Page 98 of The Duke's Vice

Ezra rubbed the bridge of his nose. He was never in the mood for Frederic’s antics, but when his sister got a bee in her bonnet she was unbearable.

“Fine.” He grounded out. “What does she want from me?”

“To be happy.”

Ezra’s stomach flopped. His eyes opened and landed on his friend who was sitting with a blasted smug look on his face.

“Excuse me?”

Frederic cocked his head to the side. “Are you daft, Your Grace? What don’t you understand?”

Ezra sat up. “Just go, Frederic. Tell my sister you saw me and that I’m fine. I’m happy. Whatever she wants. Just leave me be.”

Frederic shook his head. “Sorry, you know I can’t go back to your sister with that.”

Ezra rolled his eyes and groaned. “What does it matter what you tell her? Just go.”

“Ezra. Why are you putting yourself through this?”

Ezra rolled his lips and finally took a swig of his whisky. The burn coated his throat and settled in an uneasy stomach that was currently rolling with tension.

“I’m not doing anything.” He said through gritted teeth.

“You are punishing yourself for something that is not your fault. We’ve had this conversation too many times and your sister and I let it go because there was no one else at stake. You were only hurting yourself.”

Ezra huffed. “And what do you think has changed now? Why double down on this conversation now?”

“You know why.” Frederic leaned in and rested his elbows on his knees.

Ezra snickered. “Enlighten me.”

“You’re not only hurting yourself, you’re hurting her.”

Ezra’s breath caught in his throat. His mind started to race along with his heart rate. He’s not hurting her. He can’t be. His whole reasoning as to why he can’t be with her was to protect her from harm, from being hurt.

“She’ll get over it.” He ran his tongue over his teeth. He knew the words fell short, he didn’t know for sure she would recover, he could only hope. Amos was a good man, he made sure of it,he looked into him. She will be happy with him. She deserved someone like Amos.

“Who are you to say she will?” Frederic countered.

“Because I know.”

“You thought you knew about Damon.”

Ezra’s blood began to boil. “Low blow, brother.” He voice held the threat of retaliation. “Besides, weren’t you just saying that wasn’t my fault?”

Frederic nodded. “I was.” He cast his eyes out over the rest of the club while he gathered himself. “Look, all we’re saying is you might be the Duke and therefore are in the know of a lot of things, but when it comes to the matters of the heart you have to admit you are woefully inexperienced.”

Ezra smirked as he took another healthy sip of his whisky. “I know my way around a woman.”

“Sex is a different animal than love, Ezra. You may know sex, but you don’t know love.”

Ezra flinched, Frederic’s words poked at an already gaping hole where his heart should be. He dropped his gaze to his now empty tumbler.

“Ah, that’s where you’re wrong, brother. I did know love.” He said quietly.

Frederic sat up. “Did know?”

Ezra slowly nodded. “I let her go. For her own good.”