Page 67 of The Wedding-Crashing Duchess

Augusta looked surprised.

“You have meetings in the morning.”

“They can begin later.”

“That was easier than I expected.”

“You expected an argument?”

“I expected you to mention her routine, your work, and the risk of encouraging habits that would become inconvenient.”

Ronan’s mouth shifted faintly.

“I can still mention them if you are disappointed.”

“I am not disappointed,” Augusta replied, and then she met his gaze again. “Thank you.”

The words were simple, although something in the way she said them made Ronan forget Gregory’s presence for a moment.

He inclined his head.

“Tell Mrs. Belling that Sarah will join us.”

“I will,” Augusta said. “And I shall make certain dinner is adjusted for your guest.”

Gregory bowed again.

“You are very gracious, Lady Ravenhill, particularly when your husband has spent the past quarter hour attempting to deny me the same hospitality.”

“I suspect Ronan refuses people more often than he truly wishes them to leave,” Augusta said, and her eyes moved briefly towards her husband. “Although I have not yet decided whether that makes him complicated or merely stubborn.”

“Both,” Gregory replied immediately.

Ronan gave him a cold look.

Augusta smiled, then moved towards the door.

“I shall see you both downstairs,” she said. “And Ronan, I will speak to Mrs. Belling now.”

He nodded.

“Very well.”

Augusta’s hand closed around the door handle, although she glanced back once before leaving, and for a brief moment her gaze met Ronan’s again.

Neither of them smiled.

Neither looked entirely comfortable.

Then she left, closing the door quietly behind her.

The study remained silent for several seconds.

Ronan reached for the document on his desk, although he no longer remembered which line he had been reading.

Gregory did not return to his chair immediately.

Instead, he remained standing with his attention fixed on Ronan, while a slow and deeply irritating smile spread across his face.