Addicted to the Duke (Imperfect Lords #1)(54)

Alex cleared his throat. “I have changed my mind. I think it best if Hestia marries me. Even if something should happen to me, she’ll have the safety of my name and title. As a duchess she has more power and therefore more protection. My brothers would see to that.”

David sat looking at him, and Alex noticed his eyes narrow and his nostrils flare in anger. “So I’m not good enough all of a sudden.”

He sighed. “That is not the case and you know it.”

David rose to his feet and began pacing. “Then why this change of heart? You told me you had no intention of marrying her and you let me—”

“Let you what?” Then realization dawned. “You’ve developed feelings for Lady Hestia.”

David turned to glare at him with hands on hips. “Have you?”

Cornered. What did he reveal? Not exactly, but I slept with her. That did not seem to be a prudent answer.

“I have always had a fondness for Lady Hestia.” That was true.

“But her father does not want her married to you. I do know that.”

He tried to keep his temper in check. It had been his idea to pair David with Hestia, and it appeared he had done his job too well. “He has not had a chance to learn I have conquered my demons.”

David’s face flushed with color. “I wonder if you actually have. Hestia told me she found more laudanum on your ablution stand. I had not put it there, as I didn’t think you needed it. So where did it come from? A private stock perhaps? Can you tell me you no longer use opium in any form?”

Anger slipped its shackles and Alex’s voice rose. “Careful you do not overstep the bounds of our friendship, Foxhall. My use, or lack of use, is none of your business.”

“I shall make it my business if I think it will hurt Lady Hestia. Or if it is not her father’s wishes.”

“You go too far, God damn it,” he shouted. If he were not as weak as a spring lamb he’d thump him for such a comment.

Some of the anger seemed to leave David as he smugly suggested, “Why don’t we ask the lady her thoughts on the subject? Let her choose?”

A wave of fear splashed in his stomach. That is what he was afraid of. Whom would she choose?

A part of him hoped she would pick David because then he’d be able to go after Murad with a clear conscience, but he would have to tell his friend what he had done. After last night, Alex was sure she’d pick him. Hoped Hestia would pick him.

“Fine. When we get to Corfu we will ask her for a decision.” That should leave him enough time to ascertain just what happened last night and to find out how Hestia felt about it.

David nodded and turned to leave. “If you see Hestia, could you ask her to come and see me?”

“She’s sleeping. She’ll be at supper tonight. Do you think you can eat with us at the table?”

Alex forced himself to stand up, tall and straight, ignoring the pull on his stitches. “Yes. Before you go, can you take out my stitches? The scab is well healed.”

David twirled his finger indicating he should lose the bandage. Alex gritted his teeth as his friend roughly prodded the wound.

“These can wait until Corfu too. A few more days will ensure the scab doesn’t split open should you do anything too physical.”

He’d already done something physical and they’d held nicely. So nicely that a thought that he’d like to make love to Hestia again flashed through his head. He needed to talk with her, and it was going to be a long day waiting for her to wake up.

“Fine. Can you ask Jacob to find some time this afternoon to see me, and send Ned back in? I need a bath.”

David merely nodded and left, closing the door with a bang. Alex shook his head and sighed. What a mess. He should have known Hestia would appeal to a man like David. His friend was as kindhearted as she. He needed money, and he was handsome enough to understand he could sway any woman. David had never been so inclined until now.

He could not fault the man’s taste. Alex had all but told David to make Hestia fall in love with him. Had David managed to sway Hestia?

Her willingness to fall into Alex’s bed said otherwise. That filled his chest with relief and it shouldn’t. Revenge consumed him, and he could not afford to look forward to a future. He had to be prepared to die and leave this world. If killing Murad meant his death, so be it. He would have his revenge in this life, not the next. It was not fair to Hestia to leave her a widow with a broken heart.

He wished he could remember more about last night. He glanced at the clock on the desk at the far end of his cabin. He wasn’t a patient man, and supper this evening seemed a long way off.





Chapter 15


Alex drummed his fingers on the table. He was ravenous. “Is she normally this late? Supper is getting cold.” After a blissful bath, he’d made his first foray up on deck that day, and the sea spray and breeze lifted his spirits.

Jacob threw him a stern look. “Perhaps all these late nights of seeing to your needs have finally caught up with the girl.” His sarcasm was not lost on those at the table.

David flashed a concerned look between the two and began to rise. “Perhaps I should look in on her.”

Before he could move, young Ned arrived. “Lady Hestia apologizes, but she has a slight headache and has requested supper in her room. She says to go ahead and eat without her.”