Page 38 of The Duke of Aces
Could Drake be right?
There was something about Drake tonight that was different. He appeared older, wiser, and… serious.
He deserved a thoughtful answer, not one of the more flippant retorts she was accustomed to giving him. “Now that I consider it, the risk of losing Minerva to whatever scheme she’s planning for a mere courtship does not appeal.”
“I would agree.” Drake straightened and switched seats and sat next to her. “If Avondale proposed this eve, what would you say?”
“Drake, you know I hate repeating myself.” She clenched her hands and said, “It would be folly to say yes to a man I barely know.”
“What more do you need to know? You are already privy to one of Avondale’s most heavily guarded secrets. He does not share that with merely anyone. He trusts you.”
“It’s not much of a secret if everyone knows about it.”
Drake shook his head. “The only reason I know Avondale’s secret is because the Head of the Foreign Office sent him to recruit me.”
“Oh.” Isadora frowned. Who was this man next to her? “You’re a spy?”
“Most definitely not.” Drake returned her stare. “You’ve known me all your life. Do you think I could be a spy?”
She narrowed her gaze and studied Drake for a moment. “Now that I think upon it, yes. Yes, you could be.”
“Well, I assure you I’m not.” Drake glanced out the window. “But enough about me…we were talking about you and Avondale.”
“Right.” Isadora gathered her scattered thoughts. “Is trust enough to build a marriage upon?”
“It’s a far better foundation than lust.”
Drake was right. Her parents’ marriage had begun with lust and then disintegrated to nothing because of a lack of trust.
She turned and awkwardly wrapped Drake in a hug. “Thank you for helping me decide.”
Drake patted her back in a brotherly manner. “I’m coming to realize it’s best to obtain verbal confirmation when it comes to women’s thoughts. What exactly have you decided?”
Isadora laughed and pulled away. “You’ll have to wait and find out. Avondale should be the first to know of my decision, wouldn’t you agree?”
Drake tugged at his coat sleeves and shifted back into the rear-facing seat, giving her the personal space she preferred. He knew her well. “You shall make an excellent duchess, but even more importantly, an exceptional agent for the Foreign Office.”
Drake’s compliments were filled with sincerity. She would make an excellent agent for the Crown.
But would Tom agree to wait to be married? Isadora wanted to see Minerva wed first.
Chapter Twenty
Back home safe,surrounded by staff that were smiling, Tom stood in the middle of the Avondale foyer. He was looking forward to this evening’s masquerade ball. Why the bloody hell was Charlotte taking so long to get ready? He pulled out his father’s pocket watch and glanced down at the timepiece. Only another hour and he’d once again be in the same room as the woman he wanted to call wife. Staying away from Isadora while he dealt with his duties at the Foreign Office had taken a toll on Tom’s nerves. Coupled with the fact that Charlotte had been bouncing about the house with glee at her official invitation to join the Wicked Ladies Salon all day.
After a successful mission, he would have thought gaining entrance to the woman’s network would pale in comparison. It wasn’t wrought with danger and… his train of thought vanished as he beheld a mature young lady in a rich, forest-green velvet dress descend the stairs. A matching domino fell from his sister’s wrist. Charlotte was no hoyden tonight. No, she was poised, elegant, and the spitting image of their mama.
Tom’s hands instinctively clenched by his side. He’d have a hell of a time keeping the gentlemen away from her tonight. When she reached the last step, Tom said, “Sister, mine, you look…”
“Beautiful. Gorgeous. Like our mama?”
Tom blinked, the moisture threatening to appear in his eyes. “Aye. Just like mama.” He held out his hand and said, “Shall I accompany you and Aunt Cornella tomorrow to court?”
Instead of taking his hand, she shook her head. “Nay. Aunt Cornella and I already met with the Queen. She privately bestowed her endorsement of my debut.”
“When did this occur?”
“While you were sequestered away by the Head of the Foreign Office yesterday.” Charlotte produced a folded parchment from behind her. “We also managed to obtain this.” She handed him the parchment marked with the seal of the Archbishop of Canterbury.
