Page 28 of A Duchess to Unravel
“They were not decent men anyway,” Alistair stated, trying to put Tristan at ease.
“You do not know them,” Tristan scoffed.
Alistair chose not to take offense to the man’s tone, chalking it up again to stress, and replied, “I know enough just by the way they conversed about business last night. They were all too eager to make the other look less impressive. It is why I will not be doing business them.”
Tristan paused, as did the other men at the table, and looked at Alistair in surprise.
“We are the only ones to be a part of this deal with your brewery?” Hugo asked.
“I have another deal I want to make with Banfield, Curtis, Green, and Fenwick,” Alistair explained, “But I will not conduct business with any others.”
“You seemed so eager to widen your social circle,” Dominic said, a subtle shake of his head, “I do not understand.”
“This circle is wide enough,” Alistair responded, gesturing around the table. “I want a small group of men I can entrust with my businesses once I return to Scotland, not anything beyond that.”
“Those were good men at the party. They would have been assets to you,” Tristan stated.
His tone was too defensive for Alistair’s liking, as was the hard stare Tristan was giving him. He was far from the cordial man who had welcomed Alistair into his home last night, but Alistair was not surprised. He’d suspected that had just been a mask.
“They can be assets to someone else,” Alistair replied calmly, meeting Tristan’s gaze. “Just like they can court someone else other than your sister.”
Everett suddenly cleared his throat as Tristan sneered, and Hugo and Dominic snapped their eyes to their friend.
“Ease back there, old gent,” Everett warned.
“Tristan can be quite protective of--”
“I can speak for myself,” Tristan bit out, shocking his friends.
Alistair stood. It was unfair, really, as it made Tristan have to look up at him, which was obviously only darkening his mood further. He sneered at Alistair, but Alistair kept his expressioncalm as he walked around the table to speak to Tristan face to face.
“Easy,” Dominic said slowly.
“You do not know my sister. Do not dare try to speak for her,” Tristan said quickly, ignoring his friend’s warning.
“I would not dare,” Alistair replied. “I am, however, stating thatIwould wish to be considered as a suitor to her.”
The look of surprise on Tristan’s face was genuine and it almost made Alistair laugh.
“You?”Tristan asked in disbelief.
“What is so strange about that? My business and money are good enough but my hand in marriage is not?” Alistair asked.
“No,” Tristan responded, shaking his head. “You just said that you were moving back to Scotland, which would mean Theo would leave too. She is the only family I have left I cannot allow her to move out of the country.”
“Not exactly,” Alistair replied, “I need a marriage of convenience, as does she. When I leave, she may stay behind if she wishes. It would solve both of our problems.”
“She is not a means of convenience!” Tristan snarled.
“Is that not why you are trying to marry her off?” Alistair countered. “You want the convenience of not having to worry about her anymore?”
A growl erupted from Tristan’s throat as he lunged at Alistair, who did not flinch as Everett, Hugo, and Dominic all flew to their friend to hold him back.
“Tristan, calm down!” Hugo commanded.
“What has gotten into you? Alistair is our friend now,andbusiness partner,” Dominic stated, his tone urging for logic.
“Do not worry about that,” Alistair replied, “I am not a man who makes emotional decisions or is easily offended. This little … interaction will not interfere with our business relationship.”
