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“Valerie!” she chided in a harsh whisper. “Don’t yell it out so loud!”

“Then you’re saying something did happen!”

“It was just a kiss!” she hissed, and her cheeks burst into flames immediately. Oh, dear God.

Valerie squealed. “Oh, how romantic!” she sighed, and Juliet wanted to tell her all the rules her husband had set for their marriage of convenience and why there was nothing romantic about any of it, but she couldn’t bring herself to say anything and ruin her friend’s joy.

Valerie had always been a bit of a romantic, too.

When Valerie had to leave for her afternoon appointment, she hugged Juliet tightly and whispered in her ear. “We should certainly meet one of these days and catch up on all the things our letters couldn’t possibly say.”

And Juliet had laughed. “We definitely should! I will be looking forward to your call!” She waved as her friend walked away, after a brief goodbye to Eloise as well.

Then, Juliet looked over at Adam again, who was watching Eloise with his arms loose at his sides, and his eyes were soft with affection; she realized she wanted to see…

Directed at her.

Daniel had ordered two brandies by the time Adam arrived at White’s, and was in the middle of some private amusement that did not improve upon Adam’s arrival.

“You look different,” the Marquess said.

Adam arched a brow as he took the offered glass. “Why do I detect sarcasm?”

At that, Daniel chuckled, nursing his drink. “Sarcasm? You wound me, my friend,” he said, pressing one palm to his chest in an overdramatic display. “It has been a day since you came to London and have not thought to seek me out. Not that I’m jealous, or anything.”

Adam rolled his eyes. “I have been in the park.”

“Hyde Park. With your wife and daughter.” It was not a question. “You, who once departed Hyde Park after eleven minutes because a spaniel⁠—”

Adam glared. “Have I not warned you never to bring that matter up again? When are you going to put it out of your mind?” He grumbled, but the edge in his tone was not sharp enough to cut through Daniel’s thick skin.

The Marquess scoffed. “How could I ever put such a wonderful memory out of my mind? Ah. Just remembering you screaming at the top of your lungs because a mere dog wished to greet you brings such tears to my eyes.”

Adam’s eyes narrowed further. “As I am sure my fists will, if you don’t give it a rest.”

“Oh? Are you… perhaps pent up, my good sir?” Daniel leaned back, mischief in his gaze, and tilted his head. “Having such a lovely duchess ought to be working wonders for you.”

Adam set the glass down, and though he was sure he couldn’t glare any harder than he was already, he attempted it anyway.

“Honeysett.” His tone was pure warning, but the other man lifted one hand in mock surrender.

“I’m merely observing, Ravenlocke,” he said, and Adam growled.

“Observe more quietly,” he said gruffly.

Daniel was entirely undisturbed by the overt aggression, however. He swirled his brandy and continued, saying, “You are attracted to her.”

That was an indictment Adam knew he couldn’t quite deny, not when the truth of it battered him, night after night, as he spent most of them talking himself out of crossing the expanse of his room, opening the door that joined his room to hers, and going into her room all on his own.

And yet…

“You’re not denying it.” Daniel set his glass down, his interest clearly piqued. So interested, in fact, that the theater went out of his voice. “Adam. I have known you since we were twelve, and I know you have spent a long time making a very dedicated study of being unreachable. And I know Eloise has been your whole world for just as long.”

Adam shrugged. “Because she is,” he said. “And she is the reason I have a new duchess, as well. She is good with Eloise.”

Daniel’s expression was even more exasperated than before. “Oh?” was all he responded with.

But Adam nodded, deciding to pretend that he didn’t know anything, that he couldn’t read the expressions on his friend’s face.