As the afternoon progressed, he couldn’t help but notice Louisa’s reticence. It was utterly unlike her. And he didn’t like it.
Chapter 9
“I HEARD A RUMOR THAT you went to The Exeter ‘Change yesterday with a certain duke,” Tessa said, sipping her tea in their mother’s salon.
Louisa nodded. “Yes, I had promised Charlotte I would attend with them. Not to worry, our maid was with us.”
“Indeed? I heard Mamma had insisted Emma accompany you as a proper chaperone.”
“Emma had plans with Susan. Besides, she had no desire to be amongst the dirty animals. And it turned out that there was no need for a proper chaperone.”
Louisa picked up a biscuit with a sigh, remembering how disappointment had gripped her as she watched Harry with Mary Gardiner. Mary appeared to treat Charlotte no differently than her daughter. And Harry had smiled at her. Something he rarely did with Louisa these days.
“Oh?”
“Mary Gardiner and her daughter joined us.”
“Oh.” Tessa rubbed her rounded belly. “Any news on the husband search?”
Louisa told her about meeting Collingwood. “I don’t know what is wrong with me, Tessa. I look at Collingwood, and there is no spark, no excitement...nothing.”
Not that she could tell her sister how looking at Harry made her belly flutter and think dreadfully improper thoughts. Tessa might be upset to learn that Louisa found Harry attractive after what his father had done to her husbands.
“Then he is not the man for you. Trust me. After three marriages to the wrong man, you will know when the right one comes along.”
“I am twenty-five years old. Surely, if such a man existed, I would have noticed by now.”
“And how old was I when I met Jack?” Tessa reminded her.
“Twenty-five,” Louisa replied flatly.
“Perhaps that is the fate of the Drake sisters. We don’t meet our true love until we are five and twenty.”
“Don’t tell that bit of nonsense to Emma or she may have an apoplexy,” Louisa said with a laugh.
Tessa laughed and then sobered. Hearing noises at the front door, they both quieted, listening for a moment. After hearing no new voices, Tessa asked, “Where are Mamma and Emma this afternoon?”
“Lady Huntley’s again. It is Mamma’s favorite place to hear the gossip of the day.”
“Miss Drake, this just came,” Davis said, holding a salver with a letter.
“Thank you, Davis.” Louisa picked up the letter and noticed the seal, before slipping it into her pocket.
“Oh, just open it,” Tessa said, pouring herself more tea. “Is it from him?”
Louisa nodded as she retrieved the note and broke the wax. As she read the letter, her stomach roiled in protest. This is what she’d wanted. She was supposed to want him to be happy...but this...this hurt so much. “Oh Lord,” she muttered.
“What is it?” Tessa asked quickly.
“He wants me to find him a wife.” As she scanned the requirements for his bride, she almost laughed.
“Isn’t that what you had suggested?”
Louisa waved the paper in front of her. “Yes, but this? This is madness. This...this is a list that I shall never be able to satisfy. Just listen to what he wants...she must be beautiful, of superior intelligence, taller than the average female, preferably darker hair because he’s not partial to blondes, she must love children, have a kind heart for Charlotte, and preferably one who doesn’t giggle.”
Tessa’s brows rose. “Indeed.”
“Yes, indeed. Where exactly am I supposed to find such a paragon of beauty, intelligence, and heart?” Louisa’s mind went to yesterday and Mrs. Gardiner. While not quite tall, in fact, quite a bit shorter than Louisa, Mary had most of these qualities. Her shoulders sagged with the thought. “He means Mary Gardiner,” she whispered as pain stabbed her heart.
There was nothing terribly wrong with Mary Gardiner. She just wasn’t exactly what Harry needed.
“I do not think he meant Mary Gardiner, Louisa.” Tessa grabbed the letter and read through it. “No, I don’t think that was his intention. Mary is my height. I believe the duke intended someone closer to your size.”
Louisa rolled her eyes. “Hardly. When we first met, he would tease me over my height.”
