Page 61 of A Tale of Two Dukes

“Why do you insist on being a right arse? She’s more to me than my plaything. Surely you can understand.”

For a moment, his features tighten, every inch of him screaming out in misery. But the moment I see it, it’s gone. He’s back to his prim, proper, and supercilious ways.

“I simply don’t want you to make a mistake. I don’t want you to end up hurt.”

Easing down to perch on the edge of his desk, I look him straight in the eyes. “I appreciate that, brother. But understand she is who I want and desire. There is no one else for me but her. Besides, it is done now. My mind is entrenched with hers. I’ve seen all her secrets and know her with an intimacy you cannot even begin to imagine.”

With a heavy sigh, he nods. “Truce then. I will say no more on the subject, but do not expect me to dance a jig at this announcement.”

“All I ask is for you to grant us both kindness. And for God’s sake, stop referring to her as my whore.”

“What then, shall we call her?”

A smile lifts the corners of my mouth. “Well, mate would work nicely.”

Around me, the others groan, save Norhaven. That pained look is back, a longing that has no words. Reaching out, I clap him on the shoulder, nodding as I give it a squeeze.

I do not envy him. One way in which we’re different is my birth. I was never born into the Blackport line like Robert. I was adopted. Norhaven, on the other hand, was born into the peerage. His brother will be far harder on him than mine is on me.

Off to the side, Portswell yawns, looking utterly bored with everything. “You mentioned a note. Do you recall its handwriting?”

“Indeed. If I were to see it again, then I would know who wrote it.”

“Excellent.” Leaping to his feet, he begins to pace. “Blackport, you mentioned correspondence between you and the former Birchleigh, correct?”

“Well, yes. But far before he turned out to be a murderous cad.”

Portswell waves off his answer. “Yes, yes. We know you to be above reproach. That is not in question. Do you have any of those letters still?”

With a frown, my brother digs through the desk, tossing notes, missives, and bills on the desk. My gaze glances over them all until something catches my eye. Reaching out, I pluck up a bit of correspondence and read over it.

“Do you know who sent this to you?”

Robert grabs it from me and frowns. “Not particularly. Just a summary of goods delivered. It could have been anyone.”

“Not just anyone. The person who threatened my mate. How I wish you could find something from Hugh to confirm if this is his hand or not.”

Norhaven takes it, poring over the document, but doesn’t seem to recognize it either. Then we’re right back to where we started. With an aggravated sigh, I plop down into the chair and let my mind go to work.

Unfortunately, I can’t stay on task. It drifts over to Catherine. Nothing seems to be amiss where she is, and I breathe just a bit easier. No doubt the poor thing is asleep.

“Shall I have one of my servants send a correspondence to this raffish piece of swill and see if the hand matches?” Portswell offers.

“That could work. But if it’s not him, then what? There’s still someone out there who means her harm. And what’s worse is there will be two at once I’ll need to protect her from.”

Portswell places a hand over his heart. “God forbid I ever be yoked to a female. I have enough things to worry about.”

“Like what?” I tease. “Getting into scrapes with Lord Hunt?”

All eyes turn to him, taking the remaining heat off of me.

“What happens at The Rose and Thorne stays at The Rose and Thorne.” An enigmatic smile crosses his lips as the other Alphas begin to interrogate him.

I care not what he does at that club, seeing as I possess the only woman from there worth having. Smirking, I extricate myself from the group and let them carry on while I concoct a plan. Smile hovering on my lips, I watch the interplay between my friends, my heart warming back up.

It’s just like old times when we would all tease each other mercilessly while at the academy for Alphas. How I wish to go back to those simple moments before things got in the way and threatened to drive wedges between us. But seeing this interaction gives me hope. Things will work out in the end as long as I have the strength to see it through.

CHAPTER 25