“I will not respond to those questions,” William growled and placed the glass on the table in front of him.
Lord Steeple, instead of leaving William alone, decided to push the boundaries even further. “But you were intimate with the young woman?”
“I warn you, Steeple...”
“Your threats may work on others, but they certainly don’t work on me, William,” he said and glared at him. “If I had known Emma was such a light-skirt, I would have attempted to woo her myself. Perhaps I still can.”
His belly tightened and acid burned the back of his throat.
He wouldn’t dare...
“You stay away from her, or I will strangle you with my bare hands,” William threatened.
“Again, my lord, your threats mean nothing to me,” the man before him said, his voice tinged with boredom. “But now that I see how angry you are, it makes me wish to do so even more. And, to be perfectly frank, I have more than enough in my britches to satisfy the young woman. More than you ever could—”
“That is quite enough,” James barked, his voice echoing through the large room.
Before Lord Steeple or any of the other gentlemen could answer, James grabbed William’s arm and dragged him to the exit.
William fought against his brother’s grasp but ultimately gave in and went outside.
He knew that he was impulsive and would not have given a second thought to drawing Lord Steeple’s cork, especially referring to Emma in such a vulgar manner.
Lord Steeple’s words had gotten the better of him and now he paced around the road in front of the gentlemen’s club. The stars flickered overhead and in the distance, clouds started to fill up the sky.
Lord Steeple, the arrogant bastard, had purposely uttered those words to him to get a rise, as he had done many times in the past.
“Brother,” James said quietly.
William came to an abrupt stop and glanced at James.
“I know you are upset by Steeple’s words.”
“That is a very large understatement, brother,” he muttered.
“I understand, but I do not fathom why he yet again managed to manipulate you into causing such a scene,” James uttered.
“Did you not hear him? He practically referred to Emma as a whore,” William exploded.
“I heard him loud and clear, brother, but Steeple is not the kind of man with whom you should worry yourself,” James answered.
Didn’t James understand? This could get very bad.
“He will tell those terrible things to every man inside, and they will all consider Emma to be a light-skirt, which she is not,” he exclaimed. “She does not deserve any of this. It is my fault.”
“How is this your fault, brother?”
William ran his fingers through his hair, frustrated beyond anything he’d ever felt before.
“I cannot assist you if I’m unaware of what is happening,” James stated.
He remained silent, and James was the one who now sighed.
“Remember, brother, all women who aren’t virgins, are whores,” James said and lowered his gaze. “If I can give you a word of advice—”
“I’m in love with her,” William burst out with.
He couldn’t contain it anymore.
James froze and stared blankly at him.
William scoffed and placed his hands on his hips. “Do not seem so surprised.”
“I am not. I am merely...” James’s brow furrowed, as he quickly searched for the most appropriate word, “...delighted.”
“You are?” William asked, surprised.
“Of course. You deserve all the happiness in the world.”
William’s heart broke at the same time he rejoiced at his brother’s heartfelt words. “Thank you, brother, but it is too late. She does not feel the same towards me.”
“How would you know?” James asked.
“I offered to marry her to restore her reputation, and she declined,” William explained.
“She would, indeed, decline if that were the sole reason for asking her to marry you. Surely you told her of your feelings for her,” James said, then his smile faded as he stared at William for a while. “But perhaps she would have accepted had you done so.”
William shrugged. “I did not possess the courage to do that.”
“But you offered to marry her?”
He nodded. “I simply wish for her to be happy.”
“And you think marriage is the solution? I am not surprised she declined.”
William’s mouth dropped open and he gaped at James. “Why would you say that, brother?”
“Emma is a strong and courageous young woman who yields to no one and can care for herself. She most certainly does not require anyone’s help.”
“Indeed,” William grumbled. Exactly what she said.
There was a long pause, then James said, “I am sincerely sorry, brother.”
William sighed. His brother had nothing to be sorry for.
“It is my fault, for not giving her what she wished for most. To be heard, to be understood, and to be loved for whom she was,” William groaned and once more ran his fingers through his hair. “She deserves better than I can give her, and I most certainly do not deserve a woman such as her.”
While James glanced at him with assurance that this was not the case, William was well aware that it was.
Chapter Thirteen
Emma rummaged around in the large trunk that stood in the corner of her bedchamber, listening to the melodious tunes her father orchestrated down in the drawing room.
Her father had played the piano from a very young age, and was still very skilled. She recalled many nights when she had sat beside him on the stool while he played.
When she was old enough, she performed along with him, but for the past few years, she had not spent as much time with her father.
He had allowed her to be her own person and do as her heart desired. A smile formed on her lips as she recognized the familiar tune they used to play together.
For a moment she sat perfectly still, listening to the music, then she shook her
