Page 65 of A Night of Passion with the Duke

He shook thoughts of her out of his mind as he walked to his study to finish up some correspondence he’d abandoned but was startled by his brother’s presence.

“Charles, what can I help you with?” he asked with a sigh, pouring himself a drink.

If Charles was here now, he was sure it wasn’t with good tidings, and he was in no mood to deal with his brother’s foul moods and negative criticism.

He could only wonder what the man wanted to complain about now.

“I ask you again, Brother…” Charles began. “When do you plan on fixing this grievous error in judgment you have made?”

Edward frowned, trying to decipher his brother’s cryptic question. “Excuse me?”

“Don’t feign ignorance, Brother,” Charles chided. “You know what I’m referring to.”

“If I did, I wouldn’t be asking.”

“I’m talking about the error you made marrying that… girl,” Charles stated. “I do not see why you insist on having her?—”

“I already warned you against speaking about my wife,” Edward interrupted him, not wanting to continue the conversation.

“And I will continue to do so until you see how foolhardy your decision was.” Charles was nearly yelling now, betraying his anger. “I refuse to believe that silly story you fed Mother and Emily in the dining room. You must have bedded her and then been forced to wed her by her social-climbing brother?—”

“Enough!” Edward yelled, slamming his hands on the table. His chest heaved as anger turned his vision red.

If Charles weren’t his brother, he was sure he’d have throttled him or worse by now.

“I have tolerated your criticizing my decision to marry Arabella, and I will continue to do so until it sinks into your head that I do not intend to do as you ask,” he hissed, his voice slow and threatening. “What I will not stand for is you slandering my wife’s name and reputation or that of her family, who are now our family by extension?—”

“They are no family of mine,” Charles snapped.

“They will cease to be as will Mother and I if you push me into excommunicating you.”

“You wouldn’t dare!” Charles yelled in outrage.

“You forget, dear brother, that I am renowned for making rash and brainless decisions,” Edward threatened, throwing words his brother had said to him back in his face.

Charles turned positively red and stormed towards the door, but not before he had the final word.

“When the time comes and she shatters the heart you have so willingly handed her, I hope you will remember that I warned you.”

The loud sound of the door slamming shut did nothing to silence the racing thoughts his final words had set off in Edward.

Was it that obvious he’d handed his heart to Arabella?

He took another long sip of his drink, rolling the liquid around his tongue before letting it burn a path down to his stomach.

Edward had meant every word he’d said to his brother, but a little part of him feared his brother’s warning.

He shook the thoughts out of his mind, choosing to focus on the one thing he had control over—the estate he’d inherited. When he found himself confused or needing an escape, the numbers helped him deal with whatever emotions raged inside him.

He was cross-checking a sum he just did when a knock sounded at the door to his study.

He wondered briefly if it were perhaps Arabella and hastily bade her to enter.

The door opened to admit Joana, who was dressed less than appropriately in a night robe. She was holding a food tray which made him realize he’d missed dinner.

“I thank you, Joana,” he said once she set it in front of him, averting his gaze when she leaned down and her cleavage came into view.

He coughed into his hand, keeping his face turned away till she straightened up.

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