Page 66 of Her Heartless Duke

But then, what would he say to such audacity after it wasshewho brushed him off the last time?

This is for the best, she told herself.He could never love me as much as he loves Lady Vivian and I have not long left to live, anyway.

What happened between them would become nothing more than a brief, shining moment in her life. A splendor that would never be again repeated.

So, she merely clenched her hands into fists, hiding them behind the folds of her skirts where he would not see them, mustering as pleasant a smile as she could.

His gaze met hers and softened. For a moment, she faltered, too.

Because maybe—just maybe—he did feel something for her, other than garden-variety lust and regret. Maybe there wassomethingthere that could bloom, if given the chance.

“What are you doing here, Langley?”

Her brother’s voice cut through the air and her gaze swiveled to the doorway to find Daniel striding in with a hard look in his eyes, still dressed in the clothes he wore when he had gone out that morning on business.

“We were just discussing something,” Olivia told him with a roll of her eyes. “And whatever it was, it should be none of your business.”

“It is my business—whatever goes on under my roof,” her brother retorted. “And definitely my business what goes on whenyouare still under my charge.”

“Come now—you are being insufferable!” Olivia threw her hands up in frustration. “He—” she gestured towards Isaac “—is your friend.”

Daniel raised an eyebrow in Isaac’s direction. “And he should do well to remember that friendship.”

“Of course, Lancashire,” Isaac replied smoothly. “Your friendship is one of the few things I value.”

Her brother glared at him, and Isaac merely looked back coolly in response. If it was not so unbelievable, she might even think that the Duke was baiting Daniel!

But there is absolutely no reason for him to do that, she told herself.I am sure he treasures their friendship more than anything. Even me.

“Daniel, you cannot be rude towards our guest,” she scowled at her brother. “What would Mother say if she had been alive to see you act so despicably?”

“Well, I have the right to know what business he has with you,” Daniel replied stiffly. “And where is your chaperone? I cannot believe that Aunt Joana would be remiss in—”

“Cousin!” Fiona rushed in, looking a little flushed. “You are home early!”

Daniel looked at Fiona in surprise, but she only looked up at him with wide eyes.

“I merely stepped out for a moment to ask for some of Cook’s blueberry jam,” she explained. “I thought His Grace should try some. It is rather delicious, would you not agree?”

Olivia shot her cousin a grateful look, before turning back to her brother. “See!” she retorted. “Fiona has been close by all this time. Really, Daniel, you are too—”

“All right, all right!” he held up his hands. “I admit that I jumped to conclusions.”

“Wrong ones, apparently,” Isaac drawled.

Daniel glared at him. “You are not making things easier for yourself, Langley.”

Isaac only grinned back at him as if he relished the confrontation before him. Then, he bowed politely to Olivia and Fiona.

“It has been a pleasure to spend the afternoon in the company of such fine young ladies,” he murmured. He put on his hat and smiled at everyone in the parlor. “Very well, I suppose I have overstayed my welcome. Lady Olivia, you need not see me to the door.”

“Oh, don’t be so blunt, howeverwill you find your way out,” Daniel remarked sarcastically.

“I shall see His Grace to the door!” Fiona volunteered quickly, much to Olivia’s relief.

As soon as both her cousin and Isaac were out of earshot, Olivia turned all of her ire on her brother.

“Really, Daniel!” she huffed. “I expected better from you, being an Earl and all!”