“Did you give Lawson your answer?”
Shortly after being declared a baron, Lawson had offered Nate a promotion within the force. One that would put him in a position where he could train others and influence behind the scenes. Since life in the field was filled with peril, it had been a quick, effortless decision. He was no longer alone in the world. He had Anna to consider.
Besides, he had a school to help her run. Thankfully his estate sat close enough to the school that he hadn’t had to refuse the Prince Regent. He would never ask Anna to walk away from the school. Not after everything she’d been willing to sacrifice to see it succeed.
“I did earlier tonight. Hence the satisfied smile on his face.”
Both turned to look at the man in question. Nate swallowed a snort at the sight of Lawson attempting to appeal to Anna’s friend, Miss Herold. By the look on the woman’s usually serious face, he’d somehow succeeded, making Nate wonder yet again what females found so attractive about his spectacle-wearing friend. Since whatever it was kept Lawson occupied by Miss Herold and Nate didn’t have to listen to his friend spout nonsense disguised as riddles, he wouldn’t debate the issue.
A laughing Phoebe, wielding a pretend pirate sword, ran through Nate’s line of vision and he let his eyes follow his niece as she pretended to slay make-believe enemies around the room. “I think not seeing her every day is what I’m going to miss the most about not living at Frenton Hall,” he commented to Gabe.
“I have a feeling she won’t allow you to go too long without seeing her. She is rather demanding.”
“Just like her father, I see.”
“Easy brother, my title of duke still outranks a baron.” Only humor laced Gabe’s words.
Nate would also miss his brother. The first person, besides his mother, who’d accepted him because of who he was and not what he wasn’t.
Before a mournful mood could take hold, the very warm and wonderfully tempting woman who appeared at his side stole his attention.
“What has you gentlemen conversing all by yourselves?” Her voice held a timbre that kindled heat in his groin. If not for her father being one of his guests at his makeshift dinner party, he would have pulled her into his arms and fed the craving he had for her. Instead, he’d find comfort in knowing he would be occupied reacquainting himself with Anna’s lithe—and naked—body as soon as she became his wife.
“Nothing as important as you, love.”
She blinked at his sweet decree and smirked. “You’ve already caught me. No need to tempt me with your charm. Especially such complete blarney.”
He laughed but not as loud as Gabe. “She has you there, brother.”
Before he could either answer Gabe or give him a jab in the gut, a commotion off to his left caught his ear. He turned in time to see Foxmoore scowling at the back of Emma Dawkins as she breezed across the room as if she couldn’t get away from the earl fast enough.
The only woman in the room shorter than Anna, Emma was a force to be reckoned with. When he’d first met her at Gabe’s marriage to Elizabeth, Nate had wisely kept his distance. She had trouble written all over her. Made him wonder what Marcus was doing with her. If there was ever anyone who steered clear of trouble in the form of a possible scandal, it was the Earl of Foxmoore.
“I wonder what that is about.”
Apparently, Nate hadn’t been the only one questioning the relationship between Emma and Foxmoore, as Anna voiced the very thing he pondered.
“It isn’t the first time those two have been in disagreement,” Gabe offered. “I’ve asked Marcus about it but other than grumbling about Emma’s complete disregard for general deportment, he says very little.”
Foxmoore’s response to Emma only made Nate all the more curious as to why. His training as a Runner must not have died with his new title. Perhaps with all his newfound free time, he could do some investigating on the side.
As Anna’s hand settled on his arm, Nate sank into her turquoise eyes.
Perhaps not.
Ignoring everyone but Anna, Nate slid an arm around her waist as he tucked her to his side. He had more sensual pursuits to fill his time. Besides, he’d finally discovered where he belonged.
And all it took was an attractive, over-indulged princess.
Also by Addie Jo Ryleigh and Soul Mate Publishing:
The Duke’s Temptation
(Men of Circumstance Book One)
A Duke. A Runner. An Earl.
Three men, each born into different circumstances. Each fighting to overcome their own adversity.
All striving to change their past.
Gabriel St. James, Duke of Wesbrook, desires any birthright other than being the son of a hideous man. Unfortunately, Gabe knows the exact moment he became like his father—a night that has haunted him for seven years. Resigned to his future, he is unprepared when his illegitimate—and more importantly unbeknown—young daughter appears on his London doorstep. With no one to care for her but him.
Lady Elizabeth Blakely has loved only one man—her brother’s longtime friend, Gabe St. James. Not even his rakish and, oftentimes, wicked behavior dissuades her. Yet it all seems hopeless as he continues to overlook the woman she has become.
When Elizabeth learns Gabe is in need of assistance with his daughter, she seizes the opportunity. Gabe, less than thrilled with the situation—mostly due to his fierce desire for his best friend’s sister—has no option but to concede. Besides, a more sinister threat lurks; someone is blackmailing Gabe with his darkest secret. Through it all, Gabe vows to resist Elizabeth, no matter how tempting.
Sometimes it’s better to surrender . . .
Available now on Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/goutpu3
The Runner's Enticement (Men of Circumstance Book 2) Page 29