Chapter 2
WHAT SHE HAD DONE!
She was bloody well tired of taking the blame for what others had done in the name of family, reputation, and love. “I have done nothing, Your Grace.”
“You arrived in the middle of a blizzard alone,” he said in a harsh tone so unlike the Harry she’d known for years.
“Of course, I’m alone. I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself.”
Hearing a bark of laughter from him, she yanked the towel from the chair and then rose from the tub, water dripping down her body. Gooseflesh covered her as she wrapped the large linen cloth around her. She strode from behind the screen. “So what else have I done, Harry? Nothing that happened between our families was my doing.”
“Christ, Louisa! You are only draped in a towel.”
“You are the one who interrupted my bath.” Louisa sighed. She, of course, knew better than to walk around all but naked. Heat crossed her cheeks as she stepped back behind the screen where she pulled on a shift and then her dressing gown before returning to confront him. “Better?”
“No.” His steely gray eyes stared at her until she felt a flush of embarrassment across her entire body.
Her dressing gown covered her from neck to ankles. How could this be inappropriate? “Why are you here...in my bedchamber, Harry? And what have I purportedly done this time?”
“I told you.” His exasperated voice hardened even more as he added, “And what you did was arrive at the home of an unmarried man alone. Even you should have better sense than that.”
It could not have been prevented. She was done waiting to fall in love. It was time for action. “And yet you could not wait for me to finish my bath to order me about.”
His cheeks flushed with the reminder of his transgression.
“And if the Gringhams cannot leave tomorrow? Am I a prisoner in this bedchamber all day and night until the storm passes?”
He let out a heavy sigh as if grasping the complexity of this situation. Rubbing his temples, he said, “I suppose not. But you must act as if you have a chaperone with you.”
“As you wish, Your Grace.” Louisa knew that there would be no satisfying Lady Gringham. But Louisa could pretend to have a companion with her, which might ease the older lady’s suspicious mind.
“Please stop calling me that,” he said, irritation lining his voice.
Louisa wondered why it felt good to get under his skin just a little. They were supposed to be friends, not adversaries. While they had teased each other over the years, it had always been in amusement. Not at all like this odd desire to madden him. But she couldn’t stop herself.
“Do you not think they will consider it more suspicious if I don’t dine with them?” Her lips twitched. “In fact, they might even believe I am your mistress, Your Grace.”
His eyes looked like clouds just before a storm. “Why did you come here, Louisa?”
“This is not something we can discuss quickly, and you have guests to entertain.”
Glancing over at the clock, he gave nodded. “Very well, tomorrow in my study at nine.”
“Are you always so commanding now? You were never so severe.”
“I wasn’t a duke then.” He rose and gave her a stiff bow before leaving the room.
Louisa dropped into a chair as he left. A lot had happened to them both in the past few years, but he couldn’t have changed that drastically. He’d been her friend. Her confidante. They had even written each other several times while he was in India. In secret, of course. At least they had until a year after he arrived when her letters went unanswered.
It wasn’t until he returned to London that she learned the truth.
They were no longer confidantes.
He had never told her about his wife. Not one letter to inform her.
Not one word.
She paced the extensive room. She would go mad if she were stuck here all night. Besides, she did not doubt that her absence at supper would only aggravate Lady Gringham’s penchant for gossip. At least if Louisa was present, she could make up a tale Lady Gringham would believe. A story so convincing that Harry’s name would only be a passing footnote.
There was one man who could aid her. A gentleman who would not be bothered with his name on the gossips’ lips, as it was a commonplace occurrence. Being friends with Harry, the earl would keep their secret safe.
And thankfully, she hadn’t agreed to stay in her room tonight.
A light rap announced Lily’s return. Her maid entered and then glanced over at her. “Is everything all right, miss?”
Louisa contemplated her actions again. Harry might be angry with her, but this was her reputation at stake, not his. “Please pull out my burgundy velvet.”
