think you’d choose someone who would make you miserable. I have better faith in you than that.”
She nearly tripped again.
He was asking her to trust herself, to trust her judgment.
Why had no one ever done that before? It was a revelation.
Could she?
Could she do it? Could she choose Heath? Truly?
“I don’t know if I love him,” she whispered. “I barely know him.”
“Well, you’re certainly struck by him, and I think there’s something very strong between the two of you for you to admit so right now.”
“He’s most inappropriate,” Mary explained.
“Marvelous,” he said. “I adore inappropriate.”
She groaned. “Of course you do, but no one else will.”
“You mustn’t think about everyone else right now,” he said, “You’ve likely thought about everyone else most of your life. Rob is about to be married. I certainly think that’s true. Lady Harriet is already leading him in that merry dance. So why not choose what you desire?”
He gripped her hand a little tighter. “Choose your own heart. It’s the best thing you can possibly do. Do you want to live on, betraying yourself?”
She gasped.
It was such a powerful thing to say, but she realized the truth of it. She was sacrificing herself on the altar of society, and she was betraying the hopes and desires of her heart. “You know, my brother might murder you for saying these things,” she said.
“Don’t worry, I can outmaneuver him,” Drake said cheerfully.
“He might murder the man I’m in love with.”
“Hmm,” Drake said. “That does give me pause. That terrible of a fellow, is he?”
She nibbled her lower lip. “Well, he’s certainly not of our ilk.”
“All the better,” Drake affirmed, apparently impervious to any argument. “We need new blood. If we keep marrying each other, it’s going to go terribly in the next couple of years. We’ll all just be wittering about, prancing around in our pretty clothes, unable to do anything interesting.”
Drake’s face grew serious, his gaze afire. “Mary, you should bring in new blood if that’s what you wish.”
“No one will like him,” she said, her breath coming in fast takes.
“Does that matter?” he demanded. “As long as you like him.”
She stared up at him. “You, sir, are the devil, just like the man I’m in love with.”
“Oh, devils are fascinating fellows.” Drake’s lips pulled in a sly smile. “Do I know him?”
“I don’t think so,” she said.
“Go on, then,” he said, “whisper his name.”
She swallowed.
Did she dare do it?
Did she dare tell Drake?
He’d been such a good friend to her over the years.
She winced, and then she whispered, “Richard Heath.”
It was Drake’s turn to stumble, nearly toppling them both to the floor. He clasped her to him and coughed.
“Richard Heath?” he repeated.
“So you do know him,” she breathed, wondering if he was about to change his tune.
“Oh, I know him,” Drake stated, regaining his footing. “He’s an interesting fellow, and I do think he’s been helping your brother a bit.”
“Truly?” she asked.
“Oh, yes,” Drake admitted. “He’s been helping your brother make some very interesting choices these last few months. He’s kept him afloat, you know?”
“He has not,” Mary protested.
“Oh, indeed, he has,” Drake insisted. “He’s kept Robert going long enough now that he is to find the lady who might marry him, who will save him, and ironically, love him. And I think Rob will love her too.”
“Heath has been helping my brother?” she said, trying to make sense of this news.
“How long did you know him?” Drake asked.
“Two days,” she said, wistful.
“Two days. A veritable Romeo and Juliet, but we must make sure it doesn’t end like that particular tale, for that was not a love story.” Drake waggled his brows. “That was most definitely a tragedy.”
“Doesn’t life usually end in tragedy?” she said.
“Oh, Lady Mary,” he sighed. “You are far too young to believe such a thing.”
“I don’t think so,” she countered. Thinking of the nearly broken young man she’d first met when Drake had come to their house. “I remember when you were quite young too, and I could tell you thought life was a tragedy. You don’t think so anymore?”
“I haven’t thought life was a tragedy since your brother befriended me,” he said honestly. “It changed my life. You changed my life. Your mother changed my life. The kindness you all showed me, it’s saved me. So, no, I don’t think life is a tragedy. I think life is a wealth of opportunity for those who are willing to mine for it. Now go ahead, Mary, mine for it. Even with a