Page 69 of Stolen By the Heartless Duke

“I’d sayespeciallywhen you have pressing responsibilities. No man is an island, Hector. You can enjoy a kiss every now and then.”

Hector’s eyes darkened slightly.

Ambrose studied him for a long moment. “What’s the matter?”

The question hung there. Hector did not answer immediately. Because the truth, one he did not want to examine too closely, was not simple.

“I cannot pursue it,” he said finally.

Ambrose’s expression shifted. “Ah, I see. It’s more than mere attraction, then,” he repeated.

Hector’s tone sharpened. “Ambrose.”

“Peace, my friend. I am not judging you. I am only trying to understand. And what I have understood, correct me if I’m wrong, is that the kiss rattled you a lot more than it should have. No?”

Hector looked away.

“I thought so,” Ambrose mused. “So now, you do not wish to pursue it because it could unfold into something deeper than lust?”

“I cannot pursue this because of Evan.”

Ambrose leaned back again, exhaling through his nose. “You always do this,” he muttered.

“What do you mean?” Hector asked.

“You know what I mean,” Ambrose said. “You take responsibility for everything except what you actually want.

You think if you allow yourself to want something now, it will be taken as well.”

Hector did not acknowledge what his friend had said. It did not matter what he had been like before Evan disappeared. The only thing that mattered was finding his brother now.

“Hector,” he said, “you’re the Duke of Sunderford. Yes, you are Evan’s older brother, too. But you are also a man. A man who deserves pleasure, joy. Dare I say love, or will you implode at the very sound of the word?”

Hector’s voice was firmer now. “Lady Jane is part of this investigation. That is all she can be.”

Ambrose stood slowly, crossing the room to pour himself more brandy.

“You know,” he said, “most men would consider it fortunate. A beautiful woman. Intelligent. Brave enough to follow you into brothels and gaming hells.”

“That is precisely why she cannot be involved further,” Hector cut in.

Ambrose glanced back at him. “Or,” he said, “precisely why she already is.”

Hector’s expression tightened again. “This ends once Evan is found,” he said.

Ambrose gave a quiet laugh. “You say that like you believe life obeys such neat timelines.”

Hector’s gaze hardened. “It must.”

Ambrose softened slightly. “And if it does not?”

That question lingered longer than the others. Hector did not answer.

“You are allowed to want something, you know,” Ambrose said.

Hector’s voice was flat. “I have no use for want.”

“That is not an answer.”