Lily cocked her head and stared at her. “Jenkins told me you would be taking a tray in your room tonight.”
She waved a hand at her maid. “The duke thought me too tired to dine with the others, but I find I am not weary at all. The bath invigorated me, so I have decided to join him...and his guests.”
“Yes, miss.”
At least she had remembered to pack one decent gown. Once Lily had helped her dress, the maid set forth to do something with Louisa’s hair. She had always envied her sisters’ hair. While Tessa had beautiful auburn locks with just the perfect amount of curls, and Emma’s wavy golden tresses took to any style her maid could imagine, Louisa’s brown hair had no wave, no curl, and usually fell out of even the simplest of chignons.
While her sisters had the beauty, Louisa had the brains. And the smart mouth that went along with knowing too much, as she’d been told numerous times. Mostly by Harry.
“Take a look, miss,” Lily said, holding up a hand mirror. “You look so beautiful.”
Louisa laughed until she looked in the mirror. Her mouth gaped, seeing the elegant upswept coiffure. “How did you get my hair dressed in that manner? My maid has about given up on it.”
Lily winked at her. “I can’t give away all my secrets, miss.”
“I love it, Lily.”
With a deep breath for strength, she walked out of the room and to the steps. Realizing she had no idea where the dining room was, she followed the delicious aromas as her stomach rumbled. When she found the room, the Gringhams were already seated, as was Harry. She straightened her back and strolled into the room with a smile.
“Good evening,” she said in a light tone. “Please excuse my tardiness.”
Lord Gringham and Harry rose as she entered the room. Lord Gringham smiled at her while Harry’s face darkened into a deep scowl.
“Miss Drake, it has been months since we have seen you,” Lord Gringham gushed. “I do hope you are well. You appear much more refreshed since your rest.”
“Good evening, Miss Drake,” Harry bit out. “I thought you had requested a tray in your room tonight.”
Louisa smiled at him as he glared at her. “Indeed? You must be mistaken. How could I not dine with the Gringhams? They are always a wonderful diversion.”
“Wherever is your companion, Miss Drake?” Lady Gringham asked.
“Oh Lady Gringham, did the duke not tell you?” Not waiting for a reply, Louisa continued with her tall tale, “Poor Mrs. Fitzhugh has taken dreadfully ill. That is why I thought it best we stop here for a night or two and not continue with the storm bearing down on us.”
Louisa took her seat, and the gentlemen followed suit. A footman placed a plate of roast beef, potatoes, and beans before her. She silently applauded Harry’s basic supper. It was just what she needed tonight.
“Indeed, the duke’s home would be far more comfortable than an inn. I’m certain your sister would understand.”
Louisa clenched the stem of her wineglass as Lady Gringham’s barb hit its mark. Would Tessa understand? Her sister had never talked about Harry after the accusations two years ago. And Louisa had never asked. Perhaps she’d feared Tessa would blame Harry for his father’s actions.
Lady Gringham sipped her wine
before continuing, “We were returning from our estate near Hownam where we’d spent Christmas. And where were you off to?”
“Yes, Miss Drake, you did not have the chance to tell me to where you were traveling before being waylaid,” Harry challenged with one brown brow arched.
“I suppose you haven’t heard the news,” she answered as she cut her beef. “Lord Ainsley asked me to join him and his mother in Scotland through Twelfth Night.” She deliberately paused her fork in midair as if she had just realized this critical thought. “I fear he will worry when I don’t arrive on time.”
Harry choked on his beef and then reached for his wine. “Lord Ainsley you say?” he asked as he placed his wineglass on the table.
“Oh, my,” Lady Gringham said with wide eyes. “I had not heard that bit of news. When did this all occur?”
“It was rather sudden,” Louisa admitted with a secret smile to make everyone trust her...save Harry. With a glance at his angry face, she knew he did not believe a word she uttered. “I must admit, even I was surprised since he’d given me no special notice this Season. But since late August, he has called on me several times a week. He asked me to join them before he left to spend Christmas with his mother.”
