“I get what I want, Miss Drake.”
“No one gets everything they want, my lord. Besides what you want could have nothing to do with me.”
He shrugged nonchalantly. He swept Louisa across the floor in rhythm to the music. “I am not certain you have he
ard, but I have decided it is time to settle down and find a wife.”
“I have heard that bit of news. What has caused the change in attitude? I thought you were a confirmed rake.”
“A rake, yes. Confirmed?” He smiled down at her again. “An earl must marry at some point, as you well know. Carry on the family name and all that.”
“I suppose so.” Why did she suddenly feel nervous around him? It was not as if they had never met. He was a friend of Harry’s.
“And at five and twenty, you must be ready to marry too? I’m sure you have had a bit of fun and now want to find a husband.” His hand on her back attempted to press her even closer. “Perhaps even some fun with a certain duke just out of mourning. But who am I to judge?”
“My lord, I do believe you are mistaken. And I find your insinuations rather insulting.”
“I don’t believe I am mistaken, Miss Drake. But I fear you mistake my intentions.”
“How so?”
“I said I have decided to marry. I never said you were the object of my decision.”
Her mouth gaped slightly.
“Not that you aren’t a beautiful woman,” he continued hurriedly. “But since I am to marry, I think it only right that my dearest friend should also wed.”
Louisa tilted her head in confusion as she stared at the man. “Whatever are you talking about, my lord?”
“Harry. It is far past time you two marry.”
She couldn’t have been more surprised if the devil himself had walked into the room. She almost stumbled, but he caught her close. “I don’t understand, sir.”
“Harry has loved you for years. It’s time you stopped being so blasted picky and accepted him.” Ainsley’s green eyes flashed with humor. “After all, if I am to be chained in marriage, so should he.”
“I do believe you are mistaken, my lord. His Grace loved his late wife. Never me.”
Ainsley pulled her closer and whispered in her ear, “Always you, Miss Drake. I shall call on you tomorrow to discuss our plan.”
Our plan? She had no scheme with him.
As the music ended, he escorted her off the dance floor, but not before she noticed Harry glaring at her as he sipped his drink. Her mother rushed to her side.
“Lord Ainsley? Oh my, Louisa! An earl!”
“A rake, Mamma.”
“A rake whose uncle is worth a fortune and won’t release the money until either he dies, or the earl marries.”
What plan had Ainsley conceived that would help her with Harry? Perhaps her sister had an idea. She found Emma speaking with Bolton. Once again, the man’s mother stood next to her son as if terrified to leave her with a Daring Drake sister. But Emma smiled at her viscount as if he was the only man in the room. Louisa’s belly clenched. She could not ruin her sister’s chance with Bolton.
“Good evening, Lord Bolton,” she said with a smile. “Lady Bolton,” she added a nod and quick curtsy.
“Good evening, Miss Drake,” the viscount replied.
“Miss Drake.” His mother gave a disapproving nod before strolling away.
“Have you two danced yet?”