Nash stood as tall as Sebastian, but where Sebastian was lean and elegant, Nash, the Duke of Malvern, was pure force. He looked more like a stevedore than a duke, and he behaved more like one as well, preferring the company of common men to his literal peers.

He’d grown up with Sebastian and Thaddeus, and the three had maintained their close friendship through inheritance, the army, romantic heartbreak, and feckless parents.

“You’ve heard.” Sebastian picked his glass up and drained it as Nash approached.

He poured a glass, handing it to Nash, who took it and drank it all down, barely wincing at the burn of the whiskey.

“I did.” Nash held his glass out for more. “I thought that between you and Thad, you might need me more.”

Sebastian snorted as he poured more liquid into Nash’s glass. “I’m not certain about that. Thaddeus looked as though someone had deliberately disorganized his papers when we heard the news.” He glanced reflexively at the surface of his desk, which was neatly arranged. He hoped his secretary would meet Thad’s exacting standards.

Nash chuckled. “What are you going to do?”

That was the question of the day, wasn’t it? “I don’t know.” Sebastian sat down on the sofa, leaning his head back and closing his eyes. “I need to tell Ana Maria. I need to let the staff know, although I suspect the news has already reached them. But first I need to—”

“Get drunk,” Nash supplied. “With me at a place where you won’t run into as many of those condescending pricks.”

“Which condescending pricks?” He waved a hand as Nash opened his mouth. “Never mind, I know you mean all of them. Tell me how you really feel,” Sebastian replied drily. He sat up, slapping his hands on his thighs. “Your idea is a good one, but I can’t get too drunk because I need to speak with my sister tomorrow.”

Thank goodness Ana Maria was out this evening. He didn’t remember where she had gone, but there was no danger Ana Maria would get in any kind of trouble—his half sister was remarkably staid in her behavior, given how wild her younger half brother was. Or had been, until he’d inherited six months ago.

“Drunk enough to take the edge off, then,” Nash said. “Miss Ivy’s, I think. It’s new.”

“As long as there is an abundance of whiskey and a paucity of condescending pricks,” Seb replied.

Chapter Two

“My luck has changed,” Ivy murmured as she surveyed the room with pride.

Two years ago, she had lost everything: her reputation, her way of life, and a respectable future. Lost on the turn of a card.