Lady Gringham tilted her head with a slight smile. “Well that explains Emerson,” she said so softly Louisa barely heard her.
Louisa looked wistfully toward her glass of wine. “Ainsley seems to understand me in a way no other man has managed.”
Harry coughed as if still choking on something.
“Oh,” Lady Gringham said with a sigh. “It is past time for that rake to reform.”
“Yes, it is,” Louisa replied. “I suppose after that dreadful accident that took his dear father and brother, he has to find a lady who will be his countess.”
“Your mother must be so pleased,” Lady Gringham added as she picked up her wineglass. “She most likely had given up on you ever catching a man.”
Louisa clutched her knife, trying to ignore the urge to hurl it at the countess. “Yes, she had thought me to be a hopeless spinster. But time will tell, I believe.”
Harry leveled her a questioning look. “I hadn’t heard such news either, Miss Drake. I must admit, I am a bit surprised.”
She smiled sweetly at him. “How would you have heard anything this far from town, Your Grace?”
“News does tend to reach out here.”
While he likely knew about Blakely, Harry couldn’t possibly know about Emerson. It had only been four months since that debacle. She put it out of her mind, determined to enjoy her first real meal in days. For a few moments, the men chatted about politics, allowing her time to eat in peace.
“How is your sister, Miss Drake?” Lady Gringham inquired before receiving a cold glare from her husband.
“Emma is recently engaged to Lord Bolton.” Louisa gripped her wineglass tightly before taking a large swallow. Do not ask about Tessa.
“And your older sister?” Lady Gringham continued as if unaware of how both Harry and her husband gawked at her.
“She is quite well, too. She is expecting her first child in early summer.”
“It certainly is about time,” Lady Gringham commented before taking a bite of meat. “She has been married for two years. My daughter was barely wed four months when she informed us she was with child.”
There must be something utterly wrong with Lady Gringham not to notice how uncomfortable poor Harry looked with this conversation. Louisa had to change the topic and what better than the weather. “Your Grace, do you believe the storm will be over soon, so we might be able to continue our journeys tomorrow?”
He gave her a brief look of relief with the change in conversation. “We will have to see in the morning. It appears to be over a half foot of snow and still falling and blowing.”
“Oh no,” Lady Gringham said with a sigh. “My eldest, Sarah, is nearing delivery of our first grandchild. I must get to Suffolk.”
“We will find a way,” Lord Gringham replied, patting his wife’s plump hand.
“You may take my sleigh,” Harry added. “Once you get out of the heavy snow, leave it with an inn. I will have a man return your carriage when the roads clear.”
“Oh, thank you, Your Grace,” Lady Gringham exclaimed.
Louisa smiled, thankful that the couple would be gone come morning. Then she could tell Harry the real reason she arrived. She could only hope he would listen to her idea with an open mind.
HARRY SCOWLED AS THE realization struck that he was now stuck with Louisa until the coaches could get through. She couldn’t return with the Gringhams after telling them she was off to see Ainsley in Scotland. A story certainly made up to throw them off her real motive for arriving unannounced and unchaperoned.
He and Ainsley had been friends since Eaton. Ainsley would have spoken of the matter when he arrived in early December before heading on to Scotland.
“Shall we all move to the sitting room and have tea and brandy together? I wouldn’t think we should stand on convention with only four of us.” Lady Gringham wiped the corners of her mouth with her napkin. She placed it on the table as she scraped back her chair before anyone could answer.
“I suppose we should,” Harry said as he rose from his chair. “Miss Drake, allow me to escort you in.”
He gave her his arm, and her warmth wrapped around him. A light scent of lilac floated around her, kindling his senses. He’d forgotten how beautiful she was when she smiled fully. Her entire face lit with emotion and her blue eyes twinkled. He pushed the thoughts away with force. There would be no thinking of her in such a manner.
