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Everything that he was not.

If he let her in, if he let her get any closer, he would only destroy her, because was that not what he was good at? Destroying.Killing.

“Then let her make the decision herself,” his friend replied. His stick shot out, and another ball rolled into the pocket effortlessly. “Or would you rather be like that conniving bastard who wormed himself into a betrothal with her?”

The Marquess of Colton.

Hudson clenched his hands into fists. He still had not decked the man for looking at Scarlett like she was some bauble on display that he could not wait to get his hands on. It was further proof of his restraint that the man was able to walk out of Wolverton Estate unaided. The Dowager Countess had even invited him to stay for the wedding.

If he was not so self-aware, Hudson would have called himself a saint for allowing such a travesty.

“It would be bad form if you were to call the man out,” Ethan mused with a smile. “What say we deal with him for you as a wedding present?”

Colin shook his head, while Daniel seemed to entertain the idea with great interest.

“Scarlett would not like that,” he finally said, after some consideration.

“Very well. We shall keep him in good health until the wedding.” Ethan snickered. “No promises after that, though.”

As much as they irked him, Hudson truly had the most loyal friends.

“So, what are your plans for the lady after your marriage?” Colin asked him.

“Are you asking for yourself or your wife?”

Colin did not even bother to look mortified. He simply shrugged and replied, “Does that even matter?”

Hudson pressed his lips into a grim line. “We have come to an agreement.”

“And you should know that these never work out in your favor,” Ethan quipped. “You have all three of us standing before you—each one having failed to uphold these so-called ‘agreements’ with our wives.”

Colin shook his head. “I have to say that Sinclair has a point. Once Alice has set her mind on something, even I cannot dissuade her.”

“Oh, I am certain that you have your methods,” Daniel pointed out. “As I do.”

The Duke of Blackthorn made a face. “There is no need to inform us of what you and my sister do behind closed doors. I still cannot imagine how you two…” he trailed off with a shudder.

Daniel’s smile was wicked. “Oh, you had better accept it now, dearbrother, for you are going to be an uncle soon.”

“Well then, congratulations are in order!” Ethan clapped a hand on his back.

Hudson watched as his friends rejoiced over Daniel’s good news, even as Colin still seemed a little dazed.

“Congratulations, my friend,” he told Daniel sincerely. “I am truly happy for you.”

The Duke of Ashton simply smiled at him. A true smile. One that was not cunning or wicked or anything else buthappy.

“Thank you, old friend,” Daniel replied. “And I hope you find your happiness as well—if you can allow yourself to enjoy it, that is.”

Hudson simply smiled. A tight smile.

Daniel had been through so much that he deserved everything he had now and more.

But happiness—truehappiness—was not for people like Hudson.

He heard a familiar voice calling from outside the window, followed by cheerful laughter. He looked out, and the flash of bright red hair tugged at something in his chest.Painfully.

It had been days since he last saw her outside with her puppy. It was good to see her in the sunshine again, where she belonged.