Page 68 of Ruined By the Northern Duke

“You made a face. A ridiculous one. Aha! So youareguilty. You should be more careful of your face and your wife,” Julian said decidedly. “She’s lovely. Eager for fun. Partnership.”

Tristan felt anger surge through him. His wife wouldn’t do that. Not Verity. She had spoken about no one. And yet…

Well, he had never proven the case with Cassandra. But some of the things she said or hinted at had made him wonder if she welcomed other men into her life.

He cleared his throat. “She isn’t… She isn’t desperate.”

“No, but she’s lonely. What if she looks elsewhere? I told you about the time Cassandra propositioned me.”

“Which you refused,” Tristan said through gritted teeth.

“Of course I did. We’re friends first and foremost, mate. But Lady Verity is a clever girl. She’ll look elsewhere if you ignore her. She doesn’t have the friendship and family that Cassandra had. Lady Verity needs someone. You can see it in her smile, can’t you?”

All Tristan could hear at that moment was how his friend had been watching his wife. That was unacceptable.

He let out a short breath as he turned to stare Julian down, jabbing a finger at him.

“That is my wife you are talking about,” he hissed. “Don’t you dare look at her. I don’t want you two talking again.”

“That’s not what I’m saying,” Julian argued. “All I said is that your wife?—”

Tristan shook his head. “Don’t say her name. Don’t look at her.”

“I was only trying to help you.” Julian took a step back, looking him up and down. “But perhaps something is there, after all. You care about her, don’t you? Then stop wasting time with me and everyone else, and go be with her. Dance with her if you like—whatever works. But I’ll stop helping now.”

Tristan tried to understand why his friend would so quickly back off after studying his wife so intently. What part of this was a jest? Mockery?

“Stop pitying me, if that’s what you’re doing.”

Shaking his head, Julian straightened his sleeves. “I don’t pity you. But I do pity the mistakes you’ll make, should you keep your eyes closed about your marriage. I’ll take my leave now.”

And then he left Tristan alone.

Tristan thought that was for the best, at least for the moment. Julian’s ramblings about Verity were inappropriate. He didn’t want the man’s company.

But suddenly he couldn’t stand his own company either.

CHAPTER 22

“There you are, dear! Come meet my newest friend.” Helena waved Verity over while accepting a glass from her. “Lord Duncan, this is Lady Verity Northcott, the Duchess of Halewood.”

The man hardly spared Verity a glance, at first. Then, he did a double-take and his eyes widened in surprise.

“Your Grace,” he greeted. “What a pleasant surprise.”

Verity glanced over the short man’s head at her friend. “I do hope it is a pleasant surprise. A pleasure to meet you, Lord Duncan.”

“Viscount,” he offered proudly, his eyes shining. He couldn’t be much older than her, though he had terribly thin hair and was admiring the two women with desperation. “The Viscount Wember, in fact. I do apologize. I did not expect to be so blessed,er, with the presence of two beautiful ladies. And is your… your Duke around?”

Something about him still felt unsettling, especially with the looks Helena was giving her. Verity couldn’t quite place it.

“He is around here somewhere, yes.”

“Oh.” His shoulders slumped as he started to turn back to Helena.

“Don’t worry, my good friend,” she teased. “You will find a lady who suits your needs, eventually. Who knows? Our Duchess could be widowed any day now.”

Verity nearly spilled her drink. “I beg your pardon? My husband is perfectly healthy.”