Page 26 of The Duke’s Cursed Virgin (Cursed Brides #3)

Chapter Twenty-Five

N o recently wedded man should be alone in his study, but that was what Theo was doing.

He might have offered Sophia his protection, but it did not mean that he wouldn’t try to know more about the enemy—namely, her uncle. He had been investigating the Marquess of Foxmere’s accounts. His title and his place as a peer had helped him gain the trust of Barlow.

Two days prior, he was at Barlow’s offices, attempting something that Sophia was not able to achieve.

In his mind, he dared the Marquess to attempt violence against his person. After all, wasn’t that the kind of man Anthony was? Someone who assaulted his enemies, without the courage to show his face. However, the man would not know what hit him if he chose the Wolf Duke as the enemy.

“I am betrothed to Lady Sophia Balfour. I simply want to know if her uncle is honoring her father’s legacy as the new Marquess of Foxmere. I understand it is not typical for an accountant to reveal information about his clients, but I assure you that I have no intention of stealing from the man. I am doing exceedingly well on my own.”

“I-I understand, Your Grace. I also believe you. You are well-known in business circles. However, I d-don’t want people to know that I am disclosing their information without their permission, Sir.”

Theo regarded the accountant. Barlow seemed an honorable man, but he might need a little motivation.

“Here,” Theo said, pushing a letter with his wolf seal toward the accountant.

Barlow frowned and opened it. He let out a soft gasp as he saw the bank draft inside.

“I do not accept bribery, Your Grace. This amount is exorbitant!”

“Listen, Barlow. The life of the woman I am about to marry may be in danger. You know me well enough. I don’t deal with other people’s business unless it’s affecting my own. In this case, would your conscience bear it if something happened to Lady Sophia?”

Something flitted in Barlow’s eyes. A faint recognition. However, it was there. Theo wanted to find out what it was the accountant thought of just now, but he was afraid that he would spook the older man. He knew enough to see that Barlow was close to saying yes. It also meant that Barlow might have witnessed a little bit of the Marquess’s villainy, even if to a slight degree.

Instead of responding, Barlow handed him a ledger with Anthony’s name on it.

“Wouldn’t you need this?” the Duke asked, inspecting the documents curiously.

“I made copies,” was the simple answer.

The two eyed each other, silently communicating.

Ah, Theo thought. It was not quite as perfect as what Barlow was trying to make Sophia believe.

Copies, plural .

Indeed. It meant that the accountant was not that complacent when it came to Anthony’s records.

“I’m grateful,” Theo finally said as the accountant provided him with a copy of the Marquess’s records.

It was a thick ledger, and Theo could not wait to dive into its contents. That was what he did when he finally had the opportunity to return to his study, then a married man.

His investigation into the Marquess was finally making some progress. It was a slow, arduous job simply because he could not show his hand. While he and Sophia suspected the Marquess, they had not fully confirmed the man’s involvement. He was a shady man, but was he responsible for a murder attempt? And why?

That motive somehow bothered Theo. Anthony had become the new Marquess. What else would he need from Sophia? Was she getting close to a truth that would destroy him?

“What are you hiding, Anthony Balfour?” Theo muttered to himself.

At first, nothing seemed to be out of place. As expected of a marquess, Anthony had several transactions to and from a number of businesses and individuals. The ledger was, therefore, not too different from Theo’s.

However, Theo found something a little strange. Bank drafts were regularly sent to an unfamiliar business. Theo believed that he knew enough about the various businesses in London, and that name was simply not one of them. It wasn’t a new business either, according to the date of the first transaction. The same amount was sent every month, except the total was higher, not too long before Sophia almost died in yet another carriage accident.

Suspicions rose higher, but proof was still elusive. Theo grunted in frustration, slamming a fist on his desk.

This marriage was your idea in the first place… Your Grace.

He wondered if she were right—that the new arrangement he had thought of was more to save him than her.

Because damned if he knew what to do if something happened to her.

The study had become a new haven for Theo, more than before. Therefore, he was not in the mood for company, especially not for Philip’s. He would only remind him of how things were uncomplicated before Sophia. He would be the rain to Philip’s sunshine, as always but even worse.

Theo was just married. He was not expected to be his usual grumpy self. It would be difficult to carry on the act in front of someone who knew him well. Therefore, he could not hide his annoyance when Philip strode into his study as if he owned the place.

“Godfried,” Theo grumbled, thinking of his elderly butler. The man had taken a liking to the charming Philip.

“Good day, Wolvesley,” Philip chirped as he sat across from Theo’s desk, in his typical casual manner.

“Longford,” he grumbled, barely looking up from the documents on his desk.

Slowly but surreptitiously, he began returning the documents to the ledger it belonged to. He had no issues telling Philip about the true nature of his relationship with Sophia, but he couldn’t involve his friend in his investigation.

Not yet.

“You look morose,” Philip said bluntly. “I’d help you get a drink, but I can tell from the empty bottle to your right that I am too late.”

“What do you want today, Philip?” Theo asked, only slightly bothered about his nearness.

He did have to slam the ledger shut. He’d tell Philip and the rest when the time was right.

“Oh, nothing selfish,” Philip replied lazily.

As if to demonstrate his utter sense of belonging, he leaned back in his chair and stretched his legs before him, resting them on another chair. His eyes were more alert, though, as they roved over Theo.

