“I have had more than enough!”

Arabella froze, wincing a little as her father’s diatribe continued.

“That man thinks that he can simply do as he pleases? Well, he will not rest so easy!”

“Papa,” she begged. “Please, leave the Duke be. He did not come upon the Marling Necklace by chance!”

Her father turned puce, his voice dropping to a threatening whisper. “He is a cheat and a fraud, taking that from me and pretending that he won the round honestly.”

Feeling completely helpless, Arabella spread her hands. “I do not know what it is you wish me to do to help you, Papa. I cannot exactly get it back for you.”

He lifted one eyebrow, pinning her with his gaze. “But that is exactly what you are to do.”

A shiver ran through her as she saw his conniving expression. She did not want anything to do with her father’s plans, since, as far as she was concerned, he had lost the necklace entirely by his own foolish choices. It was well known among the ton that a man simply did not bet against the Duke. Whether it was through luck being on the man’s side, or whether through more nefarious means, the Duke of Elenford always seemed to get exactly what he wanted.

“I should never have put such a priceless heirloom on the table,” her father muttered, his eyes filled with regret. “But, as things stand, we are going to get it back - and more with it.”

“More?” Arabella repeated, faintly. “What are you talking about, papa?”

He studied her for a moment before a slightly calculating smile appeared on his face. "You are close to being on the shelf, Arabella, is that not so?"

Heat filled her cheeks at once, ashamed at her father’s cruel words. It was hardly her fault that he refused to allow her out to the various balls she had been invited to. Had her mother been alive, perhaps things might be different, but she had died over ten years ago now, leaving Arabella quite alone with her indifferent father. He had never been interested in presenting her to society, nor for her to catch a husband. Despite being out, Arabella had slowly lost hope about ever having her time in society. Her dreams of meeting an eligible gentleman, of being courted and then betrothed slowly dimmed and died, until they were only ashes in her hands.

“The Duke is unmarried,” her father repeated slowly. “And has something of a penchant for young women, it seems.”

“Papa!” Arabella gasped. “You cannot expect me to allow him any liberties!”

He chuckled, darkly. “You are to be friendly, my dear, that is all. And then, I expect you to find and return the Marling necklace to me.”

Arabella did not want to ask how her father expected her to find the Marling necklace, given that it was, more than likely, being kept in the Duke’s townhouse somewhere, possibly under lock and key.

“Papa,” she whispered, the blood draining from her face. “I cannot do such a thing.”

“You can, and you will,” he retorted, firmly. “Should you chose not to do as I’ve asked, then things will be all the worse for you. You know of what I speak, Arabella.”

Unfortunately, Arabella knew exactly what her father meant. He had often threatened her with marriage to his second cousin, a much older man with a violent temper. It was his way of keeping Arabella in line. Having met the man on a few occasions, Arabella had always lived in fear of her father doing exactly what he threatened. She would be dragged to the altar, and the words forced from her lips, should her father decide to do such a thing. After all, he was a particularly cruel and vicious man.

“Please, Papa,” she begged, trying desperately not to cry. “Don’t force me to do this.”

His hand reached for his cane, making Arabella shudder as his threat became apparent.

"Do you have anything else to say?" he asked, softly, his deep gray eyes boring into her.

Swallowing the lump in her throat, Arabella shook her head, wishing she could have the courage and strength to refuse him, but knowing there was no fight left in her.

“Good,” her father replied, silkily. “Now, off to the modiste with you. There is a masquerade ball two nights hence, and I expect the Duke will be going. No time like the present to make a good first impression!”

Scrambling from her chair, Arabella left the room at once, blinking back tears of frustration and hurt. The maid and carriage were waiting for her, apparently already aware of her father’s dictates. In no time at all, she found herself at the modiste, being offered a variety of materials and styles.

Arabella didn’t care what she wore, still stumbling over what her father was asking her, or in truth, forcing her, to do. It wasn’t her fault that her father had chosen to take on the Duke of Elenford at cards, despite being fully aware of his reputation. Arabella had begged him not to go, of course, but had received a resounding slap for her trouble. It was not the first time her father had struck her, but it was enough to remind her that he was completely in charge and she had best stick to her place.

It had been a long night but she'd waited up for her father, wondering if they would be destitute come the morning. Eventually, when the sun was already beginning to come up, she'd heard him enter the house, ranting and raving like a madman. With her heart in her throat, she’d followed him at a distance, seeing him storm into his study with a man by his side. The door had been left ajar, and she’d pressed her eye to it, only to see her father unlock the safe and pull out the family heirloom. It had been in their family for generations, and he had often warned her of its significance and worth, telling her that one day he would have to pass it on to her. Over and over, he had repeated that she must never sell it or lose it, that it must be kept safe at all times. In truth, Arabella believed that her father did not even know the true worth of the necklace, given that it was encrusted with diamonds, emeralds and other gems, all of different sizes and shapes. It was possibly the most beautiful thing she had ever seen.

Her father had been forced to give it to the Duke’s manservant, along with his blistering curses and angry words. The manservant had pocketed the wrapped package, without so much as a word of appreciation, before walking back towards the door. Arabella had run back to her room before her father found her watching, her heart sinking into her toes.

It had become apparent that her father had put up almost everything he had on the table, only to win it all back and more to boot. But he had been arrogant enough to go one final round, putting the necklace against the vast sums of wealth the Duke had left on the table. Of course, his pride and arrogance had pushed the necklace into the Duke's possession, although Arabella was glad that at least her father had not lost the entirety of his wealth.

"And now I am supposed to get it back," she murmured to herself, staring at her reflection morosely. Even the emerald green dress didn't bring a smile to her face, despite the modiste's brilliant smile and her maid's sigh of happiness. The only reason she needed a new gown was to catch the Duke's eye. The very thought made her nauseous.