Alex’s fist came up, stopping just short of Ethan’s jaw. Ethan didn’t blink, merely arched a brow.
Alex turned back to the window and the busy street circling the park. Lucia in Dandridge’s bed. The thought alone made him physically ill. Tonight the blood rushed in his ears when he saw her looking at Dandridge, smiling at him, laughing at the man’s comments. Alex wanted her azure eyes fastened on him. He wanted those smiles all to himself.
And when he thought of her in Dandridge’s bed, Dandridge touching her, kissing her . . .
He’d kill the bastard first.
Ethan was still watching him. “What is it?”
“It’s nothing.” Alex didn’t bother to turn from the window. “It’ll pass.”
“Alex, you’re not—you’re not in love with her. Are you?”
Alex kept his unseeing eyes firmly on the windowpane. “Don’t be ridiculous. You’re the one who falls in love.”
“I see.” Ethan crossed his arms. “Then why does it bother you that she’s marrying Dandridge? He’s a pompous ass, but she could do worse.”
“That’s the general consensus.”
“Alex, I’ve known Lucia for years.”
“Your point?”
“I know her better than you.”
Alex looked away.
“She’s impulsive, headstrong, temperamental . . .”
“I hadn’t noticed,” Alex grumbled.
Ethan went on, “Have you seen how often these traits get her into trouble?”
Alex shrugged, but images of her sliding into the Seatons’ ballroom and standing outside Schweitzer & Davidson flashed through his mind. The little fool. “She’s young,” Alex muttered. “She’ll change.”
“Maybe this marriage is the change she needs.”
But Alex didn’t want her to change. He didn’t want to see her shaped into one of Society’s accepted molds, her exuberance crushed. He liked her angry and headstrong. He even liked her impulsiveness, though it tried his patience most of the time. But her spontaneity, her vivacity, was a rare gift. Dandridge had no idea what to do with it.
“Dandridge will only break her spirit,” Alex told
Ethan with another glance at the viscount, now pounding on the table to emphasize a point.
“And you wouldn’t,” Ethan said softly.
“No. I’d never try to make her into something she isn’t to satisfy some inane dictate of the beau monde. Or worse, to further my political career.” Alex looked pointedly at Dandridge.
Ethan crossed his arms. “Really, Alex, I had no idea you were in the market for a wife.”
Alex glared at his brother. “I’m not.”
“Then what are we talking about?”
Alex met his brother ’s penetrating gaze. The warning was clear: Lucia was not available for dalliance. Alex had told himself as much a dozen times. Not just because of her station and their connection, but because being with him would endanger her. He couldn’t allow that.
He ran a hand through his hair and said tersely, “I’m sure Dandridge will make her a good husband.” Ethan nodded. “That’s the end of it then. Now help me get these pickled fools into the parlor. Francesca’s probably wondering where we are by now.”
Chapter Twelve
