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

“She is with child again,” he replied flatly. “She also believes you are chasing me to gain my title and fortune.”

“Oh.” Louisa walked toward the path in silence, hurt by the fact that Lady Radley had such a low opinion of a woman she barely knew but also annoyed by the fact that he told her. “And what do you believe?”

He stopped walking and looked down at her. “Do you really need to ask that question? I defended you to her, in case you needed to know that, too.”

“As well you should,” she added sharply. “I told you from the beginning that I was not trying to trap you into marriage.”

“You were the one who came to my home alone...twice,” he retorted.

“Which a man of honor would not mention,” she snapped before walking down the street again.

He pulled her arm to halt her steps. “Are you questioning my honor now?”

“If I had a desire to trap you, then I would have let Raynerson find us in the compromising position you put me in. Good afternoon, Your Grace.”

“Loui—Miss Drake, please wait.”

“I am a block from my home and have my maid with me,” she cried, before increasing the pace of her stride.

Thankfully, he didn’t follow her as she raced home. Once inside, she ignored her mother’s calls to speak with her. Instead, she sought solace in her lonely bedchamber. She pressed a hand to her stomach as she paced her room. Why did he have to turn her emotions upside down? Why did he have to be a blasted duke? Why did their family names have to be forever linked in scandal?

Why was pursuing him so challenging?

Off all the questions, the last was the one that she could answer. She wasn’t making any progress with him because she felt guilty that Emma could lose Bolton. Because after their passionate encounter, Harry should have paid a call and asked for her hand. But he hadn’t. Not even a word about what happened had passed his lips.

It was time to trust Emma’s intuition about her fiancé. Bolton had surprised everyone by joining them at Christmas and offering for her. Louisa doubted Lady Bolton had had an inkling of her son’s intentions.

She understood that the issues between their families could never be easily resolved. But what happened with his father and her sister shouldn’t matter if they loved each other.

And that was the real issue. Harry had loved his late wife. And while he might desire Louisa, he did not love her.

But that wasn’t about to stop her. It was time to forget her mother’s warnings and listen to her sister. Louisa’s determination upped a notch higher. It was time to focus on his desire for her.

Chapter 16

HARRY ESCORTED HIS sister up the steps to Lady Huntley’s home on Berkeley Square. Once inside the house, he scanned the crowded room for her. Knowing her mother was good friends with Lady Huntley, he was certain Louisa would be here. Not that he should look for her, but he couldn’t seem to stop himself. Would she even speak with him after that episode walking home from the park yesterday?

“Isn’t that Mrs. Gardiner?” Daphne asked, pointing to the young widow standing by the refreshment table speaking with Collingwood.

“Yes, it is.” And what was Collingwood doing with her? They inclined their heads close, as if whispering intimate things to each other. But it was the smile on his face and the slight blush lighting Mary Gardiner’s cheeks that sent a cold chill down Harry’s back.

“We must go speak to her. I haven’t seen her in ages.”

“I had no idea you two were even acquainted, much less such close friends.”

“Well, we are hardly close, Harry, but we must be polite.” Daphne led him over to the couple who both seemed a bit put out by the intrusion.

Harry noticed the way Collingwood took a step away from the widow. As Daphne and Mrs. Gardiner chatted, he glanced over at Collingwood who appeared unable to say more than two words until Louisa came near.

“Ah, Miss Drake, how lovely to see you tonight,” Collingwood said as Louisa approached the group slowly.

“Miss Drake,” Harry said with a quick bow. “You do remember my sister, Lady Radley, do you not?”

“Of course,” Louisa said with a curtsy.

“Yes, Miss Drake,” Daphne said with a stiff nod. “Please excuse me. I see a dear friend of mine.”

Harry clenched his jaw. “Please excuse my sister. She is never quite herself when she is with child.”