A Deal with a Duke (The Daring Drake Sisters, #2) by Christie Kelley

Author:Christie Kelley
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Regency Romance, Dukes, Friends to lovers, Forbidden love, Stranded, Tortured hero, Unrequited love, Widow
Publisher: Christie Kelley
Published: 2019-10-14T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

MEMORIES OF A SIMILAR night flooded Harry’s mind as he glanced about the ballroom of Lady Marchton’s home. It was seven years ago that he met Louisa at the Marchtons’ ball. But tonight, he couldn’t seem to find her. Picking up a glass of champagne from a passing footman, he walked the room. He shouldn’t look for her. The goal of the night was to gain introductions to several ladies and speak with Blakely.

The room sparkled from the candlelight catching the cuts on the gems worn by the ladies and creating a kaleidoscope of colors on the walls. Perhaps she wasn’t in attendance tonight. Focus on the other ladies, not Louisa, he told himself sternly. Pausing to scan the room again, he heard the two blondes in front of him speaking softly.

“But he is a duke,” the taller lady insisted.

“He is mad,” the petite woman insisted. “His father killed the man’s wife.”

“And then there is the issue with his daughter.”

“A heathen for certain.”

He clenched his fist around the stem of the champagne glass. He couldn’t help but clear his throat loud enough that the two girls glanced back. A sensation akin to pleasure slid over him as they blushed violently and walked away. As he moved through the crush, a lady in front of him whirled around, and he had to catch her elbow to keep her from slamming into him.

His heart pounded as he stared down into her sapphire eyes. Wearing an ivory gown with lace trim, Louisa looked breathtaking.

“Your Grace,” Louisa said with a quick curtsy. “I had no idea you were here yet. Not that I can see anyone except those in front of me. I have never seen such a crush.”

He nodded. “Good evening, Miss Drake.”

“There is someone I would like to introduce you to if I can find her again,” she said with a quick laugh.

“Oh?”

“Yes, Miss Turnbull.”

Harry frowned. “Aren’t the Turnbulls in trade?”

Louisa sighed. “I will never be able to marry you off.”

“Marry me off?” Harry sipped his champagne. “You sound like a marriage-minded mama.”

“I feel like one with a very difficult daughter who is too picky for her own good.” Louisa glanced past him. “Oh, there she is!”

Harry took issue with being compared to a difficult daughter but turned as Louisa waved to Miss Turnbull. Watching the raven-haired woman gesture in return, a shiver of apprehension snaked down his back. Miss Turnbull had dark hair, and she appeared almost as tall as Louisa.

“Miss Turnbull, may I introduce His Grace, the Duke of Worthington?”

Miss Turnbull turned her attention to him, and Harry forced a smile.

“It is a pleasure, Miss Turnbull.”

“Yes, it is,” Miss Turnbull purred. “I have admired your fortitude in handling your father’s death, Your Grace. It must be deeply disturbing to discover such dreadful things about your own father.”

Was he supposed to thank her for that odd compliment? Perhaps the girl was nervous. His title had that effect on some people. Miss Turnbull’s brown eyes shifted back to Louisa as he remained silent.

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