She held her breath.
If Carcel was going… if he was going to be drinking and gambling… then he wasn't thinking about her.
Rowan paused. He looked at her. He saw the tension in her shoulders, even though she tried to hide it.
He shook his head.
"No," Rowan said. "I sent a note to ask him earlier. I thought he might want a distraction."
Ines's heart gave a painful thump. A distraction from what? From me?
"But he refused," Rowan continued, placing his hat on his head. "He said he had some paperwork to handle regarding the estate. Shipping manifests, tenant disputes… the usual boring business of a Duke."
Rowan adjusted his cuffs. "So, he is not going to come. He is at his manor."
He smiled, a fond, knowing look in his eyes. "Besides, you know Carcel. He doesn't really like the club. He finds the gossip tedious. He prefers his solitude."
Solitude.
Ines felt a rush of warmth. He wasn't out drinking. He wasn't laughing with friends.
He was alone. Just like her.
