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Honoria released Adalyn’s hands and rushed forward. “Lord Nash, this is my daughter, Kitty.”

“Can I hold her?” the young girl asked.

“ May I hold her?” Adalyn corrected. “That’s up to the duchess.”

Feeling superfluous in the midst of the reunion, Juliana wanted to slink away.

However, as she muttered an apology and moved toward the door, Honoria, being Honoria, stopped her.

“Goodness, where are my manners? Lord Nash Talbot, Lady Nash Talbot, allow me to introduce Drake’s sister, Miss Juliana Merrick. ”

Lord Nash bowed. “Lady Juliana. A pleasure.”

Juliana’s cheeks heated. “It’s just Juliana. Drake is my half-brother.”

“Ah, of course. Then I’m simply Nash, and this is my wife, Adalyn. My courtesy honorific is practically useless in America.”

“Except when you want to impress someone,” Adalyn said, to which Nash’s lips quirked.

“I’m Mena.” The young girl curtsied, but her blue eyes gleamed with mischief. “And this is my baby brother, Benjamin.” Mena tilted her head, studying Juliana. “You look a little like Adalyn.”

Heat raced up Juliana’s neck and flooded her face.

“Manners, Mena,” Adalyn admonished.

“Well, I meant she’s pretty.”

Mena’s compliment did nothing to relieve Juliana’s blush. “Thank you, Mena.”

“Forgive our adopted daughter, Juliana. For most of her life, Mena lived on the streets, pick-pocketing under the pseudonym of Fingers. That is until my wife took her under her wing. Adalyn can’t resist a challenge.” Nash grinned.

Somehow, Juliana had the impression Nash wasn’t only talking about Mena.

Nash shifted Benjamin to his other arm, not appearing to mind at all when the child patted his father’s cheeks.

“And where, pray tell, is your husband, Duchess? I was looking forward to meeting the man who finally captured your heart. I need to size him up to make sure he’s good enough for you.

” Although Nash’s voice held a note of seriousness, his dark eyes crinkled at the corners.

Honoria lifted Kitty from Simon’s arms. “He’s at Lords, but we expect him home early. The session is nearly finished, and they’ve only remained this long because of Prinny’s—the king’s—ill health.”

“Old Prinny is still holding on, eh?” Nash shook his head.

“Please forgive the intrusion, Your Grace. After receiving word of Charlotte’s marriage, I felt it my brotherly duty to come and meet the man she’s decided to torture for the rest of his poor days.

We enquired at Edgerton’s, but his relic of a butler practically threw us out, saying we would find them both here. ”

“Ha! See, he understands. I like this fellow, Lottie .” Simon waggled his eyebrows.

Charlotte glared at them both. “You are both fortunate that I love you.”

Honoria cast a quick glance at Juliana, and something in her eyes sought permission. Before Juliana could move close enough to ask what for, Drake strode into the room.

“Frampton told me we have guests.”

Juliana waited quietly while Charlotte made the introductions, the whole time sneaking little peeks at Adalyn. The woman wasn’t only lovely, but poised, intelligent, and warm. No wonder Victor fell in love with her.

Adalyn cooed over little Kitty and, much to Charlotte’s dismay, hugged her new sister-in-law when Simon made the announcement that they, too, were expecting a child next spring.

“We have so much to celebrate,” Drake announced. “Juliana and Victor Pratt are to be wed, and you’ve arrived just in time to attend the ball held in their honor tomorrow evening.”

“Oh, that is wonderful news,” Adalyn exclaimed. “Felicitations. I’m so happy Mr. Pratt has found someone with whom to share his life.”

Juliana squeaked out a tiny, “Thank you.” She peered at Nash, who studied her.

“Speaking of the wedding,” Simon said. “Why don’t we take the future husband out this evening for a final night of freedom?

I propose The Knave of Hearts . It’s a new gambling hell that Drake has yet to visit.

Why not join us, Nash? I’d like to get to know my more amiable brother-in-law better.

You can share stories of Lottie with me so I have something to hold over her. ”

Charlotte snorted a derisive laugh.

Honoria’s gaze darted nervously toward Juliana. “No doubt Lord Nash and Adalyn are exhausted from their journey, Simon.”

Nash’s gaze remained locked with Juliana’s. “The duchess is correct. Exhausted, and we’ve yet to secure lodgings.”

“You must stay here.” Simon’s gaze darted toward Drake. “If that’s agreeable?”

“Of course. There’s plenty of room, and Charlotte’s family is ours.”

“I appreciate the gracious offer, but I must beg off accompanying you gentlemen. No doubt Benjamin will be up all night, and Adalyn becomes as disagreeable as my sister when she doesn’t get enough sleep.” Nash grinned at his wife.

Simon barked a laugh and received a sound slap to his shoulder from Charlotte.

Once again, Nash’s dark eyes met hers, and somehow Juliana knew that he knew why Victor was marrying her.

Due to all the preparations and activity at Pendrake Manor for the ball, Victor had stayed away from the duke’s home.

Instead, he spent his days putting the finishing touches on Juliana’s portrait.

Stepping back, he assessed his work, pleased that he’d captured the glint in Juliana’s eyes, and the enigmatic smile that spoke of secrets worth discovering.

Conflicted when he’d last left her, he tried to use the time to sort out his feelings.

Part of him wanted nothing more than to expose the person behind The Muckraker , and while that was still true, a small part—no, a part that grew larger by the day—hoped she wouldn’t cry off and that, regardless of what happened with The Muckraker , she would marry him.

