No Duke Will Do - Eva Devon Page 0,44

very least, lovers.

“Oh, marriage is not a topic I wish to discuss,” Heath said.

“Ah, that’s because you’re an old bachelor,” pronounced the Duke of Royland. “Surely, we can see you on the path to matrimony. A man like you, you’d benefit from it. All you need is a bit of a comforting hand, and I think that scowl you wear every day would soon be off your features.”

Heath held up his hands. “Have done. Have done. When married men begin to proclaim all men should be happily married, all a man like me can do is nod in agreement.”

It wasn’t a direct lie.

“So you’ll give in, then? We can find you someone?” Raventon asked.

The Duke of Drake cocked his head to the side. “I think Heath has already found someone. He has the look of a lovesick fool.”

He shot Drake a dagger-warning of a stare.

“Is it true?” Blackstone let out a sound of delight. “Glad to hear it, old boy. Glad to hear about it. Tell us who she is, and then we’ll have the wives invite her around to tea. Surely, we can introduce her to society.”

Introduce her to society.

What would they all do if he told them she was of society? “I have found a superior woman. There is no question,” Heath said.

“Marvelous. When will the bells chime?” Blackstone asked. “You’ll invite us all, shan’t you?”

“No,” Heath said. “I think I shall keep it a private affair.”

“But we are your friends,” protested Harley. “Surely, you wish to be surrounded by your friends at such a time.”

Did he? And would they still be his friends if they knew?

He had a sneaking doubt that they might all turn on him and beat him into a pulp in this room instead of welcoming him.

He had, after all, betrayed them.

It was a sickening feeling, but at this particular point, he knew he had to protect the relationship he and Mary had together.

Instead, he smiled. “I thank you for your concern, and when the time comes, and it’s right to tell you, I shall tell you all. I promise you that, and we shall see what you say then.”

“We shall welcome her with open arms,” said the Duke of Blackstone. “And we shall wish you joy.”

Heath stared at his brother-in-law, who had no idea that they were now brothers by marriage, and wondered. Likely, he was going to have to endure a good beating, and then perhaps they’d be able to be at peace together.

He wasn’t looking forward to it, but it was the way it had to be just now. He hoped Blackstone would be able to accept him.

Blackstone seemed to accept so many people.

But this? This was different, and there would be no getting around that.

As he sat in the room, surrounded by dukes, men who had no idea he had betrayed their trust, he wondered what the devil sort of fool he’d been in the early morning light to agree to a clandestine marriage. He knew they had to protect what they had, but right now, he was wondering if he’d made a devil’s bargain, and if he or the devil would win.

Chapter 20

Mary poured over the news sheets that were brought to the breakfast room every morning, pressed to perfection.

A most unbecoming thing for a young lady.

Still, it was one of the best things for her, keeping her brain distracted from her general troubles.

Marriage should have brought her only happiness. Marriage to Heath certainly had bought her hours and hours of joy, but that general joy had slipped away as the chafing nature of her deceit took part. She studied the headlines, wondering about the prices of corn, wondering how the people in the country were going to make do in such times, seeing that war was coming again.

“My God, you look pensive.”

She nearly jumped, her teacup clattering in its saucer.

“Robert!” she exclaimed.

“Sister mine,” he announced, his handsome face, a male version of her own, quite delighted. He plunked a kiss on her cheek. “You needn’t act so surprised. This is my home, after all.”

“Yes, but you’ve been away a good deal with your lovely new wife,” she pointed out, her throat drying.

She took a quick, unladylike swig of coffee in the hopes of taking care of its suddenly parched state.

“So I have,” he observed. “It’s done me wonders, but you look most serious. Someone giving you trouble?”

Robert studied her carefully as he sat down and poured himself a cup of tea.

Robert was not a fool. If she was