Page 9 of A Deal with the Broken Duke
The loss of Susan had changed his perspective considerably.
That was too much bad luck for anyone to suffer in one lifetime. To lose his mother was painful, but to lose his betrothed, that was unbearable.
What was more, no one had ever been able to explain Susan’s death. Even as she grew sicker and sicker, the physicians had been helpless to tell Harry what was wrong. He had been so full of anger at the end that for a while it had simply been impossible to speak to anyone at all, and getting away from London had been his only choice.
He would never court another lady. He had no interest in marrying anyone, knowing the devastation his curse had brought down on his mother and Susan, and to be honest, probably his father as well. His father had been a fairly young man—well, perhaps notyoung,but certainly not old enough that Harry would have expected to lose him. And he had died too.
The Duke could hardly stand to allow himself to enjoy his friendship with Daniel. What if even friendship was too much for him to be permitted? What if this curse touched everyone he cared about at all?
“I’m sure your sister has plenty of other gentlemen trying to court her,” Harry said lightly, hoping to deflect the subject. “She would have no time to spare for a courtship with me.”
And that, too, seemed to bother Juliet. Her jaw clenched, and she didn’t respond.
What was the matter with her? Harry was quite sure he hadn’t said anything offensive. He had simply been saying that she was an appealing lady and that he felt sure she would be a popular choice amongst the gentlemen of the ton. That was a compliment.
But his question was soon answered.
“I’m afraid Juliet has found herself in something of a predicament when it comes to courtships,” Daniel said with a wry smile.
“A predicament?”
“Daniel, don’t,” Juliet hissed.
“Is it a secret?” Harry questioned.
“I don’t wish to discuss this,” Juliet insisted.
That was most mysterious. Harry’s curiosity was piqued. “You can tell me,” he urged her. “What is Daniel talking about?”
Juliet pressed her lips together. “I would really rather not.”
“Lady Juliet! Here you are!”
The gentleman who approached them now had a very eager look on his face. Harry was reminded of a dog approaching its master and thought it was a very odd way indeed to look at a young lady.
“You got away from me,” the gentleman said, practically leering at Juliet.
That triggered a very protective impulse in Harry, one he had not expected to feel. He wanted to tell the man to go away.
Was it just because this was his best friend’s sister?
That must be it. It explained what he was feeling. He wasn’t used to feeling so protective of her, but then, he wasn’t used to her being a beautiful young lady who was approached by gentlemen who might not have the best intentions.
“I told you I was going to be here,” Juliet uttered rather irritably. “I told you I needed to speak to my brother.”
“You speak to him all the time,” the gentleman said dismissively. “Come and dance.”
“I don’t want to dance right now, Lord Stickland. I’m having a conversation.”
Harry decided to help her out. “I don’t believe we’ve met, Lord Stickland.”
“Who are you?” Lord Stickland demanded rudely.
“My name is—”
“This is the Duke of Burghley,” Juliet stated. “You ought to show him some respect, Lord Stickland.”
Harry was impressed again. The little girl he had known would never have been so outspoken towards someone outside her own family. Apparently, Juliet had no trouble standing up to people who displeased her. It was rather nice to see it.
