Page 78 of A Duke in the Rough

“I did, sir. But have you forgotten we are using our Christian names?”

He motioned around them. “I thought perhaps since others are near . . .”

She dismissed his objection as if it were a trifle. “But everyone knows we have an attachment.” She slid her hand around his arm. “There is no need to be so formal, is there?”

He swallowed an uncomfortable lump. “For propriety? Your reputation?”

“Listen to Mr. Merrick, child.” As stealthy as a cat, Aunt Kitty appeared next to him as if she had taken form from the air. “Now, take Lady Honoria Bell for example. A finer example of how a young woman should comport herself cannot be found.” The countess’s gaze slid toward him. “Speaking of the young lady, what happened during supper? Is she unwell?”

Anne blinked, then looked around the room. “Honoria? I don’t see her.”

Aunt Kitty gave an exasperatedhmph.“That’s what I’m trying to find out, girl. She left rather suddenly during supper.”

“She did?” Anne blinked, her head tilting. “I hadn’t noticed.”

Drake was quite certain if one of Honoria’s friends had left abruptly during a meal, she not only would have noticed, she would have made it her business to find out what had transpired.

“Of course not. You were busy laughing at Burwood’s ridiculous stories.”

At his aunt’s disparaging comment, Drake felt a bit of compassion for poor Anne.

However, the insult floated over Anne’s head. “It was the most wonderfully humorous tale, wasn’t it? I could listen to him all day.” She exhaled a dreamy sigh.

Aunt Kitty’s wiry eyebrows hitched, then she turned all her attention on him. “Back to Lady Honoria. Did she take ill?”

“I’m not entirely sure, Countess. Both my mother and Lady Stratford attended to her.”

“Did I hear you talking about me, son?” Like Aunt Kitty, his mother materialized from behind him. She curtsied to Aunt Kitty. “Lady Gryffin.”

Aunt Kitty nodded in greeting. “Mrs. Merrick. I was enquiring about Lady Honoria. Your son says you attended to her.”

His mother answered, “All is well. She is perhaps still exhausted from her vigil by Miss Weatherby’s bedside.”

“A true friend puts another’s needs before one’s own,” Aunt Kitty said, her gaze sliding toward Anne. “You, on the other hand, appear to be fully recovered. Perhaps next time you go riding, it would behoove you to listen to a more experienced rider.” Without another word, Aunt Kitty departed their little grouping and joined Lord and Lady Stratford.

“What a disagreeable woman,” Anne said. “Do you think she holds any sway over Burwood?”

“Would that be of importance to you?” Drake asked.

Anne shifted on her feet, her cheeks pinkening. “Well, only because we would live here with him—if we should marry, that is.”

Drake wasn’t especially adept at sensing when people lied, but he believed there was more to Anne’s answer. Still, he answered truthfully. “Although the countess has only recently entered Burwood’s life, he gives great weight to his family’s approval.”

The wisp of a smile brightened his mother’s face. “On that, I can agree.” Her attention turned toward the room’s entrance. “She must be recovered.”

Drake followed his mother’s gaze to find Honoria had entered. And as it did every time, his breath caught in his throat.

“Mr. Merrick. Mr. Merrick? Drake?” Anne’s voice finally registered in his addled brain.

But when he turned toward her, she studied him for a moment, shifted her gaze toward Honoria, then back to him.

From Anne’s narrowed brow, he worried—or hoped—he had been found out.

When a maid had broughta tray with dessert to her room, Honoria wondered who had been so thoughtful. But as she unwrapped the three pieces of chocolate-covered marzipan, she recognized Drake’s hand in the gesture.

Would Anne appreciate his thoughtfulness and attention to her every need once they were married?

Honoria sighed as she picked up a piece of the confection and placed it in her mouth, her mind returning to her meeting with Drake in the library the first night.

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