“I am not interested in stealing her from you, lad,” Oliver mocked. “Though, I suspect that if I was, I would be speaking to her in secret, not where anyone could spot me.”
“Oliver,” Alexander warned. This was not something he even wished to joke about.
“Fine, fine,” Oliver replied, “I shall not speak to your Duchess in your absence. Are you happy now?”
“Very,” Alexander grabbed a drink of his own.
“Besides, I should thank you. That little outburst earned me a win,” Oliver grinned, ear to ear.
“A win?” Alexander raised a brow.
“The bet,” Oliver said, as though it were obvious. “The one I made with you earlier, remember? That she’d notice.”
Alexander blinked, his brow furrowing slightly before realization dawned.
“My hand,” he said.
Oliver nodded, clearly pleased with himself. “She mentioned it tonight. Asked if I was there when it happened.”
“She did?” Alexander muttered.
“She did,” Oliver repeated, his smile smug now. “Which means I was right. She noticed and she’s paying attention.”
Alexander didn’t respond at once. He looked out into the distance, fingers flexing slightly at his side as if the injury still lingered, though it had long since healed.
“I’d forgotten all about that,” he said eventually.
“Well, you shouldn’t have,” Oliver replied. “Especially now. Cheers to being right.”
He lifted his glass.
Alexander shook his head, but the corner of his mouth twitched all the same. And for once, he didn’t mind losing.
So she did care enough to notice, and that was a good thing. She washis.
“It is quite a sight to see you jealous, I will say, however,” Oliver chuckled. “Though I am the wrong person to direct your jealousy towards.”
“Right,” Alexander rolled his eyes. “It was not jealousy. I just do not like it when people speak to my wife.”
“Denial does not look good on you,” Oliver shrugged. “But if you are so persistent then so be it. I shall ask you again in a few weeks.”
“Don’t make another ridiculous bet,” Alexander rolled his eyes.
“Oh, I won’t. This one is a guaranteed win for me,” he laughed. Alexander did not bother asking him for more information.
For now, he was fine with the way things were. Even though they had gotten entirely too complicated after the kiss.
But she had taken it in good spirits, and if he was to presume, she seemed to have even enjoyed herself.
That was going to have to be enough for now.
CHAPTER 20
When they returned from the dinner, Penelope thought to check on Odette once.
Penelope knocked lightly before entering her room. The lamps had been turned low and Odette was already tucked into bed, her blanket pulled up to her chin.
Penelope walked in, careful not to make too much noise.
