She would want me to do so. She would insist that I put my friend in his place!
Either way, Edward squirmed under his friend’s intense and questioning gaze. Today had been fun, carefree, possibly the best day he’d had in longer than he could remember. And that, Edward could not deny, was a problem.
“Is there anything else?” he pivoted out of the conversation. “Or did you just come here to annoy me?”
Percival allowed a wry grin. “Do you think I would waste a trip to see you otherwise? It concerns the rumors about your gaming hell…”
Edward groaned. “What is it now?”
“They are getting worse,” Percival said. “Like fires that appear from nowhere, and the more they are stamped out, the more that appear.”
The gaming hell that Edward ran was starting to become a problem. Although it was known by most, what he did not appreciate was the notoriety it was beginning to covet.
When he had started the venture, it was done with an air of mystery, a whisper behind closed doors. Everyone already suspected that Edward was the worst of people, so why wouldn’t he be the type to run such a dastardly business as that?
Lately, however, the whispers had become mutterings. Now, it was not just suggested that he ran a gaming hell but said matter-of-factly. Worse too, the reasons that he ran it were spreading and turning malignant. They said he did it for power. They said he did it so he could own other lords. They said that he did it so that he could prove to his peers that the rules of society did not concern him.
If only they knew the truth… but who would believe it?
“Deny everything you hear,” he said to Percival.
“What do you think I have been doing?”
“Do we know who Is spreading these rumors?”
Percival scoffed. “I have my suspicions. Lord Grundon, for example…” His upper lip curled. “He is not a fan of yours.”
“The feeling is mutual.”
“Very true,” Percival chuckled. “You know he has his eyes on Millicent. And he knows that you will do anything to stop him. I do wonder if he is trying to ruin your reputation so that should he ask for her hand, you will have no choice but to give it.”
“Which is why this engagement is so important,” Edward said. “Everything rests on it working. It must work.”
Percival smirked. “And again, you just cannot help bringing up your engagement. Funny, that.”
Edward did not bother snapping at Percival, for there would be no point. He was tired. So darn sick of it all. His reputation… one that he was responsible for… and the efforts gone through to fix a mess that refused to be fixed.
He looked past his friend and his mind turned back to earlier today. Despite his mood, despite the chaos that surrounded him, the day spent with Miss Celestine was a light in the darkness of his nightmare, so bright that it almost blinded him to the reality of his woes.
That saw him smile for just a moment, which saw him grimace, which saw him slink down in his chair as Percival smirked to himself.
The plan was a good one, it would work. But how well it worked, and what would happen at the end of this month… that was a problem that was sure to come with its own cost, just as Edward refused for now to admit to what that might be.
Chapter Six
“No need to look so nervous,” the Duke said with a coy smirk that was as frustrating as it was charming.
“I am not nervous,” Celestine said sharply. “I am merely concentrating.”
“Concentrating on not being nervous.”
“No…” She scowled at him. “I am concentrating on not stepping on my dress, losing my balance, and collapsing in a heap in front of half the ton.”
“Oh, there is no need to worry about that,” he said. “If you fall, I will catch you.”
“That would require me to trust you.”
“Do you not?”
