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“Did you seduce her?” his father laughingly asked “Make sure she couldn’t say no, even if—”

Gareth hadn’t meant to do it He’d ed it if the baron had kept his insults to him But when he mentioned Hyacinth…

His fury took over, and the next thing he knew, he had his father pinned against the wall “Do not,” he warned, barely recognizing his own voice, “speak to ain”

“You wouldto kill , but even so, his voice ree of hatred

“It’s te”

“Ah, but you’d lose the title And then where would you be? Oh yes,” he said, practically choking on his words now, “at the end of a hangman’s rope”

Gareth loosened his grip Not because of his father’s words, but because he was finally regaining his hold on his e, he reht around the corner He could not do soret

“I knew you’d do it,” his father said, just when Gareth had let go and turned to leave

Damn He always knehat to say, exactly which button to push to keep Gareth fro

“Do what?” Gareth asked, frozen in his tracks

“Ask her to marry you”

Gareth turned slowly around His father was grinning, supreht that made Gareth’s blood run cold

“You’re so predictable,” the baron said, cocking his head just an inch or so to the side It was a gesture Gareth had seen a hundred ti and it was conteed toso hard for his father’s approval

And failing every time

“One word fro to himself “Just one word from me”