Page 63 of The Wrong Duke

“He owes you money,” Evan said, not entirely sure if David was being serious or not. “That’s all this is. He owes you a small fortune and knows if you are to marry his daughter, you’ll cancel the debt. How do you not know this?”

David groaned and rubbed his eyes. “I should have known.”

“Yes, you should have. How did you not, is my question?”

“I don’t handle my own finances, of course. I have litigators who take care of that for me. It saves me having to worry and get my hands dirty and...” His eyes widened, and somehow, he managed to slump down even further in his chair. “Of course. How did I not see?”

“See what?”

David shook his head to himself. “I suppose there’s no point keeping it a secret now, is there? These past few weeks while you’ve been engaged trying to keep me away from Miss Baker — I should have told you. Saved you the trouble.”

“Told me what?”

“I have no desires toward Miss Baker. I never have. Truthfully, all this time, I’ve been...” He grimaced and looked away sheepishly. “I have been pursuing Miss Forbes instead.”

Evan’s mouth dropped open. “You’re joking?”

“That is where I was last night. With her...” He smiled softly to himself, a smile that Evan recognized because it was similar to one he wore when he thought of Miss Baker. “Only, I finally managed to work up the courage to ask her if she would be interested in being courted publicly. I love her, Evan. I do, with all my heart.” He fixed Evan with a no-nonsense stare, so his meaning couldn’t be misinterpreted. “And I told her as much.”

“And what did she say?” Evan asked, knowing the answer already.

“She denied me. Truthfully, I could not believe it. I actually thought she was joking... well, until she walked out on me,” he chuckled bitterly. “She told me she did not feel the same way, and we had no choice but to end things before they went too far. Only, an hour later I received the note that led me to the library, and I thought...” He sighed. “I thought she had changed her mind.”

“What does this have to do with Lord Lindstone’s debt?”

“She must know of it, is what. She must have known what Lord Lindstone was planning or guessed it. Realizing that in the end, Miss Baker and I would end up together and to pretend otherwise was a fool’s errand.” He scoffed. “I only wish she had told me; I might have... I don’t know. Not been caught in such a compromising position this morning,” he chuckled.

“You and Miss Forbes?” Evan frowned as he considered the likelihood, only to remember certain instances over the past week that made the match so obvious he couldn’t believe he hadn’t seen it. He’d been so predisposed with trying to stop Miss Baker, he hadn’t even noticed his friend falling in love right before him. “You love her?”

“I do.”

“I can relate...” Evan took a long sip of his brandy.

David frowned. “What do you mean? You’re in love with Miss Forbes?”

“What?” he scoffed. “No, of course not.”

It took David a moment. But only that. As if a sudden realization struck him, one that had been there the entire time, only hidden and aloof because Evan had worked hard to make it so, David smiled and nodded his understanding. “Miss Baker.”

“Right in one.”

“In hindsight, it was rather obvious, you know.”

“Is that right? You could have told me sooner. Saved me a lot of time.”

"Do you want to talk about it?”

“It’s a long story,” Evan muttered.

“I have time.”

“I’d rather not. Seeing as what is going to happen.”

David’s expression soured. “Good point.” He took a big mouthful of his brandy. “You know, I’m starting to understand why you are the way you are.”

“Meaning?”

“Your eschewing of romance is what. I always thought you somewhat daft, but now, I’m thinking that maybe you’re the smartest man I’ve ever known. Why do we even bother?” He finished his drink and then tossed the glass into the fire; it shattered against the brick, and the flames burst.

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