The Runner's Enticement (Men of Circumstance Book 2) by Addie Jo Ryleigh

raised brow. “Seems you’ve lost your charm with the ladies if you’ve resorted to scrambling from their sight.”
    Clearly Nate’s evasive maneuver hadn’t been lost on Foxmoore. With the string of friendship and family between them, Nate decided to be candid. “Lady Annabel isn’t your typical lady. I’d liken her to a hound with a bone once she becomes set on something . . . if not for the insult to the hound.”
    Foxmoore didn’t move or even respond to Nate’s comment. Instead he scrutinized Nate.
    Waves of discomfort crashed into him. Maybe he’d been too blunt. Surely Foxmoore understood he’d been jesting. Mostly.
    He was about to retract his words when Foxmoore let out a quick laugh. “Finally. Your brother often wondered when you’d meet your match. I’m going to take extreme pleasure in informing him it has finally come to pass.”
    Foxmoore continued to chuckle at Nate’s expense. Exactly why, remained a mystery.
    “Care to explain what is so humorous?”
    “You. Her. The fact you’ve finally found the one woman you can’t seem to charm into seeing everything your way. Hell, even my sister fell for your appeal the moment she met you. Despite being in love with your brother.”
    Foxmoore had it only half right. Elizabeth had been and always would be in love with Gabe, but she’d never fallen under any captivating spell Foxmoore mistakenly thought Nate possessed. Knowing the value of pleasing a woman—and how that happiness often transferred back to him—Nate wasn't ashamed to admit he'd used it to his advantage through the years.
    It wasn’t his fault charming woman had developed into a pastime for to him.
    With Elizabeth it was different. He’d known even before their meeting she’d been marked for his brother. As much as he adored and admired her, mostly for what she’d been willing to sacrifice for Gabe, he’d only felt a brotherly affection for her.
    Lady Annabel, on the other hand, was an entirely different barrel of fish.
    He somehow lacked the ability to charm her even a little. Which in itself irked him to no end. Combined with how his feelings for her were far from familial, he found little connection between her and his sister-in-law.
    All of which he would not be sharing with Foxmoore. Not until he had a chance to decipher the pampered lady for himself. Most specifically, what she’d been doing in the garden with her mystery man.
    “Since I’ve never professed to have the ability to charm any and all women, I’m not about to touch Gabe’s unsettling claim. But there is something I’d like for you to not discuss with my brother.”
    Foxmoore must have noted the seriousness in Nate’s tone as all traces of mirth left his face. The ton’s respected and proper lord had returned. “Would this have anything to do with the fact your brother and his immediate circle have no knowledge of your illustrious career?”
    The man was astute.
    “Is there a reason you’ve kept such a significant piece of information from the man who welcomed you into his life and offered you a piece of everything he has?” Foxmoore persisted.
    Nate refused to feel guilty over his choice. He’d thought long and hard about his decision when he’d signed on to be a Runner. His by-blow status and proximity in Gabe’s life was enough of a shadow hanging over the dukedom. Gabe had plenty to worry about while he attempted to remove the despicable cloud the Wesbrook ancestors had placed over the family line.
    “My silence regarding being a Runner has always been with my brother in mind. A bastard scapegrace as a half-brother is enough for Gabe to deal with. I have no desire to add my very common career to the mix.”
    Nate strode along the hall without bothering to see if Foxmoore followed.
    When the earl spoke from beyond Nate’s shoulder, he knew the man had taken his cue. “You think he wouldn’t eventually find out? It isn’t as if you’ve been circumspect in your work. Given the glowing