And then his eyes narrowed.
Not merely at the fact that Beatrice stood beside Gideon. But how she stood beside him.
Closer than propriety allowed. Unapologetic.
Gideon felt the room alter.
They’d thought Dash knew. Apparently, he had not.
Gideon drew a breath. “Dash?—”
“I am in love with Gideon,” Beatrice said.
Gideon’s mouth closed.
He had come prepared to say it himself. He had known Beatrice intended to stand beside him.
He had not expected her to fire the first shot.
Which, given the events of the evening, was rather foolish of him.
Dash had gone utterly still.
Ambrosia’s brows lifted.
Beatrice raised her chin. “And I am going to marry him.”
Silence.
When Dash finally turned to Gideon, he met his gaze. Calm. Certain. Unashamed.
“Did you know about this?” Dash said at last.
“I had begun to suspect,” Gideon said.
Ambrosia made a small sound behind the desk, but Dash did not look amused.
“How long?” he asked.
“Long enough,” Gideon said. “I should have spoken to you sooner.”
“Yes,” Dash said coldly. “You should have. When did you decide she was no longer off-limits?”
Gideon glanced at Beatrice.
It had not been a decision. Not truly.
It had been a succession of moments—each one chipping away at what he’d believed to be loyalty.
When she had tossed him onto a mattress.
When she had climbed into his lap.
When she had let him back her against a tree in the middle of Hyde Park.
Most of them, admittedly, not fit for her brother’s consideration.
But more than any of those…
