Page 60 of Claimed By the Beastly Duke

“How foolish of me,” she muttered. “Crying for no reason.”

“No,” Edwin whispered, scooting closer to her on the bed. He held her hand and wiped her face with his other hand. “You are not foolish for crying. If anything, you are the bravest, kindest person I know.”

Ava chuckled. “Sometimes, I wonder if I truly did my best for my sisters. You know, what if I did not raise them the right way because I did not quite know what to do?”

Edwin shook his head. “I know your sisters. My friend is even married to one of them. I assure you, you did a great job raising them. Besides, it was never your duty. Your father was simply using you so that he did not have to play his part as a parent.”

“It does not matter,” Ava sighed.

“Your father?—”

“I know,” Ava said. “I assure you. I know he simply used me.”

“You are not angry at him for robbing you of your childhood?” Edwin asked, awed at how calm she was.

“I could never be angry. I love my sisters, and I would do anything for them.”

Edwin felt a pang in his chest. It was quite moving, the way she spoke about her sisters. He had never felt this strongly about someone, and he was certain that even his parents did not feel so passionate about caring for him. And yet this fiery woman sitting in front of him was moved to tears at the mere thought of her sisters.

He stroked his fingers across her cheeks, and her lips quirked up. At that moment, he realized how much she had come to mean to him. If he could have feelings for someone, it would be for her.

And yet, as he caressed her face, fear suddenly began to creep into his heart. Fear of his past.

He caught himself and quickly withdrew his hand. The moment was gone, and she looked rather disappointed.

Edwin cleared his throat. “I was… uh… wiping the dust from your face,” he stammered.

“I should leave,” Ava said, smiling as she rose from the bed.

Edwin wanted to tell her to stay, to spend the night by his side so he would not be alone. But when he opened his mouth, the words refused to come out.

“I shall see you in the morning,” he said instead.

The moment she walked out the door, he regretted not asking her to stay.

CHAPTER 15

Edwin had just entered his study to begin work when his butler’s voice rang out.

“His Grace, the Duke of Blackmore!”

“What is Magnus doing here?” he muttered under his breath.

“His Grace, the Duke of Mayfield. And His Grace, the Duke of Emerton.”

Moments later, his closest friends, with whom he had served in the army, walked into his study.

“You are still alive,” Theo drawled as he made for the chair opposite his desk.

“Must you be so callous, Emerton?” Magnus scoffed.

“Callous?” Theo echoed in mock shock. “Am I the one who stabbed him?”

“A good day to you, too,” Edwin said drily, spreading his arms. “And as you can see, I am alive and well.”

“Gillingham!” William spoke up as he took his seat. “We heard about what happened at the masquerade ball last night.”

“Is that so? How did you find out so soon?” Edwin asked. He glanced at Theo and Magnus, who were still standing. “You can both sit down when you are done squabbling.”

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