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“Is everything all right?” Tessa asked.
“It’s from Harry. He states he will call on me tomorrow to see my list of requirements in a husband.”
“Why is that distressing you?”
“You saw my list!”
HARRY KNOCKED ON THE door of the Drakes’ home. Perhaps he should have given her more time before demanding the list from her. Since he had no intention of staying in London longer than necessary, he needed her requirements today. The sooner he found this man for her, the better.
The door opened to reveal a footman in shabby livery. “Yes?”
Harry gave him his card. “I am here to see Miss Drake.”
“Of course, Your Grace. Please come in.” The footman opened the door fully and then led him into the salon. “Tea?”
“Yes. Miss Drake is at home, is she not? Sh
e should be expecting me.”
“Yes.” The footman bowed to him and then left the room.
“Your Grace,” Louisa said with a curtsy a few minutes later. Her maid trailed behind and sat in the chair nearest the door. “I heard yesterday that you had opened the house early.”
Harry rose and bowed stiffly to her. “Yes. I had to attend the funeral, so I decided to come to town early.”
Louisa moved away from her maid toward the conversation seating by the fireplace. Walking by him, she arched a daring brow, smirked, and asked, “So, have you come to find me a husband or to propose?”
Ignoring her taunt, he stared over at her. Her chestnut hair was pulled up, but light tendrils lay across her forehead and framed her face. He hated seeing her in her mourning rags. Black was not her color, making her skin look pallid. No, sapphire was her color. The brilliant color brought out her sparkling eyes.
She finally sat in the chair across from him, allowing him to return to his seat.
“You shaved,” she finally said with a slight laugh. “I almost didn’t recognize you.”
“The funeral,” he reminded her.
“Of course. You couldn’t attend a formal occasion looking so dreadfully unkempt.” She fell silent as if searching for something to say.
Making conversation with him was not a difficulty Louisa typically had, at least not years ago. Just as at Northwood Park, the air around them swirled with tension. A part of him hated the stiffness between them. The other part of him knew it was for the best to keep a distance.
A light rap announced the refreshments. A footman brought tea to the table between them. “Anything else you require, Miss Drake?”
“No.” Louisa poured the tea. She handed him a cup of tea with milk and a touch of sugar just as he liked. “How is Charlotte?”
“She is well. She turned four a fortnight ago and believes she is all grown up now.”
“I heard you brought her with you.”
“People are talking about her already?”
She shook her head. “Not in that manner, Harry, only that you were seen entering the home with a little girl in tow. No one was aware you even had a child, which is the curiosity, not her heritage.”
“I see.”
“Have you brought her to see Chunee yet?”
“I planned to take her next week for that outing.”
“Do you think you will be able to make her wait that long?” she asked, reaching for her tea.
