Page 89 of A Duke in the Rough

“Actually, it is most like me. I feel responsible for her.”

“And that’s what I mean by nonsense. From everything I’ve heard about the young lady, no one could have dissuaded her from acting so recklessly.”

He didn’t want to talk about Anne. Hopefully, by the end of the evening, she would understand the folly of a match with him. “Did my stepfather agree with my father’s wishes? Did he know of my heritage?”

She nodded. “I told him everything. It was his idea that we call you Drake, both to protect you and as a tribute to your father.”

His jaw tightened. “He lied to me. You both did.” Although he’d forgiven them, it still hurt.

“He loved you as if you were his own. Francis was a good man.”

“Did you love him?” Drake held his breath.

She sighed. “I did, but not like I loved your father. Your father sacrificed so much for our love.”

He took her hands in his. “Did he ever regret it?”

“Only he could answer that, but I don’t believe so. At least he never made me feel like he resented me.”

“If only Honoria would do that for me.”

Sad understanding covered his mother’s face. “This pretense of yours. Is it to test her? To see if she’s willing to make the choice that she couldn’t eight years ago?”

He turned away, not willing to meet her knowing gaze, and raked a hand through his hair, mussing Dawson’s handiwork. “Wouldn’t make, you mean. She chose her life as a marquess’s daughter over me.”

“Drake. Be realistic. She was only ten-and-seven.”

“Old enough to realize I wasn’t worthy of her. In her eyes, I’m still not worthy.”

“I don’t believe that, and I don’t think you do either. Not the way she looks at you.”

He sent her a rueful smile and traced a hand down his body. “A groom in duke’s clothing.”

“No! A duke in duke’s clothing. You are what you were born to be. And even if you were still a groom, you would be good enough. It’s what’s inside that makes a man. Trust her, Drake. Don’t let happiness pass you by again.”

She straightened his mussed hair, then kissed him lightly on the cheek. Patting his chest, she said, “You’ll do the right thing. It’s who you are.”

And as she closed the door behind her, Drake wondered who exactly he would be to Honoria.

A groom?

Or a duke.

CHAPTER 25

“Hold still, my lady.” Susan’s reflection in the mirror captured her frustration.

Honoria watched her maid with fascination as she worked Honoria’s hair into a fashionable coiffure.

“There.” Susan gave an approving nod, her frown morphing into a smile as she finished pulling several strands of Honoria’s hair loose to dangle along her neck.

Honoria raised her hand to the wandering locks, but she didn’t dare try to thread them back into place. Susan wouldn’t be pleased. “I don’t understand the purpose of spending so much time to pin hair up only to then pull it loose.”

“The men folk like it, my lady.” Susan wiggled her eyebrows. “But it must appear natural, like they fell loose all on their own.”

Honoria shook her head, but admitted, “It does look whimsical. Like I’ve come inside from a vigorous ride.”

Susan giggled, saying nothing. She curtsied and closed the door behind her.

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