Free To Ruin a Rake by Liana Lefey

sister-in-law,” said Rich, raising a finger. “But as it currently stands, she is not actually any relation to you at all.” He waggled the digit at him. “Thus, that cannot in truth be the source of your reluctance to bed the wench. It must, therefore, lie elsewhere.”
    “Our families were nearly united, Rich. Thus, I cannot simply ‘bed the wench’ as you so eloquently put it.” He frowned. “God, man. One might think you of all people would speak with a bit more grace concerning such things.”
    His friend shrugged. “Flowery speech is reserved for the stage and for the wooing of beautiful women. Continue.”
    It was pointless to try to evade the man. Roland sighed. “Regardless of the fact that she never married William, I feel obliged to treat her with a modicum of respect. Or at least I would if she ever bothered to treat me with any. The woman detests me.”
    “Ah, now we come to it,” said Rich, his eyes gleaming. “I take it some past interaction of a disagreeable nature lies between you?”
    “You might say that.”
    “In other words, you were an ass, which is why she dislikes you. And she put you in your proper place, which is why you dislike her.”
    “Why do you assume the fault lies with me?” Roland replied, indignant. Never mind that Rich’s assessment of the situation was uncomfortably accurate—there was such a thing as loyalty, after all.
    “Because aggression does not come naturally to women,” answered Rich. “They don’t typically attack a man without reason, which means an offense must have been committed on your part.” He held up a hand, forestalling the protest that leaped to the tip of Roland’s tongue. “It makes no difference whether that offense was real or perceived. To the female heart, they are one and the same. So, regardless of your opinion of your behavior, in her view you were behaving like an ass.”
    Roland ground his teeth. Rich was definitely too perceptive. He forced his jaw to unclench. “As I have been judged guilty either way, what would you advise?”
    His friend’s smile was beatific. “Apologize for your boorish behavior and smooth the lady’s ruffled feathers, thereby engendering peace and cooperation rather than discord and unpleasantness.”
    “Apologize?”
    “Yes. I understand the concept is a foreign one to you, as it is to most of our sex, but when it comes to bruised female pride, I think you’ll find a little humility on your part will go a long way.” A knowing smirk twitched his lips. “Apologize to a woman, and you’ll find yourself the object of her devout affection thereafter.”
    “Even if I did such a thing, she would never believe me,” Roland countered. “Our conflict is one I doubt may be resolved by something as simple as saying I’m sorry.”
    A low whistle issued from Rich’s pursed lips. “You must have been an ass of unparalleled magnitude to have earned such enmity. Knowing you as I do, I can well imagine her umbrage. What in heaven’s name did you say to the woman?”
    He wasn’t about to tell that story. “Nothing of any great significance. A few words were exchanged at William’s funeral. She mistook what I said and was not in a state to be reasoned with.”
    “Well, it was significant to the lady,” said Rich. “Peace comes at a price for us all, my friend. Tell me, would you rather humble yourself for five minutes and have it or would you rather matters between you continue in their current state?”
    Roland maintained his silence.
    “Start with an apology.” Rich laughed. “A sincere one, if you can possibly manage it, and then work your way back into her good graces.”
    “Thanks,” Roland muttered, throwing him a black look. “I could have gotten that advice from my mother.”
    “You could, if your mother were here,” said Rich with a merry grin. “As she is not, I shall have to suffice—or rather suffer in her place.”
    “You do so inspire one to entrust you with the burdens of