Page 51 of Debating with the Duke (Second Sons of London 2)

Chapter Fifteen

Everett slipped hisarms about Addie as he devoured her mouth. He had thought to offer her comfort, knowing how hurt she must be at learning of the betting book at White’s and the wagers placed upon her. She was a confident, proud woman but he had seen her hurt and humiliation as that awful Lady Gwenda gleefully spoke about the bet so casually.

He also knew Addie had meant to give him a brief kiss, thanking him for protecting her and her reputation from the nasty Lord Rosewell. He hadn’t liked the man from their very first meeting and now would claim him as a sworn enemy for trying to force Addie’s hand and make her his wife.

As he kissed this woman, Everett tried to convey the depth of his feelings for her. He knew it was love. He had been an idiot not to tell her before. He had hurt her but that would stop. Here. Now. He needed to show her how precious she was to him.

And ask her to be his wife.

He broke the kiss to do that very thing, his breathing hard from their encounter. Addie’s dazed face was so very beautiful that he almost resumed kissing her again. But first, the proposal. Everett didn’t know exactly how to start.

That hesitation cost him dearly.

She jerked away and took a step back to put distance between them. She was panting.

“Ev, this is foolish,” she declared. “I know there is some odd attraction between us but we must douse the flame. We cannot be seen like this. It would be the same situation as I was in with Lord Rosewell. If someone stumbled upon us, I would be ruined.”

She shook her head. “You would do the honorable thing and wed me since you are a gentleman but we both know I am not the woman you want for your duchess.”

Before he could reject her claim, Addie rushed away. He knew following her could lead to danger and gossip, things she was trying to avoid. As it was, she had already been gone from the soiree for too long. With both Rosewell and him also absent, gossip might already be occurring.

He took his time in returning to the house, entering and climbing the stairs, trying to think of an excuse as to why he had absented himself at the same time Addie had. Then he saw Lord Uxbridge coming down the corridor and stopped to chat with him for several minutes. Everett asked the earl’s advice on a financial matter, which pleased Uxbridge to no end. Then they began discussing the younger Uxbridge brother’s work for the War Office and how Sir Edgar had left England recently with a contingent of others in order to attend the upcoming congress in Vienna.

The pair returned to the drawing room, taking glasses of port to sip on as they continued their conversation. A few other gentlemen drifted toward them and Everett held court for over an hour, deliberately sharing war stories and keeping the men’s attention.

Finally, he said, “We don’t want the ladies to think we have abandoned them.”

The group broke up, going several different ways. Everett had located Addie the moment he returned to the drawing room and had kept a watchful eye on her until now. Intentionally, he gave her a wide berth, talking with as many other guests as he could, even for a time politely listening to Lord Talflynn go on and on as Lady Gwenda hung upon his every word.

Finally, guests began moving toward the door. He was grateful the evening had come to an end. He thanked Lord and Lady Fowling for inviting him and returned to his carriage.

On the way home, Everett decided on a bold scheme. If ruining Addie is what it would take to be able to wed her, by God he would do it.

*

The next day,Everett rose, allowing Roper to tend to him. The valet had learned to work in silence, only asking the occasional question of Everett. Once dressed, he went downstairs for breakfast and then went to his study, where he summoned Mr. Johnson, his secretary.

“What does my social calendar look like for the next few days?” he asked.

“There is a garden party this afternoon, Your Grace, followed by a ball this evening.”

“You have responded to both in the affirmative?”

“I have, Your Grace. Do you wish to change your plans?”

“I do. Send my regrets to the garden party but I will attend the ball this evening.”

“Of course, Your Grace.”

Once Johnson had left, he rang for Bailey and had the butler summon his carriage for a trip to White’s.

Inside, Everett was greeted by the affable Mr. Orr.

“Good morning, Your Grace. It is good to see you again. Might you wish for the newspapers? Coffee?”

He wanted neither but decided if he was to draw the proper amount of attention, he needed to stay instead of scribbling in the betting book and leaving.

“I wish for both, Mr. Orr. Thank you.”

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