“He also said the woman should be of particular intelligence. Quite frankly, I’ve spoken with Mary before, and while of some intelligence, she doesn’t quite match yours.”
“Hah!”
“And he explicitly states the woman must love Charlotte. Well, how will he know for certain?” Tessa smiled over at her as she lifted her teacup. “You know how a lady will say anything to catch a duke.”
“Whatever are you trying to get at, Tessa?”
“The man wants a very exacting lady.” Her sister sipped her tea and then placed the teacup down.
“I highly doubt he has one iota of an idea of what he wants in a wife.”
“I’m quite certain he does,” Tessa remarked with a smug grin. “I’m just not sure he realizes it yet.”
“And who does he want?”
“You.”
Louisa laughed until her belly hurt. “Being with child has addled your mind, Tessa.”
Tessa slapped her hand on the arm of the chair. “I am not addled-minded. I saw the way he used to look at you, Louisa. He wanted you.”
“Of course, he did. He was a rake. Harry has always been my best friend. And at Northwood Park, he told me quite distinctly that he could never marry me because of all that is between our families.”
“Which is why I believe he doesn’t even realize he wrote down all your attributes. I married my late husbands to help you and Emma be able to marry for love.”
Her sister was making no sense today. Harry made it clear that he had no interest in marrying her. “You forget, he wants a beautiful wife. I am the plain Drake sister. You and Emma are the beautiful ones. And I do tend to giggle.”
“You are beautiful, Louisa. You tend to giggle when drinking, and I think he must be used to that.” Tessa smiled over at her. “Do you love him?”
“I’ve always loved Harry, but not in the manner you mean.”
“Are you certain?” Tessa shifted in her chair. “I want you to find a man you love and one who loves you in return.”
“If that is the case, then you should know that Harry does not love me in that way. He loved his first wife so deeply that he spent two years mourning her. And he only returned to town because I threatened him.”
“You what?”
Louisa released a long sigh and then explained everything that had happened between them while at Northwood Park from the marriage pact to their constant quarreling. Nothing would ever be the same, as evident by his attitude toward Mary Gardiner. Harry had smiled and laughed when she was near. Unlike his constant scowl when Louisa was close.
Tessa tapped her fingers against her lips with a shake of her head. “No, you’re wrong about him. He is pushing you away. But why?”
The idea that Harry would push her away hurt more than Louisa wanted to admit. Worse, ever since that almost kiss, she couldn’t help but wonder what it would feel like if Harry kissed her. She wanted to know.
“There is only one thing to do,” Emma said, striding into the room with a fierce look upon her young face.
“How did you get in without us hearing you?” Louisa asked, looking over at her younger sister. “And where is Mamma?”
“Davis opened the door for me when the post arrived. And Mamma went shopping with Lady Huntley. You two never tell me anything. Therefore I decided to eavesdrop.” Emma strolled toward the chairs where they sat. After pouring herself tea, she added, “The duke wants you, Louisa. He’s pushing you away because he feels guilty over the death of his wife.”
Louisa’s jaw went slack. “How would you know this?”
Emma laughed as she picked up her teacup. “Haven’t either of you read any of the novels by Mrs. Henrietta Lewis?”
“She writes the most marvelous books of romance. They are full of adventure and passion.” Emma shook her head with her lips in a frown. “I will make sure you each have one to read. Any matter, this is very similar to a story where Miss Brooks finds herself in love with Captain Harris. He fought alongside Wellington at Waterloo. But when he returns from battle, he discovers his wife and son are dead from some mysterious fever. He is distraught—”
“What does any of this have to do with Harry pushing me away?” Louisa interrupted, exasperated by the story.
Emma’s blond brows furrowed into a scowl. “Captain Harris didn’t believe he could fall in love again after such a horrific loss. So, he pushes Miss Brooks away time after time, but she doesn’t give up on him. Eventually, he realizes that he loves her. They marry and live happily ever after.”
Louisa could only stare at Emma. “So, I’m just supposed to not give up on Harry?”
“Oh no,” Emma said emphatically. “You must pursue him.”
