Page 152 of The Dueling Duchess

“Yes, I think I would like an apology.”

Curtis snorted “Fine. But if you think I’m going to admit to being culpable to anything legally actionable and sign this extortionate agreement of yours, you’re sorely mistaken.”

Guy turned to Elliot. “That didn’t sound like an apology to me.”

“No, me either,” Elliot said.

“It most certainly did not,” Sin agreed.

Curtis made a noise of frustrated rage and turned to Cecile. “I’m sorry about everything that happened.”

Guy cleared his throat.

Curtis heaved a sigh. “I’m sorry about everything I did to you.”

As apologies went, it was pathetic, and his hostile expression belied the truth of his words.

Guy turned to her. “Is that good enough? Or would you like him on his knees?” Elliot and Sin stepped closer to Curtis at Guy’s words.

Cecile couldn’t hold back her smile. “That is tempting, but the less time I have to look at him, the better.”

“You’ve got a good point,” Guy said. The other two men nodded.

“If it’s any consolation to you,” Curtis spat, “you’ve all but destroyed my standing and reputation at my club with this afternoon’s stunt. I shall probably be asked to leave.”

Cecile shrugged and said, “That is actually of some consolation. Of course, if you don’t wish to go through with our agreement, we can always meet tomorrow morning.” She glanced at Elliot. “It’s not too late, is it?”

“Not too late at all,” Elliot said. “All Blanchard needs to do is give me the name of his second and the two of you can be standing at fifty paces in a matter of hours.”

Curtis scowled. “I said I’d sign the agreement—now where the devil is it?”

Elliot smirked and even the duke cracked a faint smile.

Guy pointed to the desk, where the agreement was laid out. “Now sign and then get the hell out.”

Elliot offered Cecile his arm. “Shall we leave them to it?”

Cecile nodded, smiled, and set her hand on his sleeve.

They’d agreed earlier that she didn’t need to stay and witness the formalities, that Guy and Sin would make sure Curtis did everything he was supposed to do.

Cecile was almost at the door when Curtis’s voice stopped her. “Cecile.”

She stopped but didn’t look back. “What?”

“I really did love you, you know.”

Cecile left without a word.

* * *

Cecile was lounging in the bath she’d found waiting for her, when the door to her chambers opened and Guy strolled in.

He grinned when he saw her. “Ah, I was hoping you’d still be reclining in your half shell.”

She snorted at the reference. “Thank you for thinking of this.”

“I thought you might need a soak after the day you had.” His eyes moved over her in a way that made every nerve in her body snap to attention.