Page 84 of Nothing Compares to the Duke
“True,” Nick said lightly. “And you say she’s been out for some time and is still unwed. It seems such a clever beauty would be more of an enticement.”
“Bella is nothing but enticement.” Rhys swung around and snapped defensively, “A man would be a fool not to love her.”
“Indeed.” Nick nodded and shifted his gaze to the carpet. “With her beauty and intelligence, she’s quite the catch. And yet she’s of an age to marry and has not. Any idea why?”
“There have been proposals.” Rhys shrugged. “She’s refused them all.”
“Until now.”
Rhys’s irritation turned to amusement at his friend’s foolishness. “I did not propose to her.”
“Perhaps you should.”
“Stop.” His shout echoed in the room, filling up the quiet between them with angry tension.
After two long deep breaths, Rhys set his glass down and approached his friend. He needed to make Nick understand.
“Don’t play matchmaker. Bella will marry when she wishes to, and it will be to a man far better than me.”
Nick lifted off his desk, forcing Rhys to step back. He worked his jaw as if chewing on whatever he wished to say.
Then to Rhys’s shock, Nick reached for him, bracing a hand on his shoulder.
“You are a good man.”
When Rhys opened his mouth to protest, Nick cut him off.
“We should get back to the ladies before they realize how much more fun they can have without us.”
“Nick, say nothing of this to anyone. Not even Mina.”
He gave one curt nod. “You have my word.”
They started out of the study and Rhys followed his friend toward the door, but Nick stopped short.
“Answer one question?”
Something told Rhys he was going to hate the question, but he nodded in agreement.
“Do you love Miss Prescott?”
“Of course.” That was possibly the easiest answer he’d ever given in his life.
Nick waved his hand in the air. “No, not as a girl you’ve known since you were a child. You know what I mean. Are you beguiled by her?”
That answer was plain too. Of late, he thought oflittle beyond the moments they’d shared together and when he might see her again.
“Never mind,” Nick said with a grin. “I knew the answer from the way you speak of her.”
“I haven’t gambled in too long. I’m losing my ability to bluff.”
“Love has a way of getting past our defenses.”
Rhys tugged at his cravat. The last thing he wanted was a bloody lecture about romance.
“A bit of advice?” Nick asked. “You did the same for me once, if you recall.”
“Vaguely.”
