Page 22 of The Duke's Sinful Deal
“She is,” Roderick replied.
Maxwell leaned forward slightly, one hand bracing against the sideboard. “She most certainly is not.”
Roderick’s smile widened, just enough to irritate. “No,” he agreed. “Eleanor’s little sister is not, though I did not know you would experience that in one day.”
Maxwell held his gaze, the silence tightening again, the air in the room feeling narrower than before.
“You should have told me,” Maxwell said.
“And deprived you of the experience?” Roderick returned. “I would not have been so unkind.”
Maxwell’s jaw set, though he did not rise to the bait.
Roderick watched him for a moment longer, then sobered, pushing himself upright from the chair. “You are certain,” he said again, more quietly now. “About this?”
Maxwell did not hesitate. “I am certain.”
Roderick nodded slowly, though his gaze did not soften. “Then I will not argue it further,” he said. “But I will ask you for one thing.”
Maxwell waited.
“Do not treat her as a problem to be managed,” Roderick said. “She is not one of your estates. She will not respond to order and distance.”
Maxwell’s posture tightened slightly. “I am aware of that.”
“Are you?”
Maxwell did not answer immediately.
Roderick studied him, his gaze steady. “She is not afraid of you,” he continued. “Not in the way others are.”
Maxwell’s gaze shifted slightly. “She flinched.”
“She recovered.”
The words settled between them.
Maxwell looked away first.
Roderick exhaled slowly, the tension in his shoulders easing just enough. “I suppose it is done, then,” he said. “There is no undoing it now.”
“I know there is no going back on this, and I have no intention to do so.”
Roderick glanced toward the window again, his reflection faint against the glass. “You know James will pretend to be reasonable for approximately five minutes before Eleanor decides otherwise for them both.”
Maxwell inclined his head slightly. “That is consistent with my understanding.”
Roderick let out a short breath, something between a laugh and resignation. “Then I must decide which of them will attempt to kill me first.”
Maxwell’s gaze returned to him. “You assume only one will succeed.”
Roderick’s lips twitched. “You believe it will be a joint effort.”
“I believe it is likely.”
Roderick nodded, brushing a hand down the front of his coat as he straightened. “In that case,” he said, “I shall endeavor to remain out of reach for as long as possible.”
Maxwell did not respond.
