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Ethan nodded somberly. He might have kept to himself in his townhouse, but he was not ignorant.

Besides, with friends like Daniel, one was always kept informed about things that mattered, whether they liked it or not.

“Do you know where the rumors come from?” Ethan asked.

The Duke of Ash’s steely eyes glinted like flints of ice. “These ones seem to think they are smarter than most,” he said silkily. “They always do—until they get caught.”

“Do let me know once you have a definitive answer.”

Daniel nodded subtly, the gesture nigh imperceptible except to the ones who knew him best.

“When I have the names, make sure you tie up all loose ends,” he advised. “Some people never learn until they are taught a lesson they will never be able to recover from.”

The last part was said with a threatening tone.

Ethan laughed softly and clapped his friend on the shoulder. “Do not worry. I have my ways of dealing with these things.”

“Then I shall leave it in your most capable hands.” Daniel smirked. “Now, if you will excuse me, I need to get back to my wife.”

Ethan could not help the wry smile that curved his lips as he watched his friend stalk over to where Evelyn stood with Phoebe and now, Scarlett.

Unlike Daniel, he had been raised amongst the ton. He knew how Society behaved more than anyone.

He also knew that above all things, what the tonfeared the most was being ostracized. Cast out. In fact, many of his acquaintances would rather die than suffer ruination.

For most of the ton, he was the Duke of Sin. The most charming Wolf and therefore the most dangerous, as many a nervous mama might say.

But social manipulation was one heck of a skill and one that he employed with far greater ease than any of his friends.

That was something he could use to his full advantage.

If there were any who would scheme against Phoebe, he knew very well just how to make sure these cretins would never be able to show their faces in Society again.

Without even bothering to take another sip, he put his wine glass down on a nearby table. Lady Harold should get the message that the refreshments she served were not up to par.

Sometimes, you did not need to shed a drop of blood to completely obliterate someone, andthatwas what made him a true Wolf.

CHAPTER 22

Who would have thought that Society was so easy to manipulate?

Phoebe smothered the triumphant laugh that bubbled in her chest as she walked away from another conversation with the Viscountess Haversham, who had openly admired the ruby and diamond necklace around her throat.

“Oh, His Grace is simply the very soul of generosity!” Phoebe had gushed with breathless enthusiasm. “Why, he just showers me with gifts of all sorts!”

“How… charming,” Lady Haversham had managed. “And such good taste, I might add! Haversham, on the other hand…” she trailed off and shook her head with a dejected smile.

By the time Phoebe moved away from that conversation, Lady Haversham seemed quite determined to remind her husband of the Duke of Sinclair’s generosity if he was ever inclined tocomplain about a sapphire necklace she had every intention of purchasing that very week.

I gather the Viscount will be rather cross with me after this. Phoebe shook her head inwardly.Or Ethan.

But then again, she was also a little more certain that the Viscount would never make such a fuss, lest he appear less capable than the Duke of Sinclair.

It seemed that Lady Haversham—and all the other married women that Phoebe had spoken to that night—would be expecting a lot more from their spouses in the coming weeks. She could not help but smile happily, flushed with the success of her campaign to clear Ethan’s reputation for that night.

Ever since Daniel had stolen Evie for a waltz, Phoebe had calmly and methodically gone around the ballroom, conversing with anyone who would listen to her about how affectionate, generous, and considerate Ethan supposedly was to her.

Hopefully, they will overlook the fact that he has been staying in his townhouse for more than a month already, while I remained at Sinclair Estate.