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

The sensation of Charlotte’s small hand in hers warmed Louisa’s heart. She followed the girl up to the nursery, where she helped the nurse change Charlotte’s dress.

“Papa said tomorrow we'd build snowmen,” Charlotte said as Louisa pushed a wool dress over her. “Will you play with us?”

Louisa blinked. At this point, she didn’t even know if she would still be here tomorrow. She and Harry hadn’t discussed how long she would stay yet. “If I am still here, I would love to play with you.”

“Yay!”

“All right, Lady Charlotte,” Nurse said. “It’s time for you to let Miss Drake get dressed for supper.”

Louisa nodded, even though supper wouldn’t be for several hours yet. No doubt, Nurse wanted her charge to settle down for a while. “Yes, it takes a long time to dress.”

“Will you come back before supper?”

Unable to say no to such an adorable face, Louisa nodded. “I will if Nurse allows it.”

“Please,” Charlotte whined to her nurse.

“As long as you sit with me and work on your letters,” Nurse said.

“I will!”

“Excellent, then I shall return at six,” Louisa added before heading for the door. Once in the hall, she glanced around, not sure what to do with herself. It was too early to dress for supper, but after the glare Harry gave her, Louisa had no wish to seek him out. Perhaps she should ask for a tray in her room. But she didn’t want that either.

She walked into her bedchamber and glanced out the window. The snow had melted some during the daylight. With dusk settling upon them, she assumed everything would freeze again overnight. If this continued, she might be here until spring.

Not knowing when Harry would ask her to leave, she had limited time to convince him that he must return to town. Appealing to his emotions for his daughter hadn’t worked this morning. Logic. She must think of the most logical reason why he should come to London.

An heir.

All her focus had to be on convincing him that he must produce an heir. He only had a sister, and a bastard half-brother, neither of whom could inherit if Harry failed to have a son. She could find him a lady who could give him what he needed most.

With a plan in place, she rang for her maid to help her dress.

HARRY WANDERED THROUGH the salon and library. He wasn’t searching her out. But the last time he’d seen Louisa, she was taking Charlotte up to the nursery. Perhaps she still needed more time to dress before dining.

After walking back to her bedchamber, he knocked on the door. “Miss Drake, are you there?”

Silence. Except for the childish laughter coming from the nursery. She couldn’t possibly be up there still. It was nearly seven. Nurse would want Charlotte to be off to bed soon.

He walked toward the nursery with a grimace. As he approached, he heard Louisa’s voice imitating a high-pitched mouse voice as she read Charlotte’s favorite book. He slowed his step and peeked into the room. His heart twisted at the sight of his daughter on Louisa’s lap, giggling as Louisa read to her.

Backing out of the room, he retreated to his study and a large brandy. He had to get her out of his house before he went mad.

“Damn her,” he muttered.

“Cursing me again, are we?”

Harry turned, and the breath left his lungs. She wore a simple blue gown with a white lace fichu at the neckline. Her dress yesterday was far more fitting a formal dinner, and yet, she looked even more beautiful tonight. Anger swept over him. She should not be in his home without a chaperone.

Or in his home at all.

“Apparently, I am,” he replied coldly.

She acknowledged that with a quick nod. “I must apologize if I am late. I’d promised to read Charlotte a story.”

Harry closed his eyes for a long moment to let the irritation go. Louisa would be gone soon enough. He could be civil. “And knowing my daughter, one story turned into three.”

Louisa smiled. “Five.”