Page 64

Magnus and William sputtered and burst into laughter.

Ava was relieved that her husband had expertly changed the subject.

Theo, on the other hand, shook his head incredulously. “Now, why would you say such a thing, Gillingham? Do you want your Duchess to assume the worst of me?”

“Assume the worst of you?” Magnus looked amused. “She can only do such a thing if she thought the best of you. Everybody in the ton knows you are an unrepentant rake.”

“Oh, I am certain the sweet Duchess knows that could not be further from the truth.” Theo turned to Ava and raised a questioning eyebrow.

She chuckled as she considered his statement.

Indeed, everyone in the ton knew that he was a rake. In fact, she had once or twice heard that he was having affairs with many ladies at the same time. But, of course, they were only rumors.

“I suppose they are only rumors,” she reassured him.

He sighed in relief. “I am pleased to know that you are not prejudiced against me. After all, I may require your help when I decide to take a wife.”

“My help?” Ava was confused.

“Ladies are known to speak amongst themselves and ask questions about men who court them,” Theo explained. “I would want you to give only good reports if anyone were to ask about me.”

Ava smiled. “You do not have to worry. I shall be sure to speak only the truth.”

“The truth? No!” Theo exclaimed. “The truth may not be so flattering.”

“Are you asking the Duchess to lie on your behalf?” Magnus tutted.

Theo shrugged. “What is so scandalous about my simple request? We are friends, after all.”

“If you must lie to secure a wife, then I would argue that you do not deserve a wife at all,” Magnus said.

“Now that I think about it, you and Theo are the only ones yet to be married,” William noted.

“Indeed,” Edwin chimed in, “you two must consider getting married now.”

“I cannot help but think that this is aimed at Blackmore,” Theo snorted. “After all, he is the Duke ofPropriety. How are you so proper yet still unmarried at this age?”

“I may be unmarried, but I assure you, my reputation is far more pristine than yours could ever be,” Magnus shot back, a little too fervently.

As the atmosphere grew tense, Ava could not help but wonder if it was all jokes and banter. The Dukes seemed to have a rather peculiar sense of humor.

“Now, I must check your hand to see whether it’s healing properly,” she said to her husband as she finally stepped up to him.

“Do you truly need to do that?” Edwin complained. “The dressing should hold up for a day or two, don’t you think?”

Ava shook her head. “I must check the dressing. You do not want the wound to get infected now, do you?”

“Your wife is quite nurturing, Gillingham,” Magnus called. “You are lucky, indeed.”

Edwin laughed. “You may also have a wife who would care for you like this, but you have chosen to remain unmarried instead.”

“I would not get my hopes up if I were you,” Theo said drily. “Even if you and Mayfield were able to get married despite your lack of charm, grace, and amiability, Blackmore simply cannot pull off such magic.”

Ava was confused, unsure whether she should laugh or feel offended on her husband’s behalf.

“I consider my husband quite charming and graceful,” she said quietly. “If he were not, I would not have married him.”

The room fell quiet, and the Dukes exchanged quick glances as though terrified.