AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Harry stood in the doorway, looking very serious. “A word, Marbry?”
“Of course,” Timothy shook the water from his hands and rolled down his shirt sleeves. “Something wrong, Your Grace?”
Harry waved the title aside. “None of that here, remember? I would like to speak to you as a friend, if I may.” He motioned to the chair, indicating Timothy should make himself comfortable.
Unease built in Timothy’s chest when Harry failed to proceed, but out of respect, he waited.
Harry’s serious gaze pinned Timothy to his seat. “About Miss Pratt.”
Timothy swallowed the lump lodged in his throat.
“I hadn’t realized you werefriends.”
Timothy scrambled for an explanation that wouldn’t betray his feelings but would appease Harry. “We’re acquaintances. She’s enlisted my help in repairing her reputation and securing a suitable husband.”
The duke’s blond eyebrows raised, nearly touching his scalp, and his body stiffened as if called to attention. “Enlisted the help of anunmarriedman to seek a husband? Are you certain that’s wise?”
“I should have clarified. Lady Honoria and I are assisting her.”
“Nevertheless,” Harry continued, “I would caution you when dealing with Miss Pratt. She cannot be trusted. No doubt you’ve heard the gossip surrounding my own dealings with her. She nearly cost me the woman I love, Marbry. Take care she doesn’t do the same to you and Lady Honoria.”
There would be little chance of that since he didn’t love Honoria. “I understand your concern, Your . . . Harry. But she truly is sorry for the trouble she caused and wishes to rejoin polite society and make a favorable match.”
Harry ran a hand across the back of his neck, shifting awkwardly on his feet. “I must admit, she was the last person I expected to bring in a street urchin for treatment.”
And as much as Timothy hated to admit it, so did he.
One thing was certain. Priscilla would never fail to surprise him.
CHAPTER 18—RESCUE ON ROTTEN ROW
On Sunday, after Timothy attended church services with his family—where he came perilously close to nodding off from boredom during the sermon—he ordered his horse saddled and rode to the Marquess of Stratford’s to collect Lady Honoria.
She’d sent him a missive the day before, suggesting, if the weather permitted, they might enjoy an invigorating ride along Rotten Row.
When Timothy arrived, Higgins the butler gave him a note along with a disapproving glare.
What in the world had he done now?
Dr. Marbry,
Deciding to take full advantage of the day, my maid and I have gone ahead. We will wait for you at the entrance near Hyde Park Corner.
Lady Honoria
He pulled out his pocket watch and, with a quick glance, realized he was forty minutes late. Had he truly procrastinated so long speaking with Bea and Laurence after the church service? And what did that say about his eagerness to see Lady Honoria?
Not wishing to make matters worse, he urged his horse onward at a quick gait, vowing he would apologize for his tardiness.
When he approached the park, throngs of eager riders gathered at the entrance, and he would be hard pressed to find Honoria. It would have been an ideal time to have the same sense of awareness he seemed to experience whenever Miss Pratt was in proximity.
He scanned the crowds and—speaking of—there, off to the right, Priscilla sat regally on a dappled gray mount as if posing for a portrait. A jaunty little bonnet in a fashionable blue velvet perched on her blond curls, a few of which trailed temptingly down her neck. Her matching blue riding habit draped her body, accenting every curve to perfection. She had a magnificent seat.
Unfortunately for Timothy, his mind drifted to another time wherein Priscilla rode on horseback, astride on his mount and holding on to his waist as they made their way through the snow to the cottage. Which led to more memories he’d been trying to scrub from his mind. Specifically, sharing a bed and lying next to her.
Kissing her.
Blast.
