James shifted his weight and crossed his arms, staring intently at Will. “Perhaps the young lady has managed to get under your skin, William.”
Will scoffed and laughed with mock amusement. “That is the most ridiculous thing you have ever said, James.”
The duke raised an apprehensive brow at his younger brother and remained perfectly still.
Will exploded. “Do not glare at me in such a manner! I don’t even know this young woman. Why on earth would she affect me in such a way?”
“Perhaps she—”
Will held up his hand. “No, James.”
His brother was wrong. Whatever he was going to say... it had to be wrong.
James pushed on. “Have you considered the fact that she is permitted to have an opinion of her own? And that her opinion is as valid as yours?”
Will chuckled once more, but his smile faded as he realized the duke was serious. “You cannot be serious, James. Outspoken women are not—”
“Are not what? Desirable as wives?” the duke interrupted, his eyes narrowing slightly.
“That is not what I meant.”
He wasn’t considering her for a wife. That was the last thing on his mind.
“What exactly did you mean, William?”
Will sighed. Frustration filled him to the core and he gritted his teeth. “Father taught us women had a place in this world, and it was not to be outspoken or to disrespect men in any manner.”
“That may be true, but Mother made it perfectly clear that we should stick to our beliefs and our morals.” James said.
Will shook his head. “I respect Father’s teachings. He made me the man I am today.”
“A man who is uncertain of how to handle feeling embarrassed by a young woman?” the duke retorted.
Will’s jaw dropped. “That was rather insulting, even for you, brother.”
“My apologies, brother, but you must admit, it is true. This young woman turned your world around in the blink of an eye, and she continues to have an effect on you. Surely, there must be a reason. Is it not perhaps all the brandy you consumed this afternoon that is causing this momentary lapse of confidence you are feeling?” James asked.
“I am fairly certain all the brandy has left my blood.”
James chuckled in amusement but soon stifled his laughter when Will glared at him angrily.
“You find my pain amusing. What a supportive brother you are,” Will mumbled.
“My sincerest apologies, brother. I did not mean to delight in your misery.” James said.
“Or perhaps I am being foolish, allowing an ignorant young woman to riddle me with self-doubt,” Will answered, his shoulders straightening. “What kind of man would I be if I were to allow that?”
“A chauvinistic one?” came a female voice from behind them.
Will glanced to his left and saw Kitty standing in the doorway, a pout on her lips.
“Did your mother not teach you it is improper to eavesdrop on other people’s conversations?” Will muttered.
“Hold your tongue. You do not speak to my wife in such a manner,” James snapped, defending his new wife.
“There is no need for you both to become hostile,” Kitty answered calmly and turned to her husband. “And while I appreciate your chivalrous behavior, my love, I can understand Will’s frustration.”
“You can?” Will and James inquired simultaneously.
“Indeed,” Kitty answered and slowly approached the two men. “All your lives, you have been taught one thing, and then a young woman comes along who challenges every belief instilled in you. It is only natural to feel threatened—”
“I am not threatened,” Will interjected.
Kitty ignored Will and continued on, “Emma is a very good friend of mine, and she and I are very much alike. Her morals and beliefs are sound, and although she would not yield to yours, she would perhaps understand if you explained that was how you were raised.”
“I think it is best I stay as far away from Emma as possible, not to further impugn myself,” Will muttered and turned away.
“William, you are not a child,” James muttered impatiently.
“Perhaps not, but I wish to distance myself from her and avoid her at all costs.”
The duke and duchess glanced at one another and Kitty cringed. “I do apologize, Will, but I have invited Emma to stay at the estate for a few days. I was under the impression it would not be a problem.”
“And it is not,” the duke assured her and glared at Will. “We are all adults, and we can behave as such, even for a few days.”
“I cannot promise anything,” Will grumbled.
James chuckled and said quietly, “I uttered those same words, William, and look where it has gotten me.”
“Perhaps Will has finally met his match,” Kitty said, glancing briefly at Will and speaking as though he wasn’t even there.
Will’s jaw clenched as he watched the duke and the duchess leave the study, and him alone with his misery.
In all honesty, Will was not miserable. Emma had ruffled his feathers and left him feeling angered.
Kitty’s last words echoed in his mind, but he refused to allow them to seep in any further. Emma was hardly the kind of woman he could stand to be in a room with, and Kitty’s insinuation was entirely wrong.
He was tempted to confront Emma once more, to prove that she would not affect him a second time, but as he heard cheerful laughter come from the window, he glanced down at the garden.
The guests still happily conversed, laughing with amusement and Will groaned. He did not wish to make a scene in front of everyone.
Despite his validated feelings of anger, it was neither the time nor the place to confront Emma. Will might be impulsive, with a fiery temperament when provoked, but he was certainly not selfish enough to ruin his brother’s wedding day.
He remained in the study for a while, before retreating to the neighboring estate—Falmouth Manor—to visit a good friend, Mr. Carson Wallace.
Will had known Carson since they were young children, as he was often found playing in the garden with