Rowan opened his mouth to argue, but Ines did not let him speak.
"Think about it, Rowan!" Ines said, her voice rising with passion. "If Lady Farrington discovers the truth, what do you think will happen? She will tell society. She will spread the word that the Duke of Ford is living alone with an unmarried woman of lower station."
Ines walked right up to him. She lifted her hand and poked a firm finger directly at the center of his broad chest.
"If you don't care about your own reputation, care about hers," Ines commanded, poking him again for emphasis. "Miss Kingsley is under the roof of the Hamiltons. We brought her here. We put her in this position. And we must protect her until her contract with you ends."
Rowan looked down at his sister's finger, then up into her eyes. The truth of her words hit him hard.
