Page 61 of A Duke in the Rough

Charlotte and Miranda both brushed her arm as they left, and Charlotte whispered, “Stop this nonsense, Honoria. Tell Anne the truth.”

But thetruth,as Charlotte called it, was only Honoria’s truth, not Drake’s, and she could only give her friends a weak smile.

Everyone filed out, and Honoria longed to slow them down to avoid the inevitable. Alas, she, Drake, and Anne were quickly alone.

Honoria wanted to hold her hands over her ears as Anne poured out her heart to Drake.

“Andrew told me how gallant you were after my fall. He said you brought me back to the house yourself, carrying me in your arms like a knight in shining armor.”

“It was the least I could do. It was my fault.”

The sigh Anne emitted was similar to the one Honoria remembered escaping from her years ago when Drake held up water-logged forget-me-nots.

Drake continued to blame himself. “I should have insisted you not ride Buttercup. If there is anything I can do to make it up to you, only say the word.”

Honoria’s gaze locked on Anne’s adoring face.Oh, dear.Drake had opened the door and Anne was more than willing to step through. Well, leap through was perhaps more in line with Anne’s response.

“Mr. Merrick, from our first meeting, I sensed a connection between us.” Anne fluttered her eyelashes as she gazed down at their clasped hands. “I should very much like to explore that further.”

“Miss Weatherby.” Drake’s voice held a note of caution. “Are younot hoping to make a more advantageous match than with a simple man of business?”

Something about the way Drake phrased his question pricked at Honoria’s mind. He was typically so straightforward.

“But you are theduke’sman of business, and he includes you in his social gatherings.” Anne cast him a flirtatious grin. “Wouldn’t your wife also be included as well? Invitations to balls, garden parties, and soirées?”

“That would be up to the duke. But Miss Weatherby, I’m a quiet man. I don’t care much for large crowds. I much preferring sitting in silence and reading.”

Honoria thought back to her conversation with Burwood the first night, when she admired his library and asked if he enjoyed reading. He and Drake were so opposite, much like she and Anne.

Anne brushed it off. “Oh, I would change your mind. We would have so much fun, Mr. Merrick. And you do like me, don’t you?”

“Of course, Miss Weatherby, I like you very much.” Drake paused, as if gathering his thoughts.

Honoria held her breath, anticipating what was to come.

“So, you accept me for who I am, Miss Weatherby?”

“What you are is wonderful, Mr. Merrick.” She smiled prettily. “Does this mean we have formed an attachment?”

Drake didn’t answer immediately, and Honoria prayed she had misread the direction of the conversation.

His next words shattered the fragility of her hope. “I suppose it does.” He patted her hands. “Now, I should leave and let you rest. I shall check on you later.” He strode from the room, not bothering to even look Honoria’s way.

As Honoria’s world collapsed around her, she struggled to breathe.

“Oh, Honoria! Isn’t it wonderful? I’m so happy.” Joy radiated on Anne’s face.

Honoria could only nod. “I’ll go find your mother. If you’ll excuse me, I don’t feel well.”

Anne’s soft answer barely registered as Honoria exited the room, moving as quickly as possible yet remaining polite. Charlotte waited a few doors down. “Honoria, what happened?”

If she talked about it, she would break down in front of Charlotte. “Could you please find Mrs. Weatherby? I’m not feeling very well.” At Charlotte’s nod, Honoria made it to her room and let the tears flow.

CHAPTER 18

Guilt prevented Drake from meeting Honoria’s gaze as he left Anne’s room. Unsure if he would see pain or indifference, he only knew either would wound him, and his pain already approached unbearable.

If only Honoria had given the slightest indication that her father no longer held sway over her, perhaps he wouldn’t be in this predicament. He dismissed the notion as quickly as it came. He couldn’t blame Honoria.

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