A Deal with a Duke (The Daring Drake Sisters 2)

And as a responsible adult, he needed to see to her safety and comfort. No matter how annoyed he may be with her foolish actions. He rose and glared down at her.

“Louisa, you need to awaken,” he snapped.

She slowly opened her eyes and then frowned. “Harry? Is that you?”

“Yes.”

She smiled up at him. “You look so different.”

“It’s been two years,” he replied with a frown tugging his lips. “And we barely saw each other then. Why are you here, Louisa?”

“Must we do this now? I would like to change into something dry.”

The poor girl was cold and wet, and he was demanding answers that could wait until she had changed. “As you wish. Do you need me to carry you?”

She brushed away his hands. “If I can walk two miles in a snowstorm, I can manage a few steps to a bedchamber.”

“Of course you can.” Always the independent one.

“I am so sorry to intrude.” She stared up at him with bright blue eyes. “I hadn’t counted on a storm...or the costs at the inns,” she mumbled the last bit.

Perhaps she hadn’t thought to stay more than the night. But where was she off to then? His mind swirled with questions, all of which would now have to wait until later.

She rose to her full height, which at just over five and a half feet was tall compared to most women, but he still towered over her. While always slender, she appeared even thinner than he recollected. Perhaps it was her bedraggled state, but he never remembered her looking so fragile.

“Come along, I had a room made up for you.”

“And a bath?” she asked with a glimmer of hope in her eyes.

“Of course.”

“Your Grace, you have more callers,” Jenkins said, entering the room. Remembering his duties, he retrieved Louisa’s cloak from the floor. “Lord and Lady Gringham, sir. They don’t believe they can make the two miles to Kirknewton.”

“Bloody hell, when did I start running an inn?” Harry glanced down at Louisa, who had the sense to look dismayed.

“Lady Gringham is a dreadful gossip,” she whispered.

“I suppose you should have thought about that before arriving at my home unchaperoned.”

Her eyes widened in apparent shock at his tone. What did she expect? He clenched his fists in frustration. “Jenkins, show them into the main salon while I see to Miss Drake.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

Before Jenkins could bow to him, the heavy footsteps of the Gringhams approached.

“There you are, Your Grace.” Lady Gringham entered the room like a whirlwind. She stopped short at the sight of Louisa. “Miss Drake, what are you doing here?”

“The storm, of course, Lady Gringham. I assume you had the same difficulty. Like you, I only just arrived.”

Lady Gringham pursed her lips as she scrutinized Louisa’s attire. “Yes, we did have the same problem.”

Harry glanced over at Jenkins. “Ready a room in the east wing for the Gringhams, Jenkins.”

“I did as soon as they arrived, sir.”

“Excellent.” Harry clenched his fists in frustration. Having already seen Louisa, there was no telling what the countess might decide to say to people. He had to think of a way to prevent the linking of their names.

“Your Grace, I do believe I shall retire to my rooms for a bath and rest before supper,” Louisa said.