Page 43 of Duke of Pride

Stephen was not happy at all. This was neither indoors nor properly outdoors. It was, in his opinion, some cursed hybrid between a gardenfêteand a dining room rebellion.

“I do not understand what this is,” he muttered. “It’s not a picnic. It’s not a proper meal. You don’t expect me to eat like this every day.”

Then, a rustle of a dress, a measured step, an aura. He knew before he turned that Victoria was here.

“Only you would attempt to scrutinize the sitting arrangement, Your Grace.”

“Arrangementis a strong word,” he commented.

He turned to see Victoria’s arm looped through his sister’s.

Annabelle’s eyes shone as she looked upon her brother. Stephen couldn’t resist returning that look. He looked at her swollen belly, and his smile widened. His quiet sister, the Duchess of Heartwick, now got what she wished for and was truly happy.

He was happy for her.

“Anna!” Frederick came up behind her, frantic. “Perhaps it’s best you sit down.”

The Duke of Heartwick hovered not far behind, his eyes sharp as ever but wholly devoted to his wife’s comfort. He gave her a refreshment and checked her from head to toe before turning to Stephen.

“Colborne,” he greeted.

“Frederick.”

“Thank you for having us,” he added. “It would be good to spend some time with the family before the baby comes. Good for Annabelle to be with you.”

Frederick was the closest thing that Stephen had to a friend. He had never expected to see him as a brother-in-law, given his rakish ways. And now look at him, a husband and soon-to-be-father, and doing an amazing job at it.

“Oh, he is so adorable!” Annabelle petted Euclid.

“He’s mine,” Victoria and Stephen said at the same time.

They looked at each other with raised eyebrows.

“I found him,” Victoria pointed out.

“He likes me,” Stephen countered.

“You give him sweets!”

“I do no such thing. It would be bad for him. He simply has taste.”

“That is correct. The taste of the ham you have been feeding him.”

“He merely realizes where his best interests lie.”

Dorothy, Annabelle, and Frederick watched as if all this was some impromptu play. Euclid was wagging his tail between the two, nudging Stephen for a pat and licking Victoria’s hand.

Stephen decided to end this childish game and leveled Victoria with a warning look. He regretted it instantly. He should have known by now not to challenge her. Her jaw ticked, exactly like his did when she tried his patience. She was about to say something when Dorothy intervened.

“Enough,” she said. “The food is getting cold, and we did not spend all morning planning thisamazingoutdoor luncheon just for you two to bicker over Euclid. He is clearly mine. Here, boy.”

The adorable mutt followed her eagerly and sat at her feet when she took her seat. Annabelle dragged Victoria to sit beside her. Frederick stayed behind with Stephen, who waited for everyone to take a seat.

“You hate dogs,” Frederick reminded him.

“Not this one.”

“Right.”

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