Page 104 of Earl on the Run (The Duke's Estates 2)

“That’s right,” said Sarah.

“James had forgotten because he despises the place,” said Cecelia. “Begging your pardon, Harriet.”

“I have no affection for it,” she answered.

“Can he have gone there?” wondered Sarah.

“Why?” asked Charlotte. “To visit the scenes of Harriet’s childhood?”

“I was eleven when we went there,” said Harriet. “And, of course, that is ridiculous, Charlotte.”

“As my tone was meant to indicate,” her friend replied.

“He can’t have gone to get a marriage license,” Cecelia said. “Tunbridge Wells would not be the correct location. I checked.”

Three sets of eyes focused on Harriet. “I can’t break it off until he returns,” she snapped.

“Are you certain that is what you want?” asked Sarah.

“There is the matter of kisses,” said Cecelia.

Harriet tried not to wince as Sarah and Charlotte gaped at Cecelia and then turned to stare at her. She failed.

“I have come upon you embracing more than once,” Cecelia added.

“Harriet,” exclaimed Sarah. “You never mentioned that.”

“Did he accost you?” asked Charlotte, clearly ready to be outraged.

“No.” Harriet decided she sounded younger than Samia at this moment.

“The embraces looked…mutually enthusiastic to me,” said the duchess. “And to James as well.”

Charlotte put her hands on her hips. “That seems a rather important bit to leave out, Harriet.”

Her face must have told them everything.

“You are in love with him!” declared Sarah.

She couldn’t deny it. Yet she couldn’t quite admit it either. “I’ve made a complete hash of things.” She waited for Charlotte’s mockery.

It did not come. “We will just have to set them right then,” Charlotte said instead.

Sarah agreed. “But we must knoweverything.”

Harriet sighed. These were her friends, old and new. She trusted them, and she believed they had her best interests at heart. She also knew them to be wise and kind. They would understand even if she did not come out well. Taking a deep breath, Harriet related her entire history with the rogue earl.

“That is a very romantic tale,” said Sarah when she was done.

“Indeed,” said Charlotte dryly. “A saga of bucolic chivalry.”

Harriet wrinkled her nose at her.

“I like that neither of you were vying for social advantage when you met,” said Cecelia. “There’s nothing of the marriage mart there.”

“He did lie to me,” said Harriet. But even she could hear that the anger had drained out of that accusation.

“I might have done the same if Lady Wilton was after me,” said Sarah. “She makes me quake in my boots.”

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