Page 32 of Denying the Duke (Lords and Ladies in Love 3)

No doubt all that power, wealth, and handsomeness would command the room and set many hearts to fluttering. However, the only one who had her heart fluttering kept stroking the inside of her wrist with his thumb as they spoke, distracting her from the conversation.

With the ease they exchanged insults and jokes, it was apparent the four men were good friends. It pleased her to know Alex had these friends. With his military service keeping him away from England for so long, she was unaware he had maintained such camaraderie.

They all settled into their seats just as the curtain on the stage rose. Cam sat next to her and leaned in to speak into her ear. Before he could say a word, Alex glowered at him and gestured toward the stage. “Behave yourself.”

Patience found it hard not to grin. She enjoyed seeing this side of Alex, the man who had a comfortable relationship with other gentlemen. Her spirits rose at his comments to his friends. Alex was acting like a jealous lover.

If only…

…

What the devil was wrong with him that he’d acted so asinine? Now his friends would think he was some sort of besotted fool. However, he was not besotted, but merely determined. He wanted Patience for his wife.

He wanted her naked, underneath him, writhing with passion, calling his name as she found her pleasure. He wanted to see her beautiful green eyes deepen in color, to hear her panting and moaning.

Just those thoughts had him shifting in his seat, trying to get comfortable with his erection plaguing him. She looked stunning tonight in a pale peach gown that hugged her pert breasts perfectly. The soft muslin fabric moved as she walked, outlining her legs and the feminine sway of her hips.

The familiar scent of lavender surrounded her, drawing him like a bee to a spring flower. Her warm smile and light laughter had already captivated his friends. He was sure they weren’t joking about calling on her. That he would never allow.

The play was interesting, but Patience kept him occupied as he watched her laugh, smile, and frown while the story unfolded. His problem now was in convincing her he wanted to marry her, not for expediency, but because he believed she would be the perfect wife for him.

Once the carriage had dropped Patience and her parents at their townhouse, and the duchess at Bedford House, Alex continued to White’s where he was to meet Hawk, Cam, and Templeton.

The three friends were gathered around the betting book when he arrived. The man at the door took his overcoat, hat, gloves, and walking stick. He joined the group around the book. “What devious wagers are you drumming up tonight?”

“What’s the matter, Bedford, are you afraid we might bet on the charming Lady Patience?”

His muscles tightened and his blood surged to his head, until he felt as though he would explode. “Do not even think about writing her name in that book.”

Hawk regarded him from across the famous book, his humor gone. “You have it bad, my friend.”

“I have nothing, bad or otherwise. I came to relax and have a drink. Who’s joining me?” He turned and stalked away.

The three followed him while the rest of the gentlemen continued calling out bets. They settled in chairs near one of the large windows, now covered with heavy drapes. A footman brought their drinks, which they all sipped in silence.

“I hear Loverly is still roaming the streets of London.” Hawk leaned back in his chair, resting his foot on his knee.

“The last I heard he was in Bath,” Alex said.

Cam shook his head. “More recent reports put him in London.”

“To my way of thinking, the man should hop on the first ship headed anywhere and really disappear this time.” Hopefully, that was what Loverly would do. He didn’t like the idea that the traitor was free. He had threatened Alex more than once on their trip back. Not that he felt he could not defend himself, but if Loverly ever got wind of Patience, he might come after her.

Cam leaned forward “However did you rout him out the first time?”

“It took me a full year. We had some tips that he’d gone to America, so the War Department sent me there, where they said Loverly had a contact. We had no name, just a tiny bit of information on him. The reason it took a year was our information was slightly wrong. His contact was not a ‘he’ but a ‘she.’ Once I established that, I had him in a matter of weeks.”

“I still find it hard to believe a member of the House of Lords would turn on his country,” Hawk chimed in.

Alex had also found it hard to believe when he was first given the assignment. He knew Loverly from Eton, and although they had never been friends, they’d had a passing acquaintance. Once he’d discovered him, his motivation had become clear. “Money and a woman.”

“Aren’t they usually at the bottom of most crimes?” Cam said as he placed his empty glass on the table in front of them, then waved the footman away.

“Speaking of women—” Templeton began.

Alex stood. “I am not speaking of Lady Patience. In fact, I have an early appointment in the morning, so I will be leaving your esteemed presence to return home.”

“Coward.” Hawk smirked and saluted him with his glass.