Page 54 of Who Wants to Marry a Duke
“I don’t need to make an effort,” Thorn snapped. “They already know me.”
“And what they know of you doesn’t seem to impress them,” Mr. Juncker said.
Olivia stifled a gasp. There was decided tension between the two gentlemen, and Mr. Juncker was definitely fanning the flames of it. But why?
“To be fair, Mr. Juncker,” Gwyn said, “Thorn sees no need to impressmebecause I’m his sister. Which is fine because I don’t feel a need to impresshim, either.”
“And I prefer that gentlemen be themselves around me,” Olivia said. “I don’t need to have gentlemen flattering me. Not to mention that there’s nothing more worrisome than a gentleman who is obviously keeping secrets.”
“So you’d rather have the plain truth always, even if it might hurt your feelings?” Thorn asked.
Thinking of her father, Olivia met his gaze evenly. “I would.”
“Don’t be silly, my dear,” Gwyn said. “No womanreallywants to hear from her husband that she talks too loudly or her eyes look puffy first thing in the morning.”
“That’s a brother’s task, not a husband’s,” Thorn said with a smirk. “I do my best to tell my sister the unvarnished truth.”
Gwyn thrust her tongue out at him before turning to Olivia. “Trust me, there are some things a husband should keep secret from his wife for all time.”
“If you say so,” Olivia said. “As an unmarried lady I don’t know about that. But Mama would probably prefer that Papa be more honest with her about where he spends his evenings.”
“Oh, in such a case as that, I agree,” Gwyn said. “Joshua knows if I caught him doing anything he shouldn’t with his evenings, I would hand him his head on a platter.”
Thorn chuckled. “The only person Major Wolfe is afraid of in this world is my sister. Actually, she’s the only personI’mafraid of.”
Mr. Juncker shuddered. “Precisely why I’m still unwed.”
“As am I.” Thorn met Olivia’s gaze. “Although I begin to see the advantages of having a wife.”
“Do you?” Mr. Juncker said. “You never did before.”
He’d taken the words right out of Olivia’s mouth.
Thorn eyed his friend askance. “Feel free to leave whenever you please, Juncker.”
“Thorn!” Gwyn said. “You’re being very rude.”
“It’s all right, Lady Gwyn.” Mr. Juncker stood. “I’m used to your brother’s unfeeling treatment.”
He struck a dramatic woe-is-me pose, making both Gwyn and Olivia laugh, although Thorn only raised an eyebrow.
“But honestly,” Mr. Juncker continued, “I fear I’ve overstayed my welcome. Besides, there are women to be wooed, cards to be dealt, and brandy to be drunk. The night is young, and I intend to suck the very marrow from its bones.” He stared at Thorn. “Feel free to join me.”
“No, thank you,” Thorn drawled. “I have several matters to attend to before we leave for Berkshire tomorrow, and marrow-sucking isn’t one of them. But I assume I’ll see you next time I’m in London?”
“Certainly.” Mr. Juncker gave an elaborate bow to Olivia and Gwyn. “‘Good night, good night! Parting is such sweet sorrow / That I shall say good night till it be morrow.’”
“I hope not,” Thorn said. “We’re leaving on the morrow. So I’ll show you out.”
“Good Lord,Iwill show him out,” Gwyn said. “It’s my home, after all.”
“Forgive me, sis,” Thorn said. “I didn’t mean to overstep my bounds.”
“Of course you did. It’s what you do.” Gwyn rose and headed for the door with Mr. Juncker. But as she reached it, she turned and made a face at her brother before she and Mr. Juncker walked out.
Olivia laughed.
Thorn merely rolled his eyes. “You’d think she was five.”
