Theo was once again on a horse, in the English rain. He didn’t mind it so much this time. It was amazing how quickly one adjusted to the weather.

Tricia and Violette were in the carriage while he and Luke rode just ahead. It was only a half day’s ride to where the accident had occurred.

He’d penned a note to Rex, asking him to join them. His friend was due to arrive at Rosewood Manor in the next few days. Better that he just travel to Yorkshire. Somehow, seeing his friend would remind him why he had concocted this plan in the first place. Because, if he were honest, his love of travel was being slowly replaced with his desire for Violette.

Another wagon trailed behind the women, full of supplies. Blankets, food, and medical necessities, in addition to two doctors from the surrounding areas. It had made him half mad to wait a day before he left, but it was worth it to properly help these men.

The rain made the ride a quiet one with barely a traveler in sight. As they arrived at Derbytown, the coastal village, the difference was amazing. Despite the weather, people hustled about. It may as well have been a sunny summer day rather than a dreary fall one.

Almost immediately an older gentleman approached them. “Your Grace?” At Theo’s nod, the man gave him a relieved smile. “Thank you for coming. I’m Captain Walter Reginal.”

Theo stepped down from his horse. “Pleased to meet you.” Theo reached for his hand. “How can we be of assistance?”

Mr. Reginal winced. “We’ve set up a makeshift infirmary in the dance hall. We’ve only had a few casualties but we’ve several injured men who could use care. For your part, the ships were not loaded with goods, so there wasn’t much loss. But we need more answers in terms of what happened. And if it was one of our ships that caused the fire, the other owners may require an explanation. All told, Your Grace, three of your ships are not operational.”

Theo held back a growl of frustration attempting to remain impassive. “And how many ships damaged total?”

“Seven, Your Grace.” Reginal said. “Two belong to the Earl of Casterly and the others to a local shipping company.”

He’d ruined two of Rex’s ships? Blast, what was Rex going to think about that? “And we believe the fire started on one of my ships? Which one?”

“The Clarita was one of the first ships to be on fire. Honestly, I am not sure if it’s where the fire began or not. No one can seem to recall if was your ship or Mr. Gregory’s where flames were first spotted. What we do know is that the fire had no more begun and the boiler exploded.”

Theo turned to Luke. “How many of the ships have boilers?”

“Just a few.” Luke ran his hand through his hair. “I was testing them on two of your ships and two of mine to see if they increased shipping speed and productivity.”

“Thank you for the report, Captain.” Theo first needed to find out if the boiler had started the fire or exploded as a result of it. He’d need to remove the other boiler if it had. Then, if his ship was to blame he’d have to make reparations to the other owners, Rex especially. “We’ll see what we can discover.”

The rain had slowed and Violette and Tricia stepped out of the carriage. “Captain,” Tricia called. “Where can we find the injured?”

The Captain pointed up the hill. “In the dance hall, right in the center of town. You can’t miss it.” He gave the ladies an affectionate smile but his eyes lingered on Violette. Theo held in a grunt of protest. Violette was his. He didn’t want other men looking at his woman.

“Thank you,” Tricia called.

The Captain’s eyes were still on Violette when he replied, “But I can escort you ladies, if you’d like.”

“No need,” Theo rumbled. “I’ll escort them myself.”

Captain Reginal gave Violette a final look before he turned and headed back toward the docks. Theo took a cleansing breath. Violette was beautiful. He’d have to get used to men looking at her. That nearly made him growl out loud. With startling clarity he realized that the captain had been completely obvious with him standing just steps away. What would men be like with a beautiful duchess whose husband was halfway around the world?

Violette had come to stand next to him, and without thought, he placed his hand on her back, pulling her close. Her wide eyes looked up at him in surprise. Rather than deter him, he only pulled her closer.

Luke cleared his throat. “Shall we?”

Ryker tucked Tricia’s hand in his arm and the group started up the hill.

They found the dance hall easily and Tricia stepped forward to speak with the women already tending the wounded.

Violette moved to join her, but Theo held her fast. To let her go was to allow her to be without him in a room full of men. Hells bells, he should have purchased a ring for her. Some symbol to show she was no longer eligible.

That thought calmed some of the jealousy that was coursing through him. Perhaps he’d feel better if she were wearing a symbol of their relationship. With that thought in mind, he released her waist.

“I will be back to escort you to the inn,” he said as he leaned down and whispered in her ear. “Take care today.”

“I’ll be fine, I’m sure.” One eyebrow rose as she assessed him. “I’ll see you this evening.”

