Page 94 of The Duke's Vice

Ezra solemnly nodded. He sat up and rubbed his jaw. The scar on his hand caught her attention.

She reached out and took his hand in hers, running her finger along the crescent shaped scar. “I saw this the first night we met. It’s how I knew it was you at the ball.”

Beatrice looked up to him and saw his eyes were fixated on their entwined hands.

He swallowed as his hand flexed in hers.

“I got that protecting my sister.” His voice was low and rough.

“Your sister?” Beatrice pulled their hands up to her chest. “What happened?”

Ezra’s eyes, still on their hands, softened as he shrugged.

“Nothing I couldn’t handle. A lying bastard of a Duke ruined her reputation and I wouldn’t stand for it.”

Beatrice’s breath caught. “Oh my, is she all right?” She racked her brain trying to remember if she knew he had a sister. Her mind was mush from the events of the last few hours, let alone the last few months.

“She’s fine.” He laughed. “Well, she’s now married to my best friend so I’m not sure if you call that fine, but fine enough, I suppose.”

Beatrice smiled. “Was it always just you and her?”

Ezra nodded. “My mother didn’t handle my father’s death well so when we lost her Harriet and I were already used to depending on each other. Other than my sister, I have known Frederic and Melinda since I was a boy and they keep me grounded.”

Beatrice’s body tensed at his mention of the widow Collins.

“They were with me that night.” Ezra said absently as he nodded to his hand in hers. “Melinda’s father still owned the tavern and he knew the comings and goings of a lot of people. He heardDamen had a few debts to pay and was trying to find games to cash in on. Frederic and I met him outside of one. He got a few good shots in and I didn’t see the knife. He managed to get my hand and my side.” He said as he shifted showing a slight, sliver line along his side.

Beatrice gasped as she scooted closer to him to inspect the long forgotten scar. “Did it hurt?” She asked as her finger traced the jagged line. She bit her lip to stop from smiling when he shivered under her light touch.

“It tickles.” He mumbled. “And, yes, it hurt at the time. Melinda met us with supplies and got us stitched up, though. Being raised in a tavern she learned first aid at a young age.” He smirked.

Beatrice looked up to him. “What a life you’ve led.” She said in wonderment.

Ezra considered her words. “I did. It hasn’t been easy, but it’s mine. I accept what is given to me.”

Beatrice licked her lips. Nerves and anxiety began to bubble within. She had this need to push the conversation into a direction neither of them wanted it go. She knew tonight was a one time deal, she knew that going in and yet, she couldn’t help herself. This felt like something more.

“Ezra?” She hesitated. Her mind fought her against her heart. This night was perfect, she didn’t want to ruin it. But she couldn’t let this relationship go.

“What is it?” His voice sounded hopeful. Or maybe she just wished it did.

She swallowed the lump that formed in her throat and pushed the words out of a dry mouth. “Why can’t we be more?”

Ezra sighed, leaning his body against his headboard. He closed his eyes. She sat and watched him for a moment. When she realized he wasn’t going to say anything she continued.

“You said yourself that tonight is not like how it usually is. I took that to mean that you’ve never felt that way before.”

His eyes opened at her comment and connected with hers. She waited for his denial, but it never came.

She pushed on. “If it can be like that, why not have that?”

Ezra’s shoulders dropped. “I told you before I can’t be what you need.”

Beatrice sat up with a huff. “I am in charge of what I need. What if I say you are exactly what I need?”

Ezra took her outburst in stride. He remained relaxed against the headboard. “Then I would say you are showing your innocence. The world is a cold and cruel place and you need someone to look out for you, to protect you. I think my history with my sister is proof enough that I am not that man.”

“You’re denying the possibility of something great because of a mistake you made when you were young?”

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