Page 70 of A Duke in the Rough

Both sat silent during his narration, his only pause when Frampton brought in a tray with tea and sandwiches.

Juliana nibbled on a cucumber sandwich, her blue eyes luminescent. “Oh, Drake. What a pickle you have found yourself in.”

His sister’s soft heart had always leaned toward the romantic, but in this case, she had the right of it.

Placing her teacup delicately on her saucer, his mother studied him. “I haven’t seen Lady Honoria since Francis died and we moved away. The last I heard, the Marquess of Edgerton’s brother courted her. But I don’t follow the scandal sheets like Juliana.”

“Mother says not to believe a word that’s written in them. But I find them so deliciously wicked.”

Drake raised an eyebrow at his sister. She was a mere girl when he left, still with plaited hair and scraped knees, but at twenty, she was now a woman fully grown. “No talk of wickedness, please. I haveenough to worry about at the moment. But once I’m married, I shall have to secure a suitable match for you.”

She straightened her shoulders. “You just said Miss Weatherby selected you as husband. Why can’t I do the same?”

He ran a hand across the back of his neck. “It wasn’t exactly as if she proposed to me. She sort of assumed my concern was more than it was.”

“And Honoria?” his mother asked, returning to the crux of the matter. “What of her feelings?”

“Stratford implied Honoria’s feelings remain unchanged as well.”

“Of course he’s here,” his mother muttered, then took another sip of tea. “And he spoke to you directly?”

“He did, reminding me I still wasn’t good enough for his daughter.”

Juliana shook her head. “But you’re a duke! How isn’t that good enough?”

“Ah, but remember, they don’t know that yet. You must keep silent until I’m ready to reveal that. It’s why I was reluctant to have you present.” He turned toward his mother. “Not you, Mother. But Juliana has never been able to keep a secret.”

“I’m no longer twelve, Drake. I’ve kept plenty of secrets from Mama.”

His mother lifted a delicate blond brow. “Such as?”

Juliana ignored her. “I promise I won’t say anything. After all, you’ll always just be Drake to me.”

“Good. Remember that and I’ll consider allowing you to attend the ball.”

In the middle of chewing another bite of her sandwich, Juliana asked, “Will there be other eligible men—beside Simon, that is? He’s too much like a brother.”

Drake had to laugh, happy his mother and sister had arrived. Juliana always had a way of lifting his spirits. “There will be, but I doubt if any will take you seriously if you speak to them with your mouth full.”

In typical Juliana fashion, his sister switched to a complete non sequitur. “I can’t wait to see Honoria again. She was always so kind to me.”

Once again, Drake’s mind latched onto the one word that mattered. Honoria. And shewaskind—to everyone, no matter their station.

It was one thing he loved most about her.

If he hadn’t been such a stupid fool, he might be announcing his and Honoria’s engagement at the ball.

But there was still time.

If Simon’s plan worked.

When Honoria returned downstairsfor supper, guests had gathered in the drawing room. At the side of the room, a semicircle of people formed around Burwood. Drake stood next to the duke, his head of sandy brown hair rising above the group around them. He looked up, his gaze locking on her.

Honoria’s stomach gave a familiar flip and then tumbled to her toes when she saw Anne next to Drake, her smile directed Honoria’s way. Anne held out her hands in invitation. Honoria could hardly ignore her friend.

When she drew closer, two familiar faces came into view. Drake’s mother and sister had arrived.

But why?

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