Page 99 of The Duke and the Lady in Red
“It is indeed.”
The man smiled. “I like that.”
Avendale laughed. “As do I. To ensure you all enjoy it to its fullest, you’ll find a generous amount of tokens has been set aside for your use. Anything you earn over that is yours to keep.”
“Well, then,” Merrick said, rubbing his hands together in glee, “we need to tempt Lady Luck to smile on us. Are you coming with us, Harry?”
“In a moment.”
As the others walked off, Rose squeezed Harry’s hand. “You should go off and enjoy the night with them.”
“I will, I just ...” He looked around. “No one is staring at me. No one is taking much notice at all. It’s like being in a play.” Shrewdly he studied Avendale. “They are your friends.”
“Which makes them yours as well.”
Harry’s gaze darted to Rose before it settled back on the duke. He didn’t look quite convinced. “But they don’t know me.”
“They will before the night is done.”
Stepping forward, Rose laid her palm against brother’s misshapen cheek. “What a wonderful thing it is that they will have the opportunity to meet you, to see you as a person and not something on display. I’ve no doubt they’ll adore you as much as I do.”
“How long will we be here?”
“Until you grow weary of the entertainment,” Avendale said. “The club never closes, so we’ll leave whenever you’re of a mind to go. Right this moment if you want.”
“No, I want to stay.”
Miss Minerva Dodger, resplendent in a lilac gown, approached. “Your Grace,” she said with a slight tilting of her head.
“Minerva,” Avendale said. “Allow me the honor of introducing Miss Longmore and her brother, Harry.”
“Miss Longmore,” Miss Dodger said. “I suspected you weren’t being quite truthful the night we met. Fortunately for you, I’m not one to judge, although I do hope you’ll share your tale with me at some point.”
“I fear it’s rather dull,” she assured her.
“Oh, I very much doubt that.” Miss Dodger then turned to Harry. “Mr. Longmore, I’ve looked forward to making your acquaintance. My father once owned this establishment so I’m very familiar with it. I hope you will grant me the pleasure of giving you a tour.”
Harry blinked, seemed too stunned to speak, and Rose suddenly regretted that there had been no marriageable women to lavish attention on him during his short life.
“Harry, you always say yes when a young lady offers you anything,” Avendale explained.
Blushing, Harry visibly swallowed. “I would be most delighted, Miss Dodger.”
“Excellent, but you must call me Minerva as I suspect we’re going to become fast friends before the evening is done.” She wrapped her hand around the crook of his arm. “I’m going to introduce you to some rapscallions who will no doubt attempt to lure you into a private card game. Play at your own peril.”
Rose watched as the young woman led Harry away, chattering as she went. Her brother already seemed a bit smitten. “You have remarkable friends, Your Grace.”
“I only told Harry they were mine to put him at ease. The people here tonight are more my mother’s doing.”
Surprised by his words, she turned to him. “You’ve spoken with her?”
“Faced the past, more like. I’ll tell you about it later. Presently, I believe I shall introduce you to her.”
Rose looked over to see Sir William approaching with a diminutive woman at his side. Although her hair was more faded than in the portraits, Rose recognized her. She possessed an elegance and refinement that Rose could never capture no matter how many hours she spent practicing in front of a mirror. Dear God, she couldn’t remember the last time she’d given any thought to being something she wasn’t.
Avendale hugged his mother, before straightening and bringing Rose into the cozy circle. “Mother, I’d like to introduce Miss Longmore.”
“It is a pleasure, Miss Longmore.”
