“No.”
Devon appeared just as dejected, but then, Amos had forbidden him to go out to search for a prospective murderer when he had a wife and a child on the way. He claimed it was too dangerous, and Dominic couldn’t disagree. He knew Amos didn’t want his grandson or granddaughter to grow up without a father, so he’d slowly been tightening the reins of what he allowed his son to take on.
Grateful that he wasn’t left to his own thoughts, Dominic grabbed two tumblers and said, “Have a drink with me.” He set one down in front of Devon and grabbed a bottle of fine French brandy off the shelf behind him. He splashed two fingers’ worth into each of them and paused, deciding that four might be better for this occasion.
He set the decanter down and lifted his glass. “To Amos andthe Blue Boys. Let’s hope they discover something of value before the day is out.”
Devon said nothing but downed his glass the same time Dominic did. Although the burn helped to calm him slightly, it wasn’t nearly enough. He gestured to the bottle. “Care for another?”
In reply, Devon shrugged and held out his glass. “Why not?”
Dominic chuckled. “Good man.”
A short time later, Dominic decided that the swirl of heat in the pit of his stomach was a good indication that some of his tension was starting to ease somewhat. He could tell Devon was feeling the same effects because he had slouched in the chair across from him, his hands linked loosely over his abdomen.
Rather than dwell on Amos and the danger he was currently facing, Dominic decided to return to the one subject regarding which he could use some much needed advice. “How did you know you were in love when you met your wife?”
Devon glanced at him curiously. Rather than answer directly, he asked, “Are you telling me you think you are?”
He gave a snort. “I wouldn’t go that far just yet, but lust is definitely in the equation.”
“Ah.” Devon nodded. “That is a misleading emotion as it is the first step toward the ultimate downfall of every man.”
“Truly?” Dominic drew his brows together. “And here I thought it was just nature’s way of wanting us to procreate.”
“I suppose that is true as well,” Devon concurred. “But the strong sensation of lust that overrules all the other senses is generally not that simple.”
“And your conclusion is that if you cannot rid your mind of one particular person that it must be love?”
Devon seemed to consider this at length, and then said, “If your thoughts are continuously consumed with her and you know you would do anything to ensure she remains yours, then yes, I believe that is the proper definition.”
Dominic wasn’t so certain. It sounded more like a case of intense pursuit to him.
“At least, that is how it was for me. It could be different for everyone.”
That made more logical sense to Dominic, although he would be lying if he said that ever since he’d met Lexie his every waking moment had been filled with images of her. She had managed to filter into his dreams as well. He couldn’t seem to escape her. It sounded as if she was the one obsessing over him. And shehadadmitted her fascination with him from the first moment they’d met.
He lifted the nearly empty bottle at his side and held it up with a crooked grin. “Might as well finish this off.”
Devon held out his glass. “Hear, hear.”
CHAPTER 11
Lexie woke up to the sound of her windowpanes rattling and rain lashing against the townhouse. She lay in bed, staring at the canopy over her head, and released a heavy sigh. She had passed a sleepless night, but as much as she had attempted to get some rest, her body refused to cooperate. She kept thinking about Dominic and the danger he was in.
She pondered the possible reasons that might have tempted him to put himself in such turmoil. Surely he had to have known that attempting to live a double life as he had, eventually his luck would run out. But perhaps the problem had been that he didn’t care.
Her chest ached thinking that he thought so little of his own life that he was willing to sacrifice himself to save others. Did he enjoy playing the part of the martyr, or was there another reason that had caused him to invent Avalon?
The Duke of Cuthbert was certainly turning out to be a more complicated man than she had initially envisioned. She would be better off if she forgot him completely and turned to someone like the earl, a man who didn’t crave the chaos that Dominic obviously did.
And yet…
She closed her eyes, her body turning warm and languid as she recounted the passionate events that had transpired before Amos had arrived at the cottage. Her breathing deepened as she imagined Dominic there with her, flicking his thumb over the hardened peak of her breast. She could almost feel his lips on her neck, his hot breath speaking illicit words in her ear.
And she would never forget that wicked tongue…
She moaned lightly, her hand sliding beneath the coverlet. She pressed her palm against her mound and rubbed gently, but it wasn’t enough. Dreaming of Dominic being there was not the same as his actual presence.
