Page 53 of A Bride for the Duke of Sin

“Women can be a great many things,” Daniel told him and handed him a glass of brandy. “But you already know that.”

Ethan grimaced as he accepted the glass and drank the liquid inside, relishing the slight burn as it slid down his throat. At least it made him feel something other than the torment of unsatisfied desires.

“I have been… having some issues,” he finally confessed.

Daniel did not say anything, merely arching an eyebrow in a bid for him to explain precisely what he meant by that.

“I do not want tohuntany longer.” The next words tumbled out of Ethan in a rush. “The ladies who try to seduce me all annoy me. I have not even been with a woman for a long time!”

Daniel regarded him with a pitying look. “By chance, did this occur ever since your wedding night?”

“No,” Ethan muttered in disgust. “Long before that.”

“Strange, indeed,” Daniel murmured, stroking his chin contemplatively. He looked knowingly at him. “Is there a specific lady responsible for your current, ah, affliction?”

Almost immediately, the image of lush, golden hair and vibrant green eyes flecked with gold flashed before Ethan’s very eyes. Lips like a summer rose in bloom, parted slightly in an invitation for a kiss…

“I can see that there is.” Daniel smiled in satisfaction.

“I just cannot stop thinking about her!” Ethan burst out. “And her? Why, she is enjoying her life as aspinster—whatever that is supposed to mean, for God’s sake! Promenading about and going to the publisher. How was I supposed to know she intended to publish her own book?”

“For a man who had shut himself in his residence for the better part of a month, you sound like you have been keeping an eye on her.” His friend smirked.

Ethan threw his hands up in frustration. “I have kept in mind that she is my wife, while she seems to have conveniently forgotten that fact!”

Daniel did not even bother pretending to commiserate with him as he poured him another glass. “I do not see what youare complaining about,” he pointed out drolly. “Youleft her. A month ago, to be precise.”

Ethan sank into the chair in front of his friend’s desk, groaning. “She wants something I cannot give her—for her own good.”

“Did you come to this conclusion on your own, or did you ask for her opinion on this before deciding to do thisfor her own good?”

There were times when Ethan appreciated his friend’s cool rationality. Daniel possessed the unique ability to see the heart of the matter almost immediately. Unfortunately, that also meant that he had no patience for talking around in circles.

“I thought that she would come to realize it on her own,” Ethan sighed. “But to completely forget about me?”

Daniel’s reply was a flash of a grin. “Then perhaps you should remind her.”

Ethan shook his head inwardly at that.

Remind her? Of what exactly? She was more likely to launch the book at his head if he attempted to seduce her again!

No, Phoebe was exceptionally stubborn. He knew that she would never compromise herself, and it was one of the qualities he admired in her.

Much later, after several more glasses of brandy, Daniel finally sent him on his way.

Actually, his friend all but kicked him out of his estate, as one of his men had acquired a copy of the book that Evie wanted and he intended to spend the rest of the evening with his wife.

Ethan grimaced as the door to his carriage closed after him. “To the townhouse, Edwards.”

“Right away, Your Grace.”

He turned the book over in his hands as the carriage slowly ambled on the way back to the townhouse. Out of curiosity, he opened the book, eager to find what his darling Duchess had written about.

The first few sentences intrigued him, and halfway through the journey back to his current residence, he changed his mind.

He rapped on the wall by the coachman’s ear and barked, “I changed my mind, Edwards. We are heading back to Sinclair Estate.”

Fewer things in life were as wonderful as a good book and a cup of excellent tea to go with it. Add in an exceptionally cozy sofa and Phoebe was all set for the night.

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