Page 62 of A Baby to Seal the Duke’s Fate

“It does not sound like a solution at all.”

“No,” Barnaby said. “It sounds like a threat dressed as a suggestion.”

Leopold sat in the chair near the hearth while Barnaby fetched the scotch and returned to Leopold to pour them both a drink. “She said I need to be seen in London.”

Barnaby leaned one shoulder against the mantel. “And she is right.”

Leopold gave him a flat look. “You too?”

Barnaby shrugged. “A duke hiding in the country with a baby and a nursemaid who reads better than half the gentlemen in town is not a creature who avoids notice forever.”

Leopold took another drink. “I am not hiding.”

Barnaby’s look made the lie unnecessary to discuss. “If you say so.”

Leopold set the glass down. “I do not intend to marry Lady Isolde.”

Barnaby’s expression stayed calm. “That is perhaps the least surprising statement you have made all week.”

Leopold glanced at him. “My mother would disagree.”

“She is entitled to.”

“Am I?”

Barnaby’s mouth quirked. “Not usually.”

Leopold gave him a narrow look. “You are enjoying this far too much.”

“I am enjoying your discomfort.”

“That is a distinction without mercy.”

“The county is already talking,” Barnaby said. “The Season will make it louder. A duke in London has options. A duke who stays away does not.”

Leopold looked at the fire. “And if I do not care for the options?”

“Then you will need to care for the consequences.”

Leopold said nothing to that.

Barnaby watched him for a moment, sipping from his glass and gesturing for Leopold to do the same. “Your silence is very telling.”

“That I wish for you to drop the matter, yes.” Leopold took a deep breath, realizing he was becoming irate with his friend because of his mother’s wild notions. He finally took a sip of his drink and pointed to a table with a chessboard on it. “Come. Play some chess with me.”

Barnaby scoffed.

“You wish to add a defeat at chess to your problems for today?”

Leopold gave a short laugh and moved to the board. “You overestimate your power.”

Barnaby’s smile was brief. “Probably.”

They began. Leopold expected to win, though not easily. Barnaby was usually strong and gave Leopold good matches. That evening, however, he seemed distracted from the start, and it showed. He lost a bishop early, then a knight, then another piece he should have protected. By the twelfth move, he was already in trouble.

Leopold glanced up. “You are distracted.”

Barnaby moved his rook. “Am I?”