Page 5 of The Rake I Wished For
Liam grudgingly nodded. There was no one else he’d trust with his little sister and they all knew it. “And you’ll escort Jocelyn and her chaperone to the country manor when the time comes…”
“You have my word.”
Liam turned to face Rose to get her input, but his sigh said it was as good as done.
Jocelyn flashed Harlow a smile of thanks, and caught his subtle wink just as Liam turned to face them.
“All right then,” Liam said. “I suppose you can stay.”
Jocelyn clasped her hands together tightly, excitement swimming through her veins.
She and her friends had each made wishes at the maypole some months back, but Jocelyn didn’t need luck or magic to make her wish come true. She simply needed a plan. From the moment she’d spoken the wish aloud, her mind had been turning over ways she might bring it to fruition.
Her wish was an admittedly silly one. A fascination born from reading too many romantic novels, no doubt. She had no desire to find love. Even less desire for romance. But every time she read about kisses—the sort that swept a woman off her feet and made the whole world spin…
Well. She just wanted to know what all the fuss was about, that was all. And her time to find out was slipping away just as surely as the clock ticked down the seconds beside her.
Because this was the year she’d find her perfect match. A duke or an earl, or…
Preferably the Marquess of Northbridge, who’d be in London in two weeks’ time.
And she couldn’t very well kiss another man after her engagement was announced, now could she?
She only half listened as her brother and Rose chatted about Jocelyn’s travel arrangements in three weeks’ time.
Three weeks. That was how much time she had.
Three weeks to find a handsome man who’d give her one perfect kiss.
And then she’d go and win herself the perfect husband.
CHAPTERTWO
Harlow stoodbeside Liam as the guests filed into the drawing room.
This evening’s gathering was a last hurrah, of sorts, as the friends prepared to embark to their various country homes until next season.
Liam’s expression was serious when he turned to face Harlow. Not surprising. Liam was nothing if not serious. “I wanted to thank you. Again.” He clapped a hand on Harlow’s shoulder. “I don’t relish the thought of leaving Jocelyn behind, but it puts me at ease knowing you’ll be in town to keep an eye on her.”
Harlow shrugged. “Of course.”
“I know you have no reason to stay here.” Liam smiled. “You’re a good friend, Harlow. To me and to Jocelyn.”
But I do have a reason to stay…
Actually, old chum, it’s funny you should mention it…
In the end, Harlow didn’t speak quickly enough and his friend walked away to join his wife, while Harlow stayed where he was. Another opportunity to tell Liam the truth, and he’d let it slip away.
Harlow was not a secretive man.
Typically.
Nor was he known for being serious. About anything, really.
But this past year he’d found himself in the sole possession of a rather large secret that he took most seriously. And now, as he stood in the midst of a small house party at his oldest friend’s residence, surrounded by friends who might as well be family, that secret made him distinctly uncomfortable.
It wasn’t that he was ashamed. Not at all. He’d worked hard these past two years to forge a new source of income for himself. He’d only kept it a secret at first because…well, because he hadn’t been certain he’d succeed.
