Page 53 of The Lady’s Great Escape

Gray stared at him for a full minute before looking away. “I fear I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my past.”

Kit let out a breath assuming Gray was speaking of all the years they’d spent carousing.

“If I do manage to sway her, would I have your blessing?” Kit asked.

Gray pulled back in surprise. “She’s made it clear she doesn’t need my blessing for anything she does. She’s my sister, but I have no say over her life now that she’s of age. I never did.”

“True. Still, it matters to me that you would think me good enough to call brother.”

Gray blinked and looked away. “I already think of you as a brother.” He seemed rather uncomfortable. He cleared his throat and stood straighter. “I can only hope Celia would find such an honorable man as you for her husband. And I’m sorry I wasn’t able to do more back then to bring you together.”

“She made her choice,” Kit said.

Gray looked as if he might argue but said nothing else. Kit was touched by his words. They were close friends, but as it was with close friends, they’d seen almost too much truth. That Gray would find him suitable for Celia was a great honor.

“Thank you, Gray. I still hope to have the chance to win her heart.”

“Please,” Gray said, looking quite miserable. “Don’t thank me.”

Kit didn’t try to explain for he’d gotten an idea. He’d never point Celia in the direction of a man who was unsuitable. But perhaps if she did explore her desire to have another lover, she would see how unappealing such brief encounters could be.

Or maybe she would embrace that life and he would be alone yet again.