Page 49 of How to Capture a Duke

Again.

She’d seen the longing in Tristan’s gaze last night. He desired her, wanted her, but his stubbornness outweighed everything else. She’d even tried to tempt him into spending the night with her by asking him to help her with her gown, and his rejection still stung. Was this her future? To eat alone? Sleep alone?

She was never one to feel sorry for herself, and she wouldn’t start now. At least she had a busy day planned, and she would force herself not to think of her husband.

The coffee helped her headache. She finished her meal and went looking for Gordon. “I’m expecting a visitor. When Lady Ware arrives, please see her to the drawing room. No need to disturb the duke.”

Gordon nodded. “Of course.”

An hour later, Lady Ware arrived, and Olivia was ready. She rose to greet the other woman. “Thank you for visiting.”

Lady Ware smiled and folded her hands before her. She was dressed in a lovely pale-yellow morning gown. “It is I who thank you. I’ve never dreamed I’d be invited to Keswick Hall.”

Olivia rang for tea. When the tea things arrived, she poured a cup for Lady Ware and offered it to her. “How did you fare last night in the ladies’ gambling room?”

A shadow crossed Lady Ware’s face, and she lowered her teacup. “Not as well as I’d hoped.”

“Ah, was it at the roulette wheel?”

The lady’s gaze lowered to her tea. “No, hazard.”

“I see. I did tell you my family owns the Raven.”

“You did,” Lady Ware agreed. “I was quite shocked to hear of it.”

“You are a friend. I’ve helped others with their debts.”

She looked at Olivia expectantly. “You have?”

“Everyone has bad luck once in a while.”

The lady worried her bottom lip. “Yes, yes. They do. Luck was not with me last night.”

“I’d like to help.”

“How?”

“I’ll ask my brother to forgive the debt. It’s that simple.” It wasn’t Ian whom she’d ask but her sister.

Lady Ware looked so relieved, tears formed in her eyes. “I’ll be forever indebted to you.”

“Nonsense. That’s what friends are for.”

Lady Ware set her teacup on the end table and scooted forward on the settee to take Olivia’s hand. “If there is anything I can do for you, not that I have much influence, but if I can manage it, all you need to do is ask.”

The corners of Olivia’s lips curled in a smile. “There is one thing.”

…

Tristan was in a foul mood when he returned to Keswick Hall several hours later. He’d stopped at a tavern before returning home. His visit with Spencer had served to sour his disposition, and he’d hoped a meal and a tankard of ale would help, but it hadn’t. He wanted nothing more than to shut himself inside his study and read a book.

It was not to be.

Antonia swept into Tristan’s study with the force of a summer gale. “Tell me you have come to your senses and reconciled with your wife.”

She would never change. Stubborn. Demanding. Inquisitive. She’d stood by his side when his own mother had been ashamed of him and shunned him. Antonia stood straight in the doorway, not making a pretense of leaning on the cane clutched in her right hand.

“Hello, Grandmother. I thought you would be immersed in the Season and would have many soirees to attend. Isn’t that why you returned to town?”