She sighed and turned to find Collingwood behind her. “Of course, but I do believe the musicians are on break right now.”
“That is all right. We can talk for a few minutes. We get so little time to speak with each other. I feel I must confess something.”
“Oh?” How had she become so popular tonight? Usually, she might dance once or twice but rarely three times.
He looked chagrined as he said, “I only danced with you at Lady Leicester’s ball because Worthington requested it.”
“I assumed as much, my lord.”
“But after that dance, I found myself enchanted,” he said softly with a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “I could not get enough of you or your spirit.”
“I see.”
Collingwood laughed. “I don’t think you do. While I did as Worthington requested, I found myself intrigued by you, Miss Drake.”
“Oh?”
“Yes, I believe that Worthington’s request was the best thing that ever happened to me.”
“How so, my lord?”
He smiled down at her. “Because I found you.”
“Oh.” Oh, dear God. After what happened in the study, she could never accept Collingwood as a husband. She couldn’t imagine doing to him what she’d done to Harry. It felt natural with Harry. The idea of touching Collingwood’s shaft was rather abhorrent to her.
And she wasn’t ready to give up on Harry yet. He seemed too close to the edge tonight. Jealous. Not of Collingwood but of her dancing with Ainsley.
“This is our dance, Miss Drake.” Collingwood held out his hand for her as the musicians took their seats.
She chose to ignore her feelings for now and focus on Collingwood. She couldn’t help but wonder why he would be courting her when the subject of her meager dowry was well known in Society. “How do you manage with your estates, my lord?”
“Quite well, but I only have the one in Hertfordshire. My late father had a thought to breed racehorses. After some careful consideration, I’ve decided it is not a worthwhile endeavor.”
“Oh?” Well, that coincided with what Harry had told her. Except, she had been certain Collingwood had an estate in Suffolk as well as Hertfordshire. Perhaps it had not been entailed, allowing him to sell it and pay off his father’s debts. “What will you focus on now?”
“Back to farming. It has always kept the estate with a steady income. I’ve already increased the number of sheep and plan to bring in a few more tenants. I need to build houses for them first.”
Louisa nodded. “I see. It sounds like you have everything in order.”
“Almost.”
Except for the most crucial aspect of wealth...diversification. The large estates needed vast amounts of income to sustain them. Farming alone might not be enough to keep the estate solvent, but Louisa doubted Collingwood would like to hear her opinion on the matter.
Once the musicians ended, Collingwood led her toward her mother. “I just need to focus on a wife now.” He bowed over her hand. “Good evening, Miss Drake.”
“Good evening, my lord.” The man had directly hinted that he needed a wife.
“Well done, Louisa,” her mother said with a smile. “You now have an earl and a viscount interested.”
And a duke she wanted the most, who her mother would deem completely unacceptable.
Chapter 17
HARRY LEFT THE BALL while his sister said her goodbyes. He had no intention of sharing the carriage with her only to be forced to listen to her convey her displeasure with his behavior tonight. After hailing a hackney, he headed to an area of town he rarely frequented any longer.
Once the hackney slowed to a stop, he jumped out and paid the man. Harry walked to the door of the gaming hell and knocked on the door of the old church. He slid his card into the slot and waited to be ushered inside. A large man with a long scar across his cheek opened the door.
“Your Grace,” the man said. “Welcome to Hell.”