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Gareth shrugged again “It’s a woative”

“To change her mind?” The baron’s lips for “You had better hope she’s a bit more steadfast than that”

Gareth gave hily, he still felt in control Or at the very least, like the adult he liked to think that he was He felt no childish desire to lash out, or to say so hi to iravate him But now…finally…all he wanted was to be rid of him

He didn’t quite feel the nothing he had wished for, but it was damned close

Maybe, just maybe, it was because he’d finally found someone else to fill the void

“You certainly didn’t waste any time with her,” the baron said, his voice snide

“A gentleman must marry,” Gareth said It wasn’t exactly the statement he wished to say in front of Hyacinth, but it was far more important to keep up the ruse with his father than it was to feed whatever need she ht feel for romantic speech

“Yes,” the baron entleman must”

Gareth’s skin began to prickle He knehat his father was hinting at, and even though he’d already compromised Hyacinth, he’d rather she didn’t learn the truth of his birth until after the wedding It would simply be easier that way, and maybe…

Well, maybe she’d never learn the truth at all It seemed unlikely, between his father’s venos had happened

He needed to leave Now “I have to go,” he said brusquely

The baron’s mouth curved into an unpleasant sly “You’ll need to tidy yourself up before you go off to lick Miss Bridgerton’s feet tomorrow”

Gareth spoke between his teeth “Get out of my way”

But the baron wasn’t done “What I wonder is…how did you get her to say yes?”

A red haze began to wash over Gareth’s eyes “I said—”