My Duke's Seduction (Wicked Lords of London 1)

He could almost have laughed, if it were at all appropriate. He f

ound Tabbie’s demands for answers rather endearing actually, they reminded him of Tricia and her unfailing desire to put herself out for her family members. “Tricia said you were the more tenacious of the two of you. I suppose I didn’t believe her but it stands to reason I should have. Though she is troublesome, she doesn’t seem to be prone to exaggeration.”

“Troublesome?” the countess repeated, her voice rising. “I suggest you start explaining.”

“Tabbie,” Sussex’s gentle voice soothed his wife. “I’m sure His Grace has a perfectly good explanation.”

Tabbie turned to her husband and Ryker watched as they exchanged a look that spoke more than any he had ever witnessed. Love, trust, understanding passed between the couple as Luke reached for her gloved hand, grasping it in his own. “I’ve worked alongside His Grace for years and have always known him to be a man of honor. He is far more trustworthy than I ever was.”

Tabbie cleared her throat. “I apologize if I implied you were not trustworthy, Your Grace. But it has been a trying time for my family and I am worried about my sister.”

“As well you should—” he started but a hand at his arm stopped him.

“Ryker?” Tricia’s voice sent a tingle of excitement racing down his spine. He turned to see her standing next to him, her hand resting on his arm. Another young woman stood just behind her, her face etched in surprise. He could only assume this was her companion. Without thought, he tucked Tricia’s gloved fingers into his elbow.

“What are you doing here?” she asked.

He quirked an eyebrow then. “I might ask you the same.”

She leaned in, her voice dropping to a whisper. “You’re speaking with my sister.”

“I’m aware,” he whispered back. “I mistook her for you.”

“Oh.” Her eyes grew positively huge in her face and he wanted to laugh again. Something about her forthright emotions brought out a joy in him he hadn’t experienced in years. Not since the death of his father and his debauched attempt to court Lady Amelia Hart. He reined himself back in. Emotion had little to do with why he wished to court her. At least, he told himself that. Emotion was how he’d gotten hurt all those years ago.

“Tricia,” her sister’s voice bit into the moment, and Ryker glanced up to assess Tabbie again. She was indeed bolder than his rather more demure, Tricia. Not that Tricia lacked for bravery, he knew that wasn’t true. Tricia was the healer in her family, he could see that now. She put the needs of others before her own. It was a trait he found himself appreciating more the longer he knew her.

“Yes?” Tricia replied innocently, and Ryker had to bite back another smile. Tabbie was demanding answers no one seemed willing to give.

“I want to know—” Tabbie started.

“Oh for heaven’s sake, not here.” Tricia leaned toward her sister. “Get your pasties and then we will return to your townhouse.”

“But we were on our way to Mother and Father’s.” Tabbie seemed momentarily stunned.

Tricia took an audible breath. “If you could just give me a few minutes to explain, then we can go.” She reached for her sister’s hand, giving it a squeeze. Ryker could see her softening for her sister. He couldn’t help but note her kindness yet again. “I can only assume you’d prefer answers now and I left early this morning, despite being up rather late, to give them to you in the privacy of your home. If you want to go to see Father now, I’ll understand. But you’ll have to wait until we can be alone again for me to explain.”

Sussex gave an understanding smile. “I’ve learned, darling, to always listen to a Riley lady when she requests an audience.”

Ryker felt his own eyebrows rising. Had Luke been as powerless to resist Tabbie as he seemed to be with Tricia?

With a curt nod, Tabbie stepped up to the counter and ordered a variety of pasties. Then turning back, she huffed. “I was going to bring them with me.”

“You still can. We’ll be quick.” She squeezed her sister’s hand again.

“We?” Tabbie quirked a brow, looking to the woman who had accompanied Tricia. “You mean you and Miss Walters?”

Tricia turned back to look at the woman just behind her. He had been right and the woman with her was her companion, Miss Walters. “Of course I didn’t.” Tricia looked up to him then. Some feeling rumbled deep in his gut. He wanted to kiss her, he wanted to claim her as his own. Reminding himself that this was a potential business transaction like any other, he tried to push the feeling away. “Though you don’t have to come if you don’t want. Can you give me the name of the sanitarium? I’ve yet to receive your missive.”

“Sanitarium?” Tabbie croaked.

But Luke was smiling again and he leaned over to Ryker. “They do get themselves into a bit of trouble. But it’s completely worth it. Marriage has never been more entertaining.”

Ryker’s eyebrows rose again. How had Luke known he was considering marriage?

* * *

Tricia walked next to Ryker, his presence having the same effect on her that it always did. It was soothing her, calming her all the while filling her with a fluttering of nerves that made her itch to touch him.