Page 38 of A Rescue by the Rakish Duke
Evan’s eyebrows shot up to his hairline. “You? Leaving Greyvale, your fortress, to venture into enemy territory? No, it must be a dream. Be still my heart.”
Damian knew that his man was not in the least bit surprised. The comical way he wiggled his eyebrows and clutched his chest was enough proof.
“Mock me all you want, Evan, but you know that someone has to make sure you don’t get yourself into more trouble than we already are,” Damian retorted.
However, he couldn’t help but smile and roll his eyes. He liked how he could revert to being a young boy around Evan. It was good to know that it wasn’t completely gone.
“Admit it, Your Grace. You’re less worried about me and more about the lady upstairs. You’re like a cobra ready to strike when it comes to her. I’ve never seen you so overprotective,” Evan observed. Then, he drained his glass and set it aside. He leaned forward, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
Damian recoiled. His eyes narrowed on his friend and right-hand man, who raised a placating hand.
“Don’t look at me like that. When she’s in your presence, you sometimes forget the revenge you’re planning. She can help us with more information, but I know you don’t give a damn. You want her safe in the little nest you made for her as you hover near her like a hawk.”
“I don’t hover,” Damian protested.
But deep down, he wondered if he was, indeed, hovering.
“Be that as it may, what do you call following her around the house? What do you call watching the servants more than you used to because you don’t want anyone doing anything untoward near her?”
Evan fired his questions like a detective with a huge, boyish grin. Damian felt like his man was enjoying it even more when he scowled.
“You can’t fool me, old friend. You care about your duchess.”
“How do you even know these things? You don’t live here, Evan.”
“I don’t hear a denial. I was merely making a conclusion based on what I had observed so far, but now I know that you care about the duchess more than I thought possible.”
Evan’s grin was still there, but his eyes were more serious.
“She’s my wife,” Damian pointed out, shocking himself by the vehemence with which he said the words. He rose from his chair and paced in front of the fireplace. “She is my responsibility. I promised her safety while I’m still alive.”
“I believe you, Your Grace. You want to keep her safe. But the way you were looking at her earlier… this goes beyond duty, doesn’t it?” Evan’s voice was softer now.
Gone was the teasing edge. It made Damian wonder if it was better or worse.
“When you spoke to her, your tone didn’t quite match the way you looked at her. It brought me to the conclusion that you were not only protecting her from Montrose but also from yourself. Am I right?”
Damian was so close to the fireplace that the heat seemed to sear his skin. His hand gripped the mantelpiece. Control. Duty. These were the things that made him a good duke. They earned him respect, and they made him perform his duties flawlessly.
Whatever he had with Gwendoline couldn’t go on. Yes, he had put himself in this position. Strangely enough, he couldn’t bring himself to completely regret his decision to marry her.
Yes, it was duty. Yes, he wanted to protect her. All these things were true, yet he could also recognize the truth in Evan’s words.
“You’ve always had a grand imagination,” he finally muttered.
But it was evident to him—and Evan—that his conviction had wavered. He didn’t fully believe the words he had just uttered.
“Perhaps, Your Grace. I am proud of my imagination,” Evan said, again chuckling, cutting through that momentary seriousness. “It’s also possible that you’re too stubborn to see what’s right in front of you.”
Damian shrugged him off and then faced him. He wasn’t angry or offended, not when there was a roar in his head.
“We can’t afford to be distracted, Evan. It’s not the time to ponder my marriage and personal choices. Montrose is a real threat, and he will continue being so as long as he walks free. We can’t rest until he gets what he deserves.”
“Agreed, Your Grace,” Evan replied seriously. “But don’t let your quest for revenge consume you. It may be blinding you from the blessings that you have, like your wife. She?—”
“It’s none of your concern,” Damian interrupted, his voice hardening. “Focus on what I asked you to do. We must leave at dawn, as planned.”
“Yes. To meet the informant,” Evan said, without missing a beat.
