Page 66 of When a Duke Loves a Woman
“Gladly, although I’d have not thought she charged you.”
Aiden grinned. “She doesn’t, but her till can use the coins.” He twisted around, held up a hand and three fingers. “Polly, love, three brews.”
The lass gave him a smile, the same one she’d flashed at Thorne a few times, that indicated she’d be willing to give him other things as well. Aiden turned back around. “Isn’t there a club somewhere in need of your presence?”
“I wanted to ensure Gillie was recovering from the blow she took to the head last night.”
“Tell me you didn’t take advantage.”
“I didn’t take advantage.”
“Tell me you won’t.”
He ground his back teeth together. “Nothing will happen between us that she doesn’t want to happen.”
“She’s not to be a duke’s plaything,” Beast said.
“I hadn’t intended to make her one.”
Leaning forward, Aiden placed his forearms on the table. “You see, the three of us have mothers who were playthings of the nobility. Finn and I have the same father. He was delivered to Ettie Trewlove’s door six weeks after I was. The man had a harem of mistresses. Gillie is not going to become your mistress. We won’t let her be hurt in that manner.”
Thorne decided, no matter how he responded, they would either not believe him or find fault with his response. There was no love lost here, no trust to be had. “So you’re all some nobleman’s by-blow. Related to me by any chance?”
“No,” Finn stated flatly. “The man who sired Aiden and me was a notorious earl.”
“Listen, gents, I appreciate your concern for your sister—”
“I’m not certain you do,” Aiden stated flatly, “because if you did you’d be walking out—”
Liquid suddenly rained down over his head, and he jumped to his feet, sputtering and cursing. “What the devil, Gil?”
She stood there, holding two mugs filled with brew in one hand, an empty mug in the other. Thorne had been so focused on her brother he hadn’t seen her arrive.
“Polly said you wanted beer,” she said.
“To drink, not to bathe in.”
“It didn’t look to be a friendly conversation.”
“He’s spending too much time here.”
“That’s my business, not yours.” She gave her other two brothers a hard glare. “You can take your mug, full of beer, and go sit elsewhere or I can pour it over you and you can take your leave.”
Thorne rose. “Actually, I was on the verge of offering to buy them a drink.”
She narrowed her eyes. “You want their company?”
“I welcome it, yes.”
“They’re not trying to chase you off?”
“I’m not one to be chased.”
She studied him for a full minute before giving a nod. “I suppose you’re not.” She set a mug in front of each of the two sitting brothers, pulled a towel from the waistband of her skirt and handed it to Aiden. “Dry yourself off, clean up the mess I made, and I’ll send Polly over with another beer.”
“We’re just looking out for you, Gil,” Aiden said.
She patted his cheek. “I don’t need looking after.”
