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Why did it matter? He could have any number of women who would readily warm his bed. But none of them were Tabitha.
Perhaps he had a touch of a brain fever. Why else would he have this driving need to see her again? He would discuss it with Lionel tomorrow. There had to be a perfectly reasonable explanation for why the lecherous Duke of Holcombe suddenly wanted only one woman.
* * *
“So tell me about these rumors,”Lionel said as the men found two chairs in the corner, away from prying ears.
As promised, the friends had met at their gentleman’s club the following day. With a glass of whisky in hand, Andrew started from the beginning, when he’d received the letter from William asking to see him. He went through the reading of the will, the funeral, everything, including the horrid rumors circling about him.
During the entire tale Lionel listened, no response, just the occasional nod.
“What do you think? You know I am not guilty of this treachery.”
“Of course, I do. You may be quick to anger sometimes, but you’re no killer. I think the best thing to do is carry on as you have been and ignore the gossip. It’ll blow over, or something else will come along to attract the matrons’ attention.”
“I just want people to know that I am innocent. You know I’ve never cared about my reputation. But it isn’t just me, it’s my family name.” He plopped his head back on the cushion. “I never thought I’d care a fig for the damned dukedom.”
“We grow, we change. That is the way of the world.” Lionel sipped his drink. “I never thought I’d want to marry, but here I am, almost thirty and ready to settle down.”
Andrew knew it wouldn’t be long until he had to marry as well. At twenty-eight, it was past time he had a wife, per his grandmother. An image of Tabitha flashed in his mind. But hadn’t she said she had no intentions of marrying or giving up her newfound freedom? He couldn’t blame her. But still, what would it be like to have Tabitha in his bed?
Fortunately, Andrew had enough experience in that department to have a complete picture of what it would be like, what he would do to her. If he wasn’t careful, he’d have a full cockstand right here in the middle of the club.
He grabbed the decanter of whiskey and filled his glass again.
“Something else bothering you?” Lionel asked.
“I made a fool of myself.”
“That doesn’t sound like you at all. What happened? Make some mistake with a business deal? Bet on the wrong horse?”
“Worse. It concerns a woman.”
Lionel raised his brow. “That is a surprise. Usually, that is the one thing you are well-versed in.”
“Not when it comes to this lady.”
“By lady, you mean...”
“A goddamned lady. A viscount’s daughter.”
Lionel frowned. “Oh, dear. Please don’t tell me you compromised the girl.”
That might be the better option at the moment. At least then he’d have an excuse to see Tabitha, to speak with her. If his grandmother got wind that he had an attraction to Tabitha, she’d have the wedding banns read before he could blink.
It was an attraction. Andrew had at least admitted that much to himself last night. Why wouldn’t he be drawn to Tabitha? She was smart, spirited, and had a body that drove him to distraction. He’d lusted after women before, but then the appeal had waned once he’d bedded them. Andrew doubted it would be any different with Tabitha. But what were the chances she’d let him have a taste of her treasures without marriage?
“May I know the lady’s name?” Lionel’s question brought Andrew out of his thoughts.
“No, you may not.”
“Keeping her to yourself I see. Well, at the least, tell me what transpired to make you believe you have acted so foolishly.”
Andrew told Lionel about his first chance meeting with Tabitha, including his aiding her with her escape and their brief kiss. Then he finished with what happened last night in the garden.
“I made a complete arse of myself, losing my temper the way I did. Now I don’t know if she’ll ever forgive me.”
“Why does it matter so much that she forgives you?”
