Page 36 of His Grace, the Duke
He turned to her with a smile. “I have a better idea. What if we dispense with dinner altogether? You run up and get changed, and we’ll take to the park for a sunset ride.”
Rosalie pursed her lips. “That is the opposite of Burke’s itinerary.”
Leaning in, Renley grinned like an imp as he murmured, “And you desperately want to say ‘yes.’”
She bit her lip, fighting her smile. “Of course, I do. Give me ten minutes?”
Renley’s laugh followed her up the stairs.
18
Burke
Burke followed behindJames into White’s, nodding to the man who took their hats and coats. James had been downright surly in the coach, muttering under his breath and looking distractedly out the window. If they weren’t in such dire straits, Burke might suggest they pack their bags tonight and take off for the continent. It wouldn’t be the first time he used a trip to Greece to clear James of a bad mood.
But their collective straits had perhaps never been more dire. Between needing to guarantee Georgedidget married... and maneuvering it so Burke assuredly didnotget married, James and Burke had their hands full. There would be no sailing off for Greece until this was all sorted.
Burke had no doubt itwouldget sorted. And when it did, they wouldallsail away. Rosalie and Tom too. Burke had no doubts about them either. He knew exactly where he wanted Rosalie, which was between them all.
He stretched out his long legs to keep up with James as they climbed the main stairs, heading for the upper suites.
“This is ridiculous,” James muttered for the fifth time.“This will never work.” He paused his steps, turning on his heel to stare daggers at Burke. “Why are we letting her talk us into this? Utter madness.”
Burke laughed, glancing over James’ shoulder towards the set of double doors that led into the cards room. He could hear the low rumble of conversation. He stepped forward and adjusted the knot of James’ cravat. “Firstly, I shall tell you what you are constantly telling me...” He grabbed James by the shoulders and held his gaze. “Don’t be defeatist.”
James rolled his eyes, slapping Burke’s hands away.
“And secondly,” Burke added with a grin, “You know as well as I that the goddess that has fallen from the heavens into our lives could talk us into doing anything if it earned us so much as a look or a smile. Anything, James.” He leaned in, eyes flashing. “Anything.”
“Don’t.” James gave him a shove.
Burke just laughed. “Go on, then, tell me what happened.”
James’ eyes darted down as he attempted to turn away. “I don’t know what you mean.”
Burke snatched him by the shoulder. “I mean you and Rosalie. Something happened today. I know when you’ve had words with her because you get all... fidgety.”
James jerked free, giving his waistcoat a sharp tug. “I don’t fidget.”
Burke swallowed a laugh as he pointed at James’ hands still on his waistcoat. “You quite literallyjustfidgeted. With your waistcoat... you do that thing... the James thing.” He mimicked James adjusting his waistcoat and lapels.
James dropped his hands to his sides, balling them into fists. “I am not fidgeting!”
“Whenever she gets under your skin—”
“She isnot—” He paused as Burke failed to conceal a snort. James took a slow breath, looking murderously at Burke before continuing at a quieter volume. “She is not under my skin.”
“Fine,” Burke replied. “Keep your secrets. I’ll just ask her about it later. I’m sure her version of events will show you in a positive light—”
“Goddamn it, nothing happened, alright? We spoke in the stairwell earlier. It was—we didn’t—it was fine. I was on my best behavior.”
Burke raised a suspicious brow.
“Fine, I was mostly behaved,” he muttered under his breath. “We have an agreement now... it’s fine.”
“Yes, clearly it must be fine,” Burke mused. “After all, you said the word ‘fine’ three times in the same breath.”
James cast him an annoyed look. “Don’t be a pest.”
