Page 105 of A Deal with the Broken Duke
“Well, Juliet has already expressed to me that this is what she wants.” Lewis straightened in his chair. “And marriage to a duke certainly suits my desires for my daughter. I don’t see how I can turn this offer down.”
“Then you’re saying yes?”
“I’m saying yes,” Lewis confirmed with a smile. “Go and tell Juliet, if you’d like. I know she’ll be eager to hear my answer.”
Harry stood up.
“Hold on a moment,” Daniel cut in. “Before you go, I’d like to speak with you out in the foyer, Harry.”
Away from his father, in other words.
Harry supposed he owed his friend that much. “Very well,” he said and followed after Daniel.
When they had reached the foyer and the door to the sitting room was closed behind them, Daniel turned to face Harry. “All right. I’ve been thinking about this. And the decision I’ve come to is that Juliet wants to be with you, and so I’m going to permit that to happen.”
Harry nodded.
Daniel gave him a pointed look. “You know that I could stop it if I really wanted to, don’t you? You know there are things I could say to my father that would make him decide this was not a good idea for either one of you.”
He was referring to the kiss, Harry was sure.
“I’m aware,” the Duke said. “And I thank you for it, Daniel. Truly. She means everything to me. I’ll treat her well, I promise.”
“I know you will. I know you will, because I’ll make you regret it if you don’t. Do you understand?”
Harry didn’t think much of being threatened by his friend, but after everything that had happened, it was hard to fault Daniel for being overprotective of Juliet.
“You don’t have to worry,” he assured him. “I won’t do anything to harm her. We know the curse isn’t real now. And I’ve spent so many years living in fear of accidentally causing harm, so I’ll be the most cautious person you’ve ever met. There’s nothing to fear from me.”
Daniel nodded. “I do believe you. It’s just difficult after everything. Letting her go. Entrusting her to someone else. But I suppose, if it had to be someone, I’m very glad it’s you.”
“Better than Lord Stickland, right?” Harry asked.
Daniel laughed. “I have to grant you that. I’d have broken that man’s nose if he came sniffing around my sister one more time. I still might. He did nothing illegal, but I almost wish he had, because then, we could finally be rid of him for good.”
“He won’t plague us anymore,” Harry assured. “Not now that Juliet and I are about to be married. He’ll know better than to try that.”
“I hope you’re right. I think we could all use a bit of a rest from that drama.”
“I heartily agree.” Harry sighed.
“All right,” Daniel said. “Go on and speak to the ladies. I know you want to.”
CHAPTERTHIRTY-SIX
Juliet was thrilled to find that she only had to wait outside for Harry for about ten minutes. Then, he came hurrying down the path, clearly excited at the prospect of seeing her.
“I think I’ll just go see how the roses are doing,” Matilda said in a loud voice that left no doubt as to why she was suddenly interested in roses. “You’ll let me know, won’t you, if you need anything, Juliet?”
Juliet felt a little shifty at the idea of being left on her own with Harry. She was keenly aware of the fact that her father would not approve of this.
She also found that she didn’t care very much.
After everything that had happened, after all the two of them had been through, all she wanted was to run to him and lose herself in the strength of his embrace. All she wanted was to feel that the worst was over.
“Juliet.”
He’d reached her, and then he took her into his arms. She went to him willingly and let her head rest on his chest.
