A Dukes' Club Christmas by Eva Devon

Author:Eva Devon
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2019-11-12T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter 6

Anthony grabbed the decanter of brandy, no doubt many years older than himself, and headed out onto the freezing terrace.

What the bloody hell was he doing?

This wasn’t what he’d promised her. He’d promised to help her. Kissing her in a dark corridor where they could be discovered at any moment? That was as far from helping a lady as a man could get.

He winced then took a drink.

“Pass the bottle.”

He whipped around.

Aston.

“What the devil are you doing out here?” he demanded, his tone far rougher than it should have been.

Aston twirled a hand, gesturing to the falling snow. “I still love the night air.”

“It’s freezing.” As if to confirm it, his breath blew out in a white cloud.

“Only by your standards. Man of the East and all that. I’ve spent most of my last years on ships, sailing into frigid gales.”

They were both adventurers of different kinds. It was one reason he’d always liked the wild duke.

He took a long drink then passed the crystal decanter to the man perched on the stone balustrade, seemingly oblivious to the wind and weather. A dusting of snow had settled on his evening coat.

Aston took it, then took a smaller drink. He handed it back and said, “You’re fighting a losing battle there.”

“With the bottle.” Anthony swirled. “I promise I shall be the victor.

Aston arched a brow then said, “I saw.”

“Saw?” His chest tightened.

“The way you looked at her.”

“I’ve no idea what you’re on about,” he said, flooding with relief that Aston had not seen the kiss.

Aston snorted. “Of course you don’t. But I’ll tell you this, if you let that one go, you’re a bigger fool than all those peers you disdain.”

“Who?” he asked, even as he knew he was a bloody ponce for obfuscating.

Rolling his eyes, Aston drawled, “The lady of the hour. Lady Evangeline, since you make me be so precise.”

His shoulders sank. “It’s so obvious?”

“Not to most,” Aston said easily. “Probably not to anyone but me. . . And probably your sister. Wise woman that one.”

“I’ve known Lady Evangeline for a few hours combined.”

“Doesn’t matter.”

“Does it not?”

“Indeed, no.” A look of pure, nauseating bliss transformed Aston’s rough features. “I knew the moment I saw Rosamund. It terrified me. Oh, I didn’t know I’d marry her. But something deep within me knew she was mine and I hers. All it took was a moment.”

“You’ve been at the brandy,” Anthony said.

“Brandy and I are good friends, but I am not three sheets to the wind as you seem determined to be.”

He lowered the decanter and stared out into the black night. The clouds parted for a moment and stars danced overhead, pure crystals in a black velvet curtain.

Aston slipped down from his seat and headed back for the door. Before he slipped inside, he paused. “Give it thought, before you cast that feeling aside. Once it’s gone, you will not find it again.”

With that, the duke slid inside, always a tiger, always prowling, yet with a grin upon his face.

Was it true? Was he casting aside his chance?

He’d seen love.

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