He arched an eyebrow and glanced at his mother. “Why bother to ask me when you are going to speak your mind even if I forbid it?”
She smiled. “Eden’s plans are set for tomorrow. But I think you should take your children the day after that. Give Eden time to spend with Lord Aubrey.”
He was about to growl again, but held off. “Me? Take the children? Without Eden?”
“She is not your nursemaid, Connor. Why are you so reluctant to give her a chance at happiness?”
“Withhim?” He nodded toward Aubrey, who was fawning over Eden and had eyes only for her.
That wretched wolf.
That Connor was doing the same thing was immaterial.
“Yes, with him,” his mother intoned. “What right do you have to interfere when you have no intention of marrying her? Will you ruin her life because she is convenient to have as your neighbor? Will you turn her into a mere bed partner? That is too cruel of you.”
He strode away from his mother, not caring that he was being unpardonably rude. The thought of Eden married was a blow straight to the gut.
Eden married and lost to him?
No, he could not imagine it.
Eden married to Aubrey?
Over my dead body.
He would marry her before he ever let—
Gad, what would his fellow Silver Dukes say if he decided to take the plunge?
Not that this would stop him from taking the drastic step if he believed it necessary to protect Eden. They had a deep and abiding friendship. Could it not turn into a love match? Well, it was something to keep in mind if Eden ever needed him.
He had resolved never to marry merely for the sake of duty. He would never do this again. Love and nothing less.
Yes, he could see himself falling in love with her.
Eden regained his attention as she twirled past him and laughed at something Aubrey had said.
What was it about Lothmere’s son that Connor did not like? Was it just his imagination? Or was he jealous?
He strode into his study to steal a moment alone and pour himself a brandy. After pouring perhaps too much in his glass, he settled in one of the leather chairs by his hearth and began to contemplate his feelings.
Gad, he hated these changes. Why could his life not go on exactly as it was now?
But he knew it could not. His children were growing up. His mother was aging, although she seemed to be managing it with far more grace than he was.
And Eden was ready to move on, aching to take the leap and finally marry. He knew this because they had spoken openly about the risks and benefits—especially the risk of trusting the man she married not to steal her wealth.
It was a serious risk, but he had heard no rumors about Aubrey or his family being in desperate need of funds to save the Lothmere holdings. Quite the opposite—they had impressive wealth. He was familiar with some of their business interests and knew they were profitable and well run.
Knowing this, was it fair to discourage Eden when she had the seemingly perfect suitor?
But this was what troubled him most, this apparent perfection in Aubrey. What would stop Eden from accepting the man if he proposed?
And what of himself?
Connor took a healthy swig of brandy as he morosely contemplated his life without Eden.
What if he declared himself and asked her to marry him?
