“Is he courting Lord Burrows’ daughter?”
Pain flared in her chest. He hadn’t denied it or even addressed it, but why else would he be seated next to her at the opera? “I don’t know.”
“I will ban him and Lord Burrows from the club,” Devons bit out harshly.
She smiled gratefully at her friend. He and Derry, along with their spouses, meant so much to her. “I appreciate your concern, but I would rather act as if none of this matters.”
Caleb arrived with his family and the Burrows family. She forced herself not to turn their way. Devons frowned, and his wife joined them. “Smile and laugh, dear.”
Celeste did smile then, thankful for Diana. “I’m fine.”
Devons scowled. “I really liked Haven. I thought he was different.”
“Don’t assume he isn’t. What happened between us, I ended.”
Both Diana and Devons looked at her in shock. She flushed and whispered, “He is a lord. Anything real is an impossibility.”
Diana frowned at her before glancing at Devons. “Some would have said the same thing about Sebastian and me.”
Celeste shook her head. “It is different.”
Laughter erupted from Caleb’s group, and she decided she couldn’t discuss this anymore. Celeste had made her decision; she wouldn’t allow herself to worry about who Caleb was wooing. “I think I will return to the Den.”
Diana and Devons both began to protest, but she shook her head and forced herself to smile. “I will be fine. There is always something that needs to be taken care of at the club.”
Devons sighed but didn’t argue with her. “Shall I escort you to your vehicle?”
She shook her head. “Stay with your wife.”
“Please see her to the carriage, Sebastian,” Diana insisted firmly.
Devons held out his arm. “We can’t argue with my wife.”
She took his arm and forced herself not to look Caleb’s way. Celeste made her decision three months ago. She wouldn’t budge from it, no matter how much her heart ached right now. It was best for everyone.
Chapter 9
A few evenings later, Caleb sat with his mother, brother, and sister in the drawing room of the Haven Townhouse in London. He would be departing soon to join Lord Burrows at the Den. The lord had asked him multiple times to join him there for a game of cards, but he’d resisted until now.
He wanted to say it had nothing to do with Celeste, but it was a lie. Now that he’d seen her, the urge to do so again was always present within him. What was it about her? They’d spent only a handful of moments together, but his need for her came roaring back the minute he spotted her at the opera. Hell, he’d spent more time with Lady Eloise, and he felt nothing for her.
Their mother smiled at him. “I think it is fantastic that you have grown so close to Lord Burrows.”
Caleb sighed. “I’m not any closer to wanting to offer for his daughter.”
Their mother frowned at him. “Why not? She is a lovely lady.”
“Because he isn’t in love with her, Mother. Don’t you want Caleb to have a love like you and Father?” Courtney said.
Cordell choked on his drink, and their mother flushed. “Well, of course, if that is what he wants, but I don’t see why he can’t grow to love Lady Eloise. It is a match that makes sense.”
Courtney’s eyes flash with excitement. “Running off with Father was so romantic.”
Their mother swallowed and looked down. “Your father gave up a great deal to be my husband. Your brother marrying well would restore his honor.”
Cordell and Caleb glanced at each other. They’d had countless talks about how much their mother focused on repairing their father’s character. He, Cordell, and Courtney found it all unnecessary.
“Father used to tell me that loving you was the greatest honor of his life. I don’t think he’d give a damn who Caleb married,” Cordell said quietly but firmly.
