Page 36 of A Duke Reformed (Icy Dukes #3)

"The assessments are nearly complete," Edmund replied smoothly, his voice just a bit too casual.

"I encountered a few setbacks, naturally, nothing insurmountable.

The local authorities are...cautious, but we've managed to work through those hurdles.

I'll be able to give you a final update by the end of the week, but the projections are looking favorable.

The return on investment will be substantial, I have no doubt. "

"And what of the local partnerships?" Solomon asked...demandingly. "Andrew mentioned previously that we'd need to establish strong ties with local landowners for the canal's success. Have you been able to secure any agreements?"

Edmund didn't meet his gaze as he nodded. "A few, yes. I'm negotiating with several prominent figures. You know how these things go, Your Grace. It's slow, but steady. They'll come around."

Solomon scoffed. "Slow but steady is one thing. But we'll need faster progress if we're going to stay ahead of others. People have eyes on this venture."

Andrew shifted in his seat, as if sensing the rising tension between the two men.

"Let's focus on the numbers for now, shall we?

" he suggested, trying to steer the conversation back on track.

"Good progress, Edmund. That's what I like to hear," he said and chuckled.

"Did you meet with Lord Mundy? Explain to him why his approval is vital? "

Edmund hesitated, shifting uncomfortably in his chair. He cleared his throat before speaking. "Actually, Lord Mundy has been trying to secure a match for me with his daughter. But... I'm not particularly interested. I've been avoiding the conversation for a while, to be honest."

Andrew raised an eyebrow, his lips curling into a slight chuckle. "Ah, I've heard rumors. The youngest daughter, I believe? Word around town is that she's quite beautiful."

Edmund nodded slowly, his gaze distant as if lost in thought. "Yes, she is very beautiful, I must say," he admitted with a slight grimace. "But she's far too young for me. A couple of years too young."

Solomon, who had been quietly observing the exchange, couldn't help himself. "It's a bit rude, isn't it? Speaking of another woman like that." His tone was colder than intended as he interjected.

Edmund's eyebrows lifted at the abruptness in Solomon's voice, but he quickly recovered.

"I wasn't intending to cause any offense.

I was just speaking frankly. I have plans to get married this season, just not to Lord Mundy's daughter.

" He paused, narrowing his eyes. "I'm sorry.

.. Why do I get this feeling that you don't like me very much, Your Grace? "

Solomon rose to his feet, leaning on the table with both hands, his posture rigid and tense. "How do you think Miss Lockhart would feel if she hears you call another woman beautiful? "

"Miss Lockhart?" Edmund asked, visibly confused. He blinked, clearly caught off guard by the sudden mention of her name. "Emma?" he repeated, his tone slightly confused. "I... I don't know her well enough for her to be offended by that. We've spoken only a few times at social events."

"But you're engaged to her," Solomon said, the words leaving a bitter aftertaste in his mouth. "You proposed to her. You're marrying her this season, yet you have the effrontery to–"

"Marrying her?" Andrew chimed in and turned to Edmund. "Edmund? You didn't tell me you were engaged to be married."

Edmund slowly rose to his feet, his expression shifting to something more guarded. "That's because I'm not," he said. "I wouldn't mind a courtship with Emma. Lord knows I have tried several times. But she's never shown any interest in me. She's...she's different. It's hard to get through to her."

Solomon's fists clenched at his sides, the urge to strike the man growing with each passing second. "What are you talking about?" he rasped, moving from where he stood to Edmund's side. "You are not engaged to her?"

Edmund glanced at Andrew and then back at Solomon. "Miss Lockhart is a beautiful woman, no doubt. But we are not engaged. We have never courted. I don't know where you got that idea from, Your Grace. I wouldn't mind courting her though... now that I think about it."

The idea that Edmund even entertained the notion of courting Emma, let alone mentioning it so casually infuriated Solomon so much, it surprised him. He could feel his temper rising, and it took every ounce of control not to lash out.

Before he could act on the impulse, Andrew stepped forward, standing between him and Edmund with a hand raised in a calming gesture. "Solomon, don't," Andrew warned quietly. "You heard him. Is this why you have been so angry?"

Solomon stood still for a moment, his mind racing.

He really wanted to punch Edmund, but only because he needed to let out frustration and Edmund seemed like the right vessel to pour that frustration into.

But deep down, Solomon knew that Edmund did nothing wrong. If he was telling the truth then...

Emma had lied.

Emma had lied to him. She had lied to push him away.

The realization sliced through him, sharper than anything he'd felt in weeks. He took a step back, giving himself space to think. She had been playing a different game all along.

Solomon couldn't help but think of everything that had come before.

His entire life had been built on lies. The lies his mother had told him about who he was.

The lies that shaped who he had to become.

He had been broken back then, when he realized that nothing in his life was as it seemed.

His trust had been shattered, and he had spent a long time rebuilding, learning to protect himself from the lies that had upturned his life.

Now Emma...Emma, the one person he had allowed himself to trust had done the same thing. She had lied. She could have come clean, could have told him the truth. But instead, she had hurt him.

The betrayal cut deeper than any lie before it and Solomon wasn't sure he could forgive her for it.