Page 103 of A Deal with the Broken Duke
“I’ll come to your house and speak to him first thing tomorrow morning,” Harry said. “I don’t want to wait any longer. I would do it tonight if it weren’t for all the people here. I don’t want to have a lot of witnesses when I talk to him.”
Juliet nodded. “Yes, I think that’s right.”
“What about Lady Annie?” Daniel asked. “She’s still here, isn’t she?”
“If she has any sense at all, she’ll have left,” Harry said. “But in case she is still here, make sure you stay with Juliet for the rest of the night, Daniel. And to be honest, I would watch Matilda too. Just for the sake of safety.”
Daniel nodded. “I’ll tell Father to end the party before dessert and we’ll get everyone out.”
“But what will we do about her?” Juliet asked. “If she’s truly a murderer, she can’t be allowed to roam free.”
“I agree with you.” Harry sighed, rubbing his temples. “But leave her to me. I’ll report her to the constables. I haven’t any proof of what she told me, so I don’t know whether I’ll be believed or not. But you’re right that we at least have to try to turn her in.” He got to his feet. “I’ll see you very soon, Juliet. First thing tomorrow, I’ll be here to speak to your father. I hope you get some rest.”
“I can’t imagine sleeping tonight,” Juliet mumbled. “Too much has happened.”
Again, Harry felt the urge to embrace her, but he knew he ought to wait. He took her hand, just briefly, and squeezed it.
“Until tomorrow,” he whispered.
CHAPTERTHIRTY-FIVE
Arriving at Juliet’s home to speak to her father, Harry found himself more nervous than he had ever been in his life.
It was odd because he was fairly certain he had nothing to worry about. He was sure this was going to go well, especially since he had come clean to Daniel about everything. Daniel couldn’t possibly disapprove of him now. And since they had learnt that the curse wasn’t real, there was nothing to fear. He could be with Juliet, he could marry her as he’d hoped, and he would know that nothing he would do would ever harm her.
He knocked on the front door.
It was answered quickly. “Your Grace,” the butler said. “You’re expected. The family is waiting for you in the sitting room. Will you follow me, please?”
“Of course.”
Harry allowed himself to be shown into the foyer and into the familiar sitting room. It was almost disorienting. He had spent so much of his time here. He was almost as familiar with this house as he was with his own, by virtue of it belonging to Daniel. But Daniel wasn’t the one he had come for today.
Sure enough, the whole family was waiting in the sitting room, and they all got to their feet when he arrived.
His eyes went to Juliet first. She looked much shyer than he had ever seen her before as if she wasn’t quite prepared for the monumental events that were taking place today. Harry supposed he understood. He felt a little unprepared himself. He moved to her side, took her hand and bowed, keeping his eyes locked on hers. More than anything, he wanted to kiss her, but he didn’t dare. Not with her father and her brother standing right there. Not while they were so close to finally having everything they wanted. He couldn’t risk it.
Lord Linford looked deeply solemn. He shook Harry’s hand and gestured towards a chair, and Harry could tell that the siblings had informed him what this visit was about. It was for the best, he decided. It would be much easier to speak to Lord Linford when he already knew the reason behind the Duke’s visit.
Harry sat in the chair Lord Linford had indicated.
Matilda was in attendance as well. Unlike anybody else in the room, she looked positively gleeful. She was beaming as if she had just been given the best present in the world. The sight of her face made Harry relax a little bit. It was wonderful that there was someone who was so unabashedly happy that he was here.
He wished he could have said the same for Daniel, who was looking stern.
It was to be expected, he supposed. This journey had been full of highs and lows, and no one knew that better than Daniel. Still, the Duke hoped his best friend would find it in his heart to be happy for him. The idea of finally being with Juliet had made him happier than anything had for years—perhaps ever—and now that he knew it was safe to do so, he didn’t think there was anything in the world that could have kept him from her side.
“Welcome, Your Grace,” Lord Linford greeted.
“Oh, please call me Harry,” Harry said. “We’ve known each other for years. We’re all very close now, aren’t we?”
He thought for a moment that Lord Linford would refuse the request, but after a moment, the old man smiled and nodded. “You ought to call me Lewis, then,” he said. “I suppose you’re right, it makes no sense to continue to be formal with one another.”
Harry’s heart soared. There was no misinterpreting that. Lord Linford—Lewis—meant to say yes to his request. He was sure of it.
Lewis looked at his daughters. “Matilda, Juliet, perhaps you had better go now and let me speak to Harry.”
Again, Harry expected an argument. He was sure the ladies would insist on staying for the conversation, but he was surprised again. They rose to their feet and linked arms, and together they started towards the door.