“Pursue Harry.” Louisa couldn’t understand just how her sister had completely lost her mind. The man said he wanted Louisa to find him a wife. He didn’t ask for that wife to be her.
“Yes,” Tessa added with a nod. “Emma, I do believe you are right.”
Emma gave Louisa a triumphant smile. “See?”
“No, I do not see!” Emma was only twenty-one. Louisa could excuse her ignorance of all the facts. But Tessa? Her older sister. The same woman whose name was ruined by Harry’s father. How could Tessa think pursuing Harry would be good for any of them?
“Louisa, whether you love him or not, you do have feelings for the duke.” Tessa rose and walked the room as she rubbed her rounded belly. “You will never know for certain if you do love him unless you put yourself in front of him at every opportunity.”
“Just as Miss Brooks did with Captain Harris,” Emma added.
Both her sisters had lost their minds. She could almost excuse Tessa since she was with child, but her younger sister had the most to lose if Louisa chose to pursue Harry. Emma was telling her to chase Harry! This was the most ridiculous idea either of her sisters had ever had. She was not about to pursue her best friend.
She couldn’t possibly.
He would be furious with her for attempting such a devious thing. Then again, it seemed he was always irate with her about something lately. Emma could not possibly be correct. No, he needed a perfect young lady to become his wife—not someone like her who had family secrets almost as dark as his own. If her family’s secrets were ever revealed, it would ruin them all.
As Tessa left and Emma returned to her novel reading, Louisa stared at the fireplace. Her mind returned to his list of requirements. Was Tessa right that Louisa met every qualification he wrote requested? It didn’t make sense. Except if she closed her eyes, she saw his face coming closer to hers, his eyes half-shut and his lips only an inch from hers.
Foolish thoughts, indeed.
If Harry had wanted to kiss her, he would have. If he wanted her as his wife, he would have paid a call on her and proposed.
Maybe the old Harry. But not this man who was so utterly different from his younger self. Could some of what Emma said be right? He was pushing her away out of guilt. If he felt guilty, then he might not have realized what he wrote in his list.
Could Harry want her?
There might be only one way to discover the truth. But it would involve flirting with him. While her sisters had learned how to flirt and be seductive at an early age, Louisa had kept her head in scholarly books. She had no idea how to entice a man.
Perhaps there were books on flirting.
HARRY ASCENDED THE steps to Lady Leicester’s home in Grosvenor Square. With the country finally into half-mourning, he had received a few invitations to dinner parties and even a poetry reading at Lady Gringham’s salon. But tonight, he would have to fight his apprehension and re-enter Society. And face Louisa’s sister.
The door opened as he approached, and the butler smiled at him.
“Good evening, Your Grace,” the man said before Harry had even pulled a card out. “I am Stevens and if you should need anything at all, just let me know.”
“Thank you, Stevens.”
The butler helped him with his coat and then gave it to a footman. “Most of her ladyship’s guests have arrived and are in the salon.”
Instead of letting a footman show him the way, Stevens led him to the salon. Harry could hear the low tones of conversation and then a familiar husky laugh.
“His Grace, the Duke of Worthington,” Stevens announced as he opened the door.
Harry took in the room and tried not to show his surprise. He’d expected no more than ten to twelve people, but there had to be near thirty in the room.
“Oh, do come in, Your Grace,” Lady Leicester said and then gave him a quick curtsy. The rest of the room followed with either a curtsy or a bow. She ambled over to him. Taking his arm, she whispered, “If there is anyone you do not know, tell me, and I shall introduce you. I do hope you don’t mind that I had to invite the Drake girls as one is married to my grandson.”
“I don’t mind at all. Nothing that happened was their fault.”
“My thoughts exactly,” she replied with a sharp nod.
“Miss Drake and I have been friends for years,” he added as he spied her standing near her sister Emma.
Lady Leicester glanced over at Louisa. “Indeed, I had no idea. Do try to enjoy yourself tonight. I know how difficult it can be the first time out after mourning. Now you must excuse me, I must make a few minor changes to the seating arrangements.”
