Page 46 of The Not So Perfect Duke

Christian and Asher exchanged knowing looks.

“You think of her constantly, longing for the time you can see her again, talk to her, hold her in your arms,” Christian said softly.

“She fills your thoughts, hopes, and dreams, swelling your heart to bursting. You will do anything for her, anything that will make her happy,” Asher added. “Protect her, whether she needs or wants protection. All the signs of falling in love.”

“Good Christ,” Damon mumbled. “Then I am truly a lost cause.”

“Are you?” Christian asked as he rose to take a piece of spice cake from the sideboard. “Why should the cause be lost?”

“She will never have me, not permanently. And staying faithful to one woman? Near impossible.” Damon downed the rest of his wine.

“No, it is not unimaginable. Not if you love with your whole heart,” Asher replied as he refilled Damon’s glass.

“Why won’t she have you?” Christian asked.

“My debauched reputation, for one. Althea proposed a short liaison, nothing more. I do not believe she would be interested in aligning her life with mine, let alone combining them, and I am not even certain I am capable of such a profound commitment.”

Christian chuckled. “Eleanora proposed we have a brief affair, which led to much more. It can be with you as well. See where it goes. Embrace those perplexing emotions, for there is nothing more exhilarating.”

“So you say. All I am is a chaotic mess,” Damon replied. “Besides, all that talk of love can change a man? It is romantic drivel.”

“No,” Asher said. “It isn’t. I have been rehabilitated. Did Chastity have something to do with it? Of course, she did. But I wanted to change. Sounds like you do as well, Damon.”

“I don’t know what the hell I want,” Damon groused.

The men laughed and continued with other topics, but Damon could not shake his friends’ words.

See where it goes. Embrace those confusing emotions.

Very well, he will give it a try.

Starting tonight.

Chapter 15

Althea arrived at 10 Clarendon Place promptly at seven. The skies were overcast, and the clouds looked ominous, as if a summer storm were brewing. Kingsley showed her into the study, but Damon was not there. She sat on the sofa and removed her bonnet and gloves. On the table before her sat a bottle of sparkling white wine, two glasses, and a bowl of fresh strawberries, raspberries, and grapes.

The fire crackled in the hearth, and instead of the electric lights, lit candelabras were spaced around the room, giving it an intimate glow. A room set for seduction? Well, she had suggested such, did she not?

And Damon’s declaration of staying an hour or staying the night? After much internal debating, Althea decided on the staying-an-hour proposal. Remaining all night would indicate she wanted more than a brief affair. In the years of being with the investigative agency and all the men Althea had met from various walks of life, there was none Althea wished to bed. None she had yearned to be her first.

Until she met Damon Cranston.

Don’t let wayward emotions carry me off.

He strolled into the room, dressed in a dark gray suit, handsome as ever. He wore his guarded expression as if not knowing what to expect.

“How was your luncheon with Asher and Christian?” she asked politely.

Damon sat opposite, not on the sofa with her. How curious. “They have contributed to Chellenhome and offered to assist.” In a monotone voice, he relayed about the progressive group within Parliament and the fact that he could make a presentation to bring other donors on board.

“That is wonderful. I believe we can start to wrap up this case and finalize the investigation as soon as the safe is opened.”

Damon’s eyebrow cocked. “Finalize? Is this case not exciting enough for you? No grand villain for you to face as in Gideon’s investigation? No opportunity for you to brandish your pistol and take down said rogue? The villain in this inquiry is dead already. How tedious for you.”

Was he teasing? Being sarcastic, or a little of both? It was hard to tell as his guarded expression was still in place.

“Take down? I shot Whinstone in the knee. He deserved it. I do not relish having to use force.”