Page 39 of The Duke of Daring (The Untouchables)
“That sounds like such fun.” Aquilla mock-pouted. “Are you sure you can’t just persuade them to invite women?”
Lucy laughed. “Even if I could, you wouldn’t be among them. That would be rather unseemly, wouldn’t it?”
Ivy picked a crumb from her skirt. “That settles things. Iamdressing up as a man.”
They all laughed for a moment. Smiling, Lucy drew them back to the issue at hand. “Any suggestions on how I shall travel to and from Kent?” She looked mostly at Aquilla, who had more access to vehicles than Ivy.
Aquilla tapped her finger against her cheek. “It’s one thing to borrow Lady Satterfield’s coach at nine o’clock in the morning. How shall I explain the need for a coach for most of the day?” She dropped her hand to her lap. “Do you know who has more vehicles than she knows what to do with?”
Lucy shook her head. “Who?”
“Nora.”
Lucy wasn’t sure she wanted to involve a duchess in her scheme. “I’m not sure it would be wise to ask her.” She glanced at Ivy to gauge her reaction.
Aquilla looked between Lucy and Ivy. “Nora will be delighted to help. She’s rather championed us, if you haven’t noticed.”
Lucyhadnoticed. She and her grandmother had received more invitations over the last few days, and she was fairly certain Nora and Lady Satterfield were responsible. “You’re certain she won’t be scandalized by what I’m doing?”
Aquilla arched a brow at her. “Don’t forget she survived her very own scandal.”
“Which is why she likely wouldn’t appreciate my activities.”
“On the contrary, she will understand what you’re trying to do and why you’re doing it—even if I don’t.” Aquilla fixed her attention on the tea tray.
“What do you mean?” Lucy asked.
Aquilla gave a light shrug as she glanced toward Edgecombe’s flowers. “I still think marriage is a viable option.”
Ivy gently touched Aquilla’s arm. “Leave it.”
Aquilla nodded and gave Lucy an apologetic look. “I only want you to be happy.”
“And I shall be,” Lucy said. But for some strange and disconcerting reason, she thought of Dartford and not a quiet cottage with her grandmother. The more she thought about it, the more she needed this ruse to end soon.
“I want to understand this ballooning scheme,” Ivy said, her tone somewhat dark. “You said Dartford’s friends are going to surprise him. This means he isn’t aware of what you’re doing? You’ll be venturing to Kent alone, without his protection?”
Lucy had considered this, but she wouldn’t be alone. She’d be with Dartford’s friends, whom she almost thought of as her friends. She didn’t feel intimidated by any of them. “I won’t ride to Kent with them, and I daresay Dartford will arrive shortly after we do.” At least that was what she hoped happened.
Ivy looked at her intently. “He won’t be angry? In my experience, men hate it when women act independently.”
Would he be angry? He’d repeatedly threatened to expose her scheme to Grandmama. She worried for a moment but decided his ire was worth the risk of what she could earn. “He’ll accept it. We’re both eager to be finished.” Especially after what had happened the other night. She only hoped things wouldn’t be terribly awkward when she saw him tomorrow morning.
“Dartford is an odd fellow, isn’t he?” Aquilla asked. “He’s attractive, possessed of an excellent title and more than adequate wealth, even if his holdings aren’t vast. He’s of a perfectly marriageable age, and yet he shows no inclination.”
“Because he doesn’t wish to marry.” Lucy belatedly wondered if she ought to have kept that to herself.
Aquilla’s attention perked. “He said that? That is the general consensus about him, but I’m not sure if he’s ever come out and made that clear. He’s quite adept at avoiding gossip and lingering on the periphery of Society while still being a favorite.”
Ivy gave her a pointed look. “An Untouchable, you mean.”
Aquilla laughed. “Yes. His desire to remain unmarried makes him even more of an Untouchable.”
Lucy had to agree, and it was perhaps the primary reason she trusted him. They were of a like mind, and she found that most pleasing.
“It’s too bad, though,” Aquilla said. “He’d be excellent husband material—if you wanted that.” She looked at Lucy, who stared at her for a moment.
“You’re incorrigible.”
