A Duke by Default (Reluctant Royals #2)(95)

Tavish thought he would, too, but he was starting to understand how he needed to move forward.

“Well, possibly. But I was talking about with Ms. Hobbs.” She patted his arm. “Give me a call next week and we can discuss finding you a secretary when she goes. Possibly me, or someone else if you’d prefer that.”

“Why is it that everyone seems to know what I need more than I do?” Tav asked irritably.

“Why is it you’re waiting for someone to tell you?” Leslie countered, and something else clicked into place for him. He’d told Portia he’d replace her, that she should go. He was so thick he’d thought that was giving her space, but maybe there was such a thing as too much space.

Bloody hell. Tav had said he’d likely be the one to cock up, without realizing he already had.

“You’re lucky I like you, cuzzo,” he said and was rewarded with a brief smile, one that faltered.

“Be careful, Tavish. I know all of this seems frivolous and silly, but some people take it quite seriously. There’s Ms. Hobbs by the way.”

Tav turned and saw Portia chatting with Lord Washburn. Johan strolled up and handed her a glass of punch, like it was his duty, and jealousy twisted in Tav’s stomach. He ignored it—ignored the fact that Johan was already rich and wouldn’t need things explained to him like a child. Johan had been nothing but a friend to him and he wasn’t going to repay him by using him as a convenient target when he was angry with himself.

Portia nodded politely as Johan and Washburn talked, but her head swiveled every few seconds. She was looking for him, too, he knew, and then she found him. Her gaze latched onto his and he felt the connection between them like a physical thing. Molten metal waiting to be shaped; if he let it go cold, it would become an ugly, useless lump instead of the beautiful item he knew they were capable of creating together. She was a claymore’s length away from him and it was still too far.

“Save a reel for me, Tavish,” Leslie said, then headed off. Tav didn’t take his eyes from Portia, just walked straight to her.

“Hullo,” he said. She smiled, looked up at him from under her lashes.

“How is the evening treating you, Your Grace?” she asked.

“It’s treated me well so far, but I find I need a breath of fresh air,” he said. “Leslie was telling me about the gardens.”

He held out his hand to her and she took it.

“I assume I’m not invited,” Johan said pleasantly.

“Of course, you are,” Portia said.

“Of course, you’re not,” Tavish echoed. “We won’t be gone long.”

“Don’t worry, I’m used to being cast aside. Lord Washburn here will keep me entertained, I’m sure.” He didn’t sound like he found the man entertaining, but he winked at Tavish and began talking to the elderly lord anyway.

Tav led Portia through the crowds and out into the sprawling garden. Summer was evident in the blossoming canopies overhead, and the flowers carpeting the grounds. The air smelled green and fresh in a way Tav didn’t often encounter in Bodotria, outside of the river walk.

“Everything okay?” Portia asked.

“I figure. It seems like I’m being received well enough, but we’re all pretending to like each other so it doesn’t matter in the end.” He shrugged.

“I kicked David in the balls,” she said casually, “after he had the bright idea to grab me and threaten me.”

Tav was already turning around and heading back toward the building and throttle the bastard, but a blast of cool air where there shouldn’t have been any stopped him. Portia was tugging at his kilt to keep him in place. She slid her arm through his and pulled until he started walking alongside her again. His heart was beating fast and a fury he hadn’t felt possibly ever throbbed in his blood.

“I handled it,” she said. “So just pretend I never told you anything. But after I go, be careful. I don’t trust him. I don’t know if you can trust Leslie either, though she seems nice.”

“You expect me not to knock him across the room as soon as I get back in there?” he asked.

“I expect you not to give him the satisfaction,” she said. “He’s already saying all kinds of horrible things about you. A public display of masculinity will just validate him. And piss me off. You need to be more devious.”

He slid his arm around her shoulders. “I can be devious when the mood strikes,” he said. “That mood isn’t now, though. I was so busy being a Cro-Magnon that I didn’t ask the most obvious question. Are you all right?”

“I’m fine,” she said, but her voice was a little shaky and her smile was halfhearted. He could feel the hunch of her shoulders beneath his hold.

“Portia, tell me the truth. Your well-being is not a bother to me.”

“It’s silly. I’ve had guys try worse, trust me. It just freaked me out how angry he was, and how much it hurt when he wouldn’t let go.”

A sick sensation roiled through Tav’s stomach at the thought of David and unknown men frightening Portia. Hurting her.

“I’m sorry. What do you want me to do?”

“Exactly what you’re doing right now. Hold me for a minute, okay?”

Tav realized Portia had asked him only three things since he’d met her. For a chance to prove herself, how she could help him, and, now, to be held. This was one thing he could do right. He enveloped her in his arms, inhaling her faint floral scent.