the problem?” Grayson countered.
“Why would an intelligent, not to mention savvy, woman like Katherine marry my brother?” Christian growled. After a moment’s silence, he walked around and leaned one hip against the desk’s edge in front of Grayson. “Well, that took the wind out of your sails.”
“I didn’t know I was a ship. I thought I was your friend.”
“You see my point.” Christian wiped a hand down his face. “Everyone has always preferred Meri.” He swallowed the bitter taste in his mouth. “I vowed not to become involved with anything or anyone associated with him.”
“What about the other wives? You’re involved with them.”
“They’re the exceptions. Meri destroyed their lives. But Katherine? I’ve broken my own vow over her. The truth is … I don’t know whether I want to kiss her, take her to bed for a night, or…”
“Perhaps marry her?” Grayson pointed out softly.
The thought summoned all sorts of emotions inside him. He enjoyed her wit and banter. Her ability to create an idea for helping the soldiers was sound and, frankly, innovative. She understood what mattered to him. He’d always been an outsider peering inside at his own family. Always wondering why he didn’t fit in. But with her, those feelings were forgotten.
“I don’t know if marriage is even in the cards.”
Grayson stared at him with an incredulous look. “Why not?”
“She said she wasn’t interested in marrying again.” The words were so low, he wasn’t even certain if his friend had heard them.
“Well, I have faith in your abilities. You could convince her otherwise.” Grayson leaned back in his chair, resulting in his straight black hair falling gently in front of his eyes. “I need to make time to get the mess cut,” he murmured, pushing the offending mane aside.
When he moved, Christian saw the bandage. “What in bloody hell happened to you?”
“It’s nothing,” Grayson said dismissively. “A slight burn with my latest steam experiment.” He pulled his coat and shirt down to hide the bandage that covered his wrist.
“Katherine lives with a woman who’s gifted with medicines. She helped Morgan with his eye injury. You should see her. I could take you over to Katherine’s house and introduce you.”
“Really? That’s good to know.” Grayson thinned his lips to keep from laughing. “How interesting that you seem to have a world of knowledge about the fair Katherine.” He leaned forward, capturing Christian’s attention with his hawklike gaze. “What a gift to be married to a woman who could love, support, and appreciate you.” He picked up his glass and examined the remaining amber liquid. “You should marry her, introduce her into society as your wife. Everyone adores a love match.”
“Whoa there, my friend.” Christian raised his hand palm out. “You’re getting ahead of yourself.”
“I don’t care to be ordered about as if I’m a plow horse.” This time it was the marquess who exhaled loudly. The fire flamed in support of his weariness. “Use that brain of yours and figure this out.”
“Easier said than done,” he protested.
“What in God’s name is that?” Grayson rose from his chair and walked straight to the family portrait that served to hold Christian’s memos.
“What does it look like?” Christian picked up a document from his desk and feigned studying it. “It’s a handy item to keep my notes organized.”
The marquess examined the painting, then turned his steely gaze back to Christian. “Notes? It looks like you’re posting debts owed to you.” Grayson pointed to one slip of paper tacked to Christian’s father’s head. “This one says you paid for Meri’s stable fees at Tattersalls on the twenty-second of December 1809.” He glowered at another. “Good God, man. You paid for Meri’s gambling debt in 1812. Two hundred and thirty-three pounds to the Earl of Hendron. You’re still keeping these?” He shot a look that went straight through Christian. “This is proof you need a good kick in the arse. You need to come to terms with your feelings for him and put them to rest.”
“What are you about?” Christian groused.
“Meri and your family. Put them to rest forever,” his friend repeated, ignoring his question. “Do you hear me? This isn’t a good sign that you’ve come back from the war with a sound mind.”
Christian threw the document back on the desk. “On second thought, I don’t care and don’t want to know what you’re thinking.”
Grayson ignored him and turned his attention back to the notes tacked through the painting. With a huff, he prowled back to Christian’s side. “They are gone. Every.