Gregory despised the manner in which the duke was speaking of the woman he loved. “My brother thought it should be made public, but then he likes to be nasty and doesn’t care whom he hurts. I trust you are not in the same vein,” Gregory said coolly. “I should note that I am also deeply in love with Mrs. Renshaw, and if she would accept my proposal of marriage, which she will not, I would be happy for the rest of my days.”

The duke turned his hooded gaze on Gregory, his tone frigid. “Your father would not approve.”

“He would if he met her.” Gregory knew it in his bones. Just as he knew his father wouldn’t be disappointed that Gregory had decided to forgo a religious path. His father had raised him to make good, sound choices. He was not his brother, who allowed malice and whim to lead him, and he never would be. “My father loved me, and I am confident he would have loved her too if given the chance. I’m sorry he isn’t here to meet her.”

Lucien took a sip of whisky and gently smacked his lips, likely to annoy his father. “I wonder if you would think differently about Mrs. Renshaw if you knew she was the daughter of a chevalier. She fled here during the Terror with her mother and sister.”

The duke’s nostrils flared as his eyes narrowed. “What is her family name?”

“Avenses, but they used her mother’s maid’s name, Renault, when they arrived in London.”

“A pity, but no, I do not think differently.” The duke sniffed. “Everyone has choices, and she chose to become a courtesan.”

Lucien slammed his glass down on a table near his chair. Shooting to his feet, he pinned a fiery glare on his father. “Not everyone’s choices are the same, particularly if you are an orphan in a foreign country with nothing but a maid to care for you and your sister. She should have grown up with love and comfort. Instead, she struggled to eat and lived in near squalor. If you had a chance to better your prospects, even if it meant doing something you would not have chosen, what would you do, Father?”

“You have always been too softhearted,” the duke said, his voice like a knife’s edge. “You can’t change the world.”

“I do what I can. What I don’t understand is why you do not.”

The duke straightened, his features smoothing. “Your club is going to fail, Lucien. I didn’t hope for that, but I am not surprised.”

“Why did you come here?” Lucien asked, his lip curling.

“Because regardless of what you think, I have always cared what happens to you, and I always will.” The duke glanced toward Gregory. “Lord Gregory.” Then he departed.