Page 41 of Falling Into Bed with a Duke
“I’m not discussing her or our time together.”
“Maybe you failed at it. Maybe you couldn’t get it up.”
Took him a good half hour after she left to get it down. “Why the interest?”
“I was wondering if maybe I should keep an eye out for her, maybe seek to have a turn with her.”
Ashe was aware of the newspaper crumpling in his hands. “If you so much as get within three feet of her, I shall lay you flat.”
Edward arched a brow. “Sounds as though she’s special indeed. I don’t recall your ever being so possessive.”
He never had been before. He didn’t know why he was now. Perhaps because he had yet to experience her completely, hadn’t yet ridden her, been enveloped by the heat of her womanly warmth. Shaking out his paper, Ashe wanted to get them off the discussion of Lady V. “I’m letting the lease on this residence go.”
“What? Wait. Whatever for?”
“It’s ridiculous to spend money on this place when my parents’ residence sits unused.” It was the last place he’d seen his parents. He’d visited there only once since reaching his majority. The walls still echoed his screams. But he could no longer afford indulging in excess expenditures. “I’ll be moving out within the next few days. If you want to see about taking over the lease, you’re welcome to purchase whatever furniture I have on hand here.” His furnishing a second residence, in hindsight, had not been a wise use of funds, but he’d had such high hopes that his investments would at least triple his initial outlay.
“My brother provides me with a generous allowance but not that generous. And his devil of a wife is advocating that he become stingy. Still, I could probably spring for the lease.” He glanced around. “It is a rather nice place. Could I arrange to buy the furniture over time?”
Ashe turned his attention to the article he was reading. “Why don’t you determine which pieces you’d really like to have, and I’ll sell the rest elsewhere?”
“Is everything all right?”
“Couldn’t be better.”
“Ashe.”
He lowered his paper to see Edward’s earnest gaze focused on him. For all the adventures, good-natured bickering, and jolly times they’d shared, they’d also been family from the moment they’d been deposited at the Marquess of Marsden’s estate. While it was extremely difficult and mortifying to admit, he forced out the words. “I may have mucked up my coffers.”
“Speak to Grey or even Locke. They’re flush. I’m sure they could see their way clear to help you.”
“I’m not going to take money from them.”
“A loan. You can pay them back at your leisure.”
“Nothing damages a friendship more than borrowing from a friend. Besides, I got myself into this without help. I can get myself out.”
“How are you going to manage that?”
“I’m going to marry.”
MINERVA arrived at Grace’s shortly after breakfast. After greeting her half brother, she asked Grace to take a turn about the garden with her. Lovingdon merely smiled at her. “You ladies and your secrets.” Then he returned his attention to whatever business was cluttering his desk.
Waiting until they were near the roses, Minerva confessed in a low voice, “I may have done something very foolish.”
“Oh dear God.” Taking her arm, Grace pulled her behind a trellis and studied her as though her actions were imprinted on her forehead. “Tell me.”
Minerva took a deep breath. “I gave Ashebury leave to photograph my bare ankles.”
“You bared your ankles to him?” Grace asked, doubt in her voice as though she’d misheard.
Minerva nodded. “And maybe my calves.”
Grace’s eyes widened considerably. “You’re not sure?”
“Of course I’m sure. So yes, my calves definitely.” She grimaced. “My thighs. The very edge of mybum.”
“Minerva, are you mad?” Grace whispered harshly. “You allowed him to photograph these things? How did this even come about?”
