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

She could not live like that after Harry’s kiss. Not when she craved another kiss from him. Craved seemed like too weak of a word. Desire. Want.

Need.

She needed another kiss from him. While she had jested about being a Daring Drake sister to Emma, the most daring thing she’d ever done was visit Harry in Northumbria, or walk alone in the gardens with him, or kiss him. Her ability to be daring always revolved around him.

When the poet finally finished, she politely clapped while all she wanted to do was throw something at him for torturing her. Emma and Bolton split off to speak with his mother and a friend. Thankfully Collingwood made his excuse to Louisa and departed their little group. She moved to the back of the room where a table was set with refreshments and light fare.

“Mary Gardiner must have lost her mind,” Miss Comstock whispered to her mother.

“Indeed. I always had a high opinion of the lady until now.”

Was there something she didn’t know about Mary Gardiner? Usually, Louisa would ignore the gossips, but this topic held her interest. She pretended to be overly interested in the sliced ham closer to the Comstocks.

“I realize he is a duke, but why would she take a chance when there is every indication he may end up like his father?”

Louisa pressed a hand to her belly. A movement to her side caught her eye. Harry moved away from the table. She closed her eyes as the pain overwhelmed her. Had he heard those despicable ladies?

Hearing them continue, she finally turned and said, “I do hope you realize that the duke is a fine upstanding gentleman with not even a touch of madness. He stayed in the North to mourn his wife and keep his daughter away from small-minded individuals in town. I cannot blame him after overhearing you two speak of the man as if he belongs in Bedlam.”

“Miss Drake!” Mrs. Comstock exclaimed in a whispered tone. “Your mother will hear of this exchange.”

“I am certain she will. Good evening.”

She spun around and strode away from them before either gape-mouthed lady could speak again. Glancing around, she realized Harry must have left the party. She must talk to him and make him understand only the pettiest members of the ton held those opinions of him.

Emma stood on the outside of a group conversation between Lord Danvers, Lady Bolton, and her son. Louisa’s heart went out to her sister too. Bolton was a good man but dominated by his mother. Her sister moved away from the group as Louisa approached.

Tessa ambled over to her with a look of pity in her eyes. “Emma, I do hope you don’t mind, but I would like Louisa to return home with me tonight. She and I haven’t seen each other in a while and need to chat.”

Emma scowled. “At this hour? And why can’t I come, too?”

“I promised Mamma that you would return by eleven,” Louisa said, curious why Tessa would wish to speak right now.

“You two always keep secrets from me,” Emma commented with a pout before yawning. “It does not matter. I am tired.”

“Thank you. I will go with Tessa and Jack. Let Mamma know I will be home late.”

“Of course,” Emma replied.

Louisa glanced back at Mrs. Gardiner, who now spoke with Collingwood. The ache in her heart overwhelmed her. Thinking back to the poet’s words about giving up the woman he loved for her to have a better life, Louisa wondered if she must do this for both Emma and Harry. Emma would get the man she loved, and Harry would find a proper lady. Once Emma married, it would no longer matter. Louisa could pursue any man she wanted.

Except for the one man who would be married himself by then.

Once Tessa and Jack arrived at their house, Louisa and Tessa retired to the drawing room.

“What is wrong?” Tessa asked.

“How did you know?”

Tessa smiled over at her. “I couldn’t help but notice how you kept glancing over at Worthington but looked as if you were about to cry even after that dreadful poet had finished.”

Louisa told her sister what the Comstock ladies had said. “I need to see him, Tessa. Alone. Tonight.”

“Have you lost your mind?”

Louisa bit down on her lower lip. It was not the answer she’d expected from her sister. “Tessa, I must see him privately. He must realize that not everyone thinks as Miss Comstock does.”

“Louisa, you are asking me to let you see Worthington alone at night. You have no idea about the scandalous things that can happen to a young lady when she visits a man at night.”