Page 25 of The Duke of Daring (The Untouchables)
She had to be joking, but something about the statement rang true. He wanted to say that wouldn’t happen, but then he recalled that she didn’t wish to marry either. And she hadn’t been eager to dance with him. Quite the contrary. It seemed they were birds of a feather, and didn’t that make her even more dangerous than she’d been in that dark corner on the terrace? He’d looked at her out there and for a brief moment had wanted to sweep her into his arms and see if she tasted as good as she smelled and as delicious as she looked.
He bowed. “Good evening, then.”
She curtseyed. “Good evening.”
He strode from the ballroom as if the flames of hell licked at his feet. If he wasn’t careful, things could progress to a place he didn’t want them to. He took a deep breath. They wouldn’t.
He and Miss Parnell had a temporary association. She would earn the funds she needed, and then she would be gone from his life.
He would go back to his solitary, carefree existence where he wasn’t threatened by loss or pain.
Or love.
Lucy didn’t make it ten steps back toward Aquilla before a gentleman asked her to dance the next set. Shocked, she said yes. As soon as they finished, another gentleman—a baronet—requested the next. She wanted to decline, but after years of seeking dance partners and nearly always coming up short, she didn’t really know how.
Finally, when the music ended, Lucy dashed back to Aquilla before another gentleman could corner her. Aquilla was still there and had been joined by their friend Ivy Breckenridge.
Lucy glanced around and saw that another gentleman was coming toward them. She tugged at both Aquilla’s and Ivy’s hands. “Quickly, we must find the retiring room.”
Aquilla grinned broadly. “Yes, let’s. I want to hear everything! This is your most successful nightever—and just when you need it most.”
Lucy wanted to scowl, but she’d wait until they were out of the ballroom. “This is not at all what I need.”
They exited the ballroom and made their way to the retiring room.
“I don’t understand,” Ivy said, “Aquilla told me you must find a husband immediately because you’re out of money.”
Lucy tossed an exasperated glare at Aquilla. “That’s all you told her? You didn’t bother mentioning that I have no interest in finding a husband?”
Aquilla shrugged, not the least bit bothered by Lucy’s irritation. “I assume you’ll come around.”
Lucy groaned and then stopped short. “I don’t want to go to the retiring room, where people could overhear us.”
Ivy took the lead. “This way.” She guided them to a small sitting room, closing the door behind them as they went inside. “Lady Dunn and I mistakenly found ourselves in here after we arrived. The retiring room is farther down the corridor, so we learned.”
Lucy looked around the chamber, which was lit with two lanterns. The hearth was dark and cold.
Aquilla must’ve noticed the same things, for she said, “The lanterns seem to invite company; however, the lack of a fire to provide warmth seems to do the opposite.”
“It’s set for an assignation,” Ivy said, her distaste evident in the curl of her lip.
“Is it?” Aquilla asked as she strolled into the room and touched the back of one of the pair of ivory settees. “How do you know?”
“I just do.” Ivy turned to Lucy. “I was surprised when Aquilla told me you were seeking a husband. I thought we were of a similar mind on that topic.”
Ivy had as much interest in wedlock as Lucy did, which was to say none. In fact, Ivy was even less interested, if that were possible. Whereas Lucy had once hoped for success on the Marriage Mart, Ivy had never even tried. She’d been a lady’s companion for as long as Lucy and Aquilla had known her—and was quite content with her lot.
“My grandmother wants me to find a husband. She wishes to retire to Bath, and does not have enough money to support me.” Lucy allowed the scowl she’d earlier repressed to come forth. “If I’d had any idea we were wasting money with these fruitless Seasons, I would’ve packed us off to Bath years ago.”
Aquilla turned and looked at Lucy, her blue eyes bright and sympathetic. “Come now, it hasn’t been that bad, has it? We’ve had fun, I hope.”
Lucy regretted her earlier annoyance. She went and took her friend’s hand, giving it a quick squeeze before letting go. “We’ve had plenty of fun. I am grateful to you both for making it tolerable.” She smiled at Ivy, who’d gone to stand near the cold fireplace.
Ivy nodded in agreement. “Indeed. Well, if you don’t mean to marry, whatisyour plan? I’m certain you could take up as a lady’s companion with little effort.”
Lucy had considered that, but the truth was that she didn’t like the idea of having to answer to someone else. She enjoyed the independence that life with her grandmother offered, particularly their time away from London. After her father’s death, when they’d had to move away from Stonewood, they’d spent the Season in London and the rest of the year near Bath. It was where she and Grandmama were most comfortable and why Grandmama wished to move there permanently.
For Lucy, she spent as much time outside as possible—walking, swimming, shooting, riding, if she could borrow a horse. She wouldn’t be able to do any of those things if she were a lady’s companion.
