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“Get out!” Lucius growled through gritted teeth “You will give me a moment’s privacy, or there’ll be hell to pay”

Warner straightened and brushed his sleek red hair from his brow “I answer only to His Grace, and he is not in any fit state for lengthy visits”

Lucius squared his shoulders and stepped forward “I answer to no one and will decide how long I want to remain at my father’s bedside”

“His Grace finds your hostile ”

“Hostile? You expect to see warenerosity from the son of that cold-hearted bastard?” Lucius pointed at the helpless figure in the bed “Now, get the hell out before I rip those ruffles from your shirt sleeves and stuff them down your throat”

“Mr Daventry,” a soft feminine voice called from the doorway

Lucius re him to issue another lofty command

The patter of footsteps preceded the gentle touch of a hand on his shoulder “Let your father rest,” Miss Atwood said softly “We have other matters that require our attention and can return on the morrow”

Miss Atwood’s caler’s flames, until Warner muttered, “It seems your strumpet is the only one with any sense”

An unholy rage surged through Lucius’ veins He fleard and threw a punch that knocked the arrogant toad on his arse

“Call led to speak coherently “But slander Miss Atwood’s good name and I shall beat you until your chin is the size of a normal man’s”

Warner lay sprawled on the floor, clutching his jaw in shock

“Mr Warner has a right to his opinion” Miss Atwood tugged Lucius’ arht to tell him he’s an obnoxious weasel”

Lucius let Miss Atwood pull hi ives a da est you make yourself scarce Tri for a new position”

Warner scrambled to his feet but remained silent as he brushed dust off his black coat and breeches and continued fussing with the bedsheets