Page 109 of Just About a Rake


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“Mistakes don’t define your life.” Look at her, ruined in a whole other way than what anyone could ever imagine. A mistake? Perhaps. But only if she chose that it be one. “So look forward, and don’t dwell in a past you cannot change. After all,you are not the same man you were back then, are you? You’ve become a much better man since then. At least, that is how I see it.”

The hands in hers flipped to grip hers tightly. “Cassandra—the duchess—has been wanting to meet you, talk to you, but I have been pushing against it.”

“Because you feared I might discover the truth?”

“That it would be revealed before you made a match.”

Oh, Lord. “You should not worry about that.” Leonora glanced away.

“Do not tell me it’s because ofthatreprobate?”

No, and yes. “Very well, I won’t tell you it’sthatreprobate.”

Though it was true that she had made her choice with him, with their night together, and didn’t regret it. And even though she had never harbored any misgivings about Dare and his character, she would be lying if she claimed there hadn’t been a small smidgeon of hope sprouting in her heart for something more. But this was not a discussion she could ever indulge in! This was but a secret hope, one nestled deep in her heart.

No, Leonora. This is not you.

She didn’t go through life hoping this and that. She acted. She seized. She chased what she wanted. Her gaze dropped to the big hands holdings hers. She understood why Heart always dragged her away from Dare.

He didn’t wish for her to become her mother.

Only it might be too late for that. She’d been ravaged by Rake. Her eyes fell on her belly. She might even be... Her whole body went cold as her brother’s imagined past flashed before her eyes in a tragic, unfortunate set of events. A fate she might now share.

“You’re just as damn stubborn as I,” he said on a mutter.

Ah. Heart. He’d be furious if it were indeed the case. “You do know I love you.”

His fingers tightened on hers. “I love you, too.”

I’m sorry.

I failed to meet your expectations.

*

Dare stirred froma restless sleep by a sharp knock at the door.

“My lord?” the butler called.

He groaned, cracking one eye open. Where the devil was he? Oh, right, he’d come home from the theatre, followed by Knox and Drake. Things got blurry after that. But this wasn’t his chamber. This was... his study? More specifically, thefloorof his study.

He pushed himself up, his mind sluggish. Drake was sprawled in his chair, feet resting on the desk, while Knox was half-draped over the sofa. What kind of friends were these? Why should he be on the damn floor of his own home?

Enemies, I tell you.

He rubbed his temples and blinked to clear his foggy vision. His eyes fell on one bootless foot—his—and the cravat tossed beside it—also his. This is why he didn’t drink.

“My lord?”

“What is it, Brett?”

“The Duchess of Crane is seeking an audience, my lord.”

“Send her away.” His eyes snapped wide. “Wait. Send her to the room where we receive people. Give me a minute.” He at least had to wipe the crust from his eyes and find his missing boot. Bloody hell, his temples pounded. But that wasn’t what mattered at the moment.

Leonora’s mother had called on him.

He couldn’t fathom why. Unless... The aftermath of the monkey incident? Christ, he just wanted to forget—all of it. The monkey. Her. The duke.