Page 25 of How Not to Marry a Duke

“Not precisely.”

“Rather than apologize, she told me it was my fault for bellowing and startling Henry.”

Drake laughed. “I should like to meet her. Is she old? Bent over? Wrinkled? I’m struggling to picture a woman who keeps a pig as a pet, lives in the country, and is treating two hunting dogs who howl all hours of the day and night from digestive disorders.”

“Her name is Lady Adeline. She’s young. And beautiful.” The words slipped from his lips before his mind could stop them. A vivid image of mahogany hair, a straight nose, and striking blue eyes appeared before him.

Drake’s dark eyes gleamed with renewed interest. “Well, then I’m quite intrigued.”

“You’ll be even more intrigued. I’m courting her.”

Drake arched one dark eyebrow. “Bollocks. I don’t believe you.”

“It’s true. You know my godmother has been insistent on my engagement. Her half brother wants her to marry some moneylender. Why not agree to a temporary courtship?”

Drake’s mouth dipped in a frown. “I’ve never known you to be an idiot.”

“It’s well thought out. We part after the Season. We both get what we want. I would think you’d see the strategy in the plan.”

“Christ. It’s a plan full of complications. As your long-time friend, can I talk you out of it?”

“No.”

“You were always inflexible. But this idea is as dangerous as a landmine. What if you get stuck with the woman?”

“I won’t.” Warwick was certain of this fact. Neither of them wanted a temporary courtship to turn into more. Not to mention that Adeline was the most stubborn, argumentative woman he’d ever met. When he did choose a wife to beget an heir, she would have to be pleasant, pliable, and agreeable. Someone who would leave him to his work, and, in exchange, she could engage with the Society ladies and attend as many ton functions as she desired. Without him, of course.

Drake watched him with a critical squint. “Hmm. When can I meet this mysterious pig-owning woman you’re courting?”

“It’s likely you have met her. She’s Lord Foster’s half sister.”

Drake stiffened and his upper lip curled in distaste. “Now you must be jesting.”

Warwick didn’t blame his friend. The two had an unsavory past with Edwin. Warwick had excelled at academics at Eton, and before either Warwick or Drake had grown into men, when they were just skinny boys, they’d been teased by a group of school bullies.

Bullies led by none other than Edwin, the current Earl of Foster.

Edwin had been one of the smartest in the class until Warwick had arrived and outshone everyone. A jealous Edwin had hated Warwick from the beginning and plotted against him.

One instance, when he was ten years old, was hard to forget. Edwin, accompanied by his two lackeys, had cornered Warwick returning from the evening meal. Outnumbered, Warwick would have suffered a beating. But Drake had shown up and, together, they fought tooth and nail and managed to send the three bullies scurrying. Both Warwick and Drake had suffered black eyes and had been close friends ever since.

“You never lacked arrogance,” Drake said. “But this tops the list.”

“Funny you should say so. The lady accused me of possessing her brother’s arrogance,” Warwick said.

“Edwin is not only arrogant, but an arse.” Drake rubbed his chin with his thumb and forefinger. “On second thought, I’m curious to see the outcome of this courtship.”

“Why the change of heart?”

Drake flashed a crocodile smile. “It’s simple. It will be a pissing contest to rival all others. Can you imagine Edwin’s ire as you escort his half sister all over Town?”

…

Adeline clutched her medicine bag as she walked up the winding path to the duke’s home. It wasn’t a cottage like her own or one of the villagers’ smaller dwellings, but a fine manor house of red brick with black shutters. The hedgerows were meticulously trimmed, and the flower boxes overflowed with colorful spring blooms. She heard the rush of a stream and the churning of a waterwheel by the gardens.

It was not as fine as the Grosvenor’s Square townhomes in London occupied by the aristocracy, but no doubt the Duke of Warwick owned a grand mansion himself. As the daughter of the Earl of Foster, Adeline had been raised in a fine townhome.

Which now belonged to her half brother. No sense mourning the past.