Each time Juliana broached the subject of their impending nuptials, implying she was going to cry off, he’d found a way to stall her.

But she was right about one thing; they were running out of time. The banns had been called the last three Sundays. The wedding itself was set for the following Monday.

He’d ordered wedding clothes, surprised to learn that Mr. Abernathy, the tailor, was Juliana’s grandfather. The old man had smiled and patted Victor on the shoulder, pronouncing his approval of Juliana’s choice of husband.

“My granddaughter deserves the best. And you, my boy”—the man wagged a finger at him—“are getting the best. Never forget that. No one has so kind a heart as my Juliana. She would find a way to give you the moon if you asked for it.”

And the more Victor learned about Juliana, the more he liked her—the more his affection grew. However, she’d kept him at arm’s distance since his egregious slip, and he worried it had cost him any real chance with her.

Abernathy was right. She deserved the best. But was that him? He would do his utmost to make her a good husband, that much he knew. But would he be good enough? Her comment about loving someone who didn’t return your love nagged at him. Who in her past had broken her heart?

At that moment, as he stared at her portrait, he wondered if together they could overcome their past demons and find a future together. To build a family—a home—a life. Things he longed for desperately.

Tucking the question away, he turned his attention to some sketches he started of the duke’s likeness, should he be so fortunate to gain the duke’s approval and permission to continue with portraits for the rest of the family. Pride and hope lifted his spirits as he sketched out ideas for poses.

Victor’s head jerked up at the knock on his studio door, and Tierney entered, holding out a letter. “This just arrived, sir. It looks important.”

Victor’s eyebrows rose at the ducal seal on the back. “It’s from Burwood.” Victor used a small knife to break the seal.

Mr. Pratt

Expect a call from me at eight o’clock this evening.

Burwood

Victor frowned and turned the sheet of paper back and forth. Was that it?

“Sir?” Tierney had the same puzzled look that Victor presumed he himself wore.

Victor glanced at the clock on the mantle. “Make sure this place is immaculate. The Duke of Burwood is paying a call in two hours.”

“Is all well, sir?”

Victor shook his head. “An excellent question, Tierney. The contents of this note are most enigmatic—and disconcerting.”

When Tierney realized Victor wasn’t going to expand on his statement, he raced off, calling for Victor’s one maid of all work to get cracking.

Had Juliana decided to cry off and Burwood planned to deliver the news? Or did Burwood have some news about The Muckraker ?

Victor had little time to dwell on it, and after he peered down at his hands, he marched to the door and called for Tierney to draw him a bath and lay out some fresh clothing. Whatever the duke wanted, Victor would at least present himself as a gentleman.

At five minutes till eight, Tierney wiped the rest of the shaving soap off Victor’s face, then removed the bowl with the soapy water, just as a knock sounded on the door to Victor’s apartments.

Tierney spun like a top with the bowl, water sloshing over the side.

“Good God, man, he’s a duke, not the king.” Victor chuckled and motioned for Tierney to place the shaving bowl on the dressing table and go answer the door.

After a quick glance in the looking glass and a tug on his coat, Victor strode from his bedchamber into the small parlor, not certain what to expect.

From the Duke of Burwood’s expression, it couldn’t be good. Victor couldn’t recall if he’d ever seen the man scowl before. Even stranger, next to him, Simon Beckham stared at Tierney, his lips pressed in a thin, straight line.

What the devil had happened?

“Your Grace? To what do I owe the honor? Is Miss Merrick in good health?”

“My sister is in perfect health. I’ve come regarding your upcoming nuptials.”

Victor’s stomach tumbled to his feet. She’s cried off. Rejected twice. With his luck, the only woman who would have him would be Lydia. And didn’t that thought make his stomach churn?

The man Victor had come to know as Drake glared at him, appearing extremely ducal as he barked his next question. “Well? What do you say?”

“I . . . I’m not sure what I’m supposed?—”

Mr. Beckham broke out in uproarious laughter, bending over as he held his midsection.

What the deuce?

Wiping his eyes, Mr. Beckham straightened. “Oh, well done, Drake. The man looks positively ghastly.”

As the duke himself broke out into a huge smile, Victor shook his head. “What is going on?”

“We’ve come to take you out for a night enjoyment.

Simon has been going on about the new gambling den, The Knave of Hearts , and we thought it would be a good chance to get to know you better without women hovering.

” Looking decidedly less ducal, Burwood cocked his head.

“But I did have you going for a minute, didn’t I? ”

Relieved, but still rather confused, Victor placed a hand on his chest, pleased to find his heart still beating. “You did, sir. I thought you’d come to tell me Miss Merrick has cried off.”

“Ye of little faith, Simon. I told you I could pull it off. It was you who almost showed our hand. This was his idea, by the way.” Burwood pointed to Mr. Beckham.

“But I must say, I’m rather pleased that your distress came from thinking my sister cried off, rather than something I might have discovered about you. ”

Victor’s confusion continued. “You are?”

“Well, of course,” Burwood said. “It pleases me that the thought of not marrying my sister would cause you heartache.” He turned toward Mr. Beckham. “That sounds awful, doesn’t it?”

Mr. Beckham slapped the duke on the back. “Yes, but I think Pratt is smart enough to understand your meaning.”

Such a strange conversation. Victor braved the question lingering in the back of his mind. “Are you two...foxed?”

Mr. Beckham grinned. “Not nearly enough. Now, let’s remedy that and be off! On to The Knave! ”

They ushered Victor out the door and into the duke’s waiting carriage.