Page 26 of A Duke in the Rough

Fat drops of rain plopped on her arms, a few at first, but they steadily increased in both number and rapidity of descent.

“Inside!” someone called from the terrace.

Men scrambled from the lawn first. Only upon making it to the terrace did they seemingly realize they had abandoned many of the ladies.

Strands of hair stuck to Honoria’s neck and cheeks. Her whitemuslin gown darkened and grew transparent as the contents of the looming clouds poured down.

Charlotte grasped her arm, giving it a tug toward the terrace. “Come, Honoria. You’re soaked to the skin.”

Drake!

She shook her head. “Go. I’ll follow anon.” As Charlotte raced off toward the shelter of the terrace, Honoria swiveled back, searching for Drake.

Still blindfolded, he turned in a circle, hands outstretched, no doubt desperate to catch someone and put an end to the game so he could get out of the rain.

She took a step forward, ready to rescue him and tell him almost everyone had given up and raced up to the house.

But before she could reach him, Anne Weatherby grasped his arm. “Mr. Merrick, everyone has left.”

“Miss Weatherby?” Drake asked.

Bands tightened around Honoria’s chest at the confidence in Drake’s tone as he guessed Anne’s identity. Nausea roiled in her stomach when he ripped the blindfold from his face and smiled endearingly at Anne.

“Thank you for rescuing me. Who knows how long I would have remained out here in the rain like a fool were it not for your kindness.” His gaze moved from Anne to lock with Honoria’s.

She opened her mouth, wanting to tell him she was on her way to him, but he turned back to Anne and smiled. A chill raced up her spine. Yet the rain was warm.

Someone slipped a coat around her shoulders, and she tore her gaze from Drake’s to find Burwood next to her. “Let’s get you out of the rain, my lady.”

Grateful for the duke’s care, she followed him inside, Anne’s laughter echoing behind her.

CHAPTER 8

The moment Honoria escaped the rain and entered the house, her mother ushered her to her room. “Your gown, Honoria.”

A quick glance downward told Honoria why the duke had placed his coat over her shoulders. Rain had soaked through her gown to her cotton chemise. The only thing keeping her remotely decent was her corset, and that was questionable.

Once inside her room, she slipped the coat from her shoulders and tugged on the bell pull. “I’ll have Susan return this to Burwood’s valet.”

Her mother’s face radiated hope. “That was quite gallant of him. Your father is optimistic.”

“The duke was merely being kind. As for Father, given his opinion of common folk, I’m surprised he’s willing to consider a match with the duke.”

“A duke is hardly a commoner.”

“But he was raised as one. It’s clear Father still holds disdain for Mr. Merrick.”

Her mother sighed, gracefully lowering herself to a chair by the bed. “Are you still fixated on that man?”

Fixated?

Of course that’s how her mother viewed it. She’d said as much eightyears prior when she counseled Honoria against marrying Drake. “You would both be shunned by theton. How do you think that would make him feel to have deprived you of those valuable connections? You would struggle, living hand to mouth. When he realizes he cannot provide for you in the manner you are accustomed, he will grow bitter and resentful. Men have such pride in these matters. Allow him to be free to make something of himself. Give him that gift and release him from this impetuous, childish infatuation that has obsessed you both.”

And Honoria had believed her mother’s exhortations and allowed herself to be persuaded.

But Drakehaddone well. The friendship he formed with Burwood in the military led to an admirable and lucrative career, putting her and their past behind him.

“My feelings are of no consequence.” The moment she uttered the words, the truth of them slammed into her—at least where her parents were concerned. She was a chess piece, bred to make an advantageous match, a pawn to be sacrificed to win the game—a game she learned to play on the board and in life.

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