Page 46 of She Tempts the Duke
He scoffed. Why should he care if he spoiled his brother’s pleasures? He should simply leave, but something nagged at him. He needed to find Sebastian before he departed this affair. It was a sense he had. With Sebastian, he’d always known when something wasn’t quite right. Perhaps because they had shared the womb. It bothered him that he’d never felt the same connection with Rafe. With Rafe, there was no mooring, nothing that anchored them. Tristan had known when Sebastian had been gravely wounded. Although he’d been at sea, he’d still known. A coldness as frigid as death had settled into him. He’d never prayed for himself, but he’d prayed for his brother that day.
Even knowing what he would inherit if his brother died, he’d never wished for his death. Which made it more difficult for him to reconcile his uncle’s motives. Brothers should place blood above possessions, above titles, above land.
He walked onto the terrace and was heading for the steps that led into the garden when he saw Mary hastily dashing up them.
“Lady Mary.”
She stumbled to a stop, jerked her gaze to the garden, the ballroom, and finally settled it back on him. “My lord.”
“Is something amiss?”
“Everything is fine. Thank you.”
A woman who had not mastered the art of lying. What a welcome diversion. Taking her arm, he led her toward a more secluded, shadowy area. “Are you certain?” he asked.
“Of course.”
“I don’t suppose you’ve seen Sebastian?”
Nodding, she glanced down. “Our paths crossed in the garden.”
He slipped his finger beneath her chin, tilted up her head, and stroked his thumb over her lower lip. “Based on your swollen lips, I would say he kissed you.”
She began rubbing her hand over her mouth. “Oh, dear God, you can tell?”
He hitched up a corner of his mouth. “No. It was a guess. Your lips aren’t swollen.”
She slapped at him. “You cad!”
If not for the seriousness of the matter, he’d have dropped his head back and roared out his laughter. “But he did kiss you.”
Nodding, she averted her gaze. “Please keep this between us.”
“Did you kiss him back?” he prodded.
“I did not dissuade him.” She returned her gaze to his, such earnestness in her expression. “I should tell Fitzwilliam.”
“Good God, don’t even entertain such a foolish notion. If it was no more than a kiss???”
“It wasn’t. One moment we were talking and the next ... we weren’t.”
He wanted to shout Hallelujah! His brother wasn’t perfect. Instead, he said, “Do you know where he went? Afterward?”
“Further into the garden. I started to follow, but I thought it would be best if I didn’t. He seemed angry.”
Frustrated, more like, if a kiss was all he claimed.“I’m sure he did. But not with you, sweet lady. I don’t imagine he liked losing control.”
“He changed, Tristan.”
“We all did, love.”
She smiled. “You didn’t.”
If only that were true. He was simply better at masking it. Reaching out he tucked some stray strands of hair back behind her pearl combs. “Go on inside before you’re missed. I’ll find Sebastian, and then we shall probably take our leave, quietly and without fanfare.”
“Is it truly not obvious that I was kissed?” she asked, and he could see the worry in her eyes. Those in Society focused on such trivial matters. He’d have been the same had his life not taken such a drastic turn. Would he have liked that man any better than he liked the one he was now?
“No one will know,” he assured her.
