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“So you prefer our name in the mud, for your rejection and for your…excesses.”
“You started the rumours. Fix it,” he growled and ignored the barb involving his personal life.
For the first time in years, Drake saw the field-general slump her shoulders. A sliver of guilt made its way into his brain, but he quashed it quickly. It was about time she saw she would have to wait for him to decide. And he might pass marriage altogether, though he’d not tell her that as yet.
Without another word, he pivoted and left her company.
“I’m sorry you became caught up in this.” Drake broke the silence that dominated his and Lady Millicent’s waltz.
The girl had kept to herself, retreating inside in a manner she made herself almost absent from the premises.
She was tall, but not so much she might avoid tilting her head to look at him as she did at that moment. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to continue this ruse for a while longer.”
Drake really looked at the chit at that. Quiet and withdrawn she might be, but she hid surprises behind her weariness. “If that’s what you wish.”
“Yes, Lord Worcester. It’ll appease your mother and my father for a few weeks.” Her words came unexpectedly.
“I hope you know it will put your prospects at risk.” They swirled on the dance-floor, oblivious to the music.
“That’s exactly my intention. I couldn’t care less for marriage.” That made two of them.
“An unusual notion for a lady,” as far as he saw, ton ladies pursued the institution for varied reasons of to bear children, to have their own homes, to find financial security. None of them, the lords included, possessed a mind for love. Not even for their trysts outside marriage. Marriages and paramours happened in a mart where everyone exchanged varied currencies, vis-a-vis money for heirs, youth for a position, or status for vengeance.
“In a few years, I’ll come into my late mother’s inheritance and settle my own home.”
Sensible to the point of coldness, the girl knew what she wanted.
And who could blame her? Another badly kept secret was her father’s…inclinations. The Duke of Haddington indulged in every single unlawful pleasure London covertly offered. Some said he didn’t have mistresses, he had victims. Even Drake shuddered at the thought of this innocent girl living under the same roof as that bastard, though she seemed to be safe enough. Her father wouldn’t soil goods that could bring him social advantages.
“I wish you success in your plan,” he answered.
The waltz finished, and the lady curtsied. “Thank you, my lord.” A less guarded smile graced her features.
Drake went in search of a drink as a group of lords stood in his way. Fortunately, his closest friends, The Earl of Thornton, Harris Darroch, the shipping magnate, and the Duke of Brunswick. Worcester had gone to school with Thornton and Brunswick. Darroch’s wife, Edwina, was sister to Philippa, the Duchess of Brunswick, and close friends with the Countess of Thornton.
“Edmund,” he greeted the earl. “Titus,” to the duke. “Harris,” and greeted Darroch with a nod.
“Here comes the rake about to be reformed.” Titus celebrated, obviously believing the rumours.
Drake had to own that in his wildest hay-days, his behaviour hadn’t been in the best of forms. Though, in the last year he’d been exclusive. His attention had focused entirely on Hester. And now she was gone, but he promised himself he’d rectify the situation.
“Not so soon,” he answered as he took a glass of champagne from a footman.
“Don’t tell me you’ll drag the betrothal.” Edmund taunted, a knowing look on him.
“That’s what I would’ve done. Before I fell for Edwina, I mean.” Harris added. The Scott had held the fame of the worst libertine London had ever seen.
"I won't be betrothed at all. The whole thing is my mother's doing." Drake vented and tossed the wine. "I was introduced to the chit an hour ago."
“Bleeding hell,” exclaimed Darroch!
"The rags will go aflame with the scandal," Edmund predicted.
"You can't do that to a duke's daughter," Titus warned. Even having met Philippa in Worcester's house-party, he ended up marrying her second cousin to avoid a scandal.
"I told my mother to fix it, it's her mess," Drake said dead serious.
“Perhaps you should try it.” Edmund started. “Marriage isn’t all that bad.” The earl fell hard for an orphaned miss and was a protective and possessive husband.