“I do not appreciate having my request ignored,” he said quietly so the Gringhams would not hear.
“I refused to be locked in my bedchamber like a lunatic.”
“Any lady who arrives at a gentleman’s estate alone should be locked in a bedroom.” But not alone.
She broke away from him and moved to the chair by the fireplace.
He took the seat opposite her while the Gringhams sat at opposite ends of the settee. “Tea?” he asked, looking at the ladies.
“Yes, thank you,” Lady Gringham replied.
“Brandy, please,” Louisa said sweetly.
“Miss Drake, do you think that is wise?” Lady Gringham said with a slight frown. “The taking of such strong spirits is not a ladylike quality.”
“True,” she said, turning away from Harry’s smirk. “But I have taken quite a chill today, and I do believe brandy is the best course to warm me.”
Before Lady Gringham could retort, Harry said, “Very good.”
He rose and asked the footman to bring in the tea while he poured three snifters of brandy. It had taken all his control not to laugh at Lady Gringham’s comment. Louisa had been known to match him drink for drink. After handing the glass to Lord Gringham, he brought Louisa her brandy.
“Thank you, Your Grace,” she said before lifting the snifter to her full rosy lips.
Damnation, he had to stop thinking about her in that way. Every time he thought about her, his guilt came tumbling back to him. He would never forgive himself for what he’d done in India.
Lady Gringham chatted about various people in the ton whom Harry hadn’t seen in years. His mind drifted back to that night years ago at the Marchtons’ ball on a warm May night. Louisa had been wearing a light pink gown covered in pearls and small bows. Oh, how she’d hated that dress.
Still, after a few drinks, he couldn’t help but notice her standing alone across the room. He couldn’t explain what caused him to stare at her. Perhaps it was her height. Perhaps it was the dreadful pink gown. Perhaps it was the defiant look in her eye that told him she would rather be anywhere but in that ballroom.
Once she left the room for some air, he stalked her. When she made it quite clear that she was not interested in marriage or Society, they struck up a conversation.
He should have walked away, but he couldn’t. Instead, they talked at length a
bout the tea plantation in India. No other woman had ever been interested enough to ask about it. Every ball after that, they made it a point to sneak away and converse at length about topics far and wide.
She was, without a doubt, the most fascinating woman he’d ever met. Even today, while angry with her for bringing back memories that he’d done his best to bury, he couldn’t look away from her.
“Your Grace?”
Harry blinked and smiled at Lady Gringham, who had just placed her teacup down. He hadn’t even noticed the footman bring in the tea. “Excuse me, I was woolgathering.”
“I asked if you knew of Miss Jane Bigby?”
“I have not had the pleasure.”
Lady Gringham smiled. “She is a lovely young lady from a fine family. She is related to the Earl of Bingham if I remember correctly. This will be her second Season out. You must meet her when you come to town.”
“I am not certain I will be in town for the Season this year,” he replied flatly. He was done with the Season and Society. Now more than ever.
She waved a hand at him. “Of course you will. You have far exceeded the normal mourning period. You must come to town and find a wife.”
“I do not believe there is such a thing as a normal mourning period,” Louisa interjected. “After all, I think it should depend on the love you felt for your husband or wife.”
“Nonsense,” Lady Gringham said with a shake of her head. “Society says one year for a husband or wife is plenty.”
Harry glanced over at Louisa as she rolled her eyes before sipping her brandy. “I must say, I agree with Miss Drake.”
Louisa smiled over at him. “Thank you, Your Grace. Mourning should be based on the feeling and not what Society dictates.”
Lady Gringham gave the room a loud harrumph. “I suppose you take no issue with a woman who comes out of mourning early?”
Harry cringed, knowing that jab was directed at Louisa’s sister for doing precisely that after the passing of her third husband.
A Deal with a Duke Page 3
