Ryan, his expression serious, lowered his quill, his eyes fixed on Evan. "Enough with the pretense, cousin. Why are you here? What do you want?"
Evan, his face a mask of innocence, returned a wry smile. "Am I no longer welcome in Carleton?"
Ryan remained silent, his expression hardening. Evan's smile faltered, replaced by a pretend hurt. "Have I been cast out of the Blackmore family, just like my mother?"
Ryan's voice was cold. "You know exactly what I mean. Since your mother's passing, you've been a stranger here, you stopped coming to Carleton. You only returned for Father's funeral, and then vanished. It's only natural that I'm suspicious of your sudden reappearance."
Evan's sly grin returned. "Ah, Ryan, the uptight Duke. The man bound by tradition, rules, and regulations. A man who would follow them to his grave." He paused, his gaze turning pitying. "I hear a certain damsel has softened your rigid heart."