With a final goodbye he turned, but it took a great deal of effort to leave her side. Far more than made him comfortable.

He wanted to return to the hall. He wanted to follow behind her like her favorite dog and make sure no one touched her, no one looked at her. What was happening to him?

“You’ve formally offered for Violette?” Luke asked, walking next to him.

“Yes,” he answered, though he didn’t really want to discuss it. His reasons were…complicated.

Luke nodded. “I’m glad you’ve changed your mind about marriage. You’ll find it far more fulfilling than you imagined.”

“I’m certain it will fulfill me in every way I wish.” Theo bit back.

Luke paused. “What exactly does that mean?”

Theo stopped, then looked at Luke. He owed his brother-in-law a great deal, but he wasn’t sure an explanation about this matter was one of them. “Violette is well-suited to be my duchess.”

Luke gave him a queer look, his face scrunching. “This isn’t a love match?”

Love? Hardly. Attraction, yes. Common need, certainly.

“Bloody hell,” Ryker rumbled behind him. He had to be honest, it took him by surprise. Ryker was one of the most even-tempered men he’d ever met. “You want her because she has experience handling an earldom. You’re marrying a solicitor.”

“What?” Luke’s voice dropped menacingly low. “That can’t be your only reason.”

Theo straightened his shoulders. “She benefits too. I’ll care for her mother, her sister. Help her brother with his earldom. And, she becomes a duchess. It is an ideal match for her.”

“Ideal?” Luke’s vice had risen. “Are you completely daft or just partially so?”

Ryker had moved closer and he put his hand on Luke’s shoulder. “Have you considered how she will feel when situations like this arise and you are not there? Will she travel in your stead? What if she is with child, like Tabbie is now or Tricia was a year ago? You plan to travel no doubt? Will you leave her to birth alone? While managing a dukedom?”

Luke moved closer. “I too saw the look the captain gave her.” His eyes narrowed. “What will happen when you’re not here to protect her? I was a rake, don’t forget. There was many a lonely woman whose husband had ceased to give her the love and attention she deserved. I was more than happy to slip into her room and fulfill her needs—”

Theo stopped Luke’s words with his fist. The picture he painted was all too real. One of a beautiful Violette in bed with nothing on but a negligée while welcoming a man who wasn’t him. He saw the blood spurt from Luke’s nose a second before pain exploded in his jaw.

He didn’t stop to process his jealousy. Instead, he swung at Luke again. Hitting was a bloody good way to relieve the tension that had built inside him. He didn’t want to think about what his jealousy meant.

He missed, Luke ducking his punch when Luke’s fist caught him in the midriff. With a grunt, Theo doubled over but he used his lowered position to place an uppercut straight into Luke’s jaw. He heard the other man’s teeth snap together. Luke stumbled back but caught himself and reversed direction barreling toward him. Theo braced, but Luke’s impact sent them both stumbling to the ground.

They tussled around for a bit landing several more punches before they both grew tired and lay panting in the wet grass.

“Are you two done?” Ryker crossed his arms looking down at them.

“No.” Theo ground out. “Just catching my breath.”

“Has it occurred to you,” Luke said between breaths, “that you hit me because it angers you to think of another man touching her?”

“Of course that bloody occurred to me,” he bit back.

“Your jealousy is proof this isn’t just a marriage of convenience. You’re fooling yourself.” Luke shot him a glare as he lay on the ground.

Theo glared back. “I am attracted to her. There is no point in denying it.”

“Are you normally this jealous of women you’re attracted to?” Ryker asked.

No. “Well, I am marrying her. It makes sense my feelings would be different. And she’s innocent and in need. I want to protect her.”

Both Ryker’s eyebrows went up. “And how will you do that half a world away?”

“My title, my…” He stopped talking. He saw their point.

Luke rolled toward him. “It’s time for you to grow up, Teddy. You’re four and twenty. You can’t continue to put only half of yourself into this life. A man takes on all his responsibility. And that includes his wife. I don’t want to leave Tabbie even for a day. What if something happens to her or the baby? They are mine to care for. If you marry Violette, you are making a promise to do the same.”

Theo winced. He hoped Rex arrived soon. Because Luke and Ryker made a lot of sense. No he didn’t want to lose money, or his sense of self-worth, his chance to prove to his family he hadn’t been wasting time. Right now, however, those reasons paled in comparison to visions of Violette. Rex needed a reminder of why returning to Barbados was so bloody important.