“Yes, do that so Worthington sees he might not be the only man interested in Miss Drake.” The countess stood and stared at Louisa. “Do not think this will be easy, my dear. A duke is never easy to catch.”
“Yes, ma’am.” She had no idea what else to say.
“Very well, I shall take my leave. Tessa, do not forget to come for supper tomorrow. We need to discuss nurses for my great-grandchild.”
“As you wish, my lady,” Tessa replied, quickly taking the empty chair.
Louisa turned back toward the mirror as Madame Beaulieu attacked the trim of her neckline. “I thought the gown was perfect,” Louisa muttered.
“It will be,” the dressmaker replied. “I had no idea I was dressing a future duchess.”
That was left to be seen. Louisa looked over at Tessa. “How could you have told her?”
Tessa laughed. “I didn’t. His Grace mentioned at her dinner party that you and he had been friends for years. She happened to notice the looks he was giving you during dinner and mentioned it to me.”
Louisa’s mouth went dry. “He was giving me looks?”
“So she says. But I never know with her. Sometimes I believe she is half-mad.”
Half-mad? Louisa was convinced the lady was completely mad.
Chapter 11
THE NIGHT OF LADY LEICESTER’S party arrived far too quickly for Harry. Dread seeped into his soul as he climbed each step to her front door. He should have already found a bride and retired to the country. As the door opened, the sound of endless chatter filled his ears, deafening him.
“Welcome, Your Grace,” the butler said as he allowed him inside.
He nodded. “Good evening.”
Harry entered the spacious front hall where only a few people lingered as if waiting for someone. He hoped not him. Many nodded at him with a slight smile, but a few ignored his presence. Lady Leicester ambled toward him with a smug grin on her face.
“Good to see you, boy,” she said as she took his arm to lead him into the salon. Only Lady Leicester would call a duke, boy.
“Thank you for the invitation, Countess.”
He let her guide him into the salon and then stopped. Harry scanned the room for a familiar face. Spotting Louisa, his heart lightened. She looked beautiful tonight with a sapphire silk gown devoid of all the bows typical on most of her unmarried peers. She wore only a small pearl necklace and matching earbobs to complete the simple ensemble. But it was the neckline of the gown that took his breath away. He’d never seen her wear something so daring.
“Are you looking for someone special, Your Grace?” Lady Leicester asked innocently.
“Just a familiar face.”
He stared down at her to see a twinkle of humor in her brown eyes.
“I do expect you on the dance floor for the first dance,” she said. “After all, the party is in your honor.”
Looking over at Louisa, he nodded. “Certainly.”
“Do try to enjoy yourself tonight, Worthington.”
“Thank you.” Harry walked toward Louisa who was speaking to a
lady he didn’t know. “Good evening, ladies.”
Both ladies curtsied to him. “Your Grace,” Louisa said with a smile. “Miss Bigby, may I introduce His Grace, the Duke of Worthington.”
“Miss Bigby, it is a pleasure.” Harry bowed over the hand of the very young Miss Bigby. Did Louisa have no sense at all? Miss Bigby couldn’t be more than eighteen.
“I was just telling her all about you, Your Grace,” Louisa said with a mischievous smile.