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“Are we done? I should like to get a dance with Miss Drake before the other handsome men have a chance.” Ainsley rose before Harry could reply.
“I already told you she was not invited.”
“Something tells me she might attend.”
Harry had never wanted to wipe the smug grin off Ainsley more than he did at this moment. “Should she, by some odd chance, actually attend, you will leave her alone.”
Ainsley smiled as he looked down at Harry. “Why would I do that? Perhaps she deserves an earl and not that idiot Collingwood.”
Harry sighed. There was one way to keep Ainsley away from Louisa. “Five thousand.”
“Five thousand? What are you talking about, Harry?”
“Stay away from Louisa, and I will give you the money. Think about it, Ainsley. You can pay down the death debts you owe. You won’t need to marry for a while.”
“You would pay me to keep me away from her?” he asked incredulously. “Would you rather see her with Collingwood?”
Harry slammed down his drink. “No, she deserves better than either of you.”
“Then you’d better be willing to give Collingwood the same amount because he appears damned determined to have her. But quite honestly, I’m not sure it will be enough, at least for me. I find Miss Drake greatly intriguing.”
Harry shot out of his seat as Ainsley rushed from the room with a low chuckle. Damn him! Ainsley wasn’t supposed to find Louisa intriguing. Only Harry found her captivating.
What if Ainsley wasn’t jesting? He had been paying particular attention to her. Harry had to know.
He strode out of his study and searched the crush of people for Ainsley who had disappeared into the crowd. Scanning the room, he glanced over to the threshold and noticed Simon standing next to Louisa, Emma, and their mother. The breath swept out of him as he saw Louisa in her blue silk gown. The lace sleeves covered her slim arms but must leave her chilled.
What the bloody hell was she doing here?
Daphne would kill him, assuming he had given her the invitation, but he could tell by the self-assured smile on Simon’s face that this was all his idea. Why? Why would his brother deliberately try to vex him? Because that was Simon.
“What are they doing here?” Daphne whispered angrily in his ear.
“I believe you should ask Simon.”
“I hate that bastard.”
“He is truly an annoying little brother.”
“Yes, he is. Just like you always are.” Daphne strolled away with a tight smile on her face to greet her new guests.
Harry leaned against the wall and watched her from afar, feeling a bit like a voyeur. Was this to be his lot in life, watching another man escort her to various events? He wasn’t convinced he could do that without going mad.
Marry her.
His insecurity had fostered doubts about what she would say when she found out what he’d done in India. How poorly he had treated Sabita.
Marry her.
The sound of Simon’s voice echoed in his mind. If he failed Louisa...he didn’t want to think how much that would hurt. The overwhelming doubts hammered at his head. Pressing his fingers to his temples, he realized there was only one thing to do.
LOUISA HAD SPOTTED Harry earlier but now couldn’t find him anywhere in the crowd. She had even checked his study to see if he might, by chance, be avoiding her. But he was nowhere to be found. Disappointment surged in her as she made her way back to the ballroom only to discover Collingwood waiting for her.
“Good evening, Miss Drake,” he said with a quick bow.
“Good evening, my lord. Are you having an enjoyable time?”
He smiled kindly at her. “I would have a most enjoyable time if you were to dance with me.”
