Baron Reginald paced in his study, wringing his hands as Lady Beatrix watched him with narrowed eyes.
"You agreed to marry Isabella to that... that monster?" Lady Beatrix hissed, her face twisted in fury. "Have you lost your mind, Reginald?"
"I had no choice!" he snapped, collapsing into his chair. "The Duke threatened me. Physically threatened me! Do you understand what that means? He knows things, Beatrix. Things that could destroy us."
Lady Beatrix's face paled slightly. "What things?"
"Everything." The Baron's voice dropped to a whisper. "My debts, my past dealings... He even mentioned Lord Ravenscroft."
At that name, Lady Beatrix gasped. "Impossible. No one knows about that connection."
"Well, he does." The Baron wiped sweat from his brow. "And he made it very clear what would happen if I refused the marriage."
"So you just handed Isabella over to him? Your own daughter?"
