“I said,” Leo blinked slowly, “she has nothing to do with it.”
“And pray do tell, how do you know that?”
“Let’s play cards.”
Edwin studied his friend. Oh, how the tables have turned. Not so long ago, it was Edwin brooding in the club, nursing a glass of alcohol, and Leo was the one teasing him. The only difference was that Edwin fell for Abigail the moment he saw her; he was just too stubborn to admit it.
Leo simply had to deal with a complicated nuisance. One that simply would be cowed or stop being vulnerable at the same time.
For the first time after a long time, Leo couldn’t have what he wanted. Because that body against the door, that sigh, that curvy body, he wanted it. But their unique circumstances demanded that Leo would be reminded of a quality he hadn’t exercised all that much. Restraint.
“Piquet?” Edwin asked.
“What?”
Edwin smiled widely. That calculated smile of a man who knew he had you exactly where he wanted you.
“Piquet. We’ll bet.”
“Money, Edwin? Really?”
“Not money, of course. We both have an abundance of those. How about information?”
Leo narrowed his eyes at Edwin. married or not, his best friend was still an astute player.
“Very well,” Leo said confidently. “Truths are our currency.”
“Excellent. Cut for deal?” Edwin’s grin widened.
“Deal.”
They played in their usual quiet, the rest of the men around them going about enjoying their evening. It should be calm and familiar and soothing, but Leo didn’t seem to be able to concentrate. He miscounted a point he had never miscounted in his life.
“My hand,” Edwin triumphed. “You are distracted.”
“I sparred for an hour before you graced me with your presence.”
“To the winner the spoils.”
“Such grandiosity over a hand of piquet.”
“How do you know Miss Jenkins had nothing to do with the scandal?”
An hour earlier, Leo could have gladly punched Edwin’s face. He blinked slowly at the Duke that awaited the answer and inhaled irritably.
“She told me so.”
“Because, as a general rule, guilty people go around announcing their guilt. And when did you have the pleasure of seeing this sincere young lady?”
“She came to see me at my home.”
“Excuse me?”
“She came to my estate that very night the sheet circulated.”
“A paragon of innocence,” Edwin scoffed.
“I know for a fact she had nothing to do with it. She couldn’t have known about the seal.”
