Page 62 of To Ruin a Rake

“Why? I’m certainly not.”

Silence.

“I’m not. Really. I’m not,” Harriett insisted, turning to regard her sister with what she hoped was cool detachment. “I’m glad, honestly, to know exactly how matters stand between us.”

“And how do they stand?”

“I’ve given him notice.”

“But you can’t!” Cat stopped and grabbed her by the arm. “You love that place—Harriett, you’ve poured your heart and soul into it. You and Wi—”

“I know!” It came out rather more harshly than she’d intended. “But we both know I cannot stay indefinitely.” She blinked away the stinging in her eyes. “Once I am married, my duty to my husband and home will take precedence. I won’t have time to worry about anything else, no matter how much I might want to. But I also don’t wish to leave abruptly and have the children and staff suffer for it. Some of those people have been there from the beginning. They are like family to me, and they deserve better than to be abandoned. As such, I’ve agreed to teach Manchester what I can while we look for a replacement, and to train that replacement if necessary.”

“So you’re letting him win, then?”

“I’m not letting him win. I’m leaving the battlefield to satisfy my need, not his. A most imperative need.”

“Well, I think you’re making an enormous mistake.” Cat crossed her arms and glared. “Russell is not the right—”

“Perhaps not,” Harriett snapped, weary of arguing. “But he is a duke, Cat. Unless someone better comes along before I am required to decide, I simply cannot turn him down. Not only would Papa kill me if I did so, but we have other considerations besides our own, don’t forget.”

Her sister’s eyes lowered. “I have not forgotten. Even so, I still believe you ought to at least try to marry someone with whom you can be happy.”

“If I am able to do so, I shall.”

“Promise me, Harriett. I don’t want you to end up like Elizabeth.”

Now it was her turn to look away. “I will try, but I cannot guarantee I will have any better luck.” Better to make no promises—to anyone, including herself.

Entering the salon, they waited with Papa for Lord Russell to arrive. They did not have to cool their heels for very long. His punctuality belied his eagerness.

Harriett greeted him with warmth, thinking of Arabella. If young Hammond did not come to scratch with an offer for Cat before the end of this Season, she might very well have to marry Russell in order to save them all. She could ill afford to show anything but the greatest pleasure in his every word and deed.

The man in question was now regaling them with a description of his family’s country estate, Woburn Abbey in Russellshire. She left off her musings and concentrated. After all, he was describing what might very well be her future home.

“The place needs renovation, of course. I’m thinking of having Holland draw the plans,” he said, flicking a nonexistent bit of something off his cuff.

A frisson of excitement worked its way through her. This she could talk about! “His style is elegant and his execution of the work is very efficient, provided he is allowed to procure his own labor. If he is not available, there is always Flitcroft. He’s worked with numerous friends of ours and is also quite worthy of consideration.”

Russell stared at her blankly for a moment. “I suppose…I could consider him, if you like,” he answered at last.

Her father lowered his brows in disapproval. Beside her, Cat cleared her throat and coughed.

Harriett’s stomach tightened. Apparently, she’d just crossed some invisible line. Smiling, she tried one of Cat’s tricks. “I would not have suggested it, but I heard from one of Papa’s friends that he was very talented and I thought you might like to know.”

Russell’s smile returned. “If you are an admirer of his work, then I shall look into retaining him. As to the interior decoration, I shall of course leave that to the preference of my future duchess.”

His expression was warm and hopeful, telling her for certain this visit was more than just a matter of his wishing to renew old acquaintance. Not that she hadn’t already known it, but it was always best never to assume.

This is it, my opportunity to secure his interest or send him on his way. Need overruled doubt. She required a husband. “Few women are given the gift of being able to create their own world around them in such a manner. Your bride shall be a very lucky lady indeed to have Woburn as her canvas.”

Such an encouraging statement was the definite opening of a door, and if the widening of his smile was any indication, Russell recognized it as such. Courtship could now begin in earnest. Beside her, Cat sighed. Only Harriett knew it was a sigh of disappointment rather than an expression of sentiment. She ignored it.

“I can vouch for Flitcroft, as well,” said Papa. “He recently completed the interior at Lilford and is currently working at Wentwood.”

“Then I shall most definitely inquire as to Mister Flitcroft’s availability,” said Russell. His gaze swung back to Harriett. “If his skills can add to my prospective bride’s happiness, I shall be grateful.”

“Tell me more about Woburn,” she asked, causing him to pink with pleasure. She did her best to maintain a pleasant, attentive expression, even though it was painfully clear her opinions would be worth next to nothing without the backing of some male to support them. Reason told her that in this he was no different from the typical man, but it still didn’t sit well to be treated as though she was incapable of possessing an informed, valid viewpoint.

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