Page 19 of Her Ruse with the Wicked Duke
He was old enough to no longer be terribly insecure about his scars, but he still was not comfortable with the stares and whispers of the ton. So, instead of forcing himself to be a part of it, he refused anyone who attempted to throw any sort of ball or formal dinner in his historic home.
“We meant to visit sooner, but we have been terribly busy with business. How were your travels?”
“Many foreign women.” Rowan winked. “Très beau.”
Cain spat out a sharp laugh, shaking his head. “You speak French now? You truly do plan to sweep every woman in this country off her feet, do you not?”
“On the contrary.”
“You are not still on about that, are you? You are seriously still denying yourself a wife based on a dim-witted child’s view of love?”
“Dim-witted? Do tell me. How did love serveyou, my friend?” Rowan shot him an amused look, knowing that Cain claimed he was once in love with the woman who turned out to be married.
Cain went to defend his honor when Xander stepped between the both of them. “Play nice,” he scolded. “So, if not marriage, why have you returned to London and graced us with your presence? We both know it cannot have anything to do with any social happenings, and we heard your dukedom has been in good hands with your steward.”
“Am I forbidden from coming back to my beloved London home?” Rowan teased, receiving unamused looks from the men. “If you must know, I have suppliers from the Americas and the European powers that want to trade cotton and such with England. There could be a large market here for certain resources they have, but, for some reason, my investors are backing out left and right. I needed to return and tie up some loose ends to get us back on our feet.”
“You and your business, Rowan. Do you ever think of anything other than how much money you will be making when you wake up each morning?” Cain asked, gawking at the beautifully decorated bedroom, adorned with red and gold furniture and art.
Rowan gazed into the fireplace at the other end of the room and the glass decanter that sparkled with dark brandy sitting on the table.
I despise speaking business with Cain. He doesn’t understand that it is what I am good at. My father raised me to take over the business, and I want to make him proud.
Rowan walked over to the table and reached down, grasping theMorning Postinstead, scanning it as he replied, “Did not you hear what I said about the French women, my friend?”
“You cannot be a rake your entire life,” Cain pointed out.
Rowan simply gave him an uninterested look over the paper, showing that he believed that he could and would be. In actuality, he had not had any casual affairs during his travels, but he knew that Cain would have a fun time imagining his rakish adventures in Europe.
“Let’s move on, gentlemen. Clearly, this conversation is going nowhere,” Xander interrupted. “Let’s talk business, then. What is your plan for finding more investors? How can we help?”
“Despite your good intentions, I am afraid your social status will do me no good, my friend,” Rowan said sympathetically. “And, Cain, we know what the ton thinks of you. They still bring it up sometimes,” he said just to get his friend riled up.
“Oy! Rowan, you?—”
“I am fooling around with you, relax. But I did come across an idea. Miss Alice Snow will be accompanying me to various events to assist in my making connections with the men of the ton.”
“Is she not the Season’s Diamond?”
How many times must I hear this?
“She must be absolutely mad. Does she know that you do not plan to marry her? What is she gaining by going along with your sham courtship?”
“We are not officially courting, and she has barely accepted my proposal. The plan is to get myself close to the rich fathers of the ladies while she uses my status to cause a bit of jealousy and garner attention from the rest of the gentlemen.”
“It should not be hard.” Xander laughed. “I am sure you intimidated them the moment you stepped foot in England.”
“Well, at least you picked a good partner for your scheme. I heard she is quite beautiful, and intelligent, too. However, her acceptance of your proposal leads me to question the latter.”
“She is indeed beautiful.”
In full honesty, Rowan believed Alice to be the most attractive woman he had ever met. But that was not a conversation to have with his friends, who would tease him endlessly.
I cannot lie and pretend like I am not attracted to her, which is quickly becoming a distraction in her presence, but I would never pursue her. She is seeking matrimony, and I am actively avoiding it.
“I cannot wait to meet her.” Cain gave a toothy smile, and Rowan narrowed his gaze.
“What do you mean by that?”
