An Unsuitable Match by Sasha Cottman Page B

sisters who had suffered such an outrage.’
    â€˜So it wasn’t because of his pride?’ David asked. Both he and Alex had assumed Lord Langham had taken personal offence.
    Ewan shook his head. ‘Clarice suffered a public humiliation because of your brother. Mind you, I don’t think Langham intended your brother to collect the scars he has on his face; his lads got a touch carried away.’
    David closed his eyes and lowering his head, rubbed a finger over the fine lines of his furrowed brow. If it took him all night, he would scour this evening’s social events and find Clarice. He too had caused her pain and now he must explain himself. He had to make amends. Securing her heart was now had become the highest priority in his life.
    He cleared his throat.
    â€˜I didn’t know you had become aware of the circumstances surrounding Alex’s injuries,’ he replied. He looked up at his father, and met Ewan’s disapproving gaze.
    The duke shook his head. ‘I forced myself to believe that Alex had fallen heavily from his horse, but in the back of my mind I knew something was wrong. I cannot begin to tell you how disappointed I was when I discovered the truth of the matter. My two eldest sons told me a barefaced lie; it caused me to question my skills as a father.’
    David nodded. ‘Alex was desperate not to cause any further pain to Millie or Clarice. He feels personally responsible for the whole mess.’
    â€˜Because he is, though you must also share a large part of the blame,’ Ewan said, snorting.
    If his father knew about the incident, then, David was certain, so did his mother. He puffed out his cheeks and ventured to ask.
    â€˜What did Mama say when you told her?’
    Ewan puffed out his cheeks.
    â€˜Suffice to say she was not pleased. Langham owes the fact that he still has the skin on his back to my keeping your mother in the dark until after the ball.’
    David winced. He dreaded to think what his father had suffered in order to keep the peace.
    He stood and cast his gaze downward. ‘I am deeply sorry, Father, for having lied to you. It was not meant with any malice or disrespect on my part. It was an error of judgement.’
    He felt the weight of his father’s hand on his shoulder as Ewan rose and stood beside him.
    â€˜I know why you and your brother did it. And while it was with the best of intentions, may I remind you that this is not a schoolyard brawl we are discussing here. This is a serious assault on a member of the Radley family. The family of which I am the head. I shall be having words with Alex over this matter, but for the time being I shall let it rest. Besides, I did not summon you here this morning to tell you what a pair of bloody fools you and your brother have been. Sit down, son.’
    Feeling rather sheepish, David did as his father instructed and took his seat on the couch once more.
    A smile appeared on Ewan’s face and he clapped his hands. David blinked twice, unsure of what to make of the sudden change in his father’s mood.
    â€˜I have news for you; wonderful news,’ Ewan said.
    He retrieved a large pile of papers from his desk, before taking a seat on the same couch as David.
    â€˜Move up, lad, make some room for me.’
    David frowned. He had made plans to catch up with friends this morning at his club. Now it would appear his day was going to be spent going over ducal estate matters. He sighed. ‘I was hoping now that Alex is married, you might instruct Millie on some of the duties of the estate. It will eventually fall to her to handle most of the paperwork. Speaking of which, where is Alex?’
    â€˜Your sister-in-law knows exactly what tasks she will be assigned once the season is over. I have had several meetings with her already. Fortunately for us, Alex has decided upon a rather clever young lady as his future duchess, so both your and your mother’s workload will soon