The Duke I'm Going to Marry(33)

He shook his head again. “Mother of my...? Is that the gossip? That I’m Felicity’s father.” He let out a deep, groaning laugh. “That’s rich.”

“You’re not?” Dillie’s heart leaped into her throat. “Why would your mother spread such a cruel rumor about you?”

He shrugged. “Don’t know. Don’t care.”

“Of course you care. Anyone would care.” Unbidden, she repeated what his mother had told her. She watched his expression, but it remained unreadable. His mother had maliciously distorted the truth in order to damage his reputation. Not that Ian had much of a reputation to protect. Still, he wasn’t the beast his mother made him out to be.

“At first, I didn’t know what to believe. That’s why I went in search of you. Pruitt believes you’re an honest man.”

“Your butler?” He shrugged again. “High praise indeed.”

“It is. He’s never wrong. That’s why I had to seek you out. I know you’ll tell me the truth.” Her hand was still resting lightly on his arm. She felt another twitch of his muscle beneath her palm. She could feel the tension flow through him like the angry flow of molten lava. “Will you talk to me?”

“No.” He returned his gaze to the stars.

“Please look at me. Please, Ian.”

“No. You shouldn’t be out here. People will make something of it. Your reputation will be in tatters. You don’t want to be caught on the terrace with a murderer, do you?”

She wanted to pummel him for his obstinacy. “I’m not out here with a murderer. I’m gazing at the stars with you.”

He surprised her with a sudden, harsh laugh. “So, you think you know me?”

“Actually, not at all. And I don’t wish to know you, because I may end up liking you more than is safe for me. Though you’re doing your best to make yourself unlikeable right now.”

“It’s what I seem to do best.”

“It’s the way you defend yourself from pain. I understand that now, for after a few moments with your mother, my head is aching and my entire body feels numb.”

Though he said nothing, she felt the slightest easing of his tension. She took it as a small sign of encouragement and continued. “I don’t believe the rumors, and I don’t understand why you’re allowing them to circulate. You’re a fighter, not a coward. Why aren’t you defending yourself?”

“Because it’s pointless to do so. And I don’t really care what anyone thinks of me.” He turned to her once more, staring down at her as he crossed his arms over his chest. “At least those marriage-minded mamas will turn their attention elsewhere. Not even the most desperate ones will encourage their daughters to marry a heartless killer.”

She shook her head and sighed. “You know as well as I do that nothing, not even the hint of murder, will stop them. You’re a rich duke, too good a catch to slow down their chase even for a day.” She crossed her arms over her chest, mimicking his stance. “I know you didn’t hurt anyone. I know you wouldn’t ever harm an innocent. That’s why I came to find you. I thought it important to let you know that you have friends. You don’t have to fight every battle on your own.”

“Consider the news delivered. Now go back inside and leave me alone.”

“What you need,” she said with a deflated grumble, “is a swift kick to your backside. However, what you need more is someone to put their arms around you, to hug you fiercely and let you know that they believe you. That they believe in you.”

“You’re not that person, Dillie.”

The comment hurt, but she refused to let it show. “Perhaps not, but you’d better allow someone good into your life or you’ll become just like your mother. Cold and bitter.”

Oh, I’ve really crossed the line this time.

He moved close enough to take her by the arms and shake her soundly. Surprisingly, he didn’t. His own arms remained folded over his chest, which only accentuated his broad shoulders.

“Go away, Dillie.” His arms were like a closed gate through which no one would be allowed to pass.

Would Ian ever allow anyone in?


***

Ian was so hungry for Dillie he wanted to devour her. She wasn’t a typical ton beauty, tall, blonde, and elegant with boring conversation and a calculating heart. She was a soft-hearted little snoop with big blue eyes that set his heart pounding whenever she glanced at him. She had a body that made him ache to hold her, and dark, silky hair he yearned to slip through his fingers.

He didn’t want to think about that soft, kissable mouth of hers.