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“Your Grace?”

Derek’s thoughts were interrupted by a cough from William.

“What? Oh. Glouster. Yes. What were you saying?”

Duke Glouster eyed William who was standing next to Derek.

“I was saying, I think if we pool our resources together, we could have a business venture on our hands that will reward both of usgreatly.” The portly, red-faced duke had a gleam in his eyes that churned Derek’s stomach.

“You mean it would greatly benefit you. And let’s call a spade a spade, Glouster. You bring nothing to the table but your mouth, and even that is stuffed most of the time.” Derek dropped his eyes to the man’s protruding stomach.

The man’s face blustered red with shock.

“Your current holdings are laughable, your business sense is lacking, and you just want to attach your name to my carriage, and I’m not having it. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have other business to attend to.”

Derek left the disgraced duke standing there with his mouth agape as he walked up a path that led him to the top of the property. Lady Merrington’s property was on a small slope, so from this vantage point, he would be able to keep an eye on Eleanor.

“Well, you left quite an impression with Glouster,” William stated from behind him.

“Who?”

“Duke Glouster,” William jutted a finger over his shoulder. “The man you were just speaking to. Have you forgotten so quickly? Are you well?”

Derek scowled. “I’m fine. It’s these bloody events; I hate coming to them.”

“So why are you here?”

“Lady Merrington begged me to attend, all but threw herself down in front of me. She needed clout, and apparently, I’m one to bring in the bodies.”

William chuckled. “That sounds pleasant and not at all like you.”

Derek turned to stare down at William, who had taken a rest on a nearby bench. “They all come when I do so they can stand and gawk at the lower-class man who is now a duke.”

“Oh, come now, Glouster seemed genuinely interested in you as a man.”

Derek guffawed. “Unlikely. Like I told him, he just wants to ride my coattails, and I will not allow him the pleasure.”

William shrugged. “It’s not the first time someone has spoken to you with ulterior motives. However, I must inquire when will the first time be when you react appropriately?”

“You do understand that the only reason why I’m allowing you to sit there without a bloody nose is because you’re my oldest friend. But know, that will only take you so far.”

William stretched his legs out in front of him and smiled. “Don’t placate me with kind words. You know the reason why you’re not beating me to a bloody pulp for insulting you is because I’ve seen too many of your business dealings, and I know where the bodies are hidden.”

A corner of Derek’s mouth quirked up. “True.”

He sat down next to William, his eyes once again finding the promenading couple.How is she able to talk to so many different people and seem genuinely interested in all of them?Making small talk was the only thing he truly hated about the business world.

“See something that interests you?” William followed his line of sight.

“I’m just making sure another one of my investments is doing well.”

William snickered. “Is that what you think of them? Just another business venture?”

Derek considered his friend’s words and lifted a shoulder. “There are very few things in life that aren’t business, marriage,” he nodded in Eleanor’s direction, “being one of the oldest business dealings there is.”

“I thought I was the droll one in our friendship,” William noted.

“I’m sorry, old sport. Seems you are rubbing off on me. Tell me, what do you know of the man she’s walking with?”