Page 15 of A Deal with the Broken Duke
He raised his eyebrows. “Do you know what he’s like?”
“I do, Father. I’ve crossed paths with him many times at balls over the past year. That’s how he knows who I am in the first place. That’s why he’s so interested in me.”
“But you must have done something to give him the idea that you are interested. I’ve never seen a gentleman pursue a lady so passionately.”
“I didnothing. I promise you. At every turn, I’ve done all I can to dissuade him.”
That had been the wrong thing to say.
Her father bristled. “You’ve been pushing gentlemen away?”
“Not all gentlemen!” she said hurriedly. “Just him, Father. He’s reprehensible!”
“Why? Just because he’s interested in you?”
“Of course not!”
Lewis held up a hand to stop her before she could explain to him just what it was she found so odious about Lord Stickland.
“Whatever this is, I don’t want to hear it,” he dismissed. “This poor gentleman has been nothing but kind and courteous to you. And he’s the son of an earl, Juliet. You’d be a countess. Do you really think anything better than that awaits you in your future?”
It was the second time he had mentioned Lord Stickland’s title, and Juliet knew perfectly well what he was getting at.
Her father had always been a social climber. When she was a child, that had manifested in the way he had always invited guests over to their home, always wanting to be involved in the happenings of the ton.
But after Lady Linford had died, Lewis had withdrawn from his old social circles, seeming not to have the energy for them any longer. Now, when he talked about moving up in society, he spoke only of the possibilities of advancement for his two daughters. Even Matilda had to hear, occasionally over dinner, about the importance of marrying a high-ranking gentleman. And she was still too young for all of this.
Lewis wanted Juliet to marry Lord Stickland because he would be an earl. There was no other reason. And that reason was more important than anything Juliet would be able to say to him.
Except…
Perhaps there was one thing still that would be able to change his mind, one thing that would convince him his decision had been too hasty.
It was worth a try.
It was crazy. Juliet knew she shouldn’t, and it was bound to have repercussions that she wouldn’t like. But she had to try something or end up involved with Lord Stickland. That was the worst fate imaginable. Nothing else that could happen to her could possibly be as bad as that.
So, she steeled herself and said, “I have another offer, Father, that I think you might want to consider.”
Lewis raised his eyebrows. “A better offer than the Earl of Stickland?”
“Much better, I think.”
“Go on, then.”
Heartened by the fact that at least he was willing to listen, she said, “Harry has expressed interest in courting me.”
It was a lie, and she knew it. What Harry had said to her had been an obvious joke, and she had taken it as such. Of course he had never meant it, and he would likely be either amused or horrified at the insinuation that he had.
But he’d said they should pretend to be courting in order to get rid of Lord Stickland. He had seemed even more concerned than she was about the idea of getting Lord Stickland to leave her alone.
Perhaps he would be willing to help her.
“The Duke of Burghley?” Lewis asked, intrigued.
“Father, you’ve known him since he was a boy. You can probably call him Harry.”
“You don’t want to start out like that if you’re going to be a duchess, Juliet.” There was undisguised excitement in his tone now.
