Chapter 14 #3
“’Tis true,” Briarwood purred. “But it has been so long since I frequented this establishment that I could not stay away another minute. As of late, I have heard tremendous things about the Obsidian Card, and want to try playing my games here, perhaps twice a week or more. Of course, I’d heard whispers that you frequented this place.
And well, I suppose I had to see for myself if the rumors were true.
” He paused and licked his upper lip. “I must confess that now that I have seen you here with my own two eyes, I am confounded still. How can a man who has just married such a beautiful wife play cards and drink spirits almost every night when his Duchess sits at home waiting for him?”
Adrian’s jaw clenched. There was no way he could simply banish this man. It looked like somebody must be set straight. He sat on the chair across from Briarwood.
Because he had been so focused on escaping Daphne, he did not realize that it could seem like this—that there were cracks in their marriage, when admittedly there were.
He almost agreed with Briarwood in his head.
Why would he, indeed, stay away from such a beautiful, well-mannered wife whose moans could still manage to raise the hair on his arms?
“My wife is not your concern, Briarwood. I believe we were clear about that.”
“But she is, Your Grace. I’ve followed her around for longer than you ever did.
It is curious that in a matter of days, you persuaded her to marry you,” Briarwood said, his cunning eyes observing Adrian closely.
His smile widened to show all his teeth.
“What a delicate thing. I heard you defended her against Salthouse—but then later, instead of spending time with her, your friend Amberwell turned up at your house to visit the Duchess. It seems that you are not taking care of her well enough that you must rely on others who are more capable to tend to her needs for you.”
Adrian felt a chill at his words. He did not know if he should be angry or afraid, or both.
Briarwood was a pernicious man. Daphne’s family was right to think that he would never stop because he would not.
He was a man obsessed and now, he was showing his cards.
He had been listening to every word that was said about Daphne.
He had men skulking about the townhouse, watching the entryway, and reporting back the comings and goings.
“I am not surprised you heard about Salthouse,” Adrian said calmly. “I wanted everyone to know that nobody could talk about the Duchess the way he did.”
“Oh, was he merely telling the truth?” Briarwood said lightly, his face taking on a mock-friendly expression.
“The Duchess is blameless. She is lovely, as you may know, given your obsession. When I told her how she had captured my attention and won over my heart, she reciprocated the feeling. There was no need to wait when we already knew what we were feeling.”
“Good for you, then,” Briarwood commented, the underlying malicious current remaining there, ever present.
The man knew how to talk to his enemies for sure.
Adrian had to hold on to his temper. “I have merely considered her a true prize, beautiful and unsullied in a world of corruption. It is unfortunate that she should be chained to a man who can only offer her darkness and neglect.”
Adrian wanted to protest. He wanted to fight. However, the more he said about the matter, the more advantage he would give Briarwood. The Earl would know how much Daphne made him lose control.
“Ah, I thought so,” Briarwood murmured. He took a swig of his glass before rising from his chair.
His gaze lingered on the Duke knowingly.
“She is at home, yet you are here. You know not what a treasure you bought when you secured Lady Daphne’s hand.
” He smoothed down the creases in his waistcoat.
“Ensure you protect her well, Your Grace. Perhaps you will find that people can be worth more than gold or a silly night spent in a hole like this place.”
Briarwood gave him one final, mocking bow before leaving the gaming hell.
Adrian waited for a few more minutes, finishing his drink before he sauntered toward the private office.
There, he sat on his chair, letting the whole interaction with Briarwood sink it.
He was still shaken, but he would be damned and dead if he would admit that to the Earl.
It seemed that his rival had discovered that he had a weakness.
“Kettering,” Adrian began.
“Your Grace?”
“Briarwood knows,” the Duke declared, feeling surprisingly empty.
“He knows more than he should. He may even know everything. He suspects I own the Obsidian Card. But more importantly, you are right. I should not have shown too much of my feelings over the Duchess. He knows now that she is my weakness. Briarwood is less interested in my gambling hells than in Daphne.”
“I’ll be seein’ to wot Briarwood knows, Your Grace,” Kettering promised solemnly.
“He is coming for Daphne,” Adrian repeated, as he stared out of the dingy window into the empty alley outside.