Seeing Tessa and her husband speaking with Viscount Bideford, Harry walked toward them with a forced smile. He could do this. He hadn’t spoken to her since her release from prison after his father hung himself, freeing her from all suspicion.
“Good evening, Bideford,” he said before turning to Tessa and Raynerson. “Good evening, Raynerson, Mrs. Raynerson.”
“Your Grace,” they said in unison.
He released a long breath before saying, “Mrs. Raynerson, I do hope you will be able to see past my father’s madness and realize I had no idea what he was about.”
“Of course, Your Grace. I do not hold you to blame. You were in India for most of the time.”
Not for the first husband. Perhaps he should have seen the signs then, but he’d been too involved in trying to court his dearest friend.
“My sister has always spoken favorably of you, Your Grace,” she added with a smile.
“Thank you.”
Not knowing what else to say to her, he bowed and walked away. Looking around the room, he realized that Lady Leicester must have been particular with the invitation list. He knew everyone in the room. As people came up to greet him, he lost sight of Louisa. At some point this evening, he needed to speak with her to see if she’d decided on a list for him.
After spending the past fortnight going to White’s, he had a few more men on which he needed her opinion. He still thought Collingwood might be the best choice for her. The viscount was an even-tempered man who would indulge Louisa with her books and other interests. Harry had heard nothing about a gambling problem with him. Finally, Louisa returned to the salon with her sister.
“Excuse me, I must speak with someone,” Harry said to the group that surrounded him. Walking toward Louisa, he forced the feeling of warmth that invaded his body away and concentrated only on what he’d come here for. “Good evening, Miss Drake, Miss Emma.”
“Good evening, Your Grace,” they said in unison. Emma excused herself to speak with a friend.
“Miss Drake, I do hope you are well.”
“I am indeed. And you?”
“Very much so. I do have a few matters I need to discuss with you.” His gaze moved to the bodice of her lavender gown.
Stop looking at her like a reprobate.
“As do I, Your Grace,” she sa
id, casually sipping her sherry as she looked about the room. “But we can hardly discuss this here.”
“I agree. Take a walk in Hyde Park tomorrow morning. I shall meet you there,” he whispered before giving her a bow and strolling away. He glanced back, and she smiled over at him with a nod.
Focus on the ladies in the room and not the one you can never have.
Heeding his conscience’s advice, he strolled the room and slowly realized that the only unmarried ladies in attendance were Louisa and Emma.
“Dinner is served, my lady,” Stevens announced to the room.
“Your Grace, you must walk me in,” Lady Leicester said, at the threshold. “You are the guest of honor.”
“Of course, Countess.” Harry walked over and held his arm out for the lady. “Allow me.”
They sauntered to the dining room as the others followed. After escorting Lady Leicester to the head of the table, he found his seat to her right. He couldn’t help but watch Louisa enter the room accompanied by an elderly baron. A sliver of disappointment trickled through him as she took her seat at the opposite end of the table where he could only watch her from afar.
“Are you well, Your Grace?” the countess asked with a look of concern. “You seem a bit forlorn.”
“Forlorn? I do hope not,” he replied as a footman placed a bowl of cream soup in front of him. “Just a flickering thought about my sister. I haven’t seen her for some time.”
Lady Leicester glanced down the table toward Louisa. “Of course, that is all that is on your mind. I do hope you have decided to marry again. Society has become a bit dull. If you are ready to enter the marriage mart again, I can only imagine the excitement of all the mamas.”
He sipped his potato soup and then nodded. “As a matter of fact, I have.”
The conversation at the table quieted and then buzzed with whispers.
“Excellent news, indeed, Your Grace,” she said with a sly smile. “And as I always try to hold the first official ball of the Season, it is certain to be a crush.”
“Unless I am married and gone back to the North before then,” he said with a smile to make her think he teased her. And tomorrow he intended to make sure Louisa understood his plan. Now, if he could only stop glancing down the table at her.
A Deal with a Duke Page 11