Page 43 of London Dynasty

“Yeah,” she said. “Like his face is a little wrong. He looks like Spencer but his eyes are different colors or his ears are lopsided?”

“They’re completely identical, as far as I know,” I said, still laughing.

“There you go. Problem solved.”

“What do you mean?” I didn’t see how having two men as handsome as Spencer and Holden in my life was going to make anything any easier.

“Use the brother,” she told me. “Mess around with him.”

“I’m not sure Spencer would like that,” I said, my amusement fading.

“Not judging by what that Rose chic said,” Eliza reminded me. “You want to keep things casual with Spencer? Divide your attention between the two of them. I’m sure it will just be a huge burden to be sleeping with two handsome aristocrats.”

“You’re crazy,” I told her.

“I’m right,” she corrected me. “Oh shit, babe, I have to go. I promised Ron I would get to the pub early. Don’t wait so long to call me next time. I want to know all the dirty details.”

I hung up with her, still shaking my head at her solution to my problem. I couldn’t get involved with both Spencer and Holden.

Could I?

Chapter Twenty-Three

Before I had a chance to really consider it, a text message showed up on my phone.

Hey, Holden and I are going to watch the West Ham match tonight at our place. Care to come and see why they should be your team, too?

I hesitated before typing my response. I wanted to see Spencer.

Holden?

He promises to be on his best behavior, but I can kick him out if you want me all to yourself. I just thought the two of you should get to know each other.

I thought of what Eliza had said. This was my opportunity to feel out the situation. It was a crazy idea, but I wasn’t sure I had any other choice. I had to find a way to keep myself from getting too involved with Spencer. That didn’t leave me many options. So I responded with the only viable one.

What time?

Spencer had a late meeting with his grandfather, so I arranged to have the driver take me to his flat. Tod had seemed positively giddy at the news. And if he noticed that I hadn’t come back to the house last night, he didn’t say anything. I supposed it was easier not to worry about someone who wasn’t your daughter. I didn’t bother to change from my tank top and jeans. A night watching football seemed like something that should be kept casual, but when I arrived Spencer opened the door, still wearing his suit.

His necktie hung loosely around his collar, and he breathed a sigh of relief when he saw me.

“Long day?” I asked.

“The longest. But I’m glad to see you,” he said. “I’m just going to change out of this.”

“You hungry? Maybe I could order some take-out?”

“There are some menus in the kitchen. Holden will show you where they are.” He disappeared, leaving me with his brother while he went to change. Holden appeared as if summoned.

“I’m told my assistance is required,” he said to me.

“I’m sure I can find the menus on my own.” I began opening drawers, doing my best to ignore him. The trouble was that Holden was as hard to ignore as Spencer, no doubt owing to their having the same face. But where Spencer sent heat flashing through my body, turning my skin slick with sweat, Holden elicited a trembling chill. Being near him filled me with a cold-but-thrilling dread that heightened my awareness of my whole body.

“They’re here.” Holden reached for a drawer at the same time I did, and our hands brushed. Goosebumps rose along my arm where our skin made contact, sending a tremor through me. I took a step away from him.

“I won’t bite,” he said, noticing my reaction, “unless you ask me to.”

“That’s exactly what someone like you would say,” I said haughtily.