Page 24 of If the Duke Demands

He took a deep breath and asked as calmly as possible when what he inexplicably wanted to do was wring his brother’s neck for touching her, “Pardon?”

“At dinner when we’d stopped for the night at the inns,” Robert clarified with a careless shrug.

An unexpected rush of relief coursed through Sebastian. He slowly unclenched his fists and blew out a silent breath. “You were able to talk to her then, to get to know her better?”

Robert opened both eyes and looked at him as if he’d lost his mind. Then again, he’d agreed to help Miranda find her way into his brother’s heart. Perhaps hehadgone mad. “I already know her, Seb. We all grew up together— Well, not you. You were away at school.” He closed his eyes and slumped back down. “Maybe you’re the one who needs to get to know her better.”

Thatwas the last thing Sebastian needed to do. After the night of the masquerade, he couldn’t come to know her any better without taking her innocence. “I already know her,” he said, carefully keeping his voice even. “She’s become a fine woman.”

“With more energy than anyone should possess. Good Lord! She wore me out, and all we did was sit together in a carriage.”

“She simply enjoys herself, that’s all.” Although why he felt compelled to defend her, Sebastian had no idea. But Robert’s criticism of her enthusiasm for life annoyed him. Most likely because down deep he couldn’t help but be jealous that she could be so free with her life when he was trapped in his. “She’s actually quite bright, enjoys drama and Shakespeare—”

“Thank God she didn’t bringhimup,” Robert muttered.

Sebastian said nothing as he watched his brother drop his legs to the floor and sit up. Four days together in a carriage, and Robert still knew nothing about the woman Miranda had become. Sebastian felt sorry for him.

But he felt even sorrier for Miranda. If she didn’t make Robert see her in a completely different light, as someone new and exciting rather than the neighbor girl he’d always known, she didn’t stand a chance with his brother.

Before this season was over, Sebastian predicted, her heart would be shattered, no matter how much he helped her. He only hoped she had the strength to pull herself together and move on to another man. One more suited for her. One more tolerant of her enthusiasm and zest for living. Perhaps some nice gentleman farmer or banker’s son—

“You?”

Sebastian’s eyes snapped up to his brother’s. Dear God, had he muttered his thoughts aloud? “Pardon?”

“I asked, how are you? How’s your hunt for a wife going?”

Oh.Thank God that was all. With a silent exhalation, he pushed himself away from the window. “Good so far. I’ve made a list of names of promising ladies.”

“As long as Diana’s name isn’t on it. I don’t need the competition among the petticoat set. And speaking of petticoats…” Robert grinned. “Where’s Quinton?”

“At White’s with Chesney and Strathmore.” Sebastian crossed to the fireplace and helped himself to one of the American cigars he stored in the humidor box on the mantel. “He’s angling for membership.”

“Does he stand a chance?” A defeated note sounded in his voice. Understandably. Because if Quinn got membership, then Robert could be listed as his guest, and both brothers could come and go from the club as they pleased without having to wait for Chesney or Sebastian to accompany them.

“Yes.” He bit off the end of the cheroot and spat it into the fire. “Quite certain of it, in fact.”

Robert blinked with incredulity at the underlying implication of that comment. “You petitioned the other members on his behalf?”

He nodded. “So did Chesney and Strathmore.”

“Damn, that was good of you, Seb.”

Bending down to light the cigar on the flames, he shrugged away the compliment. “I’d do anything for Quinton, you know that.”

At that comment, Robert eyed him suspiciously. “And if doing this favor for Quinn also means it’s easier for you to keep an eye on him at the same club where you belong?”

“A delightful bonus.” He arched a knowing brow. This was Quinton they were discussing, after all. God only knew the trouble he’d get himself into on St James’s Street on his own. And Sebastian truly did love his brothers, enough to keep them from their own destruction.

Robert laughed. “You getting Quinn a membership at White’s…Good to know the old Sebastian isn’t completely dead after all.”

He fixed his brother with a hard look, suddenly irritated. “What do you mean by that?” he demanded, rising to his full height.

“That lately you behave like you’re older than Moses but only have half as much fun. What happened to the brother who used to lead us into debauchery and trouble? The one who used to know how to have a good time. Who let himself actuallyhavea good time in the first place.”

“He became a duke,” he answered quietly.

Robert must have heard the weariness in his voice, because his eyes softened. “Enjoy yourself this season, Seb, will you? It’s London, for God’s sake…a playground for rakes, rogues, and newly minted peers. It would be a shame if you sliced into a wedding cake before you had the chance to sample the tarts.”