Page 35 of Raising the Duke’s Unexpected Twins

She looked displeased but also resigned. But she changed the subject, to his delight.

“What is it that it takes to run a gambling den?”

Nicholas grinned, eager to share all that he’d accomplished. “It was more difficult at first, with everything being in my head and not in action, but now, as I said, it runs smoothly. I’d say one of the most important parts is how to keep customers coming and keeping them happy. Without giving into all their wildest desires, of course.”

She nodded. “Desires?”

“Yes. Like they mustn’t win too much at the tables, or get too drunk that they wish to be too familiar with the women who work for me as servers.”

“Ah. That’s very sensible, I suppose.”

“I can be quite sensible, you know.”

She smiled and shook her head. “Very sensible, indeed.”

“And what about you? What do I see you scribbling away at in the early mornings when you think no one is there?”

Cordelia blushed. “I haven’t really done that since I’ve moved here. Too tired, and the children are a first priority.”

He would have to find a way to get Cordelia to relax a little, to enjoy her life rather than endure it. “I saw you occasionally when we would stay with David and Helen. You would be outside while doing it if you could muster.”

“How did you see me?” She asked in a whisper.

It had never been hard to notice Cordelia over the years, even if she had loathed him.

“I would ride most mornings. Clears my head. So, what did you write?”

“Oh, nothing, really, whatever came to mind. Those mornings at their home were always so inspiring.” She looked off into the distance before coming back. “I’m sure riding was similar. Especially when the morning was especially beautiful.”

“It was.” Again, he felt on uncertain ground. They had never really spoken in such a calm way or at least not often, and they were nearing to thinking of their friends and the loss they shared.

She knows what you’ve suffered.

David’s face came to mind, but he pushed it aside and spoke of other things.

Best to move forward and not fall to pieces.

“Do you like riding?” he asked her.

“I suppose I do, although I haven’t done much of it lately.”

Nicholas was reminded of the altered life he’d taken her from. They continued speaking of other smaller matters and then it was time to take his leave. He bowed over her hand for a moment, holding it just a second longer before he left, not wanting to catch her eye for too long.

When he was riding away in his carriage, his jaw clenched and every muscle tight, he thought of the dinner they had together as near companions.

Her being so relaxed around him in the end, and them talking as if they were true companions and it made all manner of thoughts about her swirl in his mind. It wasn’t just that she was beautiful, that he could easily imagine touching her skin or kissing her soft lips. He rather enjoyed her company, it seemed, even if they did often argue. She was like a melody he couldn’t get out of his head. She was surprising to him, in more ways than one. He would have to try his best at the club tonight to either fill his time with work or get wildly drunk. It was only the first few nights after they’d been wed, and Nicholas wasn’t sure he’d survive another.

Once inside the club, he rushed upstairs to his office, only to find his cousin, Leonard, awaiting him. Leonard was peering at book spines on the shelf on the far side of the office when he turned around with a grin, his hands behind his back.

“Ah, welcome, Your Grace. Darren owes me five pounds.”

“Oh? And why’s that?” Nicholas hurried to the whisky decanter and poured himself and Leonard a glass. He went to the armchairs by the fireplace and sat down, kicking his feet up onto an ottoman. Leonard followed him.

They resembled one another, but Leonard was shorter with dark eyes. He was his mother’s brother’s son, and one of his only family members left. He’d often come to the club, but Nicholas had not usually found him in his office.

“You look like you’ve been through it,” Leonard said with a chuckle. “Married life getting to you already?”

Nicholas grumbled under his breath and took a large gulp of whisky.