Page 65 of Tempted By an Unconventional Lady
“I want the duke away from Charlotte,” Lydia replied. “How that happens or what you gain out of it means little to me. You are a means to an end, that’s all.”
Lucille snorted. “We are using one another and no mistake.”
“Perhaps,” Lydia muttered.
“What I’m truly curious about, though,” Lucille continued, obviously oblivious to the ice-cold atmosphere of the room, “is why you should want this at all. Most guardians would be thrilled to have their niece courted by a duke such as Ashbourne.”
But most nieces are not as wealthy as Charlotte.If Charlotte had to marry at all, Lydia would make sure that money remained within the family. Perhaps in Arthur’s good hands. After all, the man was weaselly enough to be controlled by his aunt, and that was good enough for Lydia. She had no intention of revealing such to Lucille though. They may have been working together, but Lydia would keep back some information for herself.
“I am notlike most guardians,” she replied after a moment. “And my reasons have nothing at all to do with you. You can either take my offer or leave it.”
“Very well!” Lucille held her hands up in defeat. “I was merely asking. It doesn’t really matter. As you said, we both have different end goals, and leaving here with Alexander is mine.”
“And you shall have him,” Lydia muttered. “Mark my words.”
Chapter 25
Two weeks passed since the dinner, and Alexander had seen Charlotte a total of seven times, but each time she had refused to engage with him. She had greeted him politely enough, but he could see the hurt in her eyes, and he wished more than anything that he could explain.
The dinner had been horrendous. He had been forced to spend time with Lucille, and every time he turned his head to catch Charlotte’s eye, the woman he truly wanted to be with was laughing with some other man. Lucille, naturally, pulled him into conversation time and again, asking him detailed questions about this and that, and Alexander did his best to be polite. But the truth was, he wanted to be anywhere but with her.
Arthur Mulligan.Even the man’s name left a bad taste in Alexander’s mouth. But he knew equally that his own conversations with Lucille were driving her just as wild. He was certain Lucille had arranged it somehow, though why Lydia Fairchild and her absent husband would allow such a thing, he had no idea. The very fact that she was staying in their house was suspicious.
The carriage trundled through the busy London streets on its way to Charlotte’s home. Alexander was determined to see her this time. It had been unfortunate that the last twice hehad called at the house, she had been otherwise engaged and as a result, Alexander had been forced to take tea with Lucille. He had been polite, of course, especially now that she was so involved with the Fairchilds, and he had stayed in the hopes of catching at least a glimpse of his beautiful Charlotte, but it was to no avail.
But today, I shall not take no for an answer.
They came to a stop in the driveway. Alexander straightened his cravat and picked up his cane as the carriage door was opened, then he stooped to climb down. His shoes crunched on the fine gravel as he made his way to the steps that led up to the front door, the sound grinding against his already fragile nerves.
He had seen Charlotte only the night before, albeit briefly, at a soiree at Burns Manor on the outskirts of London. When he tried to speak to her, she had cut their conversation short, disappearing through the throngs of people instead. It had left him frustrated and angry—both at himself and at Lucille for the damage she was doing—and that morning, he had woken with renewed determination.
I shall not take no for answer, he repeated again as he rapped on the door with his cane.
The butler sighed as soon as he saw the duke, as if he had been expecting another visit. Alexander pasted on his brightest smile, digging deep for his charm.
“Good morning! I was hoping to see Lady Ch—”
“I’m afraid she is unavailable,” the butler interrupted before moving to close the door in Alexander’s face.
Alexander, outraged, put out his cane to stop the man in his tracks. “Are you quite sure?”
The door opened fully again, and the butler exhaled loudly through his nose. “I am sorry, Your Grace. I truly am. But there is nothing I can do. Miss Charlotte has requested she not be bothered by anyone—least of all you.”
Is that pity in his eyes?
Alexander huffed. “Very well. And Lady Fairchild, or perhaps even Lady Lucille?” he asked in desperation. If he could just get into the house, then maybe he would have a chance.
“They are not at home, Your Grace.”
“But Miss Charlotte is?” he asked, hope springing in his chest.
“Yes, but—”
Alexander didn’t let the man finish his sentence. Instead, he barged past him, pushing the door open.
“Please, Your Grace!”
As Alexander strode across the entrance hall, his shoes clicking against the tiles, he could hear the butler’s quick shuffle behind him. But Alexander was the much younger—and far more determined—man, and he out-paced him.
