Page 6 of The Duke’s Defiant Love

"Two."

"Three."

"One was from the gardener."

"That does not improve the situation."

Julian, who had been leaning against the wall with his arms folded, finally looked up.

"You also told Lady Penrose that you had never seen her before."

"I hadn't."

"You had danced with her twice."

"I had forgotten."

"You remembered her name."

"That is different."

Nathaniel gave a quiet laugh.

"How?"

"Names are easier to remember than faces."

Tristan turned to Sebastian.

"You see what I endure?"

"I am beginning to understand why."

"From the man who once spent an entire supper discussing Tacitus with Lady Ashbourne while she was attempting to flirt with him."

Sebastian's brows rose.

"She asked me about Rome."

"She asked you to kiss her."

"She did not."

"Sebastian," Julian said mildly, "she most certainly did."

Sebastian looked at him.

Julian shrugged.

"I was there."

Nathaniel's mouth twitched.

"You were all there."

"An unfortunate coincidence."

Tristan laughed.