Page 60 of A Deal with the Broken Duke
“We’ve known Harry all our lives, Juliet.”
“Yes, we have, but how well have we known him? When we were children, he was only Daniel’s friend. He was a presence in our lives, for sure, but I feel I’ve gotten to know him better over these past few weeks than I ever did back then. And if Lady Annie knew him this well all this time, then she does know him better.”
“She’s being arrogant. She’s trying to make you feel as if she knowsyour suitorbetter than you do. As if the two of them are somehow closer than the two of you. You can’t let her get away with that, Juliet.”
“What am I meant to do about it?” Juliet asked. “I can’t control what she thinks.”
“No, but you can control whatyouthink, can’t you? Don’t believe what she’s telling you. Is Harry close with her, really?”
“He says he isn’t. He says she just follows him around, the way Lord Stickland does with me.”
“Well, there you have it,” Matilda raised her eyebrows. “She’s interested in him. She wants him for herself. She’s jealous. And she’s saying these things to you to try to put you off. She’s probably hoping that you’re going to end your courtship with him so that she can claim him for herself.”
Juliet sighed. “She only has to be patient, if that’s what she wants. Our courtship will end eventually, and then she’ll be able to have what she wants.”
“Harry would never have anything to do with such a wretched lady.” Matilda sniffed.
Juliet couldn’t help laughing. “She’s not so bad.”
“I think she’s abominable.”
“Well, I think you’re far too overprotective of me. It’s no crime if she is a little jealous. He’s a duke, after all, and a handsome one. And… well, there’s nothing so wrong in wanting what you know you can’t have, is there?”
Matilda was quiet.
“I know I’ll be jealous if he ever ends up with someone else,” Juliet admitted. “So, I really can’t judge her too harshly for feeling the same way, much as I would like to.”
“I’m sorry,” Matilda said. “Perhaps you’re right.”
“Why don’t we find our seats? We came to the opera so I could get my mind off of Harry, and so far, I’ve only been thinking about him more than ever.”
“I think that’s a good idea,” Matilda agreed, and the two sisters walked off arm in arm.
CHAPTERTWENTY
Another garden party followed a few days later, this one at Hertshire Manor.
Hertshire was small, the grounds close and confined, and as a result, there weren’t many places for guests to go to get away from one another, and the party was, in Juliet’s opinion, the least enjoyable of the Season thus far.
To begin with, Harry found her almost right away. The moment they laid eyes on one another, her heart sprang into a gallop, and she felt the need to find a chair and a glass of water. She clutched at Matilda’s arm, and her sister steadied her.
Harry gave her the lopsided smile that always made her weak in the knees. “Good afternoon,” he greeted. “How are you ladies today?”
“Very well,” Matilda chirped.
“Is Daniel here with you?”
“Not today. He had business.”
“Business? What business?”
“He didn’t explain it to us. He just said he wouldn’t be able to accompany us today.” Matilda shrugged. “I think it’s progress, since he’s hardly left you and Juliet alone together since all this began.”
“I see. You make a fair point, Matilda.”
“Thank you,” Matilda said with a smile.
“Well, I can hardly leave two young ladies alone to themselves. Why don’t you join me for a stroll around the grounds?”
