A Rake's Ruin (Devilish Lords #1)(21)

Was that true? Would he really prefer marriage to a lifetime of watching Claire from a distance but never again tasting those lips, or hearing her voice, or holding her delicate frame in his arms?

Yes. Unequivocally and undeniably, yes.

“What is it?” Davenport asked, his voice gruff with what was clearly unwanted concern. “Are you ill or something?”

Galwin watched in fascination as the earl looked around with uncharacteristic unease. “I’ll fetch a footman to help you to a sitting room.”

“That will not be necessary.” Galwin gathered his wits about him long enough to hide the horror that had filled his body at the prospect of a life without Claire.

That threat put this situation very neatly into perspective. Whatever happened, he would not lose Claire.

But does Claire want to be ensnared? The voice taunted him.

Oh hell. He finally found a woman who stirred longings of wedded bliss and she was temporarily off limits in the marriage market.

After all these years of avoiding marriage-minded mamas, wasn’t that just bloody ironic?

No, it was not ironic. It was a damned inconvenience.

He studied Davenport the way the other man had regarded him. The situation was undesirable, perhaps, but not untenable. There was a way this could work in his favor. A way that perhaps he could give Claire the space and freedom while protecting her honor at the same time.

But his plan would require assistance. His eyes narrowed on Davenport. This man looked disinclined to help Galwin to anything…other than a sick bed, perhaps. But he clearly cared about Claire and her happiness. Or, if not her happiness, then his wife’s, which was one and the same.

He knew the Clevelands well enough to know that those siblings might argue and disagree, but they were loyal to the end.

“See here, Davenport, you might not like me, but believe me when I say that I have no wish to harm Claire or her reputation.”

He forced himself to hold the earl’s menacing glare. Davenport gave nothing away. Keenly aware of Claire’s proximity, Galwin tried to focus on the task at hand and not what was at stake. Namely, her happiness.

And his.

It was with a jolt that he realized the two were now one and the same. How had that happened? And when.

It mattered not. Not at this particular moment, anyway.

Davenport eyed him from head to toe and Galwin had a suspicion he came up lacking. “You and I might not run in the same circles, but I know of you.” The earl gave him a smirk that made his opinion clear. “And from what I know, I cannot imagine why I should trust you.”

Anger warred with shame. That was, until he remembered with whom he was speaking. He narrowed his eyes and straightened to his full height, which was an even match for the dark, brooding earl. “As this city’s resident devil, you ought to know better than anyone that rumors are not always true.” Although in Galwin’s case, they often were. “And they rarely give the full story.”

That much was true. For, no matter what the earl had heard tonight, he most definitely did not know the full extent of what had gone on between him and Claire.

For better or for worse.

Davenport did not know that he had kissed her and touched her and held her so close, his soul ached. And he also did not know that his interactions with Claire this evening had forever altered his view of himself, society, the world…

Not to put too fine a point on it, but Claire Cleveland had turned Galwin’s world on its head tonight. Nothing would ever be the same for him, least of all his heart.

Davenport seemed unmoved by his speech. If anything, Galwin was fairly certain he’d irritated the irritable man even more with his mention of his moniker. Or retired moniker, he supposed, now that the earl had reformed his rakish image for the woman he loved.

That thought renewed his determination. If anyone should understand his plight, it was this man right here. He let out an exasperated sigh, no longer trying to match the earl in mulishness. Pride be damned. He had a woman’s reputation to save and a wife to win. “Fine. I have made my share of mistakes and I admit it. But if you know anything about me it is that I have been a devoted friend to Jed, and he to me.”

He saw a flicker of acknowledgement cross the earl’s gaze. He would not try to deny that, at least. He saw the opening and seized it, letting his voice convey his sincerity and ardor. “If you do not believe that I care about Claire, trust that I would never harm Jed’s sister.” He met the earl’s gaze. “Any of his sisters.”

Some of Davenport’s grim anger seemed to ease at that. Grudgingly, the other man nodded. “Very well. Let us say that I trust you.” His voice turned to a growl. “How do you mean to remedy this situation?”

The threat was clear in his voice. And you had better remedy this situation…or else.

He ignored it. He did not need the other man’s threats to make this right for Claire. “I will marry her.”

Davenport stared at him for a moment. Then he blinked. Once, then twice. “And does Claire wish to marry you?”

No. “That has not been made clear.”

Davenport scowled. “I see.”

And Galwin was nearly certain that the earl did see…everything. “I will not force Claire into a marriage she does not want.”

Yes, he clearly did see. Even without speaking to Claire, her brother-in-law could see that she deserved better than him.