Adrian stood before the imposing facade of Winterbourne Hall, his hand clenched into a fist. After three days of drinking himself into oblivion in London, he'd finally found the anger he needed to face Rain. The Duchess of Winterbourne had orchestrated this entire disaster, and he intended to tell her exactly what he thought of her matchmaking schemes.

The autumn breeze carried the sweet scent of Rain's, and memories of another garden, another afternoon, hit him with brutal force. Olivia, standing in Rain's garden in the Winterbournes' London residence that first day he saw her, sunlight playing in her dark hair as she laughed at something the duchess had said. He'd been captivated even then, though he hadn't known who she was. Hadn't known how completely she would devastate him.

Taking a deep breath, he straightened his cravat. He might have spent the past days drinking, but he'd made sure to be presentable before coming here. The butler showed him into Rain's sitting room, and he had only a moment to collect himself before she entered.

"Adrian!" Rain's smile faltered as she caught sight of his expression. "You look... Is everything all right?"

A harsh laugh escaped him before he could stop it. "That rather depends. Are you satisfied with the results of your meddling, Your Grace?"

Her eyes widened slightly at his tone. "I take it this isn't a social call about Ignacio?"

Whenever he was in England, the duchess would usually host his iguana since none of his family members much cared to take in the animal. Rain, on the other hand, loved all creatures under the sun, and they appeared to love her in return.

"No, I'm sure Ignacio is having the time of his life. I need answers." He began pacing, needing to move or risk exploding. "Were you ever going to tell me who she was? Or did you enjoy the thought of me discovering a woman disguised as my cabin boy?"

"Ah." Rain's smile was entirely too knowing. "So you did figure it out then. I wondered if you would."

"Of course I figured it out!" The words erupted from him like molten lava, hot and desperate to escape. "Did you think me blind? I'd seen her in your garden just days before she appeared on my ship. Did you think I wouldn't recognise her?"

"Actually, I rather hoped you would." Rain settled in a chair, smoothing the skirt of her dress around her, looking far too pleased with herself. "It would have been awkward otherwise, having you discover halfway across the Atlantic that your cabin boy was in fact Miss Newton."

Her composure only fuelled his anger. "So you admit to orchestrating the whole thing? Sending her to my ship under false presences?"

"False pretences?" Rain's brow arched. "I merely helped a dear friend secure passage to America. And asked another dear friend to keep her safe during the journey." Her eyes sparkled with mischief. "I thought you might both benefit from the arrangement."

"Benefit?" He spun away from her shrewd look, not wanting her to see the full extent of his turmoil. "How exactly was I meant to benefit from watching her pine after another man? After your husband's brother, of all people?"

"Right. Dash." She didn't seem to be taking this information with nearly the level of gravity she ought to.

"Yes, Dash! She crossed an ocean to chase after him, and now—" He cut himself off, unwilling to voice the pain of seeing them together at Ravenscroft's.

"Adrian." Rain leaned forward, her blue eyes intent. "I think you're missing somethi—"

A baby's cry pierced the air, interrupting whatever she'd been about to say. A nursemaid hurried into the room, bouncing a fussing bundle. "I'm so sorry, Your Grace, but Lady Viola won't settle, and she always calms for you."

Rain immediately rose to take her daughter, and Adrian felt some of his anger deflate as he watched her gentle movements. The baby's soft cries softened to whimpers as Rain swayed with her, waving the nursemaid away.

"There now, sweetling," Rain cooed, and the tender scene made Adrian's chest ache with wants he couldn't acknowledge. Memories of holding Olivia, of imagining a future he'd never have.

"Is everything all right in here?" The deep voice of the Duke of Winterbourne came from the doorway. His massive frame filled the entrance, his sharp gaze taking in the scene. "I heard raised voices."

Adrian stiffened. He'd been shouting at a duchess in her own home—at Winterbourne's wife. Bloody hell.

"Just a spirited discussion," Rain said smoothly, but her husband's eyes narrowed.

"Indeed." The duke's tone held a warning as he studied Adrian. "Perhaps you'd care to continue this... discussion in my study? Where we won't disturb Viola."

It wasn't really a request. Adrian inclined his head stiffly, knowing he owed both Marcus and Rain apologies for his behaviour. "Of course."

"Actually," Rain said, shifting the baby to her shoulder. "I think Adrian and I should finish our conversation. There are things he needs to understand."

Winterbourne hesitated, his protective instincts clearly warring with his trust in his wife's judgement. Finally, he nodded. "I'll be in my study if you need me."

The underlying message was clear—if Adrian raised his voice at his wife again, there would be consequences.

Once the duke left, Rain settled back in her chair, still swaying slightly with the baby. "Now then. Tell me what happened to put you in such a state."

"What happened?" He groaned. "You sent the woman Dash spurned straight into my path. Did you not think that might end badly?"