“What are friends for, if one would not check on the other, who had just been married? I want to know just how content my friend is.”

“I am a newlywed, not someone ill that you have to cosset with soup and toast,” Theo retorted.

“Well, I hope not, since you are now married to a lovely young woman I have also taken a liking to.”

“Oh. Have you?” Theo could not hide his annoyance.

“Yes. So, it surprises me that your household looks like it is in mourning—or plagued by ghosts. It is dreary and quiet, and you’ve locked yourself in your study. What does that say of the state of your m?—”

“If you have nothing better to say, I must tell you to leave,” Theo interrupted, scowling.

“But you know me well enough to know that I have something good to say.” Philip quickly dismissed his friend’s order.

“What is it?” the Duke asked reluctantly, straightening his back.

It was likely more of Philip’s dramatics, so it was best to let the Earl take it out of his system. Otherwise he would pester Theo all afternoon.

“You are married. Why not make it a marriage in the true sense? It’s not like you are planning to go back to your melancholy widows. Or are you?” Philip narrowed his eyes at him.

Theo didn’t like the sincerity on Philip’s face. He was used to his theatrics and jests, but not his advice.

“That is none of your business,” he gritted out.

He had not thought of any of his former mistresses in a long time. Not since laying eyes on his wife.

His wife . Sophia. The bane of his existence. And the center of all his desires.

“You may be right. However, you have married a beautiful woman with a good pedigree. You will be expected to sire an heir or two with her. Why not make the most of it?” Philip asked with a slight shrug. “Not everyone in our society is fortunate enough with their spouses.”

“Is that what you’d do, Philip? You’re not exactly known to lean toward monogamy. Don’t tell me you’re planning to get married soon?” Theo asked, arching an eyebrow. “You seem to have suddenly become more knowledgeable about marriage.”

He expected either a scoff or a guffaw. After all, Philip was not the sort anyone would expect to marry at all.

Yet, neither came out of his friend’s mouth.

Theo found himself looking at an unexpectedly serious Philip.

“W-Well, there was a time I would have agreed with your assessment. However, something changed,” Philip admitted with a slight flush on his cheeks.

“Oh no.”

“Oh yes. It’s An—Miss Martin, that is,” Philip said, his eyes looking like those of a besotted boy a decade his junior.

“What about her? You find her pretty? Of course, she is. But she is also Sophia’s friend.”

“I love her.”

Theo froze. He was prepared for a confession to an infatuation. At the same time, he had never heard Philip sound so earnest. He had his moments, but they were rare. Quite rare indeed, for Philip did not have a sentimental bone in his body.

“Does she return your… affections?” Theo asked, narrowing his eyes.

“I believe she does,” Philip responded, his eyes wandering to the side, as the corners of his mouth curled upwards, into a small, yet genuine smile.

“You sound very certain about this. I would not have expected it from you,” Theo leaned back and shook his head, a frown creasing his forehead.

His arrogant side had always marked him as more mature than his friend, and yet here was Philip, more certain than he was about love.

He was still trying to understand what he felt for Sophia.

“It might not seem like she even likes me, but that’s merely her being cautious. She has every right to be, being young and on the marriage mart. A stain on her reputation would—ah, I know that look. You think her being associated with me will stain her reputation, anyway.”

“I didn’t say anything!” Theo insisted, raising his palms.

Philip nodded, “Well, I only mentioned what I feel for Anna because I want you to take a chance on love, too. I know fairly well that I am the last person you’d expect to be hit by Cupid’s arrow. And yet…” his eyes wondered off to the side, softening.

Theo rolled his eyes. “Longford,” he said, jerking his friend back to the present.

Philip blushed, “Apologies. I wanted to say that if it can happen to me, then it can happen to you.”

“We are not having this conversation,” Theo growled, his whole body stiff with tension.

“You and Sophia?—”

“There is no ‘we.’ No me and Sophia. No Sophia and I.”

“You and Sophia are married. That is more than what Anna and I have. You are free to fall in love with her, and I’ve seen how attracted you are to her! And how she looks at you with an admiration—admiration for what exactly, I do not understand?—”

“You mentioned that you liked your teeth, didn’t you?” Theo said through gritted teeth.

Philip ignored him, “You married Sophia to protect her. You gave up your precious privacy for her. That must mean something.”

“I am merely doing what is necessary. And what my conscience is telling me to do.”

“Your conscience? Since when does that play any role in your decision-making?” Philip scoffed. “From what I can see, you are acting like a damned fool. You are protecting her, but you should also be fighting for her. Instead, you chose to shut her out of your life.”

“Enough!” Theo roared, shooting to his feet, his chair rattling.

Philip stood up as well, but with more care. He looked unfazed, seemingly willing to defend Sophia to the end.

Since when has he become an advocate for love and marriage?

“No. You have been miserable all your life. Then, she comes along, and I’ve never seen you happier. You have someone you care about. You might say you feel the same about her as your other mistresses, but we both know that’s not true. Stop deluding yourself.”

“I have heard enough,” Theo hissed, his fists clenched and pressing on the desk with some force.

“Let yourself be happy. I believe it’s time. Let yourself love her. Let her in.”

“There is nothing else to discuss. I have work to do,” Theo said, sounding tired.

“Very well. I simply ask you this: imagine what it would be like when you realize your mistake too late.”