Page 56 of Enlightened

Will gazed at him for a long moment, then he said, “It’s an unhappy situation. Lord Murdo forced Sir Alasdair to make that challenge, and everyone knows it. If the duel proceeds and Sir Alasdair is killed, it will be nothing short of murder. The only honourable way out is for Balfour to offer an apology.”

“As to that, Lord Murdo is only prepared to offer an apology on certain conditions,” David replied smoothly. “In return, however, Kinnell will get his apology and his honour will be satisfied without any risk to his person. Since Lord Murdo is intent upon withdrawing from society after this incident, Kinnell will not be brought face-to-face with any reminder of it again.”

“What sort of conditions?”

“I’m not at liberty to say. Lord Murdo is only prepared to discuss them with Kinnell. I am merely instructed to convey to you that if Kinnell is willing to explore matters further, Lord Murdo will call upon him today at two o’clock this afternoon.” David paused. “If not, I will return this evening to discuss arrangements for them to meet.”

Will raised an eyebrow, though, to his credit, he did not probe for more information. “Very well,” he said. “I’ll pass the message on and send a note to let you know his answer.”

They stared at one another for a long, uncomfortable moment. As quick as that their business was over—it hadn’t been worth the effort of sitting down after all.

“I’ll take my leave, then, and await hearing from you further,” David said. “I’m staying with Lord Murdo at his house on Curzon Street, if you could send word there.” He braced his hands on his thighs and levered himself up, suppressing a wince and reaching for his cane.

Will rose too. “I must say, I find it very curious,” he said.

“What?”

“Lord Murdo’s announcement regarding Kinnell’s wife. I didn’t think—well, to be frank, I didn’t think he favoured women.”

David met Will’s familiar green gaze but said nothing.

“And you’re staying with him…” Will added, letting his words trail off meaningfully.

Although he’d expected this, David found he still balked at the other man’s intrusiveness.

“After my accident, I accepted a position at Lord Murdo’s estate in Perthshire to deal with some legal matters for him,” David said mildly. “It suited me while I was recuperating.”

“Come on, Davy,” Will said, drawing closer. His eyes danced with amusement and barely concealed sexual interest. “It can’t be a coincidence. Iknowyou, remember?” He stretched out his hand and touched David’s forearm, stroking his palm upwards. “I know what you are. And if you’ve spent any time with Murdo Balfour, you won’t be the same shy boy I once knew.”

David felt sick, watching him, seeing the flirtatious look in his gaze and the promise in that stroking hand.

“You’ve certainly changed,” David got out from behind numb lips. “You used to be quite shy yourself.”

“Ah, well, that was back when I was petrified of my own shadow. I’ve changed since then. Marriage can be curiously liberating.”

“Does your wife think so?”

Will’s lips tightened, but he shrugged, feigning unconcern. “Her opinion hardly matters.”

And wasn’t that telling? Perhaps it was no wonder he and Kinnell were friends.

David stepped back, and Will’s arm fell down, useless between them.

“I have to go,” David said. “I have other matters to attend to today.” That was a lie, but David didn’t care. Suddenly, he couldn’t wait to leave.

“That’s a shame,” Will replied warmly, seeming undeterred by David’s blatant lack of interest. “Once this duel is dealt with, perhaps we could meet up? Not here, of course, but there’s a hotel I know that’s discreet and reliable…”

David felt ill at the thought. “I don’t think so.”

Will’s face flushed at David’s rejection. “Is this because of what happened before?” he said, “With your father? For God’s sake, Davy, we were sixteen. What did you expect?”

I expected you not to lie about your own part in that kiss.

I expected you not to leave me to face the consequences of what happened alone.

Once upon a time, he’d wanted to say that to Will, and more besides. He’d wanted to demand answers. And maybe, stupidly, he’d hoped for an explanation that he could become reconciled to, that could allow him to love Will again.

Not now.