"Spurned?" Her eyebrows rose. "Dash never—"

"I saw them together at Ravenscroft's." The memory still burned. "The way she looked at him, touched his arm... She's still in love with him. She always has been."

"Oh, you foolish man." Rain's voice held something between exasperation and sympathy. "I highly doubt you saw what you believe. Did you ask her about it?"

"Ask her about what? How she crossed an ocean chasing after a man who barely noticed her?" The bitterness in his voice surprised even him. "I did, actually. She admitted he was the reason for going to America. And once we got there, she left me to find him. I suppose I should thank you for that. For ensuring I was there to witness her devotion to another man."

"I won't deny that was her initial reason." Rain shifted Viola to her other shoulder as the baby made a soft sound. "She had this... notion in her head about Dash. For a long time, admittedly. But Adrian, surely you must have noticed—"

"That she still loves him?" He turned to stare out the window, unable to bear Rain's sympathetic gaze. "Rather hard to miss."

"No, that she..." Rain sighed. "I helped her because she was determined to go regardless. At least on your ship, I knew she'd be safe. And I thought... well, I hoped that during the journey she might realise her feelings for Dash weren't what she thought they were."

"And I suppose you thought I'd help with that revelation?" He dragged a hand through his hair. "Christ, Rain. Was I meant to be a convenient distraction? Someone to help her pass the time until she could reach her true goal?"

"Adrian." Something in Rain's tone made him turn back to face her. She was watching him with a mix of frustration and understanding. "You're not usually this deliberately obtuse. Surely you know me better than that. I'd never send her to you if I thought she would hurt you. I thought you both needed..."

She trailed off as voices drifted in from the entrance hall. Adrian recognised one immediately, and his heart seemed to stop in his chest. No. It couldn't be.

"Your Grace?" A footman appeared at the door. "Lord Anthony Dashcombe has arrived. And Miss Newton is with him."

Adrian's fingers clenched into fists at his sides. Why did they have to show up here? Why now? It seemed an unusually cruel twist of fate.

Rain shot him a pointed look as she rose, still holding the baby. "Show them in, please."

He should leave. Every instinct screamed at him to flee before he had to witness their obvious attachment again. But his legs seemed frozen in place as Dash strolled in with his usual languid grace, Olivia just behind him.

She looked beautiful—devastatingly so. Her grey eyes widened when she saw him, and her lips parted in surprise. Then, that surprised look transformed into something harder, and she lifted her chin with that stubborn tilt he knew so well.

"Rain!" Dash's voice was warm as he crossed the room to kiss the duchess's cheek. "And this must be my new niece." He peered down at the baby with genuine delight. "She has Marcus's scowl already."

"She does not," Rain protested with a laugh. "Though speaking of your brother, he's in his study."

Dash nodded, his smile wavering for a moment, so quickly Adrian might have imagined it. "Talking business. We shall see him soon, but for now, you must allow us to admire this adorable little bundle."

His usual easy smile returned, he reached out a hand and stroked the baby's cheek. "Hello there, little one," he cooed softly. "I'm your favourite uncle. I am also your only uncle, but let's not get caught up in minor details."

Rain laughed. "Only uncle? I believe my brother begs to differ."

"Pensington?" Dash scoffed. "He has three children of his own to care for so he barely counts. I'm the one who will be here to dote on this little angel."

"You'll have to fight me for her attention," Olivia teased.

Adrian watched the exchange with growing tension. The easy familiarity between them all made his chest ache. This was what he could never compete with—this history, this comfort. He'd been a fool to think...

"Lord Warble." Olivia's cool voice cut through his thoughts as she turned to him. "What an... unexpected surprise."

The formal address was like a knife to his gut after everything they'd shared. "Miss Newton." He managed a stiff bow. "I was just leaving."

"Were you?" Rain's tone was sharp. "I've had a room readied for you, but I rather thought we were in the middle of an important discussion."

"Nothing that can't wait until later." He needed to escape before he revealed too much. Before the sight of Olivia and Dash together broke what little composure he had left.

"Actually." Dash's drawl held an odd note. "I need a word with my brother about some business matters. Perhaps you could show Olivia those new roses you mentioned in your letter, Rain?"

The look that passed between Rain and Dash didn't escape Adrian's notice, and his jaw clenched. Were they all conspiring now?

"What an excellent suggestion!" Rain beamed. "Adrian, would you hold Viola while I fetch my shawl? She's almost asleep, and I'd hate to disturb her."

Before he could protest, she placed the baby in his arms. The warm weight of her settled against his chest and her tiny fingers curled into his coat. The simple trust of it made his throat tight.

"I'll just be a moment," Rain said brightly, but he barely heard her leave. He was too aware of Olivia's gaze on him, of how domestic this must look—him holding a baby while she stood with the man she truly wanted.

Viola made a soft sound against his chest, and Adrian automatically swayed, the motion as natural as breathing. The baby settled immediately, her warm weight both comfort and torment. He tried not to think about how often he'd imagined moments like this—but with his own child, Olivia by his side...

