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

“It is a wonderful bribe to make her do things she would prefer not to, such as go to bed.” He couldn’t take his gaze off her delicate fingers as they wrapped around the teacup as if to warm them.

She laughed. “So, it is in your best interest to keep her from seeing the elephant for as long as possible.”

“Exactly.” Harry placed his teacup down. Hearing her laugh warmed his heart, and that would never do. Distance was the plan. After another sip of tea, he pulled out the paper from his pocket. He needed to get right to the point and leave. “Based on what I know of you, I created a list.”

“But I never told you what I desired in a husband.”

“Louisa, I do have an idea of what you need in a husband.”

She narrowed her eyes on him. “How is that when you have not written to me in years?”

“I doubt you have changed much.”

She reached over and snatched the list from him. After scanning the page, she looked up with a frown. “I’m afraid I may have been mistaken about your ability to perform this task.”

Taken aback, he asked, “How so?”

“Of the five men on this list, the only decent man is Lord Collingwood, and I have never been introduced to him. Reddinford married Miss Harris last fall. Winfried married Miss Lowe over a year ago. And you should have talked to Mr. Kingsley about Hoover.”

Damn her for finding fault with almost all of the men. Maybe he should have reviewed the list with his brother. As the owner of one of the most exclusive gaming hells in St. James, Simon knew these people and kept up with their situations. “What about Stanton? He’s the second son of an earl.”

“I do believe he may be in love with another.” She sighed and gave him back the paper. “This will never do, Harry.” Louisa rose and then moved away from him, leaving a light fragrance of lilac behind. “We need to discuss what we want in a spouse. I shall call for more tea and some biscuits. This might take a while.”

What they each wanted in a spouse? He had no intention of marrying again.

Charlotte needs a mother.

No, Charlotte was doing just fine with Nurse and next year he would find an excellent governess for her.

After speaking with a footman, she returned to the floral wingback chair next to him. “Let’s begin with what I prefer in a husband.”

She tapped her index finger against her lips in thought.

Damn her for drawing his gaze there. What the bloody hell was wrong with him? He seemed unable to stop the draw, the temptation. He shook his head and returned his wandering mind to the topic at hand. The sooner she gave him her requirements, the faster he could leave.

“You need a man who is near your age,” he commented. “After your sister’s marriages, I would have thought that would be first on your list.”

“Yes, exactly.” She paused before for adding, “Perhaps you should write these down.”

“I will remember them.”

“As you wish, then yes, I want a man closer to my age. I should think no older than thirty-five.”

He glanced over at her as she looked down at her hands. She must have learned from her sister’s mistakes. Until Tessa married Raynerson, her youngest husband had been twenty years her senior. “No more than thirty-five. And from a good family.”

She sent him a look of annoyance. “I should think that obvious.”

“No more than thirty-five and good Society. Titled?”

Her brown brows furrowed creating a slight line in her forehead as she thought about that question. “No, that matters not to me.”

“Indeed? Your mother might object to a mere mister.”

“My mother is not marrying the man I am.”

“Go on.”

“I would prefer he be of tolerable looks. I should hate the idea of....” Her cheeks reddened as her voice trailed off.