“Actually, Your Grace, I’m already acquainted with Lord Stratford and his family,” Drake said, the confidence and calmness in his voice doing nothing to soothe Honoria’s nerves.
Acquainted.As if what they had shared was a trifle. The word lashed her heart.
Her father speared Drake with a glare. “Merrick used to be our stable boy.”
Honoria finally found her voice. “Groom, Father. Not stable boy.” She tried to smile, but she worried it appeared more like a grimace. “How nice to see you again, Mr. Merrick.”
Oh, how she wanted to run. To hide from his searching amber eyes. The condemnation shining in them pressed upon her like a heavy weight.
“Lady Honoria. You’re looking well.” Drake peered over her shoulder. “Didn’t your husband accompany you?”
An aching hollowness assaulted her stomach.
Before she could form a response, her father ignored Drake and addressed the duke. “My daughter is unmarried, Your Grace.”
“Splendid!”
Although Burwood’s enthusiastic reply rang in her ears, Drake was all she could focus on, watching, hoping for some sign of joy or relief.
He remained stone-faced.
Burwood extended an arm. “Please, come join my other guests. Merrick and I have yet to greet everyone.”
“Does your man of business often accompany you during social events, Burwood?” Her father’s question was bold, if not precisely rude.
Even her mother’s eyes widened in horror.
Yet Burwood seemed to take no offense. “As I am unaccustomed to and still learning the workings of society, it comforts me to have a close friend at hand for moral support.”
“I should befascinatedto learn how you two met.” Her father’s narrowed eyes said he was anything but.
“And I will be more than happy to relay it to you later, sir. But if you will excuse me.”
Honoria and her mother curtsied, and although Burwood smiled congenially, Drake’s cold stare chilled her through.
Her father shook his head. “Of all people to be associated with the new duke. It’s unfathomable.”
“But, Stratford, didn’t you hear that Burwood was raised by a commoner after his mother remarried?” her mother asked.
“You did say it was why they had such difficulty finding him, Father. It’s not unimaginable that he and Drake, I mean, Mr. Merrick may have crossed paths.”
“Hmph. Don’t remind me of his upbringing. However, did you notice how his eyes lit up when I told him you were unmarried? You may find a suitable husband yet.”
“Wouldn’t it be wonderful, Honoria?” Hope radiated on her mother’s face. “A duke! And he’s very handsome.”
“Bah! Handsome fades.” Her father waved a hand. “He’s titled and rich. And he needs a wife who can teach him the social graces.” The gleam in her father’s eyes frightened her. “You’ll be perfect for him. That is if we can keep that nasty piece of gossip quiet. Avoid speaking or associating withthat manas much as you can so people don’t make the connection. We must pray he didn’t say anything to Burwood.”
“Drake would never. And it’s clear he’s forgotten about it,” she muttered the last more to herself.
Her father raised a gray brow. “Let us hope so.”
Honoria allowed her gaze to drift across the room where Drake and the duke conversed pleasantly with Lydia Whyte. For a moment, Drake’s eyes caught hers, then he laughed at something Lydia said.
And her heart broke all over again.
Bitterness burnedthe edges of Drake’s heart, reminding him it still beat in his chest. Knowing that Honoria watched him, hepurposely flirted with Miss Whyte. A direct contrast to Honoria, Miss Whyte was all frivolity, making his poor attempt at showing interest much easier.
She tapped her fan on his arm. “Mr. Merrick. It should be a crime to have two such handsomeeligiblemen enter society at the same time.”
