Page 61 of A Virgin for the Duke of Thorns

“True,” Daniel replied. “Our friend, though, has applied himself most assiduously to the task at hand.” He turned towards Ethan, who was happily walking ahead of them with a sizable yield for his efforts in the woods.

“Let him have his fun.” Colin shrugged.

Just because he did not enjoy hunting did not mean he was going to ruin it for everyone else. If Ethan wanted his fun, as a friend, Colin was not going to stand in his way.

They reached the end of the tree line, and the chatter from the picnic grounds became more distinct. Even amongst the gaily dressed crowd, his vision seemed to zero in on a particular dark-haired young woman in a sage green dress. Unlike her companions, she did not seem as enthusiastic about the results of the hunting competition.

Colin felt a heaviness in his chest that he could not explain when he saw her reaction.

“You have only yourself to blame for that,” a dark voice intoned wryly.

He turned around to find Hudson with his rifle slung over his broad shoulder. His friend wore the same grim look he always did, but there was a trace of something else in his eyes. Pity, perhaps?

He never thought the day would come when Hudson would actually feel much for anyone, even pity.

Colin managed to eke out a slight smile. “Well, I cannot just hoard all the prizes as a host,” he told him in as genial a manner as he could hope to portray.

Hudson just nodded. “I hope you realize just how much you are losing by choosing to let go.”

With those parting words, his friend walked towards the picnic grounds, his strides practically eating the ground. Colin watched as Hudson laid his quarry along with those of the other gentlemen who had participated in the hunt.

As expected, it was Ethan who garnered first place in the competition. Colin felt the weight in his chest lift, feeling naturally happy for his friend.

As cheers rose up, he could make out a few young ladies blushing and whispering amongst themselves. Even if Ethan was a member of the Wolves, his reputation and charm were significantly better than those of Colin and his other friends. It was only natural for young ladies to fall for him.

“Now, as I have promised, you get to claim all of the dances of a young lady of your choosing!” Lady Wellington announced, beaming widely.

Ethan let out a teasing grin. “All, you say?”

A handful of young women practically swooned at his words, and Colin could only shake his head. Ethan always had a flair for theatrics, and he had no qualms whatsoever about using it on women.

His grandmother smiled serenely at his friend. “I did say all,” she clarified. “Although, I will not be responsible for the chaos your choice might cause.”

“Your advice is duly noted, My Lady.” Ethan grinned widely. “As for my choice?—”

A hopeful gasp arose among his captive audience as his eyes seemed to survey the young ladies in attendance. One of them fanned herself most arduously as she gazed up hopefully at the most charming member of the Wolves.

“I choose Lady Alice Barkley.”

A sudden hush fell on the crowd, and Colin saw nearly a hundred pairs of eyes swivel towards him and then back at Ethan again. He felt his smile slipping away as he turned his shocked gaze towards his friend, his mind reeling.

Who did Ethan choose again?

Colin could only watch as Ethan shot him an apologetic smile before walking over to Alice and handing her the ribbon he had won. At that moment, a fury unlike any other erupted within him.

“Lady Alice Barkley, would you allow me the honor of claiming all your dances tonight?” he heard Ethan say in a charming voice that would make any woman drop all pretense at modesty.

Say no, say no, say no…

Alice looked up at Ethan as though she was confused. His eyes narrowed as he watched them talk for a while—with Ethan trying to charm her, no doubt—and then, with a soft smile, she accepted the ribbon with a smile that seemed to Colin was far more dazzling than the sun.

“The honor is all mine, Your Grace,” she replied with a slight curtsy.

As the crowd burst into applause, only one thought was on Colin’s mind as he watched that scene.

Friend or not, I am going to kill him!

CHAPTER 25

---