"She likes you." Olivia's voice was softer now, some of the ice melting as she watched him with the baby.

He couldn't look at her. Couldn't bear to see if she was imagining similar moments with Dash. "Babies are generally good judges of character," he said stiffly. "Though in this case, she's likely just tired."

An awkward silence fell. From the corner of his eye, he could see Olivia's fingers twisting in her skirts. His mind conjured images of those same delicate hands sliding over his skin, tangling in his hair...

"Here we are!" Rain swept back into the room, breaking the tension. "Adrian, if you wouldn't mind watching Viola a moment longer while I show Olivia the gardens? Unless..." Her eyes glinted with familiar mischief. "You'd care to join us?"

"I'm sure Lord Warble has more pressing matters to attend to," Olivia said quickly. "Given how hastily he left Ravenscroft's."

The bite in her tone made him stiffen. "As I recall, you're rather skilled at hasty departures yourself."

Her eyes flashed, but before she could respond, Rain interrupted.

"If you two are quite finished, perhaps we could continue this discussion in the garden? Where there's less chance of waking the baby?"

Adrian looked down, realising his grip on Viola had tightened. The baby still slept peacefully, but he forced himself to relax. "My apologies. Perhaps I should return her to her nursemaid."

"Nonsense. She's sleeping so nicely." Rain was already moving towards the double doors leading out to the garden. "Come along, both of you. The roses won't inspect themselves."

He knew he should refuse. Should hand over the baby and make his escape because he said something else he couldn't take back. But Olivia was already following Rain, and the sight of her walking away from him again...

"Damn it," he muttered, careful not to disturb Viola as he followed them into the garden.

The late afternoon sun bathed Rain's rose garden in warm light, but Adrian barely noticed the blooms. How could he, when Olivia walked ahead of him, her dark hair gleaming in the sunlight, her spine straight and tense? Even angry, she was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen.

"These are my newest additions." Rain gestured to a bed of pale pink roses. "Imported from—" She broke off as Viola stirred. "Oh dear, I think she needs changing. Adrian, would you mind showing Olivia the white roses while I take care of this?"

There was no time to say anything before Rain had whisked the—definitely still sleeping—baby from his arms and disappeared down the path, leaving him alone with Olivia. The duchess's orchestration couldn't have been more obvious if she'd announced her intentions.

Olivia stood with her back to him, apparently absorbed in studying a nearby rosebush. But he could see the tension in her shoulders, the way her fingers worried the fabric of her skirts.

"Your roses are lovely, Rain," she called after the duchess's retreating form. When no response came, she let out a soft laugh that held no humour. "And now she's too far to hear me. How convenient."

"Rain has never been subtle with her machinations." He moved to stand beside her, careful to maintain proper distance. "Though I'm surprised she'd leave you without a chaperone. What would Dash think?"

Her head whipped around, grey eyes flashing. "Don't."

"Don't what? Mention the man you chased across the Atlantic?" The words were bitter on his tongue. "The man you're currently travelling with, unchaperoned?"

"We're not—" She broke off, pressing her lips together. "You know nothing about it."

"Don't I? I know you spent weeks on my ship, pretending to be something you're not, all to reach him. I know how you look at him, how you—"

"How I what?" She spun to face him fully, colour high in her cheeks. "How exactly do I look at him, Adrian? Please, enlighten me, since you seem to know my heart better than I do."

The use of his given name gave him pause for a moment. "Don't pretend—"

"I'm not the one pretending!" Her voice cracked slightly. "You're the one who made love to me and then ran away the next morning without a word!"

He staggered back as if she'd struck him. "What? That's not what happened."

"No?" But there was something vulnerable in her eyes now, something that made his heart stutter. "You made it very clear that everything between us was about revenge. About making me ache for you, making me want you..."

"Olivia..." He reached for her without thinking.

She stepped back, wrapping her arms around herself. "You bedded me, and then you left. Without a word. Just like you said I did to you." Her laugh was brittle. "I suppose that makes us even now."

Something burned in his throat. She thought he'd seduced her and then left as punishment? How could she not know that night had meant everything to him? But perhaps it was better that she didn't.

Voices drifted from the house. Dash's lazy drawl carried across the garden, followed by some other voices. Olivia's head turned toward the sound, and his chest tightened painfully.

"You should go to him," he said, the words like ashes in his mouth. "Since that's who you went to America for in the first place. Whatever kept you apart before no longer seems to be an issue."

"You still don't understand anything." She shook her head, her eyes bright with what might have been tears. "But then, neither did I, until it was too late."

She turned and walked away, her skirts whisking against the gravel path, leaving him alone among Rain's roses. He watched her disappear around the corner, heading towards the voices—towards Dash. How had everything gone so wrong?

He'd thought he was protecting himself, guarding against being the second choice again. Instead, he might have destroyed any chance of being chosen at all.

~~~~~~