Nora Langley (as he now knew her to be) turned her gaze back on him, and it was full of fiery challenge. “Admit it. What merit would you have given a young girl’s words on medical matters?” Was that a sneer in her voice? Directed at him? As though he had done something wrong here.

He stared back at her with her no small amount of incredulity.

Not even an apology for her deceit?

Not the faintest amount of repentance?

She was like no young lady he had ever met . . . certainly not like the gracious and properly circumspect Lady Elise whom he had spent much time with of late. No, Lady Elise was a paragon of virtuous womanhood compared to this.

Nora Langley had all the tenacity of a bulldog. She might be attractive with curves that appealed to many a man, but he could not stomach the sight of her knowing the treachery she had wrought. Presently he would prefer the company of a bulldog rather than face off with this unpleasant female.

“I admit nothing as I have no way of knowing what I would have done.” He did his best to get the words out with equanimity, revealing none of his ire. “I was never presented with the truth of the situation, was I?”

“Oh, Colonel.” The Duchess of Warrington clasped her hands together before her. “You have our deepest apologies. We so regret any inconvenience this has caused you.”

Inconvenience, indeed. He held up his hand. “No need.” He’d say anything to escape this drawing room and these people. At any rate, the duchess owed him no apology. The person who owed him an apology had yet to give one. “And I am no longer Colonel Sinclair, Your Grace. I’ve retired my commission and returned home.”

“I thought you were in for life? You claimed no interest in leaving the army.” Nora Langley looked at him as though he had somehow played a trick on her. Ironic, considering she was the proven liar here. Not him.

“Nora,” the duchess chided tightly under her breath. “Don’t pester our guest with prying questions.” Constantine supposed the tight smile fixed to her face was meant to look natural.

“I’ve had a change in . . . circumstance. I suddenly find myself heir to my father’s cousin. I was called home after the death of his sons.”

“Oh, such a tragedy.” The duchess sank down on the sofa with a properly contrite expression. “I’m very sorry to hear of your family’s loss.”

Nora gave a stiff nod of agreement. “Indeed. Very sorry to hear that, Mr. Sinclair.”

He acknowledged their words with a nod of his own.

Then the duke was speaking now. “What brings you here now, Mr. Sinclair?” The man was clearly intent on getting to the heart of the matter. “Is there something we might help you with?”