Page 27 of His By Sunrise (Disreputable Dukes of Club Damnation #3)

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A fter tea that afternoon , Charlotte accompanied Edwin outside, for he’d had an interest in walking the acreage.

She’d agreed with alacrity. While carnal exercise with him was wonderful, indeed, she adored being out of the house and away from that temptation.

Besides, it was a good way of making use of the absence of rain.

“I’m glad you asked me along for your walk.”

“In the event that you didn’t notice, I am trying to be a better person, and that means working on all of me.” Then he surprised her by taking her hand and threading their glove-covered fingers together. “After what we shared earlier in my study, I am feeling quite satisfied with life.”

“Oh!” A wave of warmth went through her chest as he grinned at her.

“I must admit, I am as well.” In fact, this was the first time since her father had used his influence to procure the divorce that she felt.

.. happy. Oddly, it was because of him. More and more, she knew she’d made a mistake with letting her father encourage her to end her marriage.

It hadn’t been right, so if she could make things right in her relationship with Edwin, she would.

Am I ready for this?

She rather thought so. They were two different people now, different yet the same, and there was no denying that she’d missed him over the years.

“Would you like to hear about Club Damnation?”

How interesting. “I would.” With a nod, she glanced at him. “How long have you been in the club?”

“About seven years. When I first wandered into the club, I had no idea what to expect. Honestly, I thought it was just another club like all the rest.”

“It wasn’t?” She didn’t know much about gentleman’s clubs, and there was probably a reason for that, but she didn’t begrudge him the utilization of such... as long as he stayed away from courtesans if he truly wished to make another go of their relationship.

“Not at all. All the members are dukes.”

She snorted. “How is that possible? There aren’t that many men who hold such a title.” Though, to be fair, dukes were allegedly few and far between, supposed to be just a step below royalty. However, more and more, one heard of Duke Such and Such or Duke So and So more often than not.

“Well, they are not all true dukes. That’s part of the charm.

” His eyes twinkled when he looked her way.

“What I mean is that the Duke of Eggleton—the founder of the club—didn’t want any of his members to be so far above anyone else in rank, for that would make the dynamic awkward.

Upon applying and then having one’s membership accepted, a man who isn’t a real duke is asked to select a title from a character found in literature. ”

“Ah, so that is how you landed on Nottingham.” What a lovely thing to do. “I suppose with all members on level ground, everyone works toward a common goal.”

“We do. In fact, each January, we take a vote on what charity we will sponsor for that year, and it’s actually a bit of a competition wherein the members try to sway each other over to their side with small bribes of tea cakes or hand pies or even a new cravat until the voting is over.”

“That’s wonderful!” She squeezed his fingers. “It sounds as if you have found somewhere that you fit in, a place to speak in confidentiality with like-minded men.”

“I have.” He offered another grin. “The men I’ve met and have become close friends with have been supportive over the years.” A surprising chuckle escaped him. “Though it is strange that this year, somehow, three of them have married.”

“That must have been exciting. Did you go to the nuptial ceremonies?”

“I did.” With a nod, he guided her toward a folly at the rear of the property. “Ravenhurst started it out. It was supposed to be revenge, so he kidnapped his enemy’s fiancée, ruined the hell out of her, and then, when he should have given her back, he fell for her instead.”

“So, that’s what you men in the club are taught? How to kidnap women?” It wasn’t a chastisement, and there was amusement in her voice.

“Hardly.” Edwin snorted. “We are all just very determined and driven.”

“And you know what—or who—you want?” One of her eyebrows rose.

“Exactly.” He winked at her. “Then it was Steppingford’s turn at parson’s mousetrap, only it wasn’t his idea. His wife made up a bit of fiction about being engaged to a duke, only it turned out, her false bridegroom was him, and he didn’t take kindly to that.”

“How interesting! I was introduced to Ravenhurst the other night, but I haven’t met Steppingford.”

He nodded. “When he comes back to Town, I’ll rectify that.” Again, he flashed a grin that sent tingles through her lower belly. “The last to marry was Averly, except he’d been engaged to his wife for years and years before finally marrying her, under protest, of course.”

“Of course. It seems as if none of your club members wanted to wed.”

“Perhaps they didn’t, but the odd thing is that now? You’ll not find any more loyal men than them.”

“It’s refreshing to know that dukes—members of the beau monde even—can love their wives as fiercely as that.

” The knowledge came with a bit of shock.

“I always assumed your club was full of vile men with vices, all of whom were rakes and rogues who disrespected women as well as everything else in society.”

“Perhaps at one time they were, but if a man is smart, he’ll constantly evolve.”

“Have you?” she couldn’t help but ask.

