“Beth?” Nick said softly. “Since when is she Beth to you?”
“Since she became my betrothed.”
Speculation narrowed his friend’s eyes, but they didn’t appear annoyed; in fact to Leo they looked as if he had come to some kind of understanding, and why that unsettled him he had no idea.
“Ten days was all we were gone, and we left you in Nick’s care, and this is what happened.” Jacob tsked. “It’s a good match, it has to be noted.”
“No it isn’t!” Leo snapped. His necktie felt suddenly tight. “I’ve told you why it happened, and that I reacted to seeing the evil breaker of hearts without thinking. Don’t read anything else into it.”
“I’m not so sure,” Nick drawled, much to his horror. “It could be a good match.”
Leo stood and braced his hands on the table, glaring each of his friends to silence. Of course they merely smiled back at him, not the least intimidated.
“The betrothal will end with the season, and I will take full responsibility. I want to hear no more on the matter.”
“That’s still a few weeks away. A great deal can happen before then.” Marcus smiled up at him. “Besides, you’re the last of us to marry, and of course it is our fondest wish you do so, so you too can understand this wedded bliss we are all living.”
Leo growled softly, then picked up his half-eaten half bun, and threw it at Marcus, before storming from the room with the sound of his friends’ laughter following him. All thoughts of discussing his concerns about Beth with her cousin had fled.
