Page 27

TEN MINUTES LATER

AfterDarius steered Eudora into his office, taking care to leave the door wide open not only so he could monitor the store but to prevent any suggestion of something inappropriate occurring, he released her elbow.

Armsfolded, he rested a hip on the edge of his desk and regarded her.

Andhe didn’t like what he observed.

Furthermore, he couldn’t help but compare Eudora’s artifice to Araminta’s wholesome, unpretentiousness—her kindness and joie de vivre—joy of life.

Thetwo women were opposites in nearly every way, from their coloring to their temperament and lifestyle, and his increasing appreciation of Araminta’s uniqueness seemed to be in direct proportion to his escalating awareness of Eudora’s lack of character.

Thus, a fortnight ago, he’d determined not to pursue Eudora any longer.

Theywould never have suited, and a union between them would have resulted in mutual unhappiness and, perhaps in time, resentment and animosity.

ThankGod he’d discovered that truth before things had gone any further.

SweetAraminta, who hummed to herself, had a goose for a pet, and loved books as much as he did—had given him a glimpse of true happiness and of the kind of relationship his parents and married siblings enjoyed.

Heswept his critical gaze over Eudora.

Theepitome of Society fashion and as lovely as he’d ever seen her, Eudora exuded a sullenness and privileged expectancy he’d never noticed before. More fool him, because as certain as he was that the sun would set tonight, those character flaws had always been present.

Hisinfatuation with her beauty had prevented him from seeing who she truly was.

Ithad taken spending time with Araminta, a woman incapable of artifice, to recognize how shallow and insipid Eudora was.

ThankGod he hadn’t proposed.

Norwould he.

Cassiushad been right—confound his insightful twin.

EudoraClarke was not the woman for him. Something inside him had whispered that from the very beginning. Mayhap, that was why he couldn’t envision her with his family.

“I’m surprised to see you without your mother acting as chaperone, MissClarke.”

Heshifted and crossed his ankles.

Araminta’stinkling laughter carried into his office, followed by Cassius’s familiar tenor.

Astab of jealousy rooted around Darius’s belly.

He’dnever been jealous of his twin before, and he didn’t like the sensation.

Tiltingher head at a coy angle—another practiced pose—Eudora glided toward him. Her perfume, no doubt expensive and custom-made, wafted upward. “Mama is at the milliner’s. She permitted me to stop in the bookshop alone for a few minutes.”

“Indeed?” Darius cocked an eyebrow, his intuition on high alert.

Eudorabatted her eyelashes and produced a siren’s smile. “I’ve convinced her to allow you to court me.”

Thattook Darius aback.

He’dexpected to work much harder to persuade Mrs. Clarke to view him favorably. Moreover, it had been weeks since he’d actively pursued Eudora.

Amonth ago, his primary focus had been winning her hand. Now, the idea held as much appeal as eating cold, congealed eggs cooked in bacon grease.

Whathad changed him so drastically?