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Her heart swelled. “You love me?”
He smiled fully. “I have loved you since that first night on the terrace at the Marchtons’ ball. Why do you think I’d stopped the foolish ways of my youth? I wanted to prove to you that I could be a better person.”
She reached out and caressed his cheek. “I didn’t love you then,” she admitted. “I only wanted your friendship. When you returned from India, I noticed that you had changed, but it was too late. After your wife died, I wanted to comfort you...”
“But I never returned your letters,” he finished.
Nodding, she continued, “I had thought to re-establish our friendship. When I arrived at Northwood Park, I realized you were not the same man I had known. And for some reason, I was attracted to the dark, cold man I’d found up north. After reuniting with you, I never wanted to find you a wife. I tried to match you with ladies I thought you would never wish to marry. I started chasing you so that you would notice me. But I’m a dreadful at flirting.”
“Louisa,” he said softly. “I always notice you.”
Another thought flittered through her brain. No! She prayed she was wrong, but Harry was a man of honor. “It’s after
midnight. You are officially thirty. Is this all because of that damned deal we made? I would never hold you to it.”
Harry shook his head. “That damned deal, as you call it, is what brought you to me in the dead of winter. It forced me to return to London. It was the pact that brought us back together. While it had nothing to do with tonight, I want you to hold me to our deal for the rest of our lives.”
“Are you certain?”
He kissed her tenderly with a hint of the passion under the surface. “I love you, Louisa Drake. Deal or not. Will you be my duchess?”
“Emma,” she whispered as her heart ached. “Lady Bolton may insist her son reject Emma. I cannot marry you if that might happen that to her. She loves him.”
“Bolton is a fool if he tosses her over due to our marriage. The Drakes will now be associated with the Duke of Worthington. A most prestigious family, even if there was at least one mad duke.”
Louisa worried her lower lip. “She told me he loves her and would never reject her. But I’m not so certain.”
“Then she will find a better man. We can make sure of that.”
She knew Bolton wasn’t the best man for Emma but had not pressed the issue. Emma loved the viscount and had assured Louisa numerous times that Bolton would never reject her. But Harry was right. If something happened, they could ensure she had a proper dowry and found a gentleman.
“Yes.”
“Yes?” he asked.
“I will marry you.” Louisa wrapped her arms around his neck. “I love you, Harry.”
“Good because I’m taking you to my bed.” He picked her up and carried her down the hall. “Goodnight, Jenkins.”
“Goodnight, Your Grace, Miss Drake,” the butler replied stiffly.
Louisa pressed her face into his chest with a giggle. “I believe we may have scandalized Jenkins.”
“It won’t be the last time that happens.”
SPENT, HARRY PULLED her close in the large bed and kissed her forehead. “You know,” he whispered in her ear. “We could run off to Gretna Green and elope.”
She slapped his chest lightly. “We will have enough scandal with marrying each other. A church or home wedding would be better. Just not a large wedding, if you please. I understand you are a duke and might wish to have a formal wedding...just not too many people.”
Part of him wanted this elopement more than he wished to admit. He lifted his head and stared down at her. Marrying her now would only be easier on him. Her mother and sister would have no ability to talk Louisa out of marriage. “I suppose we do not need any additional gossip.”
“Besides, your daughter deserves to see her father married,” she reminded him.
“You are right,” he admitted. “We shall have to face the gossip and objections together.”
She smiled. “We can always retire to Northwood Park until the gossip fades from us to someone else. Perhaps Emma will reject Bolton and cause a scandal. Tessa had her turn. It’s our turn now.”
Harry laughed. “I highly doubt Miss Emma will ever have more than a slight bit of gossip attached to her name. Any man with half a brain will see that she would make a beautiful wife.”
