Was he playing matchmaker?
Memories of assisted liaisons between her friends surfaced.However, it was one thing to be the one matchmaking and quite another to be on the receiving end—especially if one party was not a willing participant.
Drake’s scowl, which at the moment closely resembled her father’s, confirmed it. Although it did appear he directed his displeasure toward Burwood.
When Drake refocused his attention back on her, gentleness shone in his eyes once more. “Remember, it’s only the two of us. Look only at me.”
After the short two measure introduction, she forced out the first few notes. True to his word, Drake’s baritone drowned out her whispered soprano. She concentrated on the lyrics and, remembering Drake’s words, pretended to sing only to him.
Her voice grew smoother, more confident, and soon she found it blending with Drake’s, who reduced his volume and changed from melody to a harmony that complemented her voice to perfection.
Like re-reading a well-loved story, she knew how the ballad ended. Tears formed in her eyes as she pictured little Mary’s beloved William dressed in rags before her to test the endurance of her love.
Her throat clogged again toward the end, this time not from fear, but from heartfelt emotion. Vision blurring, she gazed at Drake, willing him to see the truth in her eyes.
CHAPTER 9
Drake clenched his fists as they finished the last verse of the blasted song. What was Simon playing at? He would have more than words with hisfriendlater. Perhaps he’d suggest a wrestling match as one ofthe duke’sgames.
Not a moment too soon, they finished the song to rousing applause and shouts of “Another! Another!”
Tears glistened in Honoria’s eyes, and one slipped down her cheek.
His hand twitched with the urge to catch it on his fingertip. Tothrow the patchfrom his eyeas William had and confess all to her.
Yet he did not. Not with her father scowling at them, murder written on his face.
On second thought, he might take great satisfaction in setting the old man off. But it would be at Honoria’s expense, and she was already suffering from Simon’s meddling.
Before he could act upon his impulse, she hastily brushed the tear away. As stalwart as ever, she remained, at all times, a proper English lady.
“You did it,” he whispered. And she did; her angelic voice, clear and pure, had melded with his so naturally one would presume they had sung together for ages.
The tremulous smile she gave him set his heart lurching. “Shall we give them another? Something less melodramatic?” He grinned at her, announcing loudly. “A bawdy sea shanty, perhaps?”
She rewarded his attempt to cheer her by emitting a little laugh, then wiped her face again.
“Ah, my bad joke has brought Lady Honoria to tears. It might be best for someone else to take the reins.”
More applause met them as they parted. Honoria mouthed a quietthank youthen returned to her group of friends. Drake sought refuge away from Simon, who was currently surrounded by a gaggle of women. Still at the piano, Lady Montgomery selected a more complicated piece, one for which she truly needed her husband to turn the pages, and the crowd seemed appeased.
“That was most gallant of you, Mr. Merrick,” a feminine voice whispered.
Drake turned, finding the Duke and Duchess of Ashton next to him. He’d had little interaction with the unconventional duke and duchess so far, but Simon imparted that Drake would find staunch supporters in them—once he revealed his true identity. From the gentle kindness shining in the duchess’s eyes, Drake believed it to be true.
“Gallant, Your Grace? For singing a song? Off-key at that.”
The duchess’s tight-lipped smile was much like one his mother delivered when she’d caught him in an untruth. “I suspect you know very well of which I speak. Although I promise your secret is safe with me. However, my curiosity is piqued that you would know Lady Honoria so well to understand her reluctance to perform in public.”
Had the duchess heard the salacious rumors about them Honoria had mentioned? Or perhaps less despicable and more accurate, had his feelings been that transparent? And if so, and a veritable stranger such as the duchess noticed it, no doubt Honoria had as well, not to mention her parents. “I have a talent for sensing another’s moods, Your Grace. Lady Honoria appeared distraught over the prospect of singing.”
“Hmm,” the duchess said, obviously unconvinced.
“Forgive my wife, Mr. Merrick,” Ashton said. “She’s a knownmatchmaker—although other than our own happy marriage and that of her dear friend Camilla, she hasn’t had much success as of late.”
“Success for what?” Simon’s annoying voice came from behind.
Drake turned to glare at him—thankfully with his back to the duke and duchess. “Your Grace, I didn’t see you there.”
