Page 17

“What is it?”

For a moment, he thought Davenport might not answer. “It’s a reminder.”

He arched his brows, waiting for more explanation, which did not come readily.

“A reminder of what?” he asked. “Do you know?”

Davenport drew in a deep breath and his gaze grew unfocused as though he were lost in thought. Alex did not mind the silence between them. In fact, he was grateful for the respite.

At last, Davenport looked at him, his attention once more on Alex. “I suppose you could say that your brother wore that pin as a reminder that while he had a duty to his family and his title, he also had a responsibility for his own happiness.”

Alex frowned. That was…not what he’d been expecting. He’d thought perhaps the W stood for the name of a club or something, perhaps a secret fraternal order. Those existed, did they not? But instead it seemed to represent some sort of philosophy.

“I see,” he said slowly, though in fact—he did not see.

Davenport shifted, his gaze scanning the groups of talking, laughing members of the ton who congregated in clusters throughout the parlor. “I would not say I was close with your brother, so I would not wish to speak for him...”

Alex watched the other man closely. He listened even closer, noting the way his voice trailed off as though searching for the right words. He did not take Davenport to be the sort to equivocate over precise wording, but he seemed to be weighing each word before he spoke.

Davenport faced him again. “It cannot be easy dealing with your brother’s death, and all the responsibilities that come with your new position in the household.”

Alex’s brows hitched up in surprise at the sudden change in conversation. “We are all learning to adapt,” he said, looking meaningfully in the direction of his great aunt and sister who were speaking with a handful of ladies on the opposite side of the room.

“I only meant, you must have been forced to put aside your own plans for the future to venture down what was supposed to be your brother’s path.”

Alex tipped his head in acknowledgement. Davenport had no idea.

But then…he vaguely remembered the stories about the Devil of Davenport. How he’d gotten the name after his elder brother died and he’d become the late earl’s heir.

Maybe this man did have an idea, after all.

“It’s not for me to dole out advice,” Davenport said suddenly, straightening as his gaze once more fell to the pin on Alex’s chest. “But I believe your brother was of a similar mindset when it came to this lifestyle.”

“Oh?” Alex didn’t try to hide his surprise. How could this man, who admittedly hardly knew his brother, know his mindset? “And what mindset is that?”

“We all know the duty that comes with being a leader among men,” Davenport said, his voice low and his tone so serious it made Alex stiffen as he hung on every word. “But a true nobleman understands that being responsible does not always mean making the right decisions. Sometimes it means making a choice, and making it be the right one.”

Alex stared at the other man in confusion. “What does that even mean?”

For a moment he feared he’d offended the older earl, but Davenport gave him another smirk. “You wish me to speak plainly, I see.”

Alex threw his hands up in a helpless gesture. “I’m afraid subtlety is often lost on me.”

“Some might call it unconventional, or selfish, or even…wicked. But a man need not be a martyr to his family and his title. He ought to follow his own desires on occasion. Society is not always in the right, and a man must know his own mind if he is to lead others.”

“I see,” he said. He did not see. “So you’re saying there is a virtue in being selfish?”

Davenport’s mouth twisted with humor, which Alex assumed was at his expense. “Something like that.”

Alex nodded and they stood in silence for a moment. “But what does the W stand for?”

Davenport’s lips curved up in a grin that was slow and sly. “If you heed my advice and start acting on your own desires rather than the ton’s dictates?” He arched a brow. “I assure you, you will find out.”

Alex started to ask him what he meant by that cryptic remark, but the other man was already moving to join Clara and his wife, wrapping an arm around his wife’s waist and whispering into her ear. Whatever he said made his wife blush and soon the two of them were hurrying off together, their heads bent as they talked in hushed voices.

Clara was left on her own, and he found himself heading toward her, drawn to her like a magnet. If there were any other ladies in the room, Alex did not see them. There was only her, looking beautiful and…not happy.

He blinked in surprise. He’d gotten so used to seeing her smile, to hearing her laughter, he felt the lack of it keenly. Without thinking, he touched a hand to her back and her head snapped up. Her pretty blue eyes sparkled with…not laughter.