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Almost immediately, the whole world fell away, and all he wanted to do was wake her up to him thrusting into her from behind.

But then that thrice-damned pounding was still going on like the devil himself was banging on hisdoor.

His eyebrows snapped together in a dark frown as he carefully extricated himself from Evie’s embrace, moving so quietly so as not to disturb her sleep. He had put her through so much last night, and she had been so beautiful that he could barely keep his hands off her.

Or inside her, for that matter.

He swept his breeches off the floor, where he had left them last night, striding towards the door with every intent to murder anyone who dared to intrude on their peace.

He opened the door, only to find the face of the one person heshouldhave been expecting.

Colin—and he was brimming over with such animosity that it was a miracle he had managed to restrain himself from pounding the door into dust.

His friend’s gaze flicked over to the bed behind Daniel, his eyes narrowing with rage when he saw that the bed was still occupied.

A cold fury surged within Daniel, and he immediately closed the door behind him, effectively hiding his wife from view. He did not care if Colin was Evie’s brother—she washis wife,dammit, and he would not have anyone looking at her when she was in such a vulnerable state.

As soon as the door clicked shut, however, Colin wasted no time and swung his fist at Daniel’s cheek.

Daniel simply smirked at his friend and wiped the blood that had trickled from his lip with his thumb.

“Damn you!” Colin raged at him. “I cannot believe I letyou, of all people, watch over Evie for me, only to have youcorrupther?—”

Daniel’s eyes narrowed at his friend. He might be able to take anything from Colin—even his blows—but he would not have him speak of Evie in such a disgraceful manner.

Even if he was her brother.Especiallysince he was her brother.

“I would very much prefer if we take this to my study,” he told him coldly. “I would not wantmy wifeto be disturbed by the ruckus.”

Colin let out another furious roar and swung his fist, but Daniel caught it this time.

“Your wife?—”

Daniel cut him off with an icy glare. “You know the way to my study. I do not want Evie to be disturbed by your…tantrums.”

Colin clenched his fists at his sides and seethed inwardly as he turned on his heels and stomped off in the direction of the study. Daniel thought he very much looked like a sullen child.

Once they reached his study, Daniel walked over to the liquor cabinet and took out a bottle of brandy and two glasses.

“I am not in the mood to drink,” his friend grumbled.

“Fine with me.” He shrugged nonchalantly.

Nonetheless, he poured two glasses. He knew Colin would take one either way.

“I understand your anger,” Daniel told him calmly. “But you have to believe me when I tell you that I meant well by marrying her.”

“I entrustedmy younger sisterto your care,” his friend seethed. “I did not say that you could marry her!”

“You told me to protect her, and I did,” Daniel pointed out.

“Then kindly explainthisto me!” Colin angrily tossed a wad of papers onto his desk.

Daniel raised his eyebrow and picked them up. They were scandal sheets—Lady Spalding’s Society Papers.

Written in satirical prose, that morning’s edition detailed how a duke’s bastard son had seduced one of the Season’s most impressionable young ladies to make a reputation for himself amongst theton. However, his “most peculiar tastes” appeared to have condemned the poor young woman to a life of hell, bound to him in unholy matrimony.

His mouth pressed into a grim line as a fury unlike any other seized him. He crumpled the paper in his fist and tossed it into the fire.