The Heiress and the Spy (The Friendship Series Book 2) by Julia Donner

Author:Julia Donner [Donner, Julia]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Published: 2013-12-19T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 21

Peregrine calmed the angry pounding of his heart, while Elizabeth stared up at his brother as if he were divine. How easily Harry manipulated.

“Well done, Harry, and I have every intention of holding you to the rest of our agreement.” Nodding at the drama about to begin, Peregrine strove for a cool tone. “Are you engaged after this?”

“I promised to meet Alvanley for a few rounds of faro.”

Peregrine narrowed his eyes when Harry looked over his shoulder and blew a kiss to an overblown redhead in pink and too many jewels. “Still winning, Harry?”

“Always do, Perry. Got to keep up appearances, but we’re neglecting Elizabeth.” Harry turned to Elizabeth, his lips curved in a genuine smile. “In you, dear sister, I’m content that my clod of a brother is capable of doing something worthwhile. Because of you, I believe I can find it in myself to forgive his deplorable taste.” He retook his seat in the chair beside hers. “You must have noticed, dear Sis, that my twin insists on recognizing that dreadful man, Brummell, who insulted a friend of mine. Prinny has never been the same.”

Elizabeth touched Harry’s sleeve. “Please, I must warn you that Mr. Brummell is also a friend of mine. I cannot allow you to discredit him.”

Harry’s seriousness evaporated. He sighed and blessed her with an adoring expression. “Loyalty and spirit. Will you defend me as ferociously, sister?”

Peregrine’s heart stopped when she leaned slightly toward him and waggled her eyebrows. “To the death, darling brother!”

Heads turned when Harry threw back his head and laughed. He captured her hand in both of his. “The world will envy me with a sister such as you. Furthermore, I forgive Brummell and my loutish brother for being such dreary specimens.”

When Harry released her, Peregrine noticed a slight movement that revealed distress. Her hand briefly rubbed her right wrist, a habit no one else would notice. But Peregrine noticed everything about her. His lips tightened. Something Harry had said disturbed an old wound. Perhaps she assumed Harry’s attentions were nothing more than a pretense, the fulfillment of an obligation.

But his valiant Eliza covered her disappointment with a smile, making sure her dimples peeked. “And I reply, well done, dearest Harry. You shall have a treat.”

Harry chortled and shook a gloved finger at her. “I can’t think of how such a boring creature as my brother managed to snatch you up from under the noses of the other fortune hunters.” He paused to give her a dreamy stare. “Is it true that you’re fabulously rich?”

Peregrine barked, “Harry, you muckworm! Take yourself off. There’s already a farce on the playbill.”

Just to aggravate and do the opposite, Harry waved his handkerchief at the royal box and pointed proudly at Elizabeth, showing her off in manner that would have been designated as vulgar in anyone else.

After bowing to his friend and prince, Harry leaned close, as if to flirtatiously whisper in her ear. “That’s Lady Holland’s set directly across. She’s been breaking her knees, begging for an introduction.

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