Page 56 of How to Capture a Duke

“Pardon?”

“You befriended Lady Ware and helped influence her husband’s opinion for a bill in the House of Lords.”

So her machinations had worked and more swiftly than she’d thought. She could only guess at Lady Ware’s techniques to influence her husband. Resourceful lady.

Olivia watched him beneath lowered lashes. “Are you upset?”

He shook his head. “I’m grateful.”

He was looking at her differently, more curiously, as if he was seeing her for the first time. Even more disturbing, he was looking at her like he wanted to kiss her.

Her fingers twisted in her lap. “It was nothing.”

“I disagree. It was splendid.”

His gaze traveled over her face and searched her eyes, and her heart turned over in response.

“What did you do?” he asked.

She shrugged a shoulder. “Lady Ware is the daughter of a merchant. She never received a voucher by the patronesses of Almack’s, never had an official coming out, and she desires, more than anything, to be accepted by the beau monde.”

“Ah. A friendship with the Duchess of Keswick will aid her cause,” he said. “I’m still surprised that would change her husband’s vote. His was staunchly opposed to the bill.”

Olivia bit her lower lip. “There is one more thing.”

One dark eyebrow shot upward. “I suspected as much.”

“Lady Ware has a gambling habit. A bad one. Whist and roulette are her weaknesses. Unbeknownst to her husband, she has acquired a significant amount of debt to the Raven Club. My sister has agreed to forgive the debt in exchange for the lady’s persuasive efforts over her husband.”

Tristan gaped at her then threw back his head and laughed. The sound was so startling she stared. Had she ever heard him laugh like that?

“That’s rich! I owe your sister.”

“Are you certain you are not mad at my meddling?” she asked.

“Mad? I’m amazed. I had no idea I married a woman of such great resourcefulness. It would be my honor to take you to the theater.”

She blinked. “Truly?”

“You did me a great service. I would be amiss not to return the favor.”

Something shifted between them. Something tangible. The smoldering flame she saw in his eyes stoked the growing fire between them.

“Auntie Olivia!”

They pulled back as Catherine and Alexander bounded toward them. “Can you hold my doll?” Olivia asked.

“And my trains?” Alexander said.

The toys were on Olivia’s lap as the children bounded off again. An awkwardness settled between them as she struggled how best to bring up what she was thinking, had been thinking since he’d walked through his garden gate to challenge them to a game of hoops.

“I know what you are thinking,” Tristan said. “Just because I like children does not mean I will change my mind.”

She met his burning gaze. “Forever is a long time. Can your position be swayed?”

His jaw tightened in an all-too-familiar way. “No. I could not protect them forever.”

She knew he was talking of his stutter. “Of course not. No parent can shield their offspring from everything.”