I’m a decade her senior. I was a friend of her father, and I’m sure she looks upon me like a benevolent uncle. Even if she didn’t, I promised Charles I wouldn’t lay a hand on her.” The Earl of Marsden had been one of his dearest friends-practically his only friend. A promise to such a friend should not be easily broken.
Archer jerked back, disbelief coloring his angular features. “Why the hell did you do that?”
Grey shrugged. “He asked it of me.”
Shaking his head, Archer exhaled a breath. “You never told me that before.”
“I suppose I was ashamed.” And hurt, even though he understood his friend only made the request to protect his only child from a man whose sexual conquests had resulted in his being marked for like. Were the situation reversed, Grey might have very well demanded the same promise. And despite being a libertine, he was a man of his word.
Archer stared at him for a long moment, elbow braced on the table, chin resting on his thumb as his index finger stroked his stubbled upper lip. “Devil take it, Grey. Charles Danvers was one cruel bugger.”
A bitter smile curved Grey’s lips at the insult to his late friend. “Quite.

Autor: Kathryn Smith