Page 86 of How to Seduce a Duke this Autumn
“Henry told me you upset her yesterday.”
“A miscommunication.”
The man snorted, “There seems to be a lot of that in your family. I heard your brother is back.”
“He is,” Adam bit out.
“I might not know everything that transpired between him and my sister since she didn’t tell us, but I do know he hurt her, and I don’t want you or him near her.”
“He won’t be a problem.”
“Just like he wasn’t a problem a year ago?”
“He won’t be staying long.”
“You see, I don’t believe you.”
“Not even if I give my word?” An absurd question, but he had to ask.
Fielding looked him over with no small amount of disdain. “You expect me to take you at your word, Rotheworth? After everything?”
Adam met his gaze, unwavering. “No. I expect you to let your sister make her own choices.” It would always come back to this.
“And if she chooses wrong? I won’t let that happen. Again.”
“Her choice is her right,” Adam replied quietly. Just as it had been when she chose his brother back then. “You don’t get to guard her heart by locking it away.”
Grafton shifted uncomfortably beside Fielding but said nothing. Good. Adam had no desire to hear more nonsense from the man.
Fielding exhaled sharply through his nose, eyes narrowing. “I don’t know what you did last time, but even if I did allow you to see her, she wouldn’t see you. She’s not in a forgiving mood. I’m wagering it has something to do with your brother.”
It did. “I don’t expect her to be,” Adam said. “I only ask for a moment. She may still turn me out, and I will accept it. But I need to face her. Not you. Not him. Her.”
There was a long pause. Fielding’s jaw worked as if caught between two impulses—overprotective brother and not-so-overprotective brother. The last just meaning he’d allow her to boot him from the house.
“It’s best if you give her some time,” he said. “Come back tomorrow. It’s up to her if she will see you then. If she doesn’t, leave, or I will make you leave.”
With that promise thick in the air, Adam inclined his head, turning on his heel and marching from the room. He’d just stepped from the study when a voice stopped him.
“May the best man win.”
Adam looked over his shoulder and finally looked at Mr. Grafton in the eyes. “That will never be you.”
*
May the bestman win.
That will never be you.
What had they been discussing?
Charlene blinked. She stood on top of the staircase staring at the door of her brother’s study. Adam had stayed all of five minutes and seven seconds before the door opened and he stepped out, followed by those ominous words of Mr. Grafton. She’d only glimpsed him fleetingly when he entered, but it was him. She would know him from anywhere.
Except when it’s David.
Which, she had come to the conclusion, was one of the biggest reasons her emotions had erupted the afternoon before. She’d confused the brothers.
You didn’t know David was back.
