Page 19 of The Duke of Daring (The Untouchables)
Beaumont snorted. “Bah, that won’t go anywhere. Sutton doesn’t really want to marry.”
“Or perhaps he’s just exceptionally selective.”
Andrew smiled at their banter. He knew Sutton vaguely. He had a bit of a reputation for disappointing young women. He showed interest, but when it seemed a formal courtship was imminent, he backed away. One might expect that young ladies would stop showing him favor, but he was still a wealthy earl with multiple estates. Women would be drawn to him until he ceased to draw breath.
Which was why Andrew generally avoided things like balls, for he was also a wealthy earl—although he had just one estate. “You can stop suggesting marriageable women, Thursby. As I said, I’ve no plans to take a wife.”
Just as he had no plans to reform. Not that he was a rake as Thursby had been, but he liked his carefree lifestyle and had no desire to alter it. Especially for a wife or a family. The mere thought of those things summoned those torturous memories he preferred to keep buried. Families meant love. Love meant pain. And he’d endured enough pain for his entire lifetime, however long it lasted.
Lucy walked into Lady Satterfield’s drawing room that afternoon at her grandmother’s side. Grandmama’s hip was bothering her today, so she’d decided to use her cane, which she did from time to time.
“I’ll find you a chair, Grandmama,” Lucy said, glancing around the room. She’d been to Satterfield House on several occasions, but this was only her second visit this Season. The first had been Lady Satterfield’s annual ball, which was the first grand event each Season. That was when Lucy’s dearest friend, Aquilla Knox, had become Lady Satterfield’s ward.
“Over there will be just fine.” Grandmama indicated a pale blue settee that would afford a view of the door to see who came and went as well as the tall windows that faced the street.
Lady Satterfield sailed toward them. She was tall, her hair still dark though she was in her fifties. She smiled warmly. “Lady Parnell, it’s a pleasure to see you. And Miss Parnell, you look lovely. I’m delighted you could both join us today.”
“Thank you, my lady. I appreciate all the kindness you’ve shown Aquilla.” Lucy wanted to ask where she was but didn’t wish to appear rude.
“Oh, I adore Aquilla. It’s been a joy having her here with us this Season.”
Lucy knew Aquilla felt the same way—they corresponded nearly every day. Aquilla had only come to London to visit Lucy for a short time. Her parents weren’t giving her any more Seasons, since her last four had been utter failures.
Fortunately, however, Lucy, Aquilla, and their friend Ivy had met Lady Satterfield’s stepdaughter-in-law, the Duchess of Kendal, at the ball, and she’d taken an instant liking to them. Upon hearing that Aquilla had to return to the country with her parents, the Duchess of Kendal had invited her to spend the Season with her. Five years ago, Lady Satterfield had sponsored her in just such a fashion, and she’d wanted to perform the same kindness for someone else. As it happened, however, Lady Satterfield had ended up being Aquilla’s sponsor, an arrangement that suited everyone marvelously.
“I just need to see Grandmama to the settee,” Lucy said to the countess.
“Of course.” Lady Satterfield stepped aside so that Lucy and her grandmother could move farther into the room.
Lucy took her grandmother’s cane once she was seated and rested it against the edge of the settee. When she looked up, Aquilla was coming toward her, a bright smile lighting her face. But then Aquilla was usually smiling. Lucy believed it was her God-given mission to bring light and grace to those who needed it most.
“Lucy!” Aquilla took her hand and squeezed it, then dropped down next to Lucy’s grandmother. “Grandmama, you look lovely in that shade of blue.” She pressed a kiss to the older woman’s cheek. She’d spent enough time with Lucy over the past five years to count herself as a member of their tiny family.
Grandmama patted Aquilla’s knee. “You’re such a good girl, my dear. How are you enjoying being Lady Satterfield’s ward?”
“It’s ever so wonderful.” She beamed at them. “I’ve never been to so many balls, and Lady Satterfield loves to shop. I must admit I’ve developed quite a fondness for it.”
Lucy was glad. Aquilla deserved to be happy.
Grandmama’s gaze focused near the doorway. One of her friends had just arrived. “Agatha is here. You two take yourselves off and talk of fripperies and dance partners.” She waved them away.
Aquilla laughed softly. “Yes, Grandmama.” She stood and linked her arm with Lucy’s, and they walked toward the windows.
Lucy eyed her friend’s yellow frock. “Is that another new gown?”
Aquilla smoothed her hand over the top of her skirt. “Yes, do you like it? Lady Satterfield has been far too generous. My mother would suffer an apoplectic fit.” Because she’d never wanted to invest too much in Aquilla, particularly after her first Season had been such a disappointment. Aquilla was very pretty, with dark, curly hair and vivid blue eyes, but she liked to talk—so much so that by the middle of that first Season, she’d become a wallflower. Right alongside Lucy, who had developed a similar reputation. Not for the quantity of her speech, but for the brashness of it. Lucy had learned to curb her tongue—somewhat—in the intervening years, but the damage had been done. As a result, both she and Aquilla were firmly on the shelf.
Which was fine with Lucy. Aquilla, however, wanted a husband.
“I’m sure it will be a valuable tool in your husband hunt,” Lucy said. “How are things progressing?”
They corresponded nearly every day, but Aquilla hadn’t said much on that front.
She gazed out the window and sighed. “Dismal, I’m afraid.”
“You told me last week that you’d had invitations to dance.”
“Yes, but they never lead to anything else. I think they’re just favors to Lady Satterfield or the Duchess of Kendal. That and they want to ask me if I know the Forbidden Duke and Duchess.” She rolled her eyes. “Can you believe that nonsense?”
