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Lucas glared at his friend.
“You’re not being helpful.”
“I wasn’t meant to be helpful. You’re the one who said you would keep your distance, and yet you’re behaving in a possessive manner that others are beginning to notice. Why don’t you distract yourself with Lady Marcia? She’s clearly infatuated with you.”
“If this weren’t happening, I would have seduced her already.”
“But now she’s not even a thought? She is very beautiful.”
Lucas snorted.
“I’m surprised you’ve noticed, seeing as you spend a lot of time with Lady Frederica. The two of you seem to be quite … I’m not sure cosy would be the right word, but it’s close enough.”
Pierce blushed, and he cleared his throat.
“Well, that’s different. We didn’t have an engagement put between us before we met. And she’s quite interesting. Fun, intelligent, and she’s always so cheerful.”
“Just right for you, then.”
“I’m not going to marry her. I’m content with the way I am. But I do like her company.”
Lucas rolled his eyes. His friend was determined to remain a bachelor for as long as possible, but from how he seemed to be around Lady Frederica when Lucas turned to him, it appeared that he was starting to wear down his own boundaries.
He wasn’t really surprised; from the few interactions Lucas had had with the woman himself, he had the impression that Lady Frederica was pretty similar to Pierce regarding personality and temperament. They would make a good couple if Pierce allowed it.
Chances were, he wouldn’t.
“Anyway, we’re not talking about me. We’re talking about you and Lady Dorothy Napier.”
“Pierce, we’ve been through this …”
“And I still think you and she would make a good couple.”
Lucas groaned.
“I’m not going to do this again. We agreed …”
“No, you said you would keep away from her, and I warned you that you wouldn’t be able to do it because your self-control is not that good. You said you would prove me wrong and only proved me right.” Pierce sat back, folded his arms, and crossed his legs at the ankle. “If you just got past what happened to you two, then you could actually be a better fit than you think.”
Lucas gritted his teeth. Why did he have to phrase it that way? Now he had images of the different ways he and Dorothy could fit. And it involved no clothing between them. He adjusted the book over his lap.
“I don’t think she’s that interested in having anything to do with me. I did treat her badly without laying eyes on her. Why would she give me a second chance?”
“Haven’t you apologised for how you behaved?”
“I thought I did, but she seemed even more offended.”
Pierce sighed.
“I’m guessing you didn’t mean to say it in a way that put you in a bad light.”
“I didn’t think so.”
“Maybe you should apologise again. Do it properly and clear the air. If you find her attractive, and there’s something strong inside you for her, you would do it. Of course, it means you two are going to start over, and that’s only after you’ve gotten on your hands and knees to grovel for her forgiveness, but it could work.”
Lucas glared at him.
“You’re really not helpful at all, Pierce.”
