Page 96 of Discovering Her Earl

Julian greeted his dear friend as he entered the study at Roxburghe House.

Hale had always enjoyed town, but since he’d married his lovely wife who preferred the country, the duke and duchess spent most of their time at the country home he’d purchased for them in Scotland.

Except for a few weeks during the beginning of the Season.

“Where is V?” Julian asked after their daughter.

“Asleep. But you have only to wait a few minutes and I’m certain she will be awake yet again.” If the man was attempting to complain, he did a poor job of it with the smile upon his face. “Come, tell me of your journey.”

“First, I brought you something.” He held out his small gift. A bit of rock with ancient painting on it. “I dug that from the earth myself.”

“I will treasure it always. Thank you. Did you have a rewarding adventure?”

“Yes. Very rewarding.”

Hale tilted his head.

“I don’t think you could have said that with less enthusiasm. Was it not what you’d hoped?”

Julian stood and walked in a small circle. Hale frowned, no stranger to seeing Julian pace when he was distraught. He’d seen it many times over the years they’d been friends.

“It was everything I’d hoped and more. And I thought it would be enough to tide me over as I go forward with my father’s plans for me, but instead, it made me realize how much I have to give up. Who I will have to give up.”

“Who?” Hale was smiling now as he held out a glass of brandy. “Is this unrest over a woman, then? Have you fallen, my friend?”

“Do you remember when you said we weren’t good at speaking of feelings and things of the like? Were you feeling things for the duchess before she was your duchess?”

“Yes. Are you in need of some advice? Because I daresay I will do a far better job of it than you did.”

“At the time, I didn’t really understand what you were going on about. But now… I think I do.”

“You think you do?” Hale challenged.

Julian must have given more of his feelings away than he’d thought for the man to question him. Still…

“It doesn’t bloody matter if I do or not. For I can’t have her.”

Hale frowned. “Is she already married?”

“No. But she won’t meet my father’s requirements of a proper countess, so I would lose the mines to Osborne if I married her and…”

“You want to marry her?”

Julian rubbed his temples with his thumb and index finger while nodding.

“Yes. I do. More than anything.” Then he shook his head. “Except the responsibilities to those who depend on me.”

Hale let out a breath and winced before he spoke again.

“I don’t suppose she would be interested in being a mistress?”

Julian’s fists clenched. “Speak of such a thing again and you’ll find yourself across the field from my Wogdon pistol. I would never dishonor her in that way.”

Hale held up both hands in surrender, apparently not wishing to duel one of his closest friends.

“My apologies. I meant no disrespect. But it is done when there is not another way.”

Julian glared.