“Nature has relieved you of any obligation in that matter. You are the most unpleasant man I have ever had to do with.”
“Let me outline the position.” The mellifluous note spurred his Grace to fury. “Mr. Dinneford and Miss Lawrence, Lady Muriel and I are determined to marry and we must have your consent.”
“And if I don’t give it?” The tone matched the truculent eyes.
“I may be tempted to use my knowledge in a way which will be much more disagreeable than the things you wish to prevent.”
“Do I understand this to be a threat?”
Sir Dugald smiled darkly.
“Very well!” Defiance and resentment rode the Duke very hard. “Use your knowledge as you like. You are a scoundrel.”
“A hard name.” Again the Duke was met by a saturnine Scottish smile. “But my motives are sound.”
“So are mine.” The Duke’s voice shook with fury. “If you are not careful I will have you put out of the house.”
“We are not living in the Middle Ages, you know.”