“Oh, I’m not,” Rowan admitted easily. “But even I know that secrets have a way of unraveling at the worst possible moment. You really mean to keep her in the dark forever?”
“Yes.”
“And here I thought you might be growing soft,” Rowan sighed, disappointed.
“You overestimate her importance in my life,” Simon smirked.
Rowan let out a low whistle. “A harsh statement even for you. Tell me then, if she meansso little, why are you so tense at the mere mention of her?”
Simon paused at that.
“See?”Rowan exclaimed, as though he had just been proven correct. “Even now. Your reaction. It is like clockwork.”
“You sound far too invested in this,” Simon recovered quickly. “I have never known you to be one to enjoy gossip.”
“Oh, it’s hardly gossip,” Rowan dismissed immediately. “You may consider it a kind of curiosity instead. One moment, you’re the most stubborn bachelor in England, and the next—you’remarried? And I have yet to meet the girl.”
“You won’t,” Simon said immediately.
“Whynot?” Rowan pressed, clearly having too much fun with the whole thing.
Simon set his drink down with a little more force than necessary. “It is irrelevant.”
“Oh, it isentirelyrelevant,” Rowan countered. “Because unless I am mistaken—and I rarely am—you just reacted like a jealous husband.”
Simon snorted, shaking his head. “Hardly.”
“No?” Rowan tilted his head, seeming unconvinced.
“No,” Simon replied with more force than necessary.
“Then allow me to ask you a few things, purely for my own entertainment,Your Grace.”
Simon rubbed his hand against his face. Knowing Rowan, he scarcely had any choice in the matter.
“At least make it quick.”
“I shall do no such thing.” Rowan grinned. “First question—if she is nothing more than a convenient arrangement, why do you refuse to let me meet her?”
Simon rolled his eyes. “Because you would be insufferable.”
Rowan smirked. “True. But not an answer.”
“Because it isnot necessaryfor you to meet her.”
“Not necessary,” Rowan echoed. “You’ve had other guests at your estate since the wedding, have you not?”
“Of course,I have,” Simon rolled his eyes. “She has not been sentenced to life and can meet guests as she pleases.”
“Right, so then it’s only me who is not allowed to meet her, not that she cannot meet guests?”
Simon considered the thought for a moment. The thought of Rowan meeting and speaking to Rachel—given his rakish reputation—made something sharp twist in his chest. Even though he knew that his friend would never attempt anything with his wife.
It was ridiculous, of course. Entirely unreasonable. And then, Simon realized…
Possessive.
The thought alone was enough to unsettle him.
