Page 56 of Ruined by the Wrong Earl

The Duke’s voice travelled from across the table. ‘I sympathize with your cause, Lord Ralston, but I understand the opponent’s viewpoint, as well. The mill owners are worried about a shortage of labor.’

‘And you think children are the answer?’ Candace’s voice was loud and clear.

A moment of awkward silence passed at her sister’s comment. Nora hadn’t realized that Candace had been listening to the men.

Umbridge was the first to respond and he guffawed. ‘That’s what you get when women concern themselves with men’s matters.’

It was the wrong thing to say. Candace’s face turned beet red, and Nora placed a hand on her sister’s thigh beneath the table.

Ralston, sensing the tension, spoke up. ‘It would be foolish of me not to consider any opponent’s side, and I often play devil’s advocate.’

‘She has a right to her opinion,’ the Duke said, his green gaze resting upon Candace. It was a quizzical look and also one of keen interest.

Candace shifted in her seat. Others might think she was embarrassed by her outburst, but Nora knew her sister and understood her anger. Had the Duke done something else to offend her that Nora had missed?

Adler, always the charmer, cleared his throat. ‘Let us all take a respite from politics and enjoy the fine meal.’

Ralston grinned and raised his glass. ‘A toast to a pleasant evening with friends.’

The rest of the meal progressed slowly. Candace remained a bit sullen, and the Duke cast numerous glances her way. Worse, when Nora looked up, she caught Baron Umbridge watching her with interest. Nora felt her skin crawl. She experienced a stab of anger. His lovely wife sat beside him. Had he no decency?

She turned to Ralston, taking in his tight jaw, and she knew that he’d noticed.

After the last course, the guests pushed back their chairs. As was customary, the men retired to the study to smoke cigars and drink brandy while the women gathered in the drawing room.

Nora pulled her sister aside. ‘Candace,’ Nora said, her voice low so the other women couldn’t hear. ‘Why the outburst?’

Candace wrinkled her nose. ‘What do you mean?’

Nora rolled her eyes. ‘You all but threw your butter knife at the Duke of Huntington’s head.’

Candace looked away. ‘It is of no consequence,’

‘It is. Spit it out,’ Nora insisted.

Candace’s lips thinned. ‘I believe the Duke broke my friend’s heart. You know how I feel about rogues.’

This put Nora in an uncomfortable position. ‘He is a political sympathizer for Ralston’s bill. I understand how you feel, but he is also our guest tonight.’

‘I know. I’m sorry. Sara has warned me about my prejudice. I can’t blame every rake for my past, can I?’

‘There are always two sides to every story,’ Nora said.

Candace let out a long sigh. ‘I know.’

‘Meanwhile, I need you to do something for me. I want a moment alone with Lady Umbridge.’ Once Nora explained, Candace was more than happy to agree.

Ralston handed out cigars and poured brandy into glasses from the sideboard in his study.

‘Good cigar,’ Adler said.

‘And brandy,’ Umbridge said.

Ralston didn’t miss the flash of greed in the baron’s gaze as he scanned the richly appointed study. The large rosewood desk and furnishings. The expensive Wilton carpet. The malachite fireplace with solid gold bookends and gold mantel clock.

Ralston still found it hard to believe the baron was in his home as his guest. And he’d been caught off guard when it had come to light that Nora had run into Baron Umbridge during their trip to the booksellers.

Why hadn’t she said a word to him? When he’d met her eyes across the table, she’d clearly been worried about his reaction. He’d seen her bite her bottom lip and suddenly all he could think about was how it felt to taste her. And how he wanted to do it again. He’d raised his glass and smiled, hoping to reassure her that he wasn’t upset. He knew her and trusted she had her reasons for wanting to host guests. He suspected it had something to do with the baron’s wife.