An Accidental Affair by Heather Boyd Page B

connection.”
    “I am not marrying Parker,” she insisted. Arabella had only wanted a lover, not a man to tell her what to do with her days. “Whatever possessed you to think you could arrange such a thing without consulting me?”
    He grabbed her arm and jerked her hard against him, well beyond the bounds of proper behavior for any gentleman. “You will do what I say or you will get out. Have I not been patient while you mourned? Have I not allowed you certain freedoms while keeping a roof over your head and providing you with endless luxury? If you had any family, I’d have sent you back to them, but I thought you could be useful. Well, you will be now. With your help, Cecily managed to repel every proper gentleman save that Ford runt and ruined us in the process. It’s up to you to smooth the way forward.”
    “What do you mean ruin us? What haven’t you told me?” Arabella struggled and his grip tightened. Such a situation she had never imagined she would find herself in. What woman did? She would not marry Parker. She would not marry anyone. Unfortunately, the more she fought against his hold, the tighter Farnsworth gripped her. “Farnsworth, release me at once or I will scream.”
    The next moment, his open palm slammed against her cheek, sending her spinning across the room and into a side table. Small ornaments shattered as they hit the floor. Only a single, unlit silver candelabra remained on the surface and even it tipped on its side.
    “You will do as I say, woman,” he growled, stalking toward her. “Don’t tell me you’re not in the mood for a man after all your come-hither looks you’ve sent the fellows about London this season. You ruined my daughter, planted wild notions in her head about love and personal freedom. I won’t suffer the expense of you under my roof a moment longer without the promise of a dividend in return. Luckily, Parker isn’t repelled by a more experienced woman and has settled my debts in full in order to have you. Be grateful it’s marriage he offers and not an affair. You’ll marry him or live on the street with the other tarts for all I care.”
    She stared at him, shocked by the way he saw her actions. She’d created no scandal herself. She’d done not one thing to feel embarrassed about. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I have done nothing to deserve being treated in this manner. I am not a horse to sell at Tattersall’s.”
    “Oh, come now. I’m not a fool or blind.” His hand shot out and wrapped about her throat, hauling her upright to meet his eyes. His bloodshot gaze skimmed over her body once, a sneer forming on his mouth. He was far more intoxicated than she’d first suspected. His grip tightened as he pressed her against the table. “New dresses designed to arouse, the absence of my brother’s wedding ring upon your finger. You had but one plan in mind when you came up to Town. Seduction. Well, you got your wish. There is one gentleman among the many prepared to seize what’s on offer.”
    Arabella clutched at the table behind her for support. “I came because you gave me no choice,” she croaked.
    Farnsworth’s face came closer. “You always had a choice. Pretend all you like, but you’ll get your wish for a man between your legs. You’ll be married before the sun sets tomorrow and business with Parker will be complete.”
    Arabella groped behind her. Her fingers closed on the lone candlestick. The cold, heavy silver reassured her somewhat. “You’re mad. I am not marrying him or anyone.”
    He drew back, but his free hand rose as if to strike her again. “Then get out of my house.”
    As his hand fell toward her face again, Arabella swung the candlestick, clubbing Farnsworth on the side of his head with all her might. It wasn’t enough to drop him to the floor, but he staggered back, clutching at his head and bellowing his rage. She took one instant to decide she shouldn’t stay another moment to try to reason with him.