Page 94 of Anything But a Duke
“Who all think that you’re here to support Grace in her efforts to win the heart of the man you’re enamored with.”
Diana swallowed and shot her twin a glare. “That’s neither here nor there.”
“You never get angrier than when you know you’re wrong.”
“You don’t understand.” Diana wheeled on him. “Even if I go and tell them, it will change nothing.”
Dom yawned as if her anger didn’t affect him in the least. “Telling the truth is good for the soul, or so they tell me. Also, you can’t truly play a game fairly when someone is withholding cards.”
“Now you’re saying I’m a cardsharp.”
“Essentially.” He shrugged. “You’re holding back relevant information. Grace can be ambitious, but do you think she would truly pursue this course if she knew of your feelings? Or his?”
The scoff she gave him felt so good, she did it twice. “You’re lecturing me on feelings? The man who claims his heart is black as night and can never be won by any lady because it’s shriveled to the size of a chestnut.”
“I was twelve when I said that.”
“You’ve done nothing to disprove the claim since.”
He laughed, and she wanted to punch him because his merriment sparked a tickle of laughter in her belly too.
“Do you want my advice, sister?”
“No.”
“Well, too bad. It’s yours for free.” He stepped closer and placed a hand on her shoulder. “Stop pretending. Turn around and go tell your dearest friend that her plan has a snag. Namely, you are in love with her marital prospect and he is utterly smitten with you.” He tipped his head and screwed his mouth into a thoughtful moue. “You might also add that Mr. Iverson proposed to you just a few days ago.”
“That won’t go over well, and there’s more to it.”
“Then tell me.”
“I’m not what he wants.” Speaking that truth aloud was far harder than letting it chase around in her head.
“You’re wrong, Di. I spoke to Iverson before he proposed. He looked as hell-bent as any man I’ve ever seen.”
That news didn’t surprise her. “Wantis the wrong word.” Attraction had always been there with Aidan, mutual and irrepressible, from the moment they’d met. “I’m not what he needs.”
“I’m flummoxed.” Dom looked utterly confused. His brow crumpled and he ran two fingers along his dark brow. “It’s as if you’re telling me one of your hideous mathematical equations and expecting me to solve it.”
“He helped me, don’t you see? And in return I was to help him.”
Dom nodded and rolled his hand in the air. “Yes, that much I follow. And then he fell in love with you.”
He had. She knew Aidan loved her, not just because he’d spoken the words, but because of the way he looked at her and treated her, because of his willingness to give up his goals to choose her.
But she couldn’t let him do that.
“Aidan wants belonging more than anything. To make connections and be accepted at the highest levels of society. He needs to marry a noblewoman.” Diana sighed when it was all out.
Her reasoning was logical. It made sense.
And it was breaking her heart.
Dom’s frown had only deepened. “He proposed to you, Di.”
“I remember.” She recalled the pain of refusing him and the agony of seeing that pain reflected in his eyes.
“Then all of what you just said, all the reasons and rationales, must not matter to him. He’s a clever man, one who would consider all factors before something as momentous as a proposal.” Dom leaned in, placed a hand on her arm. “You must be more important to him than impressing a few titled prigs.”
