Somewhere I'll Find You (Capital Theatre #1)(45)

“I didn't molest her! She was staring at me all soft and doe-eyed, inviting me to kiss her, and when I did, she most definitely reciprocated…and then George came leaping out of the bushes like a madman.”

“And Sybill, not wanting to earn the censure of her family, claimed complete innocence and said you had lured her out there and attempted to seduce her.”

William nodded vigorously. “Yes, that's exactly what happened. And don't look at me as though you were never tempted by a pretty young innocent before! Hell, you probably did the same thing at my age.”

“At your age I was trying my damnedest to keep the family from sinking beneath a mountain of debt. I had little time to dally with girls like Sybill Wyvill.”

His brother crossed his arms defensively. “I may not be as saintly as some, but I'm not as bad as others.”

Damon smiled darkly. “An appropriate family motto for the Savages.”

After washing and changing his clothes, Damon went to the Wyvill estate, located just a few miles from the castle. In spite of a substantial fortune, the Wyvills lived in a quaint country manor half-buried in a grove of silver birch and rhododendron bushes. Wearing an appropriately sober demeanor, Damon asked the butler to give his regards to Lord Wyvill and perhaps allow him a few minutes to visit. The butler disappeared and returned shortly thereafter, then took him to the library.

Lord Wyvill, who was only a little older than Damon's father Frederick, was seated in a large leather-upholstered chair before a small fire, his feet extended toward the crackling blaze. Having met Wyvill many times before, Damon knew that he was an ambitious, self-important man with boundless pride in his children. Sybill was his only daughter, and he had made no secret of his plans to secure a splendid match for her. Only a duke or an earl would suffice, not to mention a man with a fortune as impressive as his bloodlines. Damon doubted that William was what Wyvill had in mind for a son-in-law.

Wyvill lifted a pudgy hand in a gesture for Damon to sit in the chair beside him. The firelight danced in a wavering gleam over his balding head. “Savage,” he said in a deep voice that sounded incongruous coming from a man of such short stature. “I see your brother—the insolent scoundrel—has summoned you to protect him. Well, this is one time you won't be able to spare him. He has acted dishonorably, and he must answer for it.”

“I understand your feelings, sir,” Damon replied gravely. “It appears that William has indeed gone too far. However, in the interests of your daughter's welfare as well as your son's, I came to ask you to stop the duel. George will withdraw his challenge if you demand it.”

“And why would I do that?” Wyvill asked, his round mouth pursed with anger. “My precious Sybill, a naive and innocent girl, has been ruined, her reputation besmirched—”

“By one kiss?” Damon asked, raising one brow. “Isn't that putting it a little too harshly? A beautiful girl, a moonlit garden…surely anyone can understand how William lost his head.”

“He should never have been alone with my daughter in the garden, insulting her on my own estate, no less!”

“Yes, I know. I give you my word that William will make amends in any way you choose, if you will convince George to withdraw his challenge. Surely we can come to some other arrangement. I'm certain you are as reluctant as I to have bad blood between our families. Moreover, if the duel takes place tomorrow, Sybill's reputation will suffer. What is only a small, easily forgotten incident at the moment will become a scandal. Rumors will follow her wherever she goes.” Damon carefully watched the other man's face as he spoke, seeing with satisfaction that he had scored a point. If Sybill were the focus of a scandal, it would become much more difficult for her to marry well.

“What kind of ‘arrangement’ do you have in mind?” Wyvill asked suspiciously.

Damon hesitated and met the other man's gaze. “That depends on what would satisfy you. Would it solve the matter if William were to offer for Sybill?” It was a suggestion he felt safe in making, knowing that Wyvill had greater ambitions than to marry his daughter to a second son.

“No,” Wyvill said, his double chin wagging as he shook his head. “Your brother has neither the means nor the character I am seeking in a son-in-law.” He paused for a long moment, and a crafty look came over his face. “However…I have an alternative to suggest.”

“Yes?” Damon watched him intently.

“As far as I'm concerned, honor will be satisfied if you marry Sybill.”

Damon felt his eyebrows crawl up to his hairline. He had to clear his throat several times before he could reply. “I'm flattered,” he said hoarsely.

“Good. I'll call for Sybill, and you may propose to her at once.”

“Lord Wyvill, I…have something to confess.” All at once Damon was struck by the humor of the situation, and he felt a treacherous laugh rising in his throat. Somehow he managed to keep it from erupting. “Sybill is a lovely girl, I'm certain, and in any other circumstances…”

“But?” Wyvill prompted, scowling like a bulldog.

“I can't marry your daughter.”

“Why not?”

“I'm already married.”

For a long time there was no sound except for the small, snapping fire. Both men stared into the dancing flames, while Wyvill mulled over the extraordinary statement. After a while he spoke, his voice heavy with suspicion. “This is the first I've heard of it.”