AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Louisa waved the paper in front of her. “Yes, but this? This is madness. This...this is a list that I shall never be able to satisfy. Just listen to what he wants...she must be beautiful, of superior intelligence, taller than the average female, preferably darker hair because he’s not partial to blondes, she must love children, have a kind heart for Charlotte, and preferably one who doesn’t giggle.”
Tessa’s brows rose. “Indeed.”
“Yes, indeed. Where exactly am I supposed to find such a paragon of beauty, intelligence, and heart?” Louisa’s mind went to yesterday and Mrs. Gardiner. While not quite tall, in fact, quite a bit shorter than Louisa, Mary had most of these qualities. Her shoulders sagged with the thought. “He means Mary Gardiner,” she whispered as pain stabbed her heart.
There was nothing terribly wrong with Mary Gardiner. She just wasn’t exactly what Harry needed.
“I do not think he meant Mary Gardiner, Louisa.” Tessa grabbed the letter and read through it. “No, I don’t think that was his intention. Mary is my height. I believe the duke intended someone closer to your size.”
Louisa rolled her eyes. “Hardly. When we first met, he would tease me over my height.”
“He also said the woman should be of particular intelligence. Quite frankly, I’ve spoken with Mary before, and while of some intelligence, she doesn’t quite match yours.”
“Hah!”
“And he explicitly states the woman must love Charlotte. Well, how will he know for certain?” Tessa smiled over at her as she lifted her teacup. “You know how a lady will say anything to catch a duke.”
“Whatever are you trying to get at, Tessa?”
“The man wants a very exacting lady.” Her sister sipped her tea and then placed the teacup down.
“I highly doubt he has one iota of an idea of what he wants in a wife.”
“I’m quite certain he does,” Tessa remarked with a smug grin. “I’m just not sure he realizes it yet.”
“And who does he want?”
“You.”
Louisa laughed until her belly hurt. “Being with child has addled your mind, Tessa.”
Tessa slapped her hand on the arm of the chair. “I am not addled-minded. I saw the way he used to look at you, Louisa. He wanted you.”
“Of course, he did. He was a rake. Harry has always been my best friend. And at Northwood Park, he told me quite distinctly that he could never marry me because of all that is between our families.”
“Which is why I believe he doesn’t even realize he wrote down all your attributes. I married my late husbands to help you and Emma be able to marry for love.”
Her sister was making no sense today. Harry made it clear that he had no interest in marrying her. “You forget, he wants a beautiful wife. I am the plain Drake sister. You and Emma are the beautiful ones. And I do tend to giggle.”
“You are beautiful, Louisa. You tend to giggle when drinking, and I think he must be used to that.” Tessa smiled over at her. “Do you love him?”
“I’ve always loved Harry, but not in the manner you mean.”
“Are you certain?” Tessa shifted in her chair. “I want you to find a man you love and one who loves you in return.”
“If that is the case, then you should know that Harry does not love me in that way. He loved his first wife so deeply that he spent two years mourning her. And he only returned to town because I threatened him.”
“You what?”
Louisa released a long sigh and then explained everything that had happened between them while at Northwood Park from the marriage pact to their constant quarreling. Nothing would ever be the same, as evident by his attitude toward Mary Gardiner. Harry had smiled and laughed when she was near. Unlike his constant scowl when Louisa was close.
Tessa tapped her fingers against her lips with a shake of her head. “No, you’re wrong about him. He is pushing you away. But why?”
The idea that Harry would push her away hurt more than Louisa wanted to admit. Worse, ever since that almost kiss, she couldn’t help but wonder what it would feel like if Harry kissed her. She wanted to know.
“There is only one thing to do,” Emma said, striding into the room with a fierce look upon her young face.
“How did you get in without us hearing you?” Louisa asked, looking over at her younger sister. “And where is Mamma?”
