Page 81 of The Duke of Daring (The Untouchables)
For the hundredth time, she told herself she’d been a fool to succumb to Andrew’s charms last night, and for the hundredth time, she argued that she hadn’t succumbed to anything but her own heart’s desire. And she refused to regret it.
She tied her bonnet beneath her chin with determination. Nothing had changed. She was not some pathetic miss who would crumble to pieces over a man.
Grandmama came down the stairs outfitted for their ride in the park. Lucy smiled at her, glad for the opportunity to put Andrew from her mind. “You look lovely, Grandmama. I’ve always admired that hat.” It sported a gorgeous violet ribbon as well as a cluster of faux violets that appeared absolutely real.
“Thank you, dear.” She stepped into the hall and looked Lucy over from head to foot. “You’ll do, but I do wish you had a new walking dress.” She shook her head and made a clucking sound with her tongue. “I’ll be much happier when you are wed and have a man to take care of you as you deserve.”
Lucy appreciated that her grandmother wanted the best for her—they just disagreed about what that was. “A new dress will not make me happy.”
Grandmama pursed her lips. “So you say. I cannot understand your independent ideas. I know you haven’t been raised with the best example of manliness.” She exhaled. “Your father, God rest his soul, allowed his vices to take control of him. You won’t marry a man like him.” She gave Lucy an earnest look. “You do realize not all men are like him—or like your grandfather?”
She did, but as she’d learned from her experience with Andrew, they likely had some problem or another. The question was whether she wanted to deal with them. Damn, there she went thinking about him again.
“I know, Grandmama. Are you ready?” Lucy hoped the conversation would die a swift death.
“Yes, let’s be on our way.”
Burton opened the door, and a footman helped them into their coach, an ancient contraption—ancient being at least twenty years old—that creaked and wobbled excessively. The footman had tried to repair it, but the mechanics were beyond his expertise. He wasn’t even a coachman, but they couldn’t afford one of those.
Once they were ensconced inside and the vehicle had lurched forward, Grandmama angled toward her. “Who do you hope to see this afternoon? Edgecombe? Or maybe Dartford? I like him.”
It seemed Lucy wouldn’t be able to forget about him today. She ought to have known better. Even without Grandmama asking about him, he was clearly hovering about her head.
“I’d prefer to just walk with my friends.” Lucy expected she’d see Aquilla but never knew when Ivy might be there. She and Lady Dunn kept a less predictable schedule, much like Lucy and her grandmother.
Grandmama sighed. “It’s no wonder you aren’t married. You must engage with these gentlemen, or you’ll be a spinster.”
Lucy bit her tongue lest she point out that she alreadywasa spinster. “I don’t need to marry, nor do I want to. I have an excellent plan to move us to Bath. I found a charming cottage today, and I’ve already written to the owner.”
Grandmama frowned. “How can we possibly afford that? I’ve already told you that I don’t have enough to support you.”
“I know, but I’ve saved up enough of my own money, and I’m going to invest a small sum. I won’t be buying any walking dresses, but I don’t have need of them anyway.”
Grandmama leaned back on the seat, her hand fluttering to her chest. “My dear, I can’t believe you’d choose that over a future with a man like Dartford. Sometimes I wonder how we are related, but then I remember who your mother was.”
Lucy knew her grandmother meant no insult. Grandmama and her mother hadn’t been close, but Grandmama had respected her son’s choice in wife, and she’d even remarked that it had been good for him to marry such a strong woman. Indeed, she and Lucy had discussed on a few occasions that if Lucy’s mother hadn’t died, gambling might not have consumed her father. It was tragic how death could alter a person’s course in life. Such as how it had affected Andrew. If he hadn’t lost his family, he might not have pushed Lucy away. Twice.
Forever.
Her throat felt tight as they drove into the park. She didn’t want to think about him, but she couldn’t seem to help it. She supposed that was what happened when one was in love.
The footman drove them to where the carriages stood. Lucy looked for her friends, eager to disembark and take a brisk walk to ease the turmoil inside her. Grandmama would stay in the coach and visit with passing acquaintances.
Though she didn’t see Aquilla or Ivy, Lucy stepped from the vehicle. They’d be along presently, she was certain. She pivoted toward the gate to watch for their arrival.
“Look, Lucy,” Grandmama said from inside the coach, pointing behind Lucy. “Here comes Dartford.”
Lucy turned and saw that Andrew was coming straight for her. What the devil was he aboutnow? Anger and frustration welled with hurt and longing. She didn’t want to see him. Especially not here, in a rather public setting, where she couldn’t tell him to leave her alone.
Well, shecould, just not in the volume she might have desired.
As he came toward her, she thought of that morning in the park with him, when they’d raced in his phaeton. How glorious and exhilarating it had been. She nearly smiled at the memory, until she remembered that she wanted to be irritated at him.
“Miss Parnell,” he said, stopping before her. He looked toward the coach with a wide, handsome smile. “Lady Parnell. It’s surely too fine a day to remain inside?”
Grandmama wave her hand at him, chuckling. “Don’t you bother with me. Take my granddaughter for a promenade.”
“I shall be honored.” He offered his hand to Lucy and looked down at her. “May I?”
