Page 49 of Duke of Diamonds
“When kindness spies you from miles away, Elaine,” he drawled, “it flees in terror.”
Elaine shot him a mock glare, tapping her fan against his knee in reprimand.
“You wound me, brother,” she said, her lips curving despite herself.
Their laughter rose again, buoyant and bright, mingling with the occasional clink of glass and the low crackle of the fire.
Isaac leaned back, savoring the rare sense of ease that threaded through his chest—a fragile thing, but welcome nonetheless.
Samuel’s hand stilled over his glass, and his features sobered.
“Canterlack is in trouble,” he said.
“What is new?” Isaac drawled, swirling the port in his glass with idle disinterest.
Samuel leaned forward, resting one elbow upon his knee.
“I mean it,” he said. “He has ruined a young lady—Miss Aldridge, no less—and refused to appear at the duel site after her brother issued a challenge.”
Isaac arched a brow, though he could not summon true astonishment.
Why should I be surprised? Canterlack could, and has, done far worse.
The familiar bitterness rose like bile, and Isaac set his glass down with a deliberate thud.
“A coward, too,” Elaine observed, reaching for another sip of her port.
Samuel nodded. “He is shamed beyond repair. Word is he cannot show his face in any respectable gathering.”
Isaac allowed himself a thin smile.
“Society could do with fewer men of his ilk,” Elaine added, her tone sharpening to a rare edge.
Isaac caught her eye and inclined his head in silent agreement.
Indeed. Some things—and some men—never change.
The fire popped in the hearth, filling the momentary lull.
Elaine, ever the mistress of redirecting a conversation, clapped her hands lightly together.
“Enough of unpleasant topics,” she declared. “We are gathered to celebrate, after all.”
She leaned toward Isaac, her eyes alight with mischief.
“As a matter of fact, I have invited the lady in question to take tea with me tomorrow afternoon.”
Isaac’s brows rose.
Elaine smiled sweetly—too sweetly—and sipped at her glass.
“Yes, brother. Lady Fiona will be here tomorrow. And I expect you to join us.”
Isaac opened his mouth to protest, but Elaine lifted a hand to forestall him.
“That is not a request, Craton. It is an order.”
“You realize this is bullying, Elaine?” Isaac said, leaning back in his chair with an exaggerated sigh.
