Page 66 of A Naughty Proposal for His Winter Countess
After a curtsy, the maid led him to Carrington's study, where Benjamin and the Baron were talking over legal matters.
“Thank you,” Daniel replied after greeting both of them, “but I'd rather stand. I've come to let you know that I've sent for the license and I've received notice that my request will be replied to soon. Perhaps in a few days.”
Ben lifted his glass of wine in a toast, “That's good news, but you could have sent a note.”
“I could have,” Daniel agreed, “but I have another reason for coming. I'd like to speak with Harriet, ifHis Majestywill permit it.”
Ben snorted, “I'm not a despot, Raster.”
“Aren't you?” Daniel ticked his brow up.
“If you will excuse us, Carrington, I'll show my disgruntled friend where my sister is,” Ben stood and placed his glass on desk. “I'll be right back, Carrington.”
The Baron lazily reached for his glass and while waving at them, drawled, “Take your time.”
Stepping away, Ben said, “I hope you're not too upset with me, Raster. You have to understand that it's my duty to secure my sister's honor.”
“Oh no, I’m very vexed,” Daniel replied, knowing that his next words would be flirting the line between truth and a lie. “I don't understand why you suddenly had so little faith in me that I'd dishonor your sister.”
Ben paused in his stride, “Mayhap I overdramatized the situation, but I only ask that you see it from my perspective. If you had a sister and found her in such a situation, what would you have done?”
“Try to believe what I saw before me instead of the exaggerated notions going through my head,” Daniel replied calmly. He stopped himself from adding,we were going to marry anyway,because he knew his arrangement with Harriet was to break the engagement before the marriage day.
Ruffling his hair, Ben said, “Let's not fight over this.”
“Oh no, we are going to fight,” Daniel replied. “Don't I owe you a fencing match? When I trump you, we'll put this behind us, as I still consider you my best friend, and though I don't want to lose you, I am hurt.”
A small smile flickered at Ben's lips, “Just name the date and time,” he said before walking again. They came to a room where Daniel heard the sweet but solemn carol music of‘Tiny Little Child’ drifting through the wintry day.
Harriet's head moved as gracefully as the music she played, and both wove the same enchantment around his heart.
Ben chuckled, “I’ll send up refreshments.” Then with a tap to Daniel's shoulder, he left the two, pointedly leaving the door half open. Silently, Daniel watched Harriet fingers dance over the keys, playing with undoubted skill and grace.
Her hair was pinned away and up in an elegant chignon, baring her pale neck to him, and he was temporarily jealous of the wayward strands resting on her skin.
“Are you going to stay there and stare?” Harriet asked, before she shifted her eyes to meet his. “I'm flattered, but I'd rather have you near me.”
Snorting, Daniel crossed the room in three large strides, sat on the bench with her while she played.
“Is there a reason for such an unhappy tune?” he asked, delicately.
“Lily left this morning,” Harriet said. “Her Mama called for her, saying that she found a promising match with a trader. She left a journal with me, and a strident order to stop reading and put my own thoughts to pen and paper. I miss her already.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. I've sent for the license,” Daniel said quietly. “We might be married in a few days.”
“Hmm,” Harriet replied. “Since you could have sent that news by a messenger, I'm thinking you have another reason to come all the way here? To bask in my dazzling presence, perhaps?”
He considered telling her about the threatening note, but decided against it. He didn’t want to worry her, and Daniel considered that as the threat had been sent to him, he would deal with it. He just prayed his choice wouldn't come back to haunt him.
So, he chose to share her light heartedness instead. “Fishing for compliments, Dear? I never thought that you'd be so vain.”
She nudged him with her shoulder, then looked at the papers in his hand, “What do you have there?”
“The letter to my Mother,” Daniel replied. “I need you to help me finish it.”
A welcomed interruption came by a maid bearing kettles of tea, coffee, sandwiches, and pastries. While Harriet was distracted, he slipped the note into his jacket pocket. After Harriet thanked the woman and they moved to the settee, she poured his coffee first.
“Are the words escaping you, or are there too many to put in?”
