Page 26 of A Deal with the Broken Duke
“No, that really isn’t necessary.” Harry knew that he wouldn’t be able to bear it if the whole family were to begin treating him like a stranger. “We’re all old friends here, after all. I’m still Harry.”
Lord Linford looked as if he might have liked to press the point, but after a moment, he apparently made up his mind to let the matter go.
“We were just trying to decide on the venue for their first outing,” he went on. “His Grace thought that you might have an opinion on the subject, Juliet. Wasn’t that thoughtful?”
“Very thoughtful indeed.” Juliet nodded. “It’s not just any gentleman who would ask me for my opinion.”
It was a pointed remark, that was obvious to Harry, and he appreciated the humor. But her father seemed to take it at face value, for he nodded imperiously and said, “Quite so. But where would you like to be taken, Juliet?”
“The path along the lake is always nice at this time of year,” Juliet answered.
“Oh, that’s a fine choice,” Lord Linford agreed. “Plenty of opportunity there to see and be seen. And we do want the rest of society to know about this courtship. Word will spread quickly once the two of you are seen in public together, I’ve no doubt.”
Juliet met Harry’s eyes briefly and smiled, and Harry was sure that the two of them were thinking the same thing.
Theydidwant word to spread quickly. But probably not at all for the same reasons as Juliet’s father wanted that.
“Matilda,” Lord Linford instructed. “You will accompany the two of them as their chaperone.”
“Thank you, Father,” Matilda murmured, and her thanks seemed genuine. “I shall enjoy that.”
“As will I,” Harry said. “Matilda is always pleasant company. I’ll look forward to the chance to get better reacquainted now that she’s a young lady.”
“Wonderful.” Lord Linford clapped his hands together. “That’s all settled, then. And, Your Grace, you and I can make the arrangements for future outings after the first one is complete. How does that sound to you?”
“That sounds fine,” Harry replied. “I’ll look forward to that as well.”
“In that case, I believe our business here is at an end.” Lord Linford rose to his feet, and Harry followed suit, recognizing he was dismissed.
But now Daniel was on his feet too, and Harry noticed for the first time since he had entered the room that his friend was frowning.
“May I speak to you?” Daniel asked.
Harry hadn’t exactly expected this, but he had been aware that it was a possibility. He knew that if he had a younger sister and Daniel had been trying to court her, he would have had questions.
Could he tell Daniel the truth?
The Duke glanced at Juliet and saw that her eyes were wide. She shook her head minutely from side to side—she didn’t want her brother to know what was going on.
He would have to lie.
“All right,” he said to Daniel. “Walk out to my carriage with me.”
Daniel nodded jerkily, turned on his heel and walked out of the sitting room.
They all watched him go, and Harry wondered whether anyone was going to comment on his odd behavior, but nobody said anything.
“Juliet,” Harry said, smiling at her. “I’ll see you in a few days for our trip to the lake.”
“I’ll be ready,” Juliet assured him, beaming.
He had to hand it to her. Her performance was flawless. He thought she looked exactly like any young lady beginning her first courtship. Her father would never realize that it was all a sham. Nobody would.
They were going to get away with it. Everything was going perfectly according to plan, as unlikely as that seemed, and Harry suddenly felt sure that their good luck was going to hold. They would keep their admirers at bay.
Everyone would know that Lady Juliet and the Duke of Burghley belonged to one another.
CHAPTEREIGHT
