No Duke Will Do - Eva Devon Page 0,43

Royland said.

“Both,” Heath said.

“Hmm,” the Duke of Drake said. “I wonder what could be causing such feelings?”

There was a sparkle in the Duke of Drake’s eyes that made Heath nervous. Mary had told him that Drake had encouraged her to go to him.

So, it was very possible that Drake already had an idea that something was afoot. He gave Drake a solid warning stare, and Drake merely gave him a mischievous smile before he played his hand over the ivory keys, then took a sip of his brandy.

“Do, do come in, said the spider to the fly,” Drake drawled.

Heath rolled his eyes. He enjoyed Drake’s sense of drama.

“Come sit,” said Harley.

And he did.

He chose a chair, sat in it carefully, and considered the powerful men about him.

They were his friends, as far as a man like he could use the word. He would never quite forget that they were all incredibly powerful men, who could destroy him if they wanted.

Well, not truly destroy. They could try. But they could make his life incredibly difficult, and he’d certainly chosen a path which might lead them to do so.

Would they still accept him if they found out he was married into their circle?

He did not know, and he was not ready to tell them.

“Have a drink,” Royland said, and he poured Heath a glass of brandy.

Heath lifted the glass in salute, then took a sip of the warm French liquid. It slid over his tongue, a wealthy, comforting feeling.

These men had been surrounded by wealth and privilege their entire lives. They’d all suffered in some way, it was true. But none of them had known the sort of harrowing life he had. He did not envy them for it, because he knew one could still suffer greatly when surrounded by a gilded cage.

Still, they’d never understand him. He was the strange one in the room, even if they thought he had been brought into the fold. Even if he’d gotten them out of severe scrapes. Even if they’d used their power to help his endeavors.

“Do you bring news,” Royland asked.

“Yes. The article you wrote about gin, it seems to be improving things. We’re seeing less of the issue we had before.”

Royland nodded. “Good. I’m glad to hear it. Next, we’ll have to see if we can get more laws passed in Parliament to see if we can stop the pressing we discussed.”

Not long ago, Heath had brought Royland a piece of information about black men being pressed off the streets and taken into slavery and sold. It was a stain upon England, and they were working to resolve such issues, but it was not going to be easy.

Slavery was an issue that would not be solved quickly because it made far too many people too much money, and powerful people did have trouble letting go of money. Just as most of the newly wealthy people in England had made their backs off of the misery in India, many of the men in England had made their backs off the misery of slaves from the continental trade.

Still, it was a noble endeavor, and he was going to continue working at it.

He did not wish such people to be unsafe in the streets around Covenant Garden. Perhaps it was an illusion, that he thought he might be able to control such things, but he would continue to try.

Drake leaned back over the piano bench. “How is it possible that all of us are married but you, Heath?”

Heath tensed. “I beg your pardon?”

“All of us are married men now. You are the only one left standing among us, who is a bachelor. Surely, there’s someone we could find for you.”

The rest of the men laughed and applauded.

“Indeed, indeed, there’s no happiness like a married man,” cheered Harley.

“Just wait,” Heath said because he knew it was what he had to say. “Once all of you have settled down to married life and found a sense of normalcy, you shall be crowing for your freedom again.”

“Never,” declared Royland. “I have not known such a joy since finding my wife.”

Blackstone nodded. “Indeed. I had no idea that marriage could bring me such happiness.” He folded his arms across his chest. “What kind of woman would suit you, Heath?”

Heath frowned.

Had Drake done this on purpose?

He eyed Drake, who was smiling and seemed to be controlling a laugh.

Yes, Drake had, which made him devilishly concerned that Drake did indeed have a good inkling that Mary and he were, at the