I dare not fathom. -From the diary of Lady Augustine Jane Ascott “The devil you will!” the earl boomed, his aging face flaring within the shadows of the candlelight in the entrance hall that lead out of the house. “This is madness. Madness!” Adjusting his Turkish robe, he gestured rigidly toward the open door where his footmen lingered. “Fetch my wife and daughter. Fetch them both at once!” Leonard jumped toward both footmen, blocking the entrance and pointed at each of them with a clarity no port could sway him from. “My driver is armed, gentlemen. Touch either lady, I will order him to shoot. Do you understand?” The footmen paused and glanced back at the earl. Leonard rounded the servants and stared the earl down. “Your wife will return to you in time. After she oversees your daughter’s honor.” The earl slowly stepped back. “What is this? Why are you doing this? I already agreed to see you both married upon your return from Scotland.” “Sadly, my lord, I am not about to leave her in your care for another night.
