Page 83 of The Duke's Counterfeit Wife

“Nay,” Bull announced cheerfully, waving his fingers at a footman, who frowned and hurried in the opposite direction. “I had tutors when I lived with my sister and her husband, and of course my brother tried. His new wife was originally the governess he hired, ye ken, but bless her for trying, she’s no’ exactly a fount of information when it comes to fashion. Since moving to London, my studies have been a bit lax. Flick buys me books on textile technology.”

Griffin’s brow twitched, forgetting to ask about Bull’s brother in favor of following this line of questioning. “And that’s what interests ye?”

“How could ye doubt it?” The lad paused in their entirely too-nonchalant stroll and struck a pose, leg extended. “I chose the linen for these trousers myself. Granted, they’re entirely inappropriate for the current weather, but I needed to put my best foot forward, so to speak.”

Despite their current mission, Griffin found himself intrigued by Bull’s claim. He peered down at the extended leg. “Ye chose that material?”

“Aye, the green stripes are a fine contrast, I thought, to the purple in my waistcoat.”

Griffin frowned. “I’ll have to take yer word for that, lad. So…ye want to be a tailor?”

“Good Lord, nay!” Bull straightened, brushed imaginary lint off his lapels, removed a timepiece, and began to twirl it. “I want to set the fashion standards.”

“God help us all,” Griffin muttered, eyeing the lad’s choice of clothing. Irritated now, he began his stalk toward where he imagined the duke’s study to be. “Yer mother allows ye to spend money so frivolously? Or do ye steal it?”

Bull made a little hurt noise that cut Griffin, but he refused to allow himself to glance at the lad to see if he’d been offended.

After a moment, Bull took a deep breath. “When I moved in with Flick, I made a promise to her that I would cease my childish thievery, and attempt to act civilized. In return, she gives me a small allowance, as does my brother.”

Who was the lad’s brother?

Normally the question would intrigue Griffin, but now he was focused on the casual comment about moving in with Felicity. He still didn’t understand her past, and he should, considering he was pretending to be married to her.

“And ye used that allowance to buy that watch?” he asked, jerking his thumb at the timepiece the lad was still twirling as they walked.

“This? Nay.” Griffin heard Bull’s cocky grin. “I borrowed this from Thorne before I moved to London with Flick.”

“Och, aye? And does Thorne ken ye’re the one who ‘borrowed’ it from him?”

This time, Griffin glanced at the lad to see his grin grow. “Nay, but Thorne doesnae count. It’s more of a game with him.”

Actually, Griffin could see that. The Viscount Thornebury never seemed to take anything seriously. “Turn here. We’re looking for the study.”

“It’s that one with the double doors,” Bull announced matter-of-factly. “I found it the night before last, but it was locked.”

Aye, Griffin had found it as well. He’d spent last night mapping out the place at two o’clock in the morning, all to keep from crawling back into Felicity’s bed and licking her until she came again.

He’d been a fool not to return to her bed, but he’d been punishing himself for taking what she’d offered.

Swallowing down that aching memory, he snorted at the lad’s claim. “And ye didnae break the lock?”

“I’ve never had the knack for lock-picking, and I did promise Flick I’d go straight.” His tone sounded hurt. “Besides, I had to come back and check on her. I’m glad I did.”

He’d almost interrupted his mother’s pleasure.

It was easy to recognize the lad’s intent, and Griffin stopped. Bull was lashing out, trying to hurt Griffin in retaliation. And Griffin had to be the adult about it.

“Look, lad…” He turned to Bull with a sigh. “I’m sorry. I shouldnae antagonize ye.” It was easier to stare over Bull’s shoulder, but Griffin forced himself to meet the lad’s gaze. “I’ve grown used to protecting my family, and I didnae trust ye for the longest time.”

Bull’s fingers were rarely still, but now they gripped the watch chain tightly, his chin set mulishly. “Do ye trust me now?”

“Ye entered me into this stupid contest, announcing my past to the world.”

“Ah.” Bull’s brows drew in. “So that’s a nay?”

Griffin sighed again. “I didnae say that. I…” Shite, this was uncomfortable. “I didnae trust ye because yer presence opened my family up to the outside world. No’ just ye and yer mother, but that door. Anyone could enter my house, threaten Marcia and Rupert.”

Bull’s light gaze was intense. He didn’t have his mother’s green eyes, not exactly, but there was something about her in the shape of his nose and mouth, and his auburn hair was only a few shades darker than Felicity’s.

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