Page 79 of The Duchess He Couldn’t Resist

“We are talking about you now,” Owen said with a wide smile. “And frankly, I do not see the problem.”

“I have put this transaction between us.”

“So? Tell her that the transaction is over.”

“You make it sound so easy.”

“It is, in fact, easy and simple,” Owen gleamed. “You go to your beautiful wife and tell her you want her not for the information, not for the heir, but for herself.”

Brandon tightened his hands around the glass. It was, in fact, that easy. He could just tell her how he felt, be honest about his thoughts and his emotions. And yet it was the most terrifying thing that he had ever come upon.

“What if she doesn’t want the same thing?” Brandon asked.

Owen scoffed and drank from his glass.

“I always thought that you were quite clever, but I see I’ve overestimated you.”

“What is that supposed to mean?” Brandon took his seat across from him, glaring openly.

“Nothing,” Owen laughed into his glass. “Well, even if she doesn’t want the same thing, you will have your answer, and you would have been honest. That’s the least you can do.”

“That might drive her away from me.”

“So, the better option is to put her in a cage made of transactions and deals? She’s not one of our missions, Brandon,” Owen said seriously for the first time in his life. “She’s your wife.”

Brandon flinched at the thought. It had been too long since he had let anyone in. It was somewhat easier to push people away.

“I do not know if I remember how to do this,” Brandon admitted. “Let someone in.”

“You let me in.” Owen raised his glass at him.

“You gave me the same choice on the matter as a battering ram,” Brandon raised his eyebrow.

Owen smiled a sincere smile of his, not the charming one, not the one for the mask, but one Brandon learned as they were both kids—sons of the most prominent families, and yet alone. It was the same smile he had when they finally found each other.

“I believe it’s the same thing that Marigold did,” Owen said with conviction. “Tenacious little thing, isn’t she?”

Brandon chuckled. Owen only knew half of it. Marigold was as stubborn as she was sweet, loyal, and caring, and she was growing so well. He, the cold Duke everyone feared, was now smiling like a little kid just because he was so proud of his Duchess.

Now, Brandon was facing a dilemma. Be sincere and open to the one person who had pushed through his defenses or keep hiding to protect himself by keeping her at arm’s length.

Brandon set down his glass and stood up.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Owen said with a smile.

“I have more important business,” Brandon said.

“But the bill…”

“I am sure you will manage without me,” Brandon threw at him as he was putting on his coat. “I am going home to my wife.”

Owen chuckled and raised his glass.

“Good luck, my friend.”

* * *

Brandon had never estimated the time he needed to ride in a carriage from the House of Lords to his own residence. But now, he found himself wishing he did because he could not wait to go back home. He was determined to end this misunderstanding once and for all this day.