“I’m the Duke of Westbury. And I’ll attack you wherever and whenever I feel the urge. When you least expect it, I’ll be there.” He pulled Lord Sprague’s face to within an inch of his own. “I’ll be watching you. And if you ever go near Miss Beaton again with anything other than the greatest deference and respect, there won’t be anything left of you to identify you as a man. Do I make myself clear?”

Lord Sprague gulped. “Perfectly clear.”

“Now I think I’ll break your nose, just to make sure you understand.”

“No, please! I’ll leave. Don’t harm me.”

She touched his arm softly. “Your Grace, there’s no call for violence. Let’s be civilized, shall we?”

She held the duke’s gaze for a moment. His stormy eyes cleared but his expression remained stern and lethal. He released Lord Sprague, who stumbled backward, straightening his cravat.

“You say that you own this house, Sprague?” he asked the baron.

“I do.”

“Then Miss Beaton and her father are leaving with me.”

“We are?” Viola asked.

“That’s why I’m here,” Westbury said. “I’m commissioning a wedding march for my upcoming nuptials and I think it best for the great composer to have the use of my superior pianofortes and a spacious abode. The dower house next to Westbury House is vacant at the moment.”

“What of my symphony?” the baron asked, his jaw working with fury. “Your father must finish the symphony first! Remember, one month, Miss Beaton. He has one month or all of his debts come due.”

“I’m certain that the symphony will be finished swiftly once he’s installed in his new music conservatory,” Viola said brightly.

“Now then, Sprague, you’re going to leave so that I can finalize the arrangements of the move with Miss Beaton.”

Lord Sprague shot her a murderous glare as he departed. When he was gone, she laid a hand on the sofa to steady her legs.

“Are you injured?” The duke rushed to her side. “Here. Sit down.” He helped her to a seat.

“Only shaken up. Thank you, Your Grace. Your timing was most fortuitous. I’ve never been so happy to see such a blusterous jug-bitten blunderbuss.”

He frowned and then his lips twitched. “I really hope that isn’t the scathing insult you arrived at late at night in your lonely bed.”

“I read it in a novel.”

“It’s too tame for a wicked beast such as I. You should consult a tavern down by the docks. You’ll find far more injurious insults there.”

“Did you just insult my insult?”

He shrugged. “I’m only saying that if a lady wishes to deliver a set-down, she should do it properly. Make it hurt.”

“I don’t know whether to be angry with you or to shower you with gratitude for arriving just when you did and scaring Sprague away.”