Page 23 of A Duke Makes a Deal
“And would you have paid him if you lost?”
“Of course.”
“Then as far as wagers go, it sounds like if anyone has a claim on Miss Woodvine, it would be you, Combe.”
“This is preposterous,” Derek said. “You can’t bet people.”
“No,” Silas agreed. “You can’t.”
“And you can’t court a woman so very obvious your opposite.”
Silas turned to his friend and let out a huff.
“What a hypocrite you are.”
Derek’s eyes rounded.
“I beg your pardon?”
“You just said that it was preposterous to use people yet in the same breath state that Miss Woodvine isn’t worthy of being pursued.”
“Yes, and?”
“Well, what is it? Is she a person of worth or not?”
“I…” Derek began before his mouth closed. Silas and Gavin waited for a moment before Derek clucked his teeth. “Very well. I see your point. But what do you even know about her besides her father’s business dealings?”
Silas considered that. The truth was that he didn’t know very much about Clara Woodvine, only that she seemed to be the mirror opposite of his ex-wife. She was forward and spoke with a refreshing practicality that made him curious to know more of her opinions. She didn’t cower, but then she hadn’t seemed particularly cruel either, much unlike his last wife.
Silas had no wish to ever be connected to another female again, but the idea of Clara being insulted irritated him beyond reasonability. He should do something. Her image had plagued his mind for days and the more he thought about her, the more he wondered if he might be able to perhaps alleviate some of the unwanted attention she was getting.
“She is attractive,” he said lowly, to no one in particular. “Her wit is sharper than most.”
“A strangely beautiful creature, from what I hear,” Gavin said, pressing the issue.
“Why are you so interested in Combe’s love life?” Derek asked Gavin suspiciously.
“Why aren’t you?” Gavin countered. “He’s been through hell, hasn’t he?”
“Yes but—”
“And he’s been locked away for the better part of a year dealing with, well,” Gavin said, avoiding Silas’s eyes. “Whatever it is that he’s been dealing with.”
Silas snorted humorlessly. He had confided in both Derek and Gavin the panic he felt at the idea of being in public places other than White’s. Derek flexed his fists, obviously uncomfortable with Gavin’s mentioning it.
“To be honest, I find her rather frustrating, but my… problem… Well, it seems to fade when I’m in her presence.”
Though he kept his eyes on the corner of the table in front of him, he sensed both men were staring at him.
“Is that so?” Derek said after a long pause.
“Yes. I’m sure it’s because she’s more annoying than anything, but I did notice that I didn’t have any trouble when I went to her home to offer my apologies.”
Gavin’s hands shot up.
“Well now, that seems reason enough to, at the very least, investigate this woman. Besides, you’ve been badgering him to make a return to society, Derek. Knowing how difficult it is for a divorced person to traverse through life, I see no reason why he shouldn’t at least get to know this Woodvine woman,” Gavin concluded as he sat back down, leaning into his chair. “Combe won her, after all.”
Derek gawked between the two men, appearing utterly confused.
