Page 19 of The Duke of Ice
It didn’t bear thinking about.
A knock on the door drew him from taking that dark path. Rand answered the summons but didn’t need to announce the arrival as Nick heard Simon’s voice. “Evening, Rand. I’m here to fetch the Duke.”
Rand stepped aside and held the door wide for Simon to enter. He stopped short and surveyed Nick from head to toe. “Christ, you look as if you’ve eaten bad soup. Have you? I didn’t see you for luncheon.”
“I didn’t eat soup.” He’d barely eaten anything, save a few cakes from the tea tray that had been sent up that afternoon.
Simon flicked a glance at Rand. “What’s wrong with him?”
Rand appeared mildly alarmed, his jaw tightening and his eyes widening slightly. “Nothing.” He looked at Nick in question—and apology.
Nick glowered at Simon. “Don’t scare my valet.”
“I doubt that’s possible. He’s in service toyou,” Simon quipped. “Are you ready for dinner or are you indeed ill?”
No, and he hoped Miss Kingman and Violet weren’t either. The only way to verify that was to go to dinner. “I’m ready, and I’m not ill.” He turned and checked his reflection in the glass. He looked fine. Or at least not peaked. “Do you know if Lady Pendleton or Miss Kingman have recovered from this morning?” He avoided looking at Simon as he asked the question.
After a moment, Simon answered slowly. “No. But I begin to see why you look as you do.”
Nick brushed at a nonexistent speck on his coat and pivoted from the mirror. “I don’t ‘look’ like anything.”
“You’re concerned about them—I can hear it in your tone. I’ve no idea how they fared. Neither came to luncheon.”
Nick wasn’t able to suppress a flinch.
“Youareconcerned.”
“You don’t find it odd that as soon as I venture back out into Society, two women are endangered?” As soon as he uttered the question, he wanted to take it back.
Simon stared at him a moment, then did the unthinkable. He laughed.
Nick scowled.
“That’s a questionIshould ask.I’mthe one who’s a menace.” Simon’s laughter faded. “Or something.”
“AndIam cursed. Need I point out to you that everyone I’ve cared about has died?”
Simon laid his hand over his chest. “I’m wounded. Here I thought you cared about me.”
“I should clarify—everyone in my family. You are not a member of my family.”
A loud sniff punctuated the air as Simon wrinkled his nose. “I see.” He shook out his shoulders and looked Nick squarely in the eye. “That’s all nonsense.”
It wasn’t, but Nick wouldn’t debate him. “I’m planning on leaving in the morning.”
“Youcan’t.” Simon narrowed his eyes. “You made me a promise.”
“Which I’ve more than kept. Tonight will be two nights, and I only pledged one.”
“You can’t go, not when I’m on the verge of a true breakthrough. After my rescue of Lady Pendleton this morning, I am enjoying a bit of positive notoriety for once.”
Hell.How could he abandon his friend now? “I am, of course, thrilled for you. However, you don’t need me to remain.”
“Perhaps not, but I’d like you to. One more day.” Simon cocked his head to the side. “So long as you’re already here. Lord knows when you’ll venture to such a thing again.”
He had a point. “One more day. Can we please go downstairs now so I can stop listening to you whine?”
Simon grinned as he clapped him on the shoulder. “Anything you say.”
