He was sure that it was his half-brother, Aaron, who spent good money to destroy the reputation of a young lady just to stain his name, to humiliate him. Purely out of spite. And his own mother, the mother they shared, either knew and allowed it or aided him.
“So, at the Opera…” Prim’s thoughts trailed off.
It was his turn to frown. His palms turned to fists as he remembered how his family circled around Prim at the Opera, like sharks smelling blood.
“You were trying to warn me,” Prim said, looking ahead in realization.
“Of course. Both can be so deceiving. And you are too kind for your own good sometimes. Except when it comes to me. I feel privileged, really.”
Prim didn’t react to his joke. That was concerning. He was expecting at least a ‘you deserve it’. A suspicion grew that Prim might have misunderstood his intention when he uttered that warning that night.
“Miss Primrose, what is it that you thought I was trying to do?”
“Not important.” Prim shook her head.
“I beg to differ.”
“How are you feeling, Your Grace?” Prim’s voice reached him through the darkness.
He was almost startled as he looked down at the young lady tangled in his mess. She should have by all means be mad at him, accused him of costing her all these menacing glances while he was safe behind his gender, title and wealth. But her first reaction was to think of him.
“Outstanding deflection technique,” Leo leaned and smiled. “I will be excellent once I have proof and let the ton know,” Leo said with cold determination. “Now, I have made my report. Your turn.”
“My turn?”
“You got your own goal, do you not? Securing a husband?”
“Oh, that.”
“Oh, that?I hope you are pursuing the endeavor with more fervor than a mereoh that.”
Prim glared at him in that way that was both harsh and cute at the same time. She looked as if she were a kitten showing her nails. But Leo knew that she could become a fierce cat if she felt threatened.
“Not much progress in this department. There had been callers of course, but nothing close to securing a proposal. Except for the Duke of Greyhaven, of course.”
“Of course,” Leo bit down. “How was his visit today? Riveting, I suspect.”
Prim raised an eyebrow with a warning smile. There was the fierce big cat.
“I find His Grace’s frankness refreshing. And easy. I do not have to wonder what he is thinking at any given moment. He obliges by simply telling me.”
“Ah. An easy life,” Leo mocks. “The dream of any young lady.”
“You underestimate clarity, Your Grace. It is… almost artistic.”
Leo broke down laughing, genuine tears pooling at the sides of his eyes.
“What constitutes artistic for Greyhaven is a perfectly balanced quarterly report.”
“I realize you thrive in chaos,” Prim said with a cold smile. “But sensible adults prefer order.”
“Sensible. I am sure he had a list of topics to discuss. Point One: Ensure prospect wife understands the heating schedule in the east wing.”
“He doesn’t need a list. He is completely competent in expressing himself.”
“Barely.”
“He says only what he needs to. He said that we were compatible.”
