Page 9 of The Rake Desires the Diamond

“Bloody hell, Eaton!” Harrington swiped the offending liquid from his face.

“Sorry.” Evan tapped his throat. “That sip burned.”

Harrington glared at him before turning his focus to Wellspring. “I dare say, you have read my mind. William and I have already talked of this and think you would make a splendid brother-in-law.” His gaze intense, their host leaned across the desk. “However, you must have thick skin because she is a bit spoiled.”

What an understatement. Evanharrumphed.

Harrington scowled as he drummed his fingers on his desk. “You are sucking on the inside of your jaw, Eaton. Do you have something you want to say about my sister?”

“Nay. Not a thing.” Except perhaps she was a huge pain in the arse. “But she is blonde and you and the duke are dark.”

Where in the hell had that stupid comment come from?

“Are you insinuating my sister is a by-blow? Or that my brother and I are bastards?” Harrington asked.

William was the rat bastard who’d tupped Evan’s conquests, cheated at cards, and did unthinkable things to Georgiana before they were married. But this might not be the moment to bring it up. It was just that if the damn chit had looked more like her brother’s, he might not have stuck his tongue in her mouth. Her soft, sweet mouth…

“Not that it is any of your business, but my brother and I take after our father, and my sister takes after my mother’s side of the family. My mother was quite a fair beauty,” Harrington said. “Katrina and my cousin Elizabeth could pass for sisters.”

No shite. Evan swallowed his groan and feigned a smile. “Springy, you are terribly shy. You must be bold to woo a woman like Katrina.”

Alexander was a handsome chap and considered the catch of the season. However, while Evan and Ethan had bedded every available woman they came across, Wellspring studied and read. Since Katrina was the queen’s niece, and one of the diamonds of the season, and the earl was considered a catch in his own right, the couple was well-suited despite his inexperience.

So why was an unidentifiable sensation wafting over Evan, twisting his heart into an empty ache? He squeezed and released his fist until it dissipated.

“However—” Harrington exhaled an exasperated sigh “—my sister may hold a grudge against you since you beat her in the mask contest. She prides herself on her artistic talent.”

“She did not seem upset the last time we spoke. She was the first to congratulate me.” Wellspring colored up as if he were a virginal chit. “She seemed quite pleased about my win. But I do not want any untruths between us. I shall tell her that Eaton is the one who beat her.”

“Hmm.” Harrington’s brow furrowed in contemplation. “Perchance I have misjudged the situation, and instead of begrudging you the ribbon, she now fancies you. There is no need to bring Eaton into this. She is still furious at him for putting a frog in her drink when we were children.”

Why couldn’t the chit let it go? The amphibian had croaked, she had screamed, and tea had erupted from her mouth like a gargoyle after a rainstorm. No harm was done. Unless one counted her frock and Evan’s bruises. She’d punched his shoulder three times, then dashed away, crying.

Harrington stared into his glass as he swirled his whiskey. “Perchance the way to my sister’s heart is through art. She is quite passionate about it.”

Interesting. Evan had no idea Katrina liked art. He’d assumed her interests didn’t extend beyond gowns, jewels, and being the center of attention.

“She loves to talk about her trip to the continent to study art. Oh, and ask to see her sketchbook and compliment it,” Harrington told Wellspring.

Wellspring nodded. “It would be my pleasure.”

“While at the seaside tomorrow, Eaton and I will do our best to sing your praises. Remember our code?” Harrington raised a fist. “Mates before chits.”

As if Evan’s good opinion would matter to Katrina. However, their code had served him well numerous times over the years when he found himself in a compromising position with a conquest or a cuckolded husband.

There was that unsettling heart-twisting sensation again.

Evan sighed and held up his empty glass. “Another, please.”

June 29th, 1818

While strolling across the pebbled shoreline, their party chattered away. Evan, Harrington, and Wellspring walked ahead of the group. As Harrington promised, he turned around and bellowed Wellspring’s praises to everyone behind them, his voice carrying over the wind.

“What a fine job you did on your mask the other night, Springy. You are talented indeed. Did you know that Katrina studied art on the continent?”

Poor Wellspring stared at his boots as they waited for Katrina to catch up.

Once she walked beside them, Harrington put his arm around her. “Katrina, did you know that Alexander is interested in Art History?”