Page 66 of Just About a Rake


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Son?

Leonora’s breath caught in her throat. A wealth of implications were hinted at in that one word, but she couldn’t begin to decipher the true meanings. She shot a look at Dare over her shoulder. If Drake was the duchess’s son and Dare was his cousin... Did that make them all family? Had she beenflirting with her own family? Surely not. Dare and she... Her brain refused to process the information.

Even Heart was silent at that, apparently unable to think of a response.

The grip on her wrist tightened, and only then did she realize she’d tried to snatch her hand free from Dare’s grasp.

Calm down, Leonora.Dare didn’t know her secret, so he wouldn’t imagine anything wrong.

“Since when have I been your son?” Drake snapped, drawing Leonora’s attention back to the conversation. “We share no blood.”

Leonora let out a sigh of relief, not listening anymore. Suddenly nothing else mattered except she hadn’t been teasing—kissing—family! However, her curiosity sparked again. Even at that, she knew her luck was running out.

We should leave.And soon—before the three dispersed and Heart set his nose back on her trail. She’d rather face him back home than here, so she sank back, surveying their surroundings for a route of escape. As it was, her heart already threatened to burst through her chest. She could only imagine what it would do if they were discovered together, huddling behind a wagon.

Dare caught on. “The alley...” he whispered close, sensing her desire to flee the scene while they were still able.

*

Dare brought themto a halt only when they arrived back in the vicinity of the warehouse. They hadn’t wandered off too far, and his carriage should be just around the bend. Dare turned to Leonora. Her breathing was ragged, akin to that of a woman who had just run ten miles without pause, and she bent over, clutching her belly. The day had certainly taken an unexpected turn—more than one, truth be told.

“Leonora . . .” He hesitated. “Are you all right?”

She held up her hand. “Give me a moment.”

Her complexion had paled slightly, and the smile that usually played at the corner of her lips—or the very least, sparkled in her bright eyes—had vanished. It was as though the farther they retreated from the wagon, the more her spirits waned. Had she heard something troubling? He hadn’t been listening closely, only observing her. And the streets. Guarding.

“Yes, why wouldn’t I be?” she answered quickly. Too quickly.

Dare narrowed his eyes on her. He didn’t believe her, but he also couldn’t drag her troubles from her lips. If she didn’t want to confide in him, he couldn’t force her. But he could be a rock she might lean on.

He caught a silky tendril of her hair between his fingers. “Perhaps because you look as though a ghost has chased you to death’s door and back.”

“Don’t say silly things.”

“You think I’m being silly?”Should I retrieve a mirror for you?He’d known enough women in his life to leave the last part unsaid, but he wanted to see the teasing glint return to her eyes.

“Aren’t you?” She drew in a deep breath. “I’ll be fine in a moment.”

He glanced around. There wasn’t even water to offer her.

She straightened and attempted a smile. “There. See? I’m all better.”

He didn’t believe her for a second. Something had unsettled her. Had she feared being caught with him? Granted, it was a frightening prospect, but it also didn’t ring true.

“Leonora, the duchess and your brother...” His voice trailed off as those blue eyes fixed on him. A flicker of something—something that put her on instant alert—flashed in their depths.

“What about them?” She sent him a pointed look. “Also, shouldn’t you first tell me about this cousin of yours? The duchess called him her son, but they don’t seem to be blood.”

Ah, yes. He’d heard the comment but hadn’t thought much about it. Had Leonora thought it true? He supposed she might have. “Drake isn’t her son. He’s a by-blow of the late duke. She must have been indulging in a bit of sarcasm.”

“I see. So, your cousin is illegitimate, then.”

Dare heard the note of relief, which further spurred the niggle growing inside him. His brows drew together as Heart’s face popped into his head like a sore tooth. He’d glimpsed the man’s profile before they’d dashed into the alley. Some feeling about the look on his face, even just from the side, niggled at Dare.

What was going on?

Who was the duchess to the Heart family?