“I never intended to scandalize her,” Morgan protested.

Guy paced across the drawing room of Morgan’s townhouse before pausing in front of the fireplace and giving the logs a sharp prod with a poker.

Morgan grimaced when he tried to settle back against the chair. His body still hurt from the fall though he suspected Miss Chadwick had come off much worse. The knock to her head had left her dazed and unable to persuade her mother that they had been doing nothing. Although that woman would be hard to persuade of anything and, unfortunately, his hand up Miss Chadwick’s skirt and the filthy state of her ensured everyone was convinced their situation had been an illicit one.

What man tried to seduce a woman on the streets of London, though? Honestly, if anyone thought hard about it, they would realize it was all a big mistake.

Guy lifted the poker out of the fire and eyed the iron rod.

Morgan held up his hands. “There is no need to do anything drastic.”

A grin flew across his friend’s face but it vanished quickly. “I have no wish to see either you or Emma forced into something you do not want to do but…” Guy pushed a hand through his black hair. “Damn it, Morgan, you were on top of her. Your hand was up her skirts. There is nothing I can do to fix this and Julia is furious.”

“So, you were under orders to threaten me by your wife?”

Guy returned the fireplace poker back to its home and shook his head. “I came because you’re my good friend. But I would not see Emma harmed. You can see I am in an awkward situation.”

Morgan snorted. “No more awkward than me.”

“If you do not do right by Emma, she will be ruined, and Catherine along with it. It won’t matter that I’m a duke or that their other sisters have married well. This shall be it for those two girls.”

“I never intended to do wrong,” Morgan grumbled.

“It doesn’t matter. All that matters is what the outcome was.”

Morgan scowled. “When did you become so logical?”

“Since meeting Julia probably.” Guy sat on the chair facing him. He leaned forward and laced his hands together. “Marriage is not so awful.”

“You know I had little intention of marrying anytime soon.”

“You are no young man anymore, Morgan. If not now, when?”

He lifted a shoulder and waved a hand. “In the future. Way into the future.”

The fact was, he rarely gave marriage a second thought. Yes, he was an earl and yes, he was supposed to provide heirs but he simply could not see how he could invite another person into his life while he was still suffering with his nightmares. It was far easier to hop from bed to bed and party to party and not have to worry about anyone discovering his weakness.

Guy eyed Morgan until he gave a huff. “I doubt Miss Chadwick has any more desire to marry me than I do her.”

“You did not give her much choice when you left her in a compromised position last night.”

“I did not—”

The door to the drawing room swung open and before the butler could announce their new arrival, Lord Nicholas, Viscount Wentworth and husband to the oldest Chadwick sister entered the room looking harried. His coat remained on and he hastily tugged off his hat.

Morgan rose to his feet. “If you have come to threaten me, do not fear, Guy is doing an outstanding job.”

Nicholas shook his head. He drew in a long breath then released it. “Had to rush over. Heard some news.”

“Well spit it out then,” demanded Guy.

Nicholas propped his arm against the fireplace. “Bartholomew intends to propose to Emma.”

“Bartholomew who is the dullest man on earth? Bartholomew with the piggy eyes?” Morgan demanded.

Nicholas nodded. “That very one. It seems he has decided she is an easy mark after what happened yesterday. On the verge of ruin, the only way to save Emma is by marriage and Bartholomew knows that well.”

“She’ll never say yes.” Morgan tried to imagine the pretty, redheaded Emma with that odious creature of a man. Surely she would not.

Guy shrugged. “She might if it would protect her and Catherine from ruination. Those sisters would do anything for each other.”

“Bartholomew likely thinks this is a good a way as any to get a wife with connections,” Nicholas added.

“Damn the man,” Morgan hissed.

It was bad enough that he should have ruined Miss Chadwick but to have forced her into a marriage with that man…He’d never live with himself. She was far too pretty and sweet for him, and Bartholomew deserved neither.

“Fetch my coat,” Morgan demanded of the butler. “And ready my horse. I need to head out immediately.”

“So, you are going to propose?” asked Guy with a sly smile.

“I can hardly let Bartholomew have her, can I?” Morgan snapped. “It’s a damn fine job I have a thing for redheads. Come on, gentlemen, I have a proposal to make.”