Page 61 of Defending the Duke (The St. Clairs 4)

Cor, the matriarch of the St. Clair family, said, “It’s good to find something you love to do, Laurel. As a duchess, you will wield great power and influence in society. Take your time. You’ll find the right projects to devote yourself to.”

“I certainly want to work with this particular orphanage,” Laurel said. “Having grown up nearby, I feel strongly about helping those who live where I came from.”

“I’m delighted to hear that, Laurel,” the duchess said. “Your personal connection will make a huge difference.”

Finally, Everton said, “We must be getting home. We like to spend time in the nursery before we head out for the evening. Frankly, I’m already tired of all the social events.” He smiled at his wife. “I cannot wait to get back to Eversleigh so I can have you and the children all to myself.” He took her hand and kissed it tenderly.

Anthony stiffened. He was unused to any kind of affection, much less blatant affection in public. It wasn’t the done thing.

“Catherine tells her stories to the children,” Laurel said to him, distracting him from seeing the hungry look in Everton’s eyes. “Once she’s practiced on them, she finally commits the story to paper.”

Everton rose, pulling his wife to her feet. “Perhaps we can skip tonight’s ball, Duchess. We could dance in our bedroom instead.” His eyes spoke of more than dancing.

Merrick chuckled and said gruffly, “You think you love your wife more than the rest of us, don’t you, Everton?” With that, the marquess pulled his wife to him and kissed her in front of all of them.

Alford turned to Anthony, shaking his head. “It’s a competition between them. You’ll have to learn to keep up, Linfield.” He took Lady Alford’s hand and turned it over, kissing her palm. “Shall we go home, love? I will put all these men to shame.”

Anthony turned and saw Laurel’s cheeks were bright red. He felt helpless, not knowing how to respond to the actions of these three men.

As everyone began saying their goodbyes, the dowager duchess stepped toward him and said, “I know yours wasn’t a love match, Linfield, but I hope you’ll learn to cherish my granddaughter.”

With that, the grand dame swept from the room, followed by all the St. Clairs and their spouses. He saw mirth in Aunt Constance’s eyes and wonder in Hannah’s.

Laurel slipped her arm through his. “Don’t worry, Anthony. I’m not asking you to change that much,” she said lightly and then released him, following their guests from the drawing room in order to see them out.

He trailed after everyone at a distance. Surprisingly, he had enjoyed the teatime more than he could have expected and would gladly entertain Laurel’s relatives in the future. The very closeness between the husbands and wives, though, gave him pause. Laurel had agreed that love would have nothing to do with their union. Somehow, though, Anthony felt they were both missing out. A twinge of jealousy rippled through him.

Could he ever shutter the darkness within him and find love with his wife?

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