Page 65 of The Duke Meets His Match

Henry grimaced. “No, I spent the entire evening at home drinking whisky.”

Michael motioned to a chair. “Sit. There’s coffee.”

He poured Henry a steaming cup, and Henry sipped it gratefully.

“Henry, I apologize for everything. I should have told you about Chloe. You know that I owe your father a debt I can never fully repay,” Michael said.

Henry held up a hand. “I owe you an apology as well. I should never have used my father’s letter as I did yesterday. As for a debt, there is none, Your Grace. My father thought highly of you and considered you a great commander and friend. He chose to save you that day at Waterloo. I suspect, were he given a choice, he would do the same again.”

Michael’s vow weighed upon him and his gut tightened. “I swore to look after—”

“Let me finish,” Henry said, lowering his cup. “I’ve thought a lot about everything that occurred after last night. You have given me more than I can ever repay. You were there for me when my father didn’t return from war. You taught me how to properly handle my new responsibilities that accompanied the title. I would have made a mess of the complicated estate ledgers and the numerous properties without your guidance.”

“It’s the least I could do. I have a head for figures and occasionally aided my father with the ledgers, and I had experience ordering supplies for my men in the army.”

“Nonetheless, I would have disappointed all the servants and tenants who depend on me now. You have been more patient than my own father would have been.”

“It was an honor. You need not thank me,” Michael answered him thickly.

Henry looked at him for a long moment, pale blue eyes measuring him until Michael felt uncomfortable. “I’ve known that you’ve suffered from the war. My father may have failed to return, but you weren’t unscathed. I’ve never brought it up, but still, I knew of it. There have been times I’ve stopped by and your butler informed me that you weren’t receiving because you were…unwell.”

He wasn’t surprised Henry had suspected, and he was thankful he’d never inquired. A man didn’t go around talking about his problems or his weaknesses. And in his case, his weaknesses were many. War heroes didn’t have nightmares. British officers didn’t wake up at night in a cold sweat, panting, hanging their heads over the side of the bed, casting up their stomach’s contents.

“I’ve noticed the signs. You torment yourself. You can’t sleep. You eat little and you drink too much. I’ve seen you leave a room when the topic of war arises, and I’ve seen you sweat and panic when you see something as harmless as Napoleon’s carriage.”

Michael’s fingers tightened on his coffee cup, and Henry nodded. “That night at Vauxhall Gardens when you left abruptly, something else happened to you, didn’t it?”

“Yes.” Michael’s voice was hoarse, uneven. He didn’t want to go into the details. He hated talking about his fits, hated admitting to the weakness. “Chloe helped me that night. She saw me home so that no one would notice that I wasn’t well.”

Henry nodded. “I suspected as much. And last night proved all my suspicions true.”

Michael felt ill at the reminder. “I want you to know that I didn’t consciously try to harm you.”

“I know.”

“I’m dealing with my condition.”

“Other than last night, which I take responsibility for provoking you, I believe you. I have noticed a change in you as of late. You seem improved, relaxed, happy. If Chloe Somerton has helped you, then for that reason, I owe her my gratitude.”

“Your gratitude?”

Henry held his gaze. “Yes.”

Michael’s thoughts turned to when Chloe had arrived in his study and helped him through a trying time. She’d offered him comfort and understanding. Let go of your past. Guilt will only cripple you. Miraculously, he had started to release the guilt. He’d found solace speaking about the worst day of his life, in the smooth strokes of her hands, in the sweetness of her giving body.

She’d helped him more than anyone in his life.

“When I learned of your relationship, my pride was wounded,” Henry said.

Michael’s gaze snapped to his. “We never intended to hurt you.”

Henry lowered his cup. “My pride, but not my heart.”

Relief coursed through Michael. He didn’t want Henry to love Chloe. He didn’t want any man to love her.

“I also came today to give you my blessing.”

Michael stilled, his emotions vacillating between surprise and admiration. “That’s no longer necessary. There will be no wedding.”