Page 76 of The Duke's Ultimatum

Derek stood and slammed a hand down on a pile of papers William was about to pick up. “I am not pining, and we need to go over these accounts. We have a meeting this week we need to prepare for.”

William leveled a look at Derek. “You get nothing done when you pine.”

Derek’s eyes widened. “I. Am. Not. Pining. In order for me to pine over someone, I have to be interested in someone I can’t have. I can have any woman I want.”

William smirked. “Then go have any woman you want. I’ll wait.”

William sat back down in his chair and folded his arms across his chest.

Derek quirked an eyebrow at his friend. “What are you doing?”

William looked at his timepiece. “I’m waiting. Go on. It’s been a while, hasn’t it? The actress, I believe, was your last conquest. Considering that was some time ago, I’m sure it won’t take you long. Go. I’ll wait.”

Derek’s vision clouded with red haze. “I’m not… What do you… What?”

“Go on. Here,” William reached into his satchel to remove the one ledger he placed in there, “I’ll prepare this account while I wait so it’s ready for our meeting.”

Derek stood staring at his friend. “What is the meaning of this?”

“You said you could have any woman you wanted. So, go, have any woman.” When Derek didn’t move, William continued, “Unless there is someone you want but can’t have, and therefore, you will not take just any other woman?”

Derek clucked his tongue. “There is no one I’m interested in.”

William stood back up. “I have no time for your games, Derek.”

Derek placed his hands on his hips. “I’m not the one playing games, William.”

William laughed. Loudly. So loud it startled Derek. William was not known for his sense of humor so the fact that William was not only laughing, but laughing so freely concerned Derek.

“Good God, man, what has come over you?”

“I should be asking you that question, Derek! Do you truly not realize how you behave around Eleanor?”

Hearing her name gave Derek pause. He never denied his attraction to the woman, but he thought he kept his feelings in check around others.

“You’re playing games with her; you’re like an animal playing with your food. Honestly, I’ve never seen you foolish over a woman before, and I can’t believe I’m seeing it now.”

Derek bristled. “I’m not playing games with her.”

William shook his head. “Really, Derek, this denial is beneath you.”

Derek was offended by the way his friend was painting him. “What? I’m not playing games with her. My whole goal is marry the girls off. She’s getting married to Hountshire; why would I want to risk that falling through for a bit of fun?

“That is an excellent question, Your Grace. Why are you?”

“I’m not!” Derek’s voice thundered throughout the study.

William rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Derek, I am your oldest friend. I’ve watched you flirt and romance almost every woman you’ve wanted. I have never seen you flirt and chase a woman like you are doing with Eleanor. You’re lucky the bloke she’s marrying is daft; you’re not necessarily as secretive as your think.”

Derek’s stomach dropped. “What do you mean?”

“Yesterday when we were talking to Charlotte about the finances, Eleanor walked in.”

Derek shook his head. “I remember.”

“I’m sure you do because you stared at her and completely missed our conversation. When I asked for your opinion, you said, ‘I don’t care what we have for dinner.’”

“Well, I didn’t,” Derek offered.

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