“I had rather thought it might be something you would confess to me at some point.”
“You’re not the Pope.”
Duke shrugged. “Lord knows, I’ve done worse in my office.”
“I donotwant to know.”
Duke made a sound in the back of his throat. “Do not act all holier than thou, Roman. My books were moved.”
“How can you tell? You keep that place in such a state.”
“It’s an organized state. I know precisely where everything is piled.” Roman shook his head. “And do not change the subject. You kissed an innocent woman of whom I have to presume you have no intention of marrying.”
“Damn it, Duke, do you not think I know that?”
His friend grinned. “That woman has you in quite the tangle, does she not?”
“Anything between us is an impossibility.”
“Anything between you is irresistible it seems but I am not going to give you a lecture on love.”
“Love?” Roman scowled.
Love? It wasn’t something he’d really thought of having in his life nor expected. A good match with a woman yes, mutual respect. Maybe even companionship. But love? He could imagine his father now scoffing at the very idea.
“Speaking of the Musgraves...” Duke nodded toward a group seated upon a slightly raised square of grass, just by the entrance to the labyrinth—a hedged maze that Roman never enjoyed again once he figured the way out.
Roman immediately searched the faces of the women, closing his eyes briefly.Disappointed she isn’t there, Roman? Really?Two of her sisters were there, accompanied by their aunt. Was Clementine spending her day searching? A stab of guilt worked its way down to his gut. She shouldn’t be doing it all alone. But if he went near her again, who knew what would happen? The connection between them was more explosive than the fireworks sometimes let off in this very park.
“What exactly was Clementine doing in your office anyway?” Roman asked.
“What? Did you not ask her in between kisses?”
He sent a sour look Duke’s way. His friend was taking far too much pleasure in all this, for some reason.
Duke shrugged. “Lawyerly business.”
“Oh well, that’s revealing,” Roman said sarcastically.
“She inquired about the house—the one your great uncle kept.”
“And you did not think to tell me this?”
Duke sighed, dismounted from his horse and tethered it to a nearby hitching post. “Frankly, considering your, uh, close relationship with Clementine, I rather thought she would have told you. All she wanted was the address. I did not think I had to keep the place a secret.”
She wanted to search there next. That was the only explanation. Roman ran a hand across his face, remaining mounted. He was close to giving up this damned search. For all he knew, his uncle had burned the letter like Roman wanted to and no searches of a house used for his great-uncle’s sordid business would reveal it. Roman would keep up the protection on his aunt’s house for a while longer and then...
And then avoid seeing Clementine ever again.
And...marry Miss Fisher? He swallowed hard. He couldn’t fathom wedding a stranger. Not after everything he’d shared with Clementine.
“Are you going to come and say good afternoon?” Duke jerked his head toward the group of women. “They’ve spotted us.”
Roman eyed the group, the eldest waving a vigorous hand in their direction. He’d thought them all the enemy not long ago but whether they had short memories or forgave easily, none of them seemed perturbed by his presence as he approached with Duke. In fact, they all smiled warmly, and he had the vaguest inkling he was going to miss them when he finally made his way to London.
If he went to London.
Violet rose to her feet and smoothed hands down skirts that matched her name. She grinned broadly at Duke. “If you’ve come to join us for food, you are far too late.” She motioned to the picnic blanket scattered with an array of half-empty plates. “We have devoured most of it.”