there. “He introduced himself to me as Simon,” she forced. “Besides, if I say Mr. Appleton, you might not know which one I’m speaking of.”
Andrew’s blue eyes flared wide. “Do you have a secret tendre for Walter Appleton, then?”
She wanted to groan and protest, but that’s what they wanted. “Shhh. Must you expose all of my secrets?”
Brooke choked on her drink. “Well, that would certainly explain your lack of interest in the younger Mr. Appleton,” she said, putting her glass back down and reaching for her napkin. “So, perhaps he is your Mr. Appleton.”
Rae cringed. “My interest lies with neither of them.”
“All right,” Brooke said slowly. She shot Rae a compassionate smile. “Henrietta, all you have to do is just tell me who it is who holds your heart, and I’ll help you snag him.”
“She means it, too,” Andrew added. “I didn’t stand a chance.”
“But he’s not interested in me that way,” she admitted softly. A sudden, overwhelming crushing sensation threatened to shatter her heart. Last Season when she’d returned home, rumors had swirled that in her absence Mr. Fisher had been spending time with Ursula Bruin. If only she’d been there… If only she’d found a way to convince Mr. Fisher to run off with her before the start of the Season. He’d been reluctant, claiming they’d have to forever live in exile since she was under the age of consent.
“I think you’re wrong,” Brooke said.
Rae started. “Pardon?”
“I think Mr. Appleton is certainly interested in you that way.”
“I wasn’t speaking of him,” Rae argued. Truly, did Brooke have cotton in her ears?
“That’s what you always say,” Brooke mused. “But—” She held up a single hand, halting Rae’s protest. “I’ve seen the way you two exchange looks across the ballroom. I also saw the way the two of you danced. And not just at my insistence.” She wagged her finger at Rae. “I saw the two of you waltz before that. I also can’t help but notice that every time you claim that you have no interest in him your eyes sparkle.”
“With hatred and detest,” Rae interrupted.
Brooke snorted. “That’s what my sister Liberty always claimed she felt for Paul. Turns out—” she traced the rim of her goblet with the tip of her index finger— “she loved him all along.”
“Well, I assure you that is not the case here.”
Sighing, Brooke clasped her hands together and rested her chin on top of them. “All right, then what is his name?”
Rae’s mouth felt like it had been stuffed with the same cotton Brooke wore in her ears. She shook her head. She couldn’t tell them. They’d be just as negative about her choice as Juliet had been.
“Is he unsuitable?” Andrew asked quietly.
“Drake and Juliet would consider the match unsuitable,” Rae said, meeting his compassion-filled eyes. No need to explain why they’d find the match unsuitable.
“I’m sure Andrew’s mother might have considered me unsuitable, too,” Brooke added. “And my sister, who married the dowager's step-brother, a duke, at that.”
“So then you understand…”
Brooke nodded. “Considering your sister married out of class, I think she does, too,” she added, stealing away every bit of Rae’s elation.
“No, she doesn’t.” Rae sighed. “Just forget I mentioned him.”
“Does that mean you’re ready to discuss snagging your Mr. Appleton?”
“It must bother you beyond belief that you haven’t been responsible for a wedding this Season,” Rae said.
“No,” Brooke said at the same time her husband said, “It keeps her up at night.”
Despite herself, Rae laughed and Brooke swatted at her husband. “Never mind him.” Dropping her hands to her lap, she asked, “Are you sure he’s the one you want?”
“Yes.”
Brooke reached across the table for Rae’s hand. “Then, let’s formulate a plan.”
“Brooke, dearest, I love you beyond all reason, but I’m afraid they might need to lock you up soon,” Andrew said, running his fingers through the brown curls that hung by her shoulders.
She pushed him onto his back and propped herself up on her left elbow. With her right hand, she idly played with his chest hair.
“They’ll have to lock you up, too.”
He quirked a brow. “For loving a lady like you?”
“Just so.” She lowered he head and kissed the top of his shoulder. “I have a plan.”
“Yes, I recall being in the room when you and Henrietta formed that idiotic scheme to allow her to go back to Crumbles to snag a smithy.” He frowned. “I don’t think that’s a good idea, Brooke. There has to be something she’s not telling us.” He pushed himself into a sitting