Page 20 of The Duke of Daring (The Untouchables)
Lucy chuckled. “Yes. We were in awe of Nora when we first met her, if you’ll recall.” Nora was the Duchess of Kendal, who was also known as the Forbidden Duchess. The nickname came from her husband who disdained most of Society in favor of his family and his dukedom. He’d cultivated a reputation for being detached and unapproachable—forbidden, as it were. Or, as Nora called him, he was an Untouchable. Like the Earl of Dartford.
Aquilla giggled. “I suppose we were rather intimidated. I’d forgotten since I’ve become so comfortable.” Her gaze flicked down over Lucy’s costume. “You should come shopping with us. It’s been ever so long since you’ve had a new gown.”
And it would likely be an eternity still. “I’m afraid I cannot.”
Aquilla frowned. “Why not? We used to like to shop for ribbons and things.”
That was true. They’d squandered many an afternoon that first year they’d met. Lucy smiled faintly at the memory. “I’m afraid there’s no money for me to do that. I’ll barely make it to the end of the Season, and then Grandmama is moving to Bath.”
Aquilla’s eyes widened. “What happened? You’ve never mentioned this before.”
“It’s a new development. There just simply isn’t any money. You know how deep in debt my father was when he died.”
His entailed holdings, along with his baronetcy, had reverted to the crown, and they’d had to sell off everything they could. The bulk of the proceeds had settled his vowels, leaving just enough to live on these past seven years.
Aquilla nodded sympathetically, her gaze stricken. Empathy was another of Aquilla’s strengths. “Bath isn’t terribly far. We can visit each other.”
“Assuming I go to Bath with Grandmama. Right now there isn’t enough money to support us both. Grandmama is insisting I find a husband.”
Blue eyes wide, Aquilla gaped at her. “But you don’t want a husband.”
“No, I don’t.”
Aquilla pressed her lips together. “Perhaps you should revise your opinion. There has to be a gentleman out there that you can tolerate. Not all men are like your father or your grandfather.”
Selfish, dissolute men who’d led their lives without a whit of responsibility or a care for their wives or children. They’d both left their families in debt and, in Lucy’s case, with no prospects for her future, save what she could manage for herself. No, she wouldn’t put her faith in any man.
For some reason, she thought of Dartford. Not because he was marriage material, but because she supposed shehadput her faith in him. And so far, he hadn’t let her down. She reminded herself that their acquaintance was young. There was plenty of time for him to disappoint her in spectacular fashion.
“Or like Caruthers,” Aquilla said softly.
They hadn’t spoken of him in a very long time. A young buck, he’d paid Lucy attention during her first Season. He’d led her to believe he wanted to court her, and Lucy—naïve fool that she’d been at twenty—had thought she’d broken her mother’s and grandmother’s curse when it came to men. They’d shared dreams and chaste kisses, had talked of their future. And then he’d disappeared. A month later, she’d heard he’d eloped to Gretna Green with an heiress.
He’d broken the curse, all right. He’d ensured Lucy wouldn’t take a husband at all.
“Let’s not mention him,” Lucy said. “In hindsight, I should’ve packed Grandmama up back then and moved to Bath.” They could’ve saved a great deal of money if she’d avoided the past several Seasons. “Anyway, I’m not the one we should be focusing on. You’re the one who wants a husband, and with Lady Satterfield’s help, I daresay you’ll find one.”
“I don’t know, but both she and Nora are so optimistic. I don’t want to disappoint them.”
Lucy shook her head. “You mustn’t think of it like that. This is about you and your happiness, not theirs.” But how like Aquilla to think of them first. “I’m confident your new alliances will bear fruit. You just have to be patient.” Lucy knew how terrible that sounded. Aquilla had already been waiting five years. And she never complained.
Determination lit Aquilla’s eyes. “You’re right. Nora says I’ll marry an Untouchable like she did. I’d be happy with a vicar or even a lawyer.”
An Untouchable. Dartford’s handsome visage floated through her mind again. It was a shame he wasn’t interested in marriage. Lucy might have encouraged him to pursue Aquilla and vice versa. Inexplicably, a jolt of distaste sparked through her.
Aquilla moved closer and spoke softly. “Tell me what you’re doing about your money situation.”
Lucy couldn’t bring herself to speak the truth, not even to her dearest friend. But at the same time, she wanted to tell her about Dartford and about shooting at Manton’s. That was a memory that would make her smile for a long time, probably forever.
“Will you trust me when I say that I have a plan and it’s coming along nicely?” She’d have the money she needed soon. Just a few more nights out with Dartford.
Aquilla narrowed her eyes. “That sounds rather cryptic. Why the secrecy? You know you can tell me anything.”
Yes, she did. For all that Aquilla liked to talk, she didn’t break confidences. Even so, Lucy didn’t want to tell her about it until she was finished. Maybe she was just being superstitious since she’d been quite lucky so far. “I know, and I shall. Soon. It’s…complicated.”
Aquilla exhaled. “I’ll pretend I’m not insulted.”
Lucy winced. “That is certainly not my intent. I’ll share everything with you soon, I promise.”
