Tricia waved her hand, dismissing him. “She’s plenty of time for that. You brought her here to secure her future.”
He made to reply but Luke interrupted him first. “Let’s allow the ladies to hash this out. If you two gentleman would care to accompany me, I’ve a new horse I’ve recently purchased that I’d like you to take a look at.”
Matthew gave him an incredulous glare. Or at least, he must have because Luke put his hands up in mock surrender. Ryker was already standing and Matthew had no choice but to follow suit. He hated this whole thing though. He wanted to be here, participating in this conversation. While he didn’t intend to make Ella his, it irritated him to think of her as someone else’s. No matter how many times his rational mind told him to leave her be, his body had another opinion entirely. Which was ludicrous but no matter how many times he said that to himself, he couldn’t seem to squelch the jealousy that was making his head buzz.
They hadn’t made it more than ten steps down the hall when Matthew turned to Luke. “What the bloody hell was that? They’re going to match her with some bloke while I look at your horse?”
Luke gave him a lopsided grin. “Thinking of marrying her yourself?”
His insides twisted. “No, of course not.”
“Then what is the harm in their conversation?” Luke’s eyebrows rose.
Damn, this might be hard to explain. All the frustration he was feeling about the conversation happening amongst the ladies without him was now focused on his friend, Luke.
“And why doesn’t she know you’re a duke?” Ryker asked, making the conversation even more difficult.
“I’m worried she might get ideas exactly as Luke has.” He answered Ryker rather than Luke as he tossed Luke another glare.
“What would be the harm in that? I mean, it’s not as though she could force a match.” Ryker shrugged.
But Luke gave him a push on the arm. “He fancies her, and if she turns on the charm, he won’t be able to resist.”
Well that was far too accurate for his liking. It rang with a truth that made his breath rush for his chest. “That’s not true,” Matthew said. “She already offered to be my mistress if I’d s
upport her.”
“Take her as mistress and Ryker and I will force the match. You have my word.” Luke said, a growl making his words rough and angry.
Matthew blinked but his hackles rose again. “What I now want to know, is why you care so much, Luke?”
Luke grimaced before he answered. “I used to play cards with Ashford. He was an easy target for winnings and I confess to taking advantage of that. It was all fun to me. I had no idea I’d be sending his daughter out on the street.”
Matthew made a choking sound in his throat. An anger he could barely contain was rising like bile in his chest. “You did what?”
But Ryker stepped between them. “Luke couldn’t have known.”
“Quite right,” Luke replied. “But all the same, I made up my mind during our conversation today to provide her with a dowry so that she might find an adequate husband.”
Matthew stopped then, they were just about to head out the front door. Why hadn’t he thought of that? But he already knew. He didn’t want her to marry. A job was one thing, but a husband was another entirely. And he didn’t want Luke helping her, she was his to protect. Not his, exactly but he did not want her indebted to Luke, the man had been a notorious rake before he’d married. “She’s here to help with the search for my sister.”
Ryker stopped too, ignoring Matthew entirely. “I could sponsor her for a season.” He turned to Matthew. “You’re already outfitting her, are you not?”
Bloody hell, Ryker was going to help her too. They were discussing helping Ella to find a husband? “I am, but you’re not listening.”
“It should be easy to find her husband then.” Luke had returned to his jovial self. “Tricia and Tabbie are correct. She is stunning, a real beauty, and—”
“Do not say another word,” Matthew practically spit. He liked and respected Luke. And by all accounts, Luke and Tabbie were happily married. But Luke might be the most handsome man he’d ever met and under no circumstances did he want Ella indebted to him.
“Or you’ll what?” Luke demanded. Matthew had his attention now. He intended to use it to impress upon his friend that he was to stay away from his…Ella.
“Come a little closer and I will show you.” Matthew growled.
“Both of you, outside. Now.” Ryker grabbed both of them by the collar and started pulling.
Ella looked at the two women who sat across from her, their excitement feeding the others. “We could invite Lord Ramsey and Lord Durbyshire.” Tricia bubbled. “They are both lovely. Ramsey has a bit of lisp and Durbyshire is just a touch…” her voice drifted off as she looked at the ceiling as though it would reveal the correct word to describe whatever flaw would make him an adequate suitor.
“Ample,” Tabbie filled in. “But a real gentleman and he comes from a wonderful family. I think the other ladies are fools not to notice.”