A scoff. “I’m not family.”
Dare sneered. “Count yourself lucky.” And just what land did the Duchess of Crane have in her possession that Drake wanted, anyway? What property would have him even step foot in London of all places?
Though in reality it could be any one of the Crane properties. It was no secret that Drake was one of the late duke’s bastard sons. His mother was sister to Dare’s own mother, and yet Dare was the only one in his family who recognized his cousin and aunt as family. So ostracized, Drake may well feel entitled to a bit of inheritance now the old duke was dead.
“You can tell Drake to seek me out himself to tell me what he wants. And I won’t be his burglar, if that’s what he thinks. Besides, if the woman is still in black, it’s best to let her be.”
“It’s my impression that he has been waiting until she steps out of mourning, and he is growing impatient.”
Sweet laughter spilled into his ears from across the room, causing his shoulders to tense up. His gaze found Lady Leonora again. He couldn’t help but scowl. Just what did she find so funny in the Duke of Calstone’s conversation? “Damnation, this night is all but ruined.”
Knox let out a low laugh. “I suppose your cousin believes you have the charm or some tricks to lure a woman out of her mourning drab.”
“What utter nonsense,” Dare snapped. “I don’t havetechniquesfor these sorts of situations.” If that were true, what a horrifying thought it would be. It would involve some form of comfort, would it not? And that would mean tears might be shed. The thought of a weeping female gave him chills.
“I’m sure he will be disappointed.”
Good. “I’m sure he will get over it.”
Knox arched a brow. “Has it ever occurred to you that he might merely want you to mediate since you and she are of the same world?”
“No. It didn’t.” Not even the slightest. “Let’s change the subject, shall we?”
“As you wish,” Knox said. “You still have a rather troubling look about you. Why don’t you ask some chit to dance?”
“Not in the mood.” The only chit he enjoyed dancing with stood across the floor flirting with another man.
Little temptress.
And too breathtaking for her own good. Everything about her radiated beauty. Even her gown, a soft, silky green, reminded him of a misty morning in the garden before the sun broke through the haze. Her eyes were probably sparkling like twin drops of water as she smiled at Calstone.
Christ, Dare. You sound like a poet.
But if this gut feeling was right and she was keeping her distance tonight, just what had he done to deserve being sidestepped by her?
“You’ve changed,” Knox remarked quite unexpectedly.
Dare flicked an incredulous look at his friend “Me? Impossible. Birds can’t change their feathers.”
Knox lifted his shoulders in a small, careless shrug. “They can pluck them out and grow new ones.”
“They will still return as the same color.”
“Nothing returns as the same color. It’s always a bit more dull or a bit more vibrant.”
“How wise of you,” Dare remarked dryly. “I wonder if my color will return uglier or prettier.” Probably uglier.
“You haven’t plucked out all your feathers, so I really can’t say.”
Dare snorted. Well, no matter. He didn’t mind the way he was anyway. Though he wouldn’t deny his path was a rather lonely one. His house at night, for one, had the feel of a silent graveyard. Who the hell could sleep in a graveyard? He certainly struggled. Which was why he attended these events and sought out a bit of light.
Herlight, if he was honest. It drove away the shadows of exhaustion. At least for a little while.
It was a damn miracle she hadn’t been infected just by cavorting with him. But then, she was such a presence that no one could ever doubt her glow. She was a woman so bright he could never taint her with his darkness.
And she came to him openly. Publicly. That was even more tempting to him. She didn’t want to hide her teasing. Her flirting. She didn’t want to hidehim.
That was dangerous.
