Page 29 of My Beastly Duke

Aaron clenched his fingers into fists at his sides, there was no way that she could have known what was truly going on between them. Yet he could not risk telling her the truth without going into great detail.

“I hope you do not mind?” She asked him more gently after a brief pause.

“Of course, he does not mind. Do you, big brother?” Adam winked in her direction before aiming the question at Aaron.

The grimace of displeasure that spread over her lips before she could hide it gave Aaron a great deal of pleasure as he pulled his chair back to sit.

At least she seems immune to his charms.

“How long will you be staying?” He grunted at Adam before pulling a loaf of bread and cheese closer to his plate.

“As long as the lady of the house wishes me to stay.” Adam shot him another challenging look before sipping his mug of ale.

“Isn’t it a bit early to be drinking?” Aaron shot back, wishing he had forbidden his wife from inviting any of their relatives to stay. The situation of siring an heir was already complicated enough between them without having to deal with Adam.

Licking his lips, Adam took another sip. “You may find that a glass of ale in the mornings loosens you up, something you are sorely in need of, brother.”

“Being too loose can be something of a problem at times. You would know that if you had any real responsibility in life.” Aaron lost his appetite as he dropped a chunk of bread into his plate.

Marina intervened by clearing her throat. “I was thinking that a picnic might be nice this afternoon. The weather is perfect, possibly even for a walk around the estate?” she offered cheerfully.

“Adam is not to be trusted to roam the estates, even with witnesses.” He responded a little too sharply. Even from the corner of his eye, Aaron could tell that Marina winced at his rebuke.

“Come now, Aaron, a picnic is a good idea. It would also be a good opportunity to challenge each other to a good hunt! Or have you lost confidence in your aim after all of these years?”

Aaron’s body suddenly froze as he looked into his brother’s eyes. “I do not think that either of us needs reminding of the last time guns were involved.” His voice dripped to a dangerously low tone.

Adam’s dark eyes clouded over with a look that Aaron could not decipher. There seemed to be something lingering there, whether it was shame, resentment, or even pride, Aaron could not tell.

“Shit!” The deep squawk broke through the awkward silence.

“I thought I said that the bird is to be kept downstairs.” Aaron turned to Marina with an angry frown, listening to the noise coming from the parlor beside the dining room.

Marina opened her mouth to respond, but Adam cut her off.

“Come off of it, Aaron, I was the one who brought the bird upstairs. I went downstairs and found him absolutely fascinating. A gem like that should not be kept hidden from the rest of the world.” His smile broadened as the bird let out a slurry of cusses.”

“Shit! Shit! Bloody bastard!”

“For heaven’s sake, does that bird know anything other than those words?” Aaron rolled his eyes in exasperation.

“Well, he did know a very lovely lullaby before the new baron came to live with us. That might still be in there somewhere.” Marina offered with an apologetic shrug.

Throwing his head back, Adam let out a laugh from deep within his chest, shaking his head when he caught his breath. “Where is your sense of humor, Aaron? I will adopt the bird from Marina if you really want to part ways with it.”

“Marina? I did not realize that you and the duchess were on a first-name basis already.” Aaron glared at him, feeling a strange sensation in the pit of his stomach.

Jealousy?

He quickly shook off the thought and clenched his jaw.

“Well, maybe one of us should be, she is as you said, the new Duchess of Harper.” Adam seemed to be challenging him as he shoveled a bite of kippers into his mouth.

“Maybe I should ki-”

“The scandal sheet that you requested, Sir.” The atmosphere was growing quite tense when a footman suddenly entered the dining room with a tray. He bowed respectfully beside Adam and lowered the tray.

“Splendid, I was looking forward to this.” Adam seemed to forget all about the standoff as he rubbed his hands together, allowing a few loose crumbs to fall back onto his plate.