Page 51 of How to Capture a Duke

“I do not know. From what I can tell, most don’t. He was the bill’s most staunch opponent.”

Tristan listened to the rest of the arguments, but his gaze kept returning to Lord Ware. The man appeared calm, as if his change of mind hadn’t caused havoc or made a bit of difference. Tristan was determined to find out the man’s reasoning.

In contrast, Dumfries appeared agitated, his face flushed, his gaze darting back and forth between Lord Ware and the other members of the house. Tristan experienced a thrill at the man’s distress.

Clearly, Dumfries hadn’t been forewarned. But how did this happen? The two men were political allies and staunch opponents of the Soldiers Bill. How could Ware not tell Dumfries that he had changed his vote?

After the business of the day was concluded and all amendments to the bill discussed, Tristan headed straight for Lord Ware as he made his way through the Prince’s Chamber.

A hand landed on his arm.

Tristian turned to face Dumfries. Reacting instinctually, his arm tensed and his gaze narrowed.

Dumfries released his grip at once.

Memories of Eton came flooding back. They were never far away when Dumfries was in the room. Years had helped, but the hatred for the man would never fully fade.

The man’s lips twisted in what could only be described as an arrogant sneer. “I never thought you would stoop as low as to use your wife, Keswick.”

“What are you talking about?” Tristan snapped.

Dumfries stared at him for a heartbeat. “You don’t know? Your wife has befriended Lady Ware. Women can be quite persuasive when they set their minds to task.”

Tristan wouldn’t have been more surprised than if Dumfries admitted it had been his letters that had influenced Lord Ware’s opinion.

“What I want to know,” Dumfries said, his expression mocking, “is what your wife used to influence Lord Ware to change his vote?”

So did Tristan. His mind churned as he contemplated this unexpected turn of events.

When had Olivia met Lady Ware? Had they known each other from the past? It was possible. He recalled that Lady Ware was younger than her husband and closer in age to Olivia. But if Lady Ware had recently been in his home or Olivia had visited Lady Ware’s residence, wouldn’t he have known about it? But most surprising of all, learning of Olivia’s actions did not diminish his thrill of victory. Especially over Dumfries.

Tristan schooled his expression to remain impassive and met his enemy’s glower. “How my wife succeeded is of no consequence. You lost, Dumfries, and your bitterness matches your disposition. Go lick your wounds in private.”

In the meantime, Tristan needed to keep better track of his wife.

…

Laugher tinkled from Keswick Hall’s gardens. Tristan made his way to the garden gate and halted at the scene before him.

Five-year-old Catherine and a boy who appeared about a year younger than the girl were playing hoops on the lawn. Olivia was with them, using a short stick to drive her own hoop forward. Along with the two children, she was enjoying the games and laughing in pure delight.

Carefree and lovely, he’d never seen a lady behave so uninhibitedly. He was still reeling from Lord Dumfries’s admission that Lord Ware supported the Soldiers Bill because of Olivia, somehow. For as long as Tristan lived, he’d never forget the look of furious defeat on Dumfries’s face.

His wife had thought to do that for him?

After all that had transpired between them, he was surprised she would have bothered or cared. He knew his fault was a lack of trust. He’d rarely trusted anyone, other than his grandmother, in a long, long time.

He hadn’t treated Olivia fairly. Yet she’d still aided him and helped with a cause that meant much to him. He was beginning to see her differently. Oh, he’d known she was different from all the other ladies of the ton the moment she’d stepped into his Rosehill stables. She’d been reckless, defiant, and determined in her attempts to ride Atlas. Other men would view these traits unwanted in a wife, but life’s circumstances had changed him, and now he found these qualities desirable. Now she’d gone out of her way to do something special.

For him.

The children shrieked in pleasure as they used their own sticks to keep their hoops rolling across the lawn. They pumped their short legs to keep up with Olivia. The boy’s hoop careened into Olivia’s, and together, they crashed to the ground. More laughter ensued.

The little boy sprang to his feet then proceeded to jump up and down. “Again!”

Olivia clutched her chest in mock exhaustion. “Enough. I must catch my breath.”

Tristan’s feet moved of their own volition, and the garden gate screeched as it closed behind him. Three pairs of eyes turned to him.