Page 37 of His Grace, the Duke
“Fine.” Burke raised his hands in mock surrender. “You say it is fine, and so it is. You’re fine, I’m fine... it’s allfine.” He paused, waiting for James to look his way. “What is it with the two of you and stairwells?”
James just shrugged, his lowered brows back to brooding. A very small part of Burke was jealous... though he didn’t quite understand in which direction the jealousy tended. Was he jealous of James and his time alone with Rosalie? Was he jealous that Rosalie could so easily unravel James? Or was he simply despondent at being left out while they shared another heated moment?
It was a new and wholly unexpected sensation to be so excited by the thought of Rosalie and James together. Burke was certainly no saint. He’d indulged a few times in a playful ménage... but never with another man. Certainly, never withJames. Now he was sharing Rosalie with Tom and sleeping in the same bed. He found his mind full of thoughts of his friends with Rosalie in all sorts of scenarios that would have even a London madam blushing.
As much as Burke might want to make his dreams a reality, he had to tread lightly. He didn’t want to scare any of them off. He gave James a disapproving look. “James Corbin, a lady’s honor is at stake. Shall I post monitors on all the stairs?”
“Please don’t,” James replied, and too quickly. “I want to avoid any of the staff witnessing our... arguments,” he added, avoiding Burke’s eye. He took another slow breath, squaring his shoulders. “The woman is infuriating. I honestly don’t know what you see in her.”
Burke just smiled. Oh, what a terrible liar James made. They were both mad about her, and with good reason. Rosalie was a beautiful, clever siren that made Burke weak in all the best ways. She was every dream he never knew he’d had, and hell was going to freeze over before he let her slip away. No amount of posturing from James was going to frighten her off or make Burke change his mind.
With each passing day, Burke began to understand that she wanted the same thing as he did: to see James happy. The moment James finally broke down and admitted his ultimate happiness could be found in her, Burke would celebrate with champagne and the ringing of bells. For now, he had to play along with their ludicrous plan of distancing from each other.
“Chin up, my lord,” he said, slapping James on the back. “Remove her from the equation if she irritates you so. Besides, you’re not doing this for Rosalie. You’re doing it for me.” At James’ silence, Burke narrowed his eyes, annoyance churning once more in his gut. “You are doing it forme, yes?”
“Yes—”
Burke leaned in, lowering his voice to a threatening growl. “Because whatever else may be happening with Rosalie, I was here first, James.Me.”
Frustration flashed in James eyes. “You don’t think I know that?”
A muscle ticked in Burke’s jaw. “I don’t take kindly to being usurped. She is still owed a punishment for even trying it. And I mean to collect.”
James blinked twice before letting out a gruff laugh. “Oh, I see. You’re not mad that she up and left you behind the other night. You’re mad that she left withme. She took your favorite toy and that upset you.”
Burke grit his teeth. “Laugh if you want, magnanimous one, but you’re both mine.”
James’ smile fell.
Good. Burke wanted him on edge. Resentment flowed both ways. He gave his friend a level look. “She doesn’t get to threaten what you and I have. Just as I’ll be damned before I let you get between her and I in any way other than carnal.”
Was James blushing? He swallowed, looking suddenly unsure of himself. “Burke—”
“I see you, James,” he pressed. “You can hide nothing from me.”
“Don’t I know it,” he muttered.
Burke smirked, satisfied to hear his friend admit the truth. “And know this as well: I’m playing by your rules for now, letting you manage this on your own. God knows if I use a heavier hand, I’ll only get bit for my trouble. But I’ll not stand by and watch you pace each other in circles forever.”
James’ frown deepened. “Now who’s the meddling one?”
Eyes flashing with devilish intent, Burke leaned in, his face inches from James. “I learned from themaster.”
The word settled between them with all the subtlety of a cannon blast. James sucked in a sharp breath, green eyes blowing wide. “Burke... I—”
“Close your mouth, James. You look like a fish,” Burke said with a laugh. He gestured over James’ shoulder towards the doors. “Now, shoulders back. Smooth, confident smile. You are Viscount Finchley, brother to the Duke of Norland.
“You command every room you enter. White’s is no exception. Let’s strut in there and bag ourselves a new beau for my gorgon bride.”
James turned away, giving his waistcoat another sharp tug. Burke couldn’t help but smile. He stepped forward, opening the door to the cards room. A chorus of greetings met their ears, mixed with the thick scent of cigar smoke.
“Finchley!”
“Good to see you, man!”
“Lord Finchley, come join us for the next round!”
Taking a deep breath, Burke followed James into the smoky room, preparing himself for a long night of political diatribes and pompous posturing. But James was right: At least the coffee here was divine.