“Yes, of course. Besides, we all have histories at the club, some less savory, some horrific, and we all have different reasons for what we’ve done, but there’s a comradery there, like a band of brothers who help us and keep us steady, keep us in this world if need be.

We’re stronger than friends, closer than blood, and I like that. ”

“I’m glad you have that in your life. You need friends, need to be held accountable.” For long moments, Charlotte remained silent as they strolled. “Did they caution you against kidnapping me?”

“They did.”

“Yet you went against their advice?”

He shrugged. “I’d already lost everything, Char. I wanted to try something different in the hopes of winning you back.” When he squeezed her fingers, that warmth danced up her arm to her elbow. “That’s essentially how the wagers came about.”

“Wagers?” She couldn’t help but frown. “You wagered on whether or not you could coax me into your life again?” Annoyance mixed with shock in her chest. She wrenched from his hold, stopping their stroll. “How could you?”

“Calm yourself. It’s not what you think.” He put up his hands, palms outward. “I never wished to hurt you.”

As she shook her head, tears prickled the backs of her eyelids. “I’m both angry and disappointed with you, Edwin. Why would you do something like this?”

“The men at the club teased me. I, uh...” A dark flush went up his neck. “I boasted that I could win your affections by sunrise.”

“Well, that was clearly a lie.” She popped her hands on her hips and glared at him. “We’re at least three days ins.”

“I know.” He shook his head, and his expression of regret mixed with hope nearly had her defenses crumbling. “But I’m trying to do exactly that by a sunrise, and I truly thought we’d almost come to that earlier today.”

“We did, and I’m still thinking about your wish for a courtship.” With a huff of frustration, she frowned. “How can we have a second chance at this if you’re constantly doing underhanded things?”

“It wasn’t underhanded! I merely thought it another way to put funds into our coffers.”

Was this how it would continue to be between them? “You still value money over everything else, don’t you?”

“Absolutely not.” When they stared at each other, he sighed. “Please believe me.” When he attempted to take her into his arms, she wasn’t having any it and tried to move away from his touch.

“Stop, Edwin. I can’t have you distracting me with what you usually do.” Life—in all its facets—had to be about more than that.

“I’m not doing that. I’m simply explaining to you that I had no malicious intent. My only drawback was my damned ego.” Then he moved into her personal space again, and this time, instead of reeling her into an embrace, he captured her wrists in his hands, held them secure behind her back.

A thrill shot down her spine. Her pulse accelerated as she peered up at him, her chest pressed against his. “At least you can admit that, but let me go.” When she tried to get out of his hold, he only gripped her tighter.

His eyes darkened to the color of coffee. “Stop being contrary. Don’t make me spank you, Char, because I will, and you know where that will lead. Quite frankly, I require a surcease to that sort of activity. I’m not as young as I used to be.”

The admission tugged a smile from her. “I have had much the same thought. You wear me out, Nottingham.”

When he grinned back, her world tilted. “The wagers were nothing except another way to separate my friends’ coin from their pockets.

More money means I can support Olivia, provide her with a Come Out when it’s time truly worthy of her without you relying on your damned father.

” There was such earnestness in his expression that she believed him.

“I want to give her everything because she’s my daughter, regardless that you’ve not let me see her. ”

“I apologize for that. Frankly, I think Olivia would be quite excited to be in your company.”

Surprise lined his face. “You’ll let me visit, then?”

“Yes.” Truly, he was trying to be a decent man. For the moment, she let him continue holding her wrists. “Take me back to London. Olivia isn’t there right now, of course. She is with my mother at Papa’s country estate, but—”

“What?” Confusion reflected in his eyes. “Are you leaving me, then, if you wish to go to Town?” It was the slight trace of panic in his tone that completely disarmed her.

Poor man. “No, I’m not. I want to see if you have truly changed, and as much as I see it here, that should translate when you’re in society as well, so show me the man you are.”

“And then?” There was hope in his eyes and something else she didn’t have the courage to identify. “What then?”

“We are going to sit down and talk seriously of what our future will hold—together. Of how a new courtship from you should look.” For she’d made that decision, and she knew in her heart she wasn’t going back on it.

“Do you promise?”

“I do.” She nodded. It was a huge risk, but then, maybe it needed to be, for Edwin wasn’t like anyone else; she’d never managed to forget him.

Frankly, she really hoped he was different, but not too different.

She didn’t want dull. In fact, she wanted him, and what they should have had years ago. Together.

A hoot of victory came from him seconds before he claimed her lips in a hard kiss that both comforted and aroused. Eventually, he released her wrists, and when she looped her arms about his shoulders, he settled her more comfortably into his embrace, and she nearly melted into him.

Yes, she was quite certain another chance with him was what she wanted, her father and William be damned.