Addicted to the Duke (Imperfect Lords #1)(15)

Their eyes locked across the dim room and Alex slowly stood, pushing Edith off his lap and behind him as Cary approached.

He didn’t wait for Cary to speak but used his ducal voice. “Not the done thing, old boy,” Alex said, “with Jonathan not even a month in his grave.”

“You’ve heard then?” Cary asked.

“Lady Hestia and her aunt had the decency to inform me this afternoon. Something you should have done. I would have thought you could have sent me a missive. I would like to have attended his funeral to pay my respects.”

“His body was so badly decomposed we had to bury him as soon as we reached Pembrokeshire. He’s buried in the family plot. At least I did not dump his body at sea.”

Alex nodded. “I thank you for that. Lady Hestia would have been heartbroken.”

“Just doing one’s duty now that I am the earl.”

Alex had to work hard to ensure his face remained placid. “Yet you think it appropriate to attend Mrs. Kinlock’s?”

The new earl glanced past him at Stephen, and Fredrick let a sneer form. “We both know we have done a lot worse.”

Alex stayed calm in the face of Fredrick’s knowing taunt. “True. However, that was when we were young and foolish. It would seem you’re no longer young, but still foolish. This is not how you want to start your new position and title. Respect once lost is hard, if not impossible, to regain.” Alex knew that from painful experience. His dependence on opium changed him. His behavior was appalling, and his father…His father had been so disappointed and ashamed of him. His father could not understand the hell he’d lived through. No one could.

Fredrick shoved a flask at him. “Shall we drink to no longer being young then?”

He eyed his foe warily and slowly put the flask to his lips. At the first touch he knew. Laudanum.

“We both enjoy the same tastes, do we not?” Fredrick’s words taunted him and he didn’t care.

“There are many pleasures a man can enjoy,” he said, and smiled at Edith.

Fredrick laughed. “I had heard you’d been making up your lost years. Quite a favorite with the ladies.” His smile died like a flame with no oxygen. “Or is it you were trying to purge your desire for my ward given her father forbade a match? I’m not one to go back on her father’s wishes, so I warn you…stay away from Hestia.”

Anger surged deep in his gut. “Your ward?” His hands began to curl into fists ready to hit out as soon as Fredrick said her name. “Have no fear, I have no desires on your…ward. Marriage is not in my immediate future.”

“She is my responsibility. I inherited my title and estate before she married, so she becomes my ward.”

“She did not mention that when we talked. She’s twenty and quite independent. I hardly think she needs a guardian.”

“She’s a woman. They all need…protection.” Fredrick walked to where Edith still sat on the daybed behind him. “They are such delicate creatures.” He ran a finger down her cheek. “For instance, my ward needs protection from men with dishonorable intentions”—he turned to look at Alex—“or from men undeserving of her. I’m sure you’d agree.”

Alex raised his fist but Stephen placed a hand on Alex’s shoulder and whispered, “He’s not worth it, my friend.” Speaking up, Stephen said, “Lady Hestia will be in mourning for the next twelve months on her estate, and is in no danger from any man.”

Fredrick’s snakelike smile was back. “So true.” He moved away from Edith, bumping Alex’s shoulder as he went past. “I just wanted to make my position clear. I will guide whom Lady Hestia marries. I don’t like your chances.”

“Lady Hestia will marry whom she wishes. She’s made that very clear by the fact she has declined many offers already.” Stephen’s fingers dug into his shoulder. The idea of Hestia being forced to marry against her will made him want to strangle the life from Fredrick’s rotting but living body.

“That’s because she has not had a man present to guide her, merely an old spinster who is not the best influence. That situation will soon change.”

Alex made to take a step toward Fredrick and Stephen’s hand strained to hold him back. Instead he struggled to hold his tongue. “And you think you know what’s best for her. You hardly know her?”

“Agreed. However, I intend to help her select a husband since she is in mourning and cannot attend functions. I’m sure we will know each other very well, very soon.”

Don’t react. Don’t react.

He wanted to brag that Hestia would be free of him and that they both knew what Fredrick had done and was trying to do. But he couldn’t. They still clung to an advantage.

Suddenly Edith’s arm wrapped around his waist. “Your Grace, are you going to stand talking all night or shall we move on to something more pleasurable upstairs?”

He pulled Edith into his arms and kissed her passionately. He’d do anything to make Fredrick think he was not interested in Hestia and had forgotten her. The kiss ended and he said, “Quite right, my Venus.” He looked at Stephen. “Shall we take our private party upstairs?”

“And you think my way of life is perverse.”

“Just dangerous and damaging to those you peddle your cargo to,” he replied as Stephen led the ladies upstairs.