Page 42 of The Duke's Vice

Beatrice looked pointedly at her mother. “Well I wasn’t going to ask him.”

Charlotte bristled. “It’s just that he’s not known to be so giving of his time. I’m surprised by his actions, not yours.”

Beatrice didn’t know how to respond to her mother so she stood hoping the awkwardness of them silently staring at each other would drive her mother to change the topic.

“Shall we go? You’d think for a woman who wants everyone to rave about her parties she would invest in some more windows or doors. It is an inferno in here.”

Beatrice smiled. Her mother was an easy read.

“I would love to go. My feet hurt.”

Charlotte swatted at her daughter in excitement. “Oh, we should go find Lady Joynor and tell her. She’ll just love that!”

Beatrice took her mother’s arm. “Wonderful. While we’re add it, we’ll tell her that she should also invest in some more windows or doors. I’m sure she’d appreciate that as well.” Beatrice added with a wink to her mother.

Ezra downed his second whisky of the night. He bit back a groan as the burn coated his throat. He’d been on edge ever since he left Joynor’s ball. He was hoping a stop at the club and some drinks would help soothe him.

“Ah, you’re here.” Frederic clapped him on the back.

So much for relaxation.

“The missus let you out tonight?” Ezra commented as he signaled for another drink.

Frederic sat down next to Ezra with a mock laugh. “Ha. Ha. Very funny. I’ll have you know she lets me do whatever I want… as long as I ask her first.”

Ezra smiled as the barkeep filled his tumbler and brought Frederic is own. He may still think of Harriet as his little sister in need of protection, but ever since that bastard of a Duke ruined her, she had grown into a strong and capable young woman. Ezra knew exactly who was the head of Frederic’s household and it wasn’t the man sitting next to him.

“I head Joynor had a ball tonight and that you were in attendance.” Frederic motioned to Ezra with his tumbler.

Ezra grimaced. “People talk too much.”

Frederic laughed. “And I thank my lucky stars for that. I wouldn’t know anything if they didn’t.”

Ezra swirled his drink. “Is there a point to this conversation? Or did you just want to prove that Harriet lets you out of the house every once in a while?”

Frederic took a healthy sip of his whisky, his mouth pulling back at the burn.

“Both.” Frederic said as he coughed.

Ezra reached out to pat his friend on the back. “You’ve gone soft on me, brother. You hardly come out any more.”

Frederic smiled. “When you have a woman like Harriet at home, there’s no need to leave.” His wink had Ezra cringing.

“I’m going home.” Ezra pushed away from the table.

Frederic barked out a laugh. “I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I swear, no more talk of your sister as my loving and willing wi-”

Ezra stood while Frederic pulled him back down. “That was the last one. I swear.”

Ezra considered his friend before fully relaxing back into his chair.

“So why are you really here?”

“I was in town doing some business and I heard about the ball and, to my surprise, I heard your appearance made quite the stir.”

Ezra furrowed his brows. “How so? All I did was dance with Lady Beatrice.”

Frederic’s eyes widened as a bright smile lit his face. “So you admit it!”

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