Can't Buy Me a Duke (The Duke Hunters Club, #7) by Blythe Bianca

Author:Blythe, Bianca
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: funny regency romance, witty regency romance, American heiress regency, duke regency, fake romance historical, spinster historical romance, ugly duckling romance
Publisher: Bianca Blythe
Published: 2021-09-23T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Isabella sauntered into Lucy’s bedroom and clasped her hands together. “I knew it! You only had to put your mind to it, and you found yourself a suitor.”

Lucy swallowed hard. She’d never lied to her sister before and she had no urge to start.

“And you couldn’t have found a more dashing suitor.” Isabella plopped onto Lucy’s bed. “Sturbridge is ever so handsome.”

“That’s what everyone says.”

“And he wouldn’t be friends with darling Benedict if he weren’t also kind. Benedict speaks most highly of him.”

“How nice.” Lucy’s lips wobbled, and for a moment, she wondered what it would be like if Harrison truly was courting her.

“Just think!” Isabella exclaimed, and her blonde curls bounced. “We could have a double wedding.”

“A double wedding?” Lucy murmured faintly, and her stomach tightened.

Isabella nodded her head rapidly. “It would be ever so much fun. Two best friends marrying two sisters.”

The pain in her stomach intensified, and she averted her gaze in as casual a manner as possible. “We haven’t reached the marriage stage yet.”

“Of course.” Isabella waved her hand nonchalantly. “But I’ve seen the manner in which you two look at each other. It’s only a matter of time before Sturbridge comes lugging some heirloom stone over here and pronouncing an urge to live happily ever after with you.”

“You’re overly romantic.”

“I’m not the one dancing in his arms and receiving his calls. Benedict assured me the duke must be truly smitten.” Isabella leaned conspiratorially toward her. “Even his mother is taking the matter seriously. It seems that Sturbridge has never acted this way with anyone before. And you know what that means?”

“What?” Lucy asked faintly.

“It means, dearest sister, that you’re the one for him.”

Lucy’s mouth dried. Isabella’s blue eyes sparkled with even more than their customary force. The Mediterranean Sea seemed to be shimmering right inside her eyes. It was a wonder no painter had dragged her outside to do her portrait.

But she couldn’t let Isabella think she was on the verge of marriage. She couldn’t pretend. Not with her.

“There’s something I need to tell you.” Lucy’s voice wobbled.

A wide smile burst onto Isabella’s already adorable face. “Don’t tell me you’re already betrothed!”

Lucy swallowed hard. Telling Isabella the truth would be even more difficult than she’d anticipated.

“Benedict said that you wouldn’t get engaged until the summer,” Isabella chattered happily. “But I said it would be even quicker.” Isabella grinned. “Benedict proposed to me the third time we danced.”

“You mean you’re betrothed?” Lucy’s eyes widened.

Isabella tossed her head. “Of course not. He has to get permission from our parents first. I wasn’t going to become secretly betrothed to him. Some women might like the idea of eloping to Gretna Green, but personally, I’ve always wanted a large wedding. Besides, I don’t like keeping secrets from people. Having a secret suitor is sufficiently secretive.”

Isabella giggled happily, and guilt surged through Lucy.

“I don’t like having secrets either,” Lucy said. “Which is why I need to tell you something.”

Isabella looked expectantly at her, but Lucy’s throat dried, and her tongue suddenly forgot how to work.

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