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“That was quick.”
“Indeed.” Louisa pushed open the curtains before returning to the bed. “I think that is a very good sign.”
“Open it already.”
Louisa broke the seal and scanned the message. Her shoulders sagged as she pressed her lips together and blinked to keep from crying.
“What is wrong?” Emma asked, reaching out for Louisa’s hand.
“He was happy to hear that I enjoyed my dances with Collingwood last night. And Harry thanked me for introducing him to Miss Bigby. While she wasn’t what he is looking for, he hopes I will have someone else to introduce him to tomorrow night.”
“Let me see that.” Emma grabbed the note out of Louisa’s grip.
“Do you think he might be using the same tactic we are?”
Emma shook her head slowly. “I honestly do not know.”
Not even their kiss had affected him the way it had her. She was a fool to think he might feel something for her other than friendship.
Chapter 13
MEMORIES OF A SIMILAR night flooded Harry’s mind as he glanced about the ballroom of Lady Marchton’s home. It was seven years ago that he met Louisa at the Marchtons’ ball. But tonight, he couldn’t seem to find her. Picking up a glass of champagne from a passing footman, he walked the room. He shouldn’t look for her. The goal of the night was to gain introductions to several ladies and speak with Blakely.
The room sparkled from the candlelight catching the cuts on the gems worn by the ladies and creating a kaleidoscope of colors on the walls. Perhaps she wasn’t in attendance tonight. Focus on the other ladies, not Louisa, he told himself sternly. Pausing to scan the room again, he heard the two blondes in front of him speaking softly.
“But he is a duke,” the taller lady insisted.
“He is mad,” the petite woman insisted. “His father killed the man’s wife.”
“And then there is the issue with his daughter.”
“A heathen for certain.”
He clenched his fist around the stem of the champagne glass. He couldn’t help but clear his throat loud enough that the two girls glanced back. A sensation akin to pleasure slid over him as they blushed violently and walked away. As he moved through the crush, a lady in front of him whirled around, and he had to catch her elbow to keep her from slamming into him.
His heart pounded as he stared down into her sapphire eyes. Wearing an ivory gown with lace trim, Louisa looked breathtaking.
“Your Grace,” Louisa said with a quick curtsy. “I had no idea you were here yet. Not that I can see anyone except those in front of me. I have never seen such a crush.”
He nodded. “Good evening, Miss Drake.”
“There is someone I would like to introduce you to if I can find her again,” she said with a quick laugh.
“Oh?”
“Yes, Miss Turnbull.”
Harry frowned. “Aren’t the Turnbulls in trade?”
Louisa sighed. “I will never be able to marry you off.”
“Marry me off?” Harry sipped his champagne. “You sound like a marriage-minded mama.”
“I feel like one with a very difficult daughter who is too picky for her own good.” Louisa glanced past him. “Oh, there she is!”
Harry took issue with being compared to a difficult daughter but turned as Louisa waved to Miss Turnbull. Watching the raven-haired woman
gesture in return, a shiver of apprehension snaked down his back. Miss Turnbull had dark hair, and she appeared almost as tall as Louisa.
