Taming A Duke's Reckless Heart: Victorian Historical Romance by Tammy Andresen

absence wouldn’t be missed. It was a mess.” Ethan cocked his eyebrows. “Is she still a virgin?”
    “Yes.” Barrett downed the drink and poured another. “Why?”
    “If she isn’t, you’re marrying her.” Ethan stood with his arms crossed on the other side of the desk. Ethan was one of the few men who evenly matched him in a fight. Warily, he turned to his friend. Whatever he was feeling about Piper was none of Ethan’s business
    “Says who?” Barrett straightened. He wouldn’t be intimidated by Ethan.
    “Me. Has she even kissed another man?” Ethan leaned forward.
    “Strictly speaking, yes.” Barrett tossed down his second drink. He knew he was speaking in technicalities, but he needed Ethan to ease up. Between what had just happened with Piper and Ethan’s onslaught, he couldn’t’ think. He didn’t want to be without Piper, but he couldn’t have her either.
    “Strictly speaking? Christ, Barrett, why not just marry her. You’re in love with her.” Ethan threw up his hands.
    “My father has already made arrangements for me. It is my duty— Besides, Penelope would be ruined if I abandon her now. It’s not that I love her, but I’ve known her my entire life. I can’t do that to her.” Barrett glowered at his friend. Didn’t Ethan understand Barrett’s entire life he had been drilled with the knowledge he would marry to better the family? It was his duty. While his mother didn’t like him starting a business, he had done it because it was the best option for the dukedom. He couldn’t make the same argument about Piper. She was not best for the title.
    “Help Penelope make another suitable match.” Ethan shrugged like it would be easy.
    “It isn’t that simple. How would I find another man for her—“
    “You were willing to help Piper find a husband, why not Penelope? She is titled, she can find a husband like Sybil did.”
    “Sybil is a rare case. She didn’t need parental permission, and she has plenty of wealth. Penelope’s family is struggling like mine was. Besides, it is my duty to the title to marry Penelope.” Barrett threw his hands in the air. Ethan just didn’t understand.
    Ethan stepped closer. “You’re making excuses. This notion that as an aristocrat you can only marry another aristocrat is ludicrous.”
    Barrett’s fist slammed down on to his desk. Ethan had crossed the line. “What do you know about any of it?” he yelled.
    “I know you asked a lady to be your mistress. And you’re supposed to be the proper Englishman. Is that what being titled means? You get to treat Piper’s life like it doesn’t matter?” Ethan was yelling now and Barrett’s own anger was about to boil over.
    “How dare you!” Barrett was close to jumping over the desk. Piper meant more to him than anything. How could Ethan say he was treating her like she didn’t matter?
    “Someone has to look out for the girl. It sure as hell isn’t you no matter what her mother said. What is really going to happen if you marry Piper? Will your family cut you off? But you fill the coiffeurs. Will you lose the title? You know you won’t. Will your mother be angry? When was the last time you even saw her?”
    Barrett gave his friend a hard look, but a lump was forming in his chest. Ethan pressed on.
    “I will tell you something else. If you ruin Piper and don’t marry her, our business is over. I won’t stand by and watch you ruin a girl who is already on hard times. Those two women need some men to look out for them. If it isn’t going to be you then it will be me. You will have to find a new partner because I will be out.” Ethan turned on heel and stomped out of the room. Three seconds later Barrett heard his front door slam.
    Barrett sat back down in his chair and poured a third drink. “Bloody bullocks!” he yelled to the room at large. Was Ethan right? Was he just making excuses as to why he couldn’t marry Piper? He had known his entire life he would enter into a loveless