Page 32 of Good Duke Gone Hard

“Quite.” Colonel Hastford passed the bottle along to Lyle who took a sip and passed it back to Reggie.

“You just wouldn’t understand manly things, Kat.” Reggie poked his sister in the shoulder. Or at least, he tried to. It was more air than shoulder, as it was more alcohol than blood in his system. “Manly things like drinking, betting, building.”

Kat belted a laugh. “Drinking, check. Betting, check. Building? What do you build, Reggie?”

Affronted, Reggie puffed out his chest, “Look here now, Mr. Fairfax and I will be investing in macdam…madam…”

“Macadamization,” someone supplied.

“Madamization” Reggie slurred with his finger pointing high in the air, “Next year will be a big year. 1816. Mark it down. The year of the roads. You’ll see.”

“Whatever, Reggie,” Kat rolled her eyes. “As if you know anything about engineering. Or investing for that matter.”

“I know plenty. Nevermind you,” Reggie set his sights on another means of approval. “I can see discussing manly things is better with manly men.”

He threw his arm over Colonel Hastings shoulder, and whispered. At least, he thought he whispered, “How about Margaret this evening in that dress?” With his free hand he drew a sloppy version of her curves. “She’s always been on my prigging list, but tonight pushed her to the top of it.”

Margaret shivered causing Jonathan to stiffen. If he had heard Reggie’s insolent comment, so had everyone in the vicinity. He was protecting Margaret beneath his body, but at the moment he felt like he wasn’t protecting her at all. Sure, he would save her from ruin by hiding her from the troop a few feet away, but he had encouraged the assignation in the first place. Now he was hovering over her, completely incapable of defending her honor lest he ruin her reputation, and future, in the act.

“That’s enough,” Colonel Hastford gripped Reggie’s arm and twisted it behind his back. “Being three sheets to the wind is no excuse. You’ll have the decency to behave like a gentleman in the presence of ladies.” When Reggie made no comment, the Colonel brought Reggie to his knees. “Apologize.”

“I’m sorry!” Reggie squeaked out.

“And you’ll have the integrity to speak properly about a lady, lest I call you out. Lady Margaret is beauty personified and to degrade her using such disregard is dishonorable.”

“Yes, you’re right. I apologize.”

In the same instant that gratitude wanted to leap from his lips, jealousy took root in his heart.

“Let’s go. Reggie is scammered, and I’m getting cold. They’re not out here. It’s all in your head, Kat,” Bella’s tone brooked no argument, and the troop headed back inside.

Jonathan rolled on to his back. “I’m sorry.”

“No one can apologize for Reggie. That’s his expected behavior. Atrocious. Unceremonious. Odious. But unfortunately not shocking.”

Somehow Jonathan could still detect a smile in Margaret’s tone, “That was exhilarating.” She pecked him on the cheek. “Although, I believe we should not test fate for a second time tonight.” She leaned over for a second kiss. “Tomorrow!” And then she tiptoed off leaving him lying in the cool grass.

Chapter 12

JONATHANSATINTHEcool garden, paintbrush in hand under the observation of Dr. Walker. And the entire time he did so, he couldn’t stop thinking about last night. How had Kat noticed their timely departure? What had made her suspicious? If Kat had noticed, who else was as observant? Surely, Margaret and he had been discreet? Well, not entirely, but not much less than perfectly.

If only they had chosen a different location for their tryst, perhaps he wouldn’t have been so precariously close to ruining Margaret. And wasn’t that where he’d land them if he continued in this vein? He didn’t want to ruin her, he didn’t want to cause any type of scandal at all. Just being himself in his current condition was cause enough for gossip.

He couldn’t figure out what it was about the Colonel that was bothering him. Sure, the Colonel was a handsome man, striking in fact. He was grateful someone had defended Margaret, but was it more than simply being the honorable gentleman? Was the Colonel pining for her? Just biding his time until Margaret noticed him? The Colonel’s words were surely stronger, more personal than the situation necessitated. And he was a whole man, courageous, and of sound mind.

What did Jonathan have to show for himself? Three whole years worth of memories.

Dr. Walker came up and stood behind Jonathan. “Ah, the ever imaginative white sky, I see.” He pointed to Jonathan’s blank canvas. “Must be my presence making you overthink then, is it?”

Jonathan looked up at the most familiar face he knew. “I wish I had a better answer…”

Dr. Walker slapped him on the back. “Perhaps I’ll take a walk around the gardens and then observe any progress on my return.”

And off he trotted down the gravel path.

With the mesmerizing crunching sounds of gravel, Jonathan dipped his paintbrush in some shades of pine mixed with basil and started slashing them on the hollow white staring back at him.

MARGARET WATCHED AS JONATHAN finally added paint to his canvas. She breathed in the delight of him perhaps having another breakthrough.

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