Page 114 of Almost A Scoundrel

“Not that he voiced.”

Deerhurst studied his friend’s face. “Do you know?”

Avondale shook his head. “Not even Ophelia knows which one of the ladies has the book, and since she indicated she was done with it, they are keeping her out of their plans in consideration.”

“Understandable.”

Avondale swirled his brandy in his palm. “They might also be keeping her out of their plans for fear word would get back to the other men. You.”

“Probably the truth.”

They sat in silence for a moment, each deep in thought as they sipped their golden liquid. Mortimer hadn’t been the only reason he’d not slept. His night of loving Phaedra haunted him day in and day out. Whenever he closed his eyes, she was there.

On his bed. In his arms. The touch of her hands. The stroke of her tongue. The cry of his name on her lips. It drove him mad thinking about how one mistake had doused all the passion inside her. Did she not miss him? Crave his touch? It drove him even crazier knowing she lived in the house next door to his. So close and yet so bloody far. He couldn’t even bring himself to walk past her residence anymore.

So, he just stayed here.

Abigail had finally stopped kicking up a fuss and had gone back to their country estate with a promise that he would visit soon. She’d even asked if Phaedra would come as well, and they could have a picnic in the field. He did not have the heart to tell her that she wouldn’t be joining them on picnics anymore.

He’d grown angry then.

Phaedra refused to forgive him because of a sense of betrayal, spurned him because of her fears. While he respected her fears as genuine, he could not help but resent them. They were the only obstacle between them.

How could he ever hope to overcome them?

No. He couldn’t. And it bloody ate at him.

You still haven’t told her the full truth about Abigail.Yes, there was still that. Christ, it was all one big mess.

“Ellington is going to ask Lady Phaedra to marry him.”

Deerhurst lifted a brow at that, but inside his blood iced. “And you know this how?”

“He told me so himself.”

“Ellington is a puppy. Phaedra will chew him up and spit what’s left of him to the wolves.”

“Are you sure about that?”

I’m sure.

“Things seem to have changed recently,” Avondale continued with a thoughtful look. “Perhaps she changed her mind about certain things as well.”

Deerhurst full out scowled. “What things?”

Avondale smirked. “You should know better than I do.”

Phaedra change her mind? Never.

But what if she did?

What if she married Ellington out of spite? She would never do that, Deerhurst was sure.

But what if she did?

Deerhurst tossed back another brandy. “It’s got nothing to do with me.”

“So you’renotgoing to chase after your woman?”