Page 30 of How to Capture a Duke

“Is that so hard to believe?”

She smiled at that. “You were wonderful with my niece.”

Her green gaze was focused too intently on his face for his comfort. He needed to dissuade her of the notion that he wanted children or that they would ever have them.

“It’s one thing to like someone else’s child, but do not think, for a single moment, that we will be having any of our own.”

She blinked at the harshness of his tone then turned and walked away.

He should be satisfied. He’d made his point, hadn’t he?

Then why did he feel like a cad?

…

“He does not want children.” A heavy feeling settled in Olivia’s stomach as she sat beside her sister on a sofa in the drawing room. The men had retired to the study to drink port and smoke cigars. Her young niece had fallen asleep, and Grace was watching her in one of the spare bedrooms.

Ellie looked at her pointedly. “That’s ludicrous. All titled men require an heir.”

Olivia was still surprised at finding Tristan with her niece. He’d had an easy manner with Catherine and had even gifted her a toy. His disposition had quickly changed, however, once Catherine had left with her mother and Olivia was alone with him.

She couldn’t help but wonder how he was currently faring with the men.

“Don’t worry,” Ellie read her sister’s mind. “I told Hugh not to ask the duke questions, and Ian is grateful for his treatment of Catherine. I don’t think either will make His Grace uncomfortable.”

At Olivia’s silence, she touched her arm. “I saw the way the duke looked at you.”

“Oh? How was that?”

“The same way Lord Vere looked at me when we met.”

Olivia gave her sister a pointed look. “You’re wrong. The duke does not even like me.”

“To the contrary, I think he does like you. Very much. He just needs to come to realize it.”

She sighed heavily, her voice filled with frustration. “What on earth does that mean? He never wanted to marry me.”

“Do not forget that Hugh and I did not start off as star-crossed lovers,” Ellie said. “I was convinced all he wanted was to win the Raven Club from me, and I distrusted him.”

Olivia knew about their past. Her brother, Ian, had sought to hold a competition over the gambling club. For one month, Ellie and Hugh were in a fierce competition to prove whose efforts would produce a higher profit for the casino. The outcome was unexpected when they ended up falling in love. In essence, both had won the club.

“When did you realize Lord Vere was the man for you?” Olivia asked.

Her sister’s glance was bemused. “It took time. We weren’t the perfect match.”

“But Lord Vere adores you!”

“Now he does. But it wasn’t always so. You must give your duke a chance.”

Olivia gave an unladylike snort. “He does not want me.”

“Whatever the reasons behind your union, you are married.” Ellie lowered her voice and leaned close. “I think you need to seduce your husband.”

Olivia stared in shock. “What?”

“You’ve never backed away from a challenge, Olivia. I’ve never liked your fascination with fast horses after Matthew was killed.”

“Perhaps it’s my way to keep our brother’s memory alive.” Matthew’s death had had a profound effect on her. Olivia had only been a child, but she’d idolized her older brother.