance you get from your father?
I will find employment, my lord, the younger man replied stiffly.
Oh, yes, of course! Secretary to some lord, no doubt. Hah! You couldnt live on the pittance they pay, and even if you could, what man would hire you? Secretaries are responsible men, not the sort who run off with another mans fiancée in the middle of the night. The same is true for any government job. If you had the sense God gave a kitten, you would know it. No one in the Ton would have anything to do with either one of you after this. You will be lucky if youre able to find a job clerking. I know your situation. You have to marry money. Ill wager youre living on borrowed funds now. Did you think she had money? Did you think, if you blackened her name, I would have no choice but to allow you to marry her, and you would batten onto me for the rest of your life?
It was not like that, my lord. Birkshaws jaw clenched. I realize that my prospects are not very good.
Not good? They are miserable! Ravenscar roared. And you intend to drag my daughter into that? You propose to house her in some tenement in the East End? How will you feed her? How will you provide for the luckless children you will have?
II dont know, Birkshaw faltered.
You dont know, Ravenscar repeated with heavy sarcasm. And for that you have ruined my family.
A little sob escaped Rachel at her fathers words. He turned his harsh gaze on her. Well, miss, I never expected this of you, he said bitterly. I always thought that Dev would be the one who destroyed our good name. It was his licentious ways I feared. What a fool I was not to see that you were cut from the same cloth. You are a wanton! A trollop!
Father, no, please! Tears streamed from Rachels eyes, and her entire body shook with sobs. I have done nothing wrong!
Ravenscar! Michael swung back around. Thats hardly necessary.
It is the truth! Ravenscar thundered, his eyes flashing with the fire of a biblical prophet. He pointed an accusing finger at his daughter. For the sake of your fleshly desires, you have trampled the good name of your family. It is not only that you will never be received in decent company again. Neither will your mother. I will be too ashamed to set foot in Whites again. You are a stain upon the name of Aincourt.
I am sorry. I am sorry! Rachel cried, looking at her father pleadingly. I did not think! I wasit was just She covered her face with her hands, unable to go on.
Its obvious that you did not think, her father retorted disgustedly. Dragging both our names through the dirt just so you could have your pleasure with this boy! There is no way we can keep this quiet. The house is full of wedding guests. The entire Ton will know that you left Westhampton standing at the altar.
Rachels hand dropped from her face, and she stared at her father with rising horror. It was obvious that until this moment she had not considered the consequences her actions would have for Michael. No, I did not mean
You have made him look a proper fool, Ravenscar thundered on, disregarding her comment. You have dishonored an excellent man, broken your trust
Enough! Michael exclaimed, striding forward. That is enough, my lord. She will not be ruined, and I will not be dishonored. Because no one will know of this.