Page 21 of The Duke of Seduction
Chapter 4
No countenance can be fairer,
No demeanor is merrier.
Her words heal the weak and weary,
Her presence uplifts the dreary.
-FromAn Ode to Miss Phoebe Lennox
by The Duke of Seduction
The following afternoon, Lavinia walked beside her mother to the park. It was a sunny afternoon, though a bit brisk. At least it wouldn’t rain.
“Do you expect to see the Marquess of Northam today?” Mother asked as they neared the Grosvenor Gate.
“No.” After their rather enjoyable conversation last night at the musical performance, he’d said he had to go do rakish things. She could only imagine what those things would be. Sudden heat swept up her spine, and she could feel the press of his lips on her neck as if he stood beside her.
“Why not?” Her mother sounded put out. “Your father and I hoped he was perhaps considering courtship.”
“He’s not. Have you forgotten he’s a rake?”
“No, but even rakes have to marry when they’ve a title. Perhaps you’ll be the one to tame him.” She turned an expectant smile on Lavinia.
They passed through the gate as Lavinia said, “Are those kind of men redeemable?”
Mother blinked at her. “Does it matter when they’re a marquess?”
Disgust roiled in Lavinia’s gut. Eager to leave her mother’s side, she squinted across the park until she spotted Sarah. But before she could go, Mother placed her hand on Lavinia’s forearm. “You can’t just walk off with your friends today. You need to linger here so that a gentleman may ask you to promenade.”
“And if one doesn’t?” Lavinia asked sweetly.
“One will. Things are in motion, my dear. You’re an earl’s daughter with a pleasing face and a dowry. All you needed was a bit of notoriety to bring you to the fore, and thanks to the Duke of Seduction, you have that now. You’ll be wed in short order.”
“Thanks to the Duke of Seduction.” She gritted her teeth in an effort to keep the sarcasm from her tone, but judging from her mother’s narrowed eyes, she was less than successful.
“You should learn to be grateful.”
“I’m quite grateful for many things—a home, a family”—even if they did drive her to frustration—“the ability to read and learn, and so much more. You must forgive me if I don’t feel the urgency to marry as you do. It will happen in its own time. You know that love is important to me.”
“Yes, we know that, but it’s been three years and there hasn’t been a hint of it. If you dawdle much longer, your chances will be gone. You don’t want to be alone, do you?”
Before she could answer, a gentleman approached. He was on the shorter side, with light blue eyes and a rather slight frame. Lavinia struggled to recall his name. She’d met so many new people in the last several days.
Her mother came to the rescue. “Lord Fielding, how do you do?”
“Very well, thank you.” He bowed to the countess and then to Lavinia. “Good afternoon, Lady Lavinia. I hoped we could take a turn.”
Lavinia cursed herself for spending too much time with her mother. Now she wouldn’t be able to speak with Sarah. At least not for maybe a quarter hour. “Certainly.” She forced a smile and took Lord Fielding’s proffered arm.
“It’s a lovely day,” he said. “I daresay spring is in the air.”
“It will likely be quite cold this evening, however.”
He nodded. “Perhaps. Tonight is Lady Abercrombie’s ball. Are you going?”
“Yes. Are you?”
