Page 80 of A Duke in the Rough

The grin vanished, and Drake slid his gaze away. “What about her?”

Now that she had broached the subject, she wasn’t quite sure how to proceed. She couldn’t exactly ask him if he loved Anne. Could she? How to couch it delicately?

“You’re aware that Anne and I are friends?”

His gaze snapped back to hers. “Of course. How could I forget? Your unwavering support by her bedside spoke for itself. Although, knowing you as I do, you would have done the same for anyone. Even me.”

Oh! Especially you.“Then you must be aware I’m concerned for her happiness.”

“You don’t believe I would make her happy?”

The voice grew insistent.Ask him!“May I be frank?”

His lips tightened, and he gave a soft huff of annoyance. “I wish you would instead of beating about the bush.”

“Do you love her, Drake?”

“No. But I made a promise.”

“To whom? To Anne?”

“To myself. To God.” He ran a hand across the back of his neck. “Hell, I don’t know. I prayed that if she recovered, I would make it up to her.”

“For what? For her own recklessness? You tried to stop her, Drake. She didn’t listen.”

His voice escalated. “I shouldn’t have let her ride the damn horse.”

Lord Middlebury, standing nearby, turned and glared at them both.

With caution, she touched his arm. “Calm yourself. People are staring.”

“Do you think I care?”

“Youshouldcare.”

His brows lifted. “So, I embarrass you?”

“No.” She kept her voice low but emphatic. She was making a muck of this. “What I meant is, as Burwood’s man of business, if you are to be at his side in society, your own behavior reflects on him.”

“So it’s the duke you’re concerned about, not me?”

“I care about both of you. It will be difficult for him in some circles. At supper the first night, he spoke of wishing to make some much needed changes. In order to be effective, people must respect him. Do you want him to succeed?”

“Of course.”

“Then, as his right-hand man, you too must be beyond reproach. I know it doesn’t seem fair, but it is the way of things in polite society.”

He stared at the ceiling as if looking for an answer. “I suppose you’re right.”

They’d completely veered from the subject. She kept her voice low. “Is your sense of responsibility and duty fair to Anne? Doesn’t she deserve to marry a man who loves her?”

“Are you asking me to end our attachment—if that’s what”—he flicked a hand in Anne’s direction—“this is between us?”

Say yes. The word gathered on the tip of her tongue but refused to release.

He waited, studying her with those golden eyes. Finally, he said, “She accepts me for who I am. She doesn’t care about titles, position, power, or wealth. Now, if you will excuse me, I should return to her.”

He turned on his heel and strode through the crowd as purposefully as he had when approaching.

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