Page 71 of A Game with the Rakish Duke
Catherine let out a breathless laugh, gazing up at him.
They grinned at each other, and Thomas felt his heart swell.
He still couldn’t quite believe how wonderful the last week had been since they had returned from his grandmother’s ball. They had given themselves to each other in every possible way. And now, he couldn’t quite remember why he had been so intent on resisting her—or, at least, resisting any emotional connection with her.
You know the reason why. It still remains. You do not want to get too close to her. She might turn around one day and leave you. Or betray you. Remember your promise to your father.
He tried to ignore the small, insistent voice in his head. It was an old voice that had been his constant companion for a very long time. But he knew the voice no longer served him. It wasstopping him from living the life that he wanted to live. And that was a life with Catherine.
He kissed the top of her head, trying to ignore the guilt as well. He had made a promise to his father which he had now broken. And even though the sensible part of him told him that a forced promise made by an eight-year-old to a devastated parent could not be expected to last forever, the part of him that was still that small boy, looking at his father’s distressed face on that terrible night, couldn’t quite see it that way.
Itfeltlike betrayal. It felt as if his father might be looking down at him now, shaking his head sorrowfully, wondering where he had gone wrong with his only son.
“Newden!”
Thomas jumped, turning around. His eyes widened.
“Oakdale?” His voice was incredulous. “Is that really you?”
“The very same.” The gentleman laughed. They shook hands. “I have just returned from India.” He gazed at the sky, which was rumbling, threatening rain. “I still cannot quite get used to the contrast. It wasveryhot in India before I left for home.”
Thomas grinned. Philip Ellington, the Duke of Oakdale, was an old friend who had been gone for years, traveling to far-flung places around the world. As well as India, he had spent time in the Far East and the Americas. Thomas had heard a rumor thathis friend had spent time living with a sheik in Arabia as well, but he wasn’t sure how accurate that was.
Philip stared at Catherine, smiling. “Are you going to introduce me?”
Thomas laughed before making the introductions.
It turned out that his old friend was heading to the opera as well, so they all walked together into the Covent Garden theatre, taking off their coats and handing them to the footman at the door.
There was a large crowd mingling in the foyer, talking loudly, creating such a din that Thomas steered Catherine and Philip to a quieter corner where they could talk without having to shout until the gong sounded for the first part of the opera.
“I still cannot believe you are married.” Philip shook his head wryly. “Old Newden, who always vowed that he would never put his head into the hangman’s noose!”
Thomas shrugged, feeling embarrassed. “It happens to the best of us, my friend,” he said, grinning at him. “It will happen to you one day as well. I would wager coin on it.”
“Me?” Philip looked horrified and quite affronted. “Most definitely not, old chap! I am far too much of a vagabond to ever settle down with a lady.” He grinned, his eyes sliding to Catherine, a look of appreciation on his face. “Although, if I hadgotten to you first, Duchess, I might have been forced to change my mind.”
Catherine laughed easily. “What a charmer you are, Duke!”
Thomas instantly bristled, watching his friend staring at his wife, not bothering to disguise his admiration for her. Philip had always had an eye for beautiful women. Catherine was smiling at him, clearly not offended. Thomas felt his heart start to pound in his chest.
Instantly, he was ashamed of himself. Philip was one of his oldest friends, and even though he hadn’t seen him in a few years, he was sure he would never make a move on another man’s wife. And Catherine was just being polite. He was sure she would never act on another man’s blatant admiration for her.
How do you know? Do you think your father knew when he met and fell in love with your mother that she wasn’t as loyal as he hoped she would be?
Thomas stiffened, desperately trying to ignore that voice. Still, it lingered, following him, making him narrow his eyes when Philip lightly touched Catherine’s elbow, politely steering her towards the staircase when the gong sounded for the start of the opera.
They separated at the top of the staircase. Philip headed to his box which was further down the corridor. Thomas and Catherine entered their box, one of the finest, held by the Newden duchy for at least a generation.
“Your friend seems nice,” Catherine noted as they sat down, smiling brightly at him. “How long have you known each other?”
Thomas bristled, gazing at the stage. For some reason, he couldn’t look at her.
“We were at school together,” he replied in a blunt voice. “I have not seen him in years. Lord knows what kind of libertine he has become since then.”
As soon as the words were out of his mouth, he regretted them. It was an unkind thing to say about his old friend.
He stole a glance at her. She looked puzzled, a furrow appearing between her eyebrows. She looked as if she were about to say something, but at that moment, the lights darkened, and the curtains parted.
