Pretty Persuasion by Olivia Kingsley

sword lowered, he stood with one foot in front of the other, ready to put his new advantage to use. Phillip's gaze darted between the other men. Grimacing, he muttered a curse and wiped his battered nose, leaving crimson stains on the white linen of his sleeve.
    Oh, God.
Georgie rushed to his side, drew out her kerchief and, tugging his arm away, pressed it against his nose.
    "Thank you," he mumbled, taking the cloth from her hands. She reached for his face, but he flinched, his eyes warning her not to fuss.
    "Cameron, be so kind as to close the door."
    Georgie turned at the sound of Robert's lazy drawl, and as the giant did his bidding, she caught a glimpse of the crowd that had formed in the hallway. Heat flamed her face, and she became acutely aware of her tousled appearance. She tugged the dress back onto her shoulder, faltering when she noticed Robert's gaze upon her. It was a look from the past, the look he had given her so often after the maze incident, after she started tormenting him.
    Her stomach pitched, and she averted her eyes. His scorn still unsettled her in a way no one else's could.
    Robert broke the silence. "Now that we have all settled down, perhaps we can discuss this in a civilized manner."
    "There's nothing to discuss," Phillip said, lowering the kerchief from his nose.
    "Humor me, Rossemore." Robert held up his hand when Phillip started another protest. "It's the only way you'll be rid of me."
    Phillip's mouth twisted in a bitter smile. "I don't appear to have much choice in the matter. Though it would please me to know to whom I am speaking."
    The Rat inclined his head. "Sheffield. You'll have to forgive the lack of a proper introduction."
    While Georgie cursed their cool politeness, Phillip said, "Go on."
    "Marriage to Georgie would be a grave mistake. I advise you not to go through with it."
    "Your advice arrives too late. The ceremony has already been performed."
    Robert arched a brow, as if he didn't quite believe it. "An annulment, then."
    "I think not." Blood still trickled from Phillip's nose, and he reapplied the pressure of her kerchief.
    "If you would but hear me out, I'm convinced you would consider it," Robert said with a thin smile.
    The kerchief came away again. "It is not a matter for consideration. It simply is not possible."
    A loaded silence ensued, during which Georgie found herself under the scrutiny of three pairs of eyes. It took her a moment to grasp the implication of Phillip's declaration. An annulment was impossible when the marriage had been consummated. Her cheeks started burning. God, but she wished the floor would open up and swallow her whole.
    The Scot watched her with indifference. Phillip's gaze held admonition, as if he expected her to contradict him, and Robert… No word could describe the devastating effect his cold stare had upon her.
    "I see." Robert's voice cut right to the bone. "Then I seem to be the bearer of particularly bad news, Rossemore. You have married a lady with no dowry."
    Shaken out of her stupor, Georgie gave an incredulous laugh. "What nonsense!"
    Robert he kept his eyes on Phillip. "Before I departed London, the duke informed me that if you married this young man, he'd cut you off without a farthing."
    "No. It's not true." Her father wouldn't do such a thing. Except… He was certainly capable of it. She had no doubt of that.
    Robert's eyes were stony when they found hers. "You would call me a liar, Georgie?"
    If I thought it served your purpose to lie, yes.
She didn't dare voice the insult aloud. "I'll still have Astley Park."
    He shook his head. "The duchess also expressed her intention to disinherit you. You're left with nothing."
    "She can't do that!" She didn't mean to shout. She just couldn't help it.
    He shrugged. "I believe it is her prerogative to bequeath it according to her own will."
    Georgie's head swam. Her parents wouldn't be that cruel, especially her mother. "I don't believe it."
    "Perhaps this will convince you." Robert pulled