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William and Eveline shared an amused look across the room, and he noted that it was the second time she smiled at him. The feeling excited him more than he thought possible, but he quickly tamped it down, clearing his throat.

“I am sorry, Mayfield, but I believe I have seen the most unbelievable thing,” Theo gasped, wiping the corners of his eyes. “Blackmore and Gillingham are never going to believe me when I tell them.”

“And what do you intend to tell them, if I might ask?” William asked, folding his arms.

“That I have witnessed an unforgettable event.” Theo smiled, walking over to take Eveline’s arm. “You never apologize, Mayfield, and your darling wife just made you apologize without asking you to.”

William frowned. “I apologize when necessary.”

He felt heat around his ears at Eveline witnessing such a vulnerable moment.

He wasn’t yet comfortable with her knowing him as anything other than the proper Duke she had married, even if he had not been as proper as he would have preferred with her.

“What about when you punched me for no reason in camp?” Theo asked.

“There was a very good reason,” William scoffed. “You kept cheating at cards and stealing my drink rations.”

“Those are not very good reasons,” Theo sneered.

“Magnus and Edwin seemed to think so.”

“You…”

Eveline’s laugh interrupted their bickering, and they both turned to stare at her with wide eyes. William had thought her beautiful, but now, as she laughed freely, he couldn’t help but think herradiant. Awe bloomed in his heart as he watched her, and all he wanted to do was make her laugh every day like she was doing now.

“I am sorry,” she hiccuped, placing a hand on her belly. “I did not mean to laugh.”

“Do not apologize, fair lady,” Theo joked. “That is the only natural reaction around me.”

She laughed again, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. A pang of jealousy hit William again as he watched their interaction. He trusted his friend, but could he trust her not to stray?

“I should return to the dining room.” She smiled at him. “Enjoy your visit.”

“Why do you have to leave so quickly, Duchess?” Theo asked, stepping closer to her. “I am only just now discovering that you have a sense of humor, which I appreciate. Surely, you must stay. Your husband and I were about to have drinks. You must join us.”

“Drinks before dinner?” she asked incredulously. “That is improper.”

“Propriety is terribly dull,” Theo drawled. “When you are as powerful as we are, you are allowed a modicum of impropriety.”

“That is utterly scandalous to imagine,” she said with a smile. “You are a terrible influence.”

“I only aim to please, Your Grace.” Theo executed a mock bow. “You should have a drink with us.”

“Oh no, I truly cannot,” Eveline insisted.

“Mayfield would not mind… would he?” Theo asked with a pointed look at William.

He had been observing William as he interacted with his wife and noticed how silent his friend had become. It was obvious that jealousy was simmering in the man’s blood, but he would say nothing.

“I would, actually,” William answered at the teasing look in Theo’s eyes. “She has duties to attend to.”

William ignored how Eveline’s face fell, even though it hurt him to see her unhappy. He needed to keep her away from Theo and his charming tongue before she fell for him.

“She always has duties to attend to, Mayfield,” Theo retorted, rolling his eyes. “Come, Duchess. You need some enjoyment in your life. Sit with us, and I will tell you stories about your husband.”

Eveline eyed William as she took the indicated seat, soundly ignoring his protests. Theo was overjoyed at the discord he had caused and rushed to pour her a drink, before plopping down into the seat opposite her.

“Where do I begin?” he intoned. “Oh yes. The story of your husband’s first day in camp.”