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

“We need to continue our walk, poppet,” Harry said to his daughter.

“Can Miss Drake come along too?”

“No, sweetheart, I must return home now,” Louisa replied but hated seeing the look of disappointment in the little girl’s brown eyes. “But I shall see you again in—”

“Four days!” Charlotte interrupted as she clapped her hands.

As Louisa returned home, she concentrated on Lord Collingwood. The shyness Harry had spoken of wasn’t apparent to her. Collingwood seemed to have no difficulty speaking with her after finishing with Harry, which was not unusual. Men tended to gravitate to the higher-ranking peers, whether for words of advice or just the respect of associating with them.

Still, even from their limited conversation, she felt something lacking in him. Unable to determine the cause of her uncertainty, she would have to wait until she had another time to speak with him. Louisa shrugged. Until the Season opened, there would be no balls and therefore, no opportunity to dance with him. Without either, conversation with an unmarried man was limited.

Except, she always seemed to find a way with Harry.

HARRY AWOKE ON FRIDAY to the resonance of Charlotte’s excited shrieks sounding from the hall. He braced for impact as she ran into his room and jumped on his bed.

“Papa, it’s Friday!”

“So it is, poppet.” He smiled as she bounced on the bed. “What is so special about today?”

“We’re going to see Chunee!”

He couldn’t help but laugh at her enthusiasm. Her brown eyes were bright, with the eagerness of a child. “Well then, I suppose you should go eat with Nurse while I dress.”

“Then we will leave?”

“We cannot leave until just before eleven since that is the time I told Miss Drake we would collect her.”

She bounced off the bed and raced back up to the nursery.

Harry tossed the coverlet off him, and the grabbed his dressing gown. After ringing for his valet, he glanced out at the light snow that had fallen during the night. The white layer coated the city, giving the streets a pristine appearance until people spoiled the beauty.

“Good morning, Your Grace,” his valet said as he walked into the room with a tray of tea.

“Good morning, Andrews.” While his valet readied his clothing, Harry sipped a cup of tea.

“I understand today is the day Lady Charlotte finally gets to see Chunee.”

Harry laughed. “Has she been driving the staff mad with her desire to see the elephant?”

“Of course not, Your Grace. The staff adores Lady Charlotte,” Andrews replied with a genuine smile.

After eating his breakfast and reading The Times, Harry finished some correspondence with his steward at Worth Hall. At some point, he would need to take a few days and visit the ducal manor. One more thing he had neglected over the past two years. Even though it was his childhood home, he much preferred the rustic charm of Northwood Park.

“Please may we leave now, Papa?” she asked, racing into his study.

“I called for the coach. As soon as it is ready, we shall depart.”

Charlotte went to the window to watch for the coach. Within a few minutes, she shouted, “The coach is here!”

No need for a butler when there was an eager child in the house. “Very well, we shall be off.”

Once they arrived at the Drake home, he left Charlotte in the carriage while he escorted Louisa and her maid out.

“How excited is she?” Louisa asked as they stepped outside.

He shook his head in reply.

“Driving you mad?”