Her stomach plummeted. The surroundings mocked her, this elegant stage of seduction and romance he’d orchestrated this evening. How could a man so tender, so loving, have schemed to steal her grandmother’s home behind Florence’s back? She’d told him what that house meant to her and her future. How could he have listened to her and still proceeded with this plan?

Maybe she’d misunderstood. Maybe her father was wrong. “No,” she whispered with a violent shake of her head. “It can’t be. My grandmother’s house?”

Clay remained silent, his stony gaze locked on her father. Both men were engaged in a battle of wills—and Florence was caught in the middle.

She had to speak to Clay, alone. There had to be more to this than what her father believed. “Daddy, I’d like a moment alone with Clay.”

Her father’s expression grew hard. “Over my dead body. Get in the carriage this instant or I will carry you out of here.”

“You force her over my dead body,” Clay snapped.

“I have no problem with that outcome.” Duncan started to remove his topcoat, his brows lowered over glittering angry eyes. “Perhaps I’ll save everyone the trouble and strangle you right here with my bare hands.”

“Daddy, stop!” Florence moved between them, her back to Clay. “Five minutes. That’s all I ask.”

“I will not leave you alone with him.”

She hated to do it, but she had to point out the obvious. “I have been alone with him all night. A few more minutes won’t change anything.”

Daddy pushed the edges of his jacket back and thrust his hands on his hips. “Fine, damn it. Five minutes. But before I go, I have some choice words for you, Madden.” He leaned in, his voice as menacing as Florence had ever heard it. “Seducing my daughter was low, even for you. Hear me now. If you come within ten feet of her ever again, I will stop at nothing to bury you.”

Clay’s lip curled into a sneer. “You tried that twenty years ago, Greene. Didn’t work then and it sure as hell won’t work now.”

“I told you, that was not my fault!”

“Wait, what are you talking about?” Florence looked between them. “What happened twenty years ago?”

Silence descended for a long minute. Clay merely watched her father, his big body nearly vibrating with rage. “Why not tell her? No doubt she’ll appreciate your benevolence.”

“Stay away from her,” Daddy snarled. “And stay away from my mother’s home.”

“Too late,” Clay said with a smirk. “The plans have been filed and I expect construction to start within the month. It should become very loud and dusty on her block soon.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure of that.” Now her father smirked, his expression full of arrogance and privilege. “Five minutes, Florence. Then I’m coming in.”