Page 23 of The Duke of Seduction
“Ah well, since I arrived here first, I suppose you’ll have to wait until we’re finished,” Devaney said. His tone was mostly pleasant but carried a bit of an edge. He glanced toward the horizon. “Although, if we take too long, you may not have enough light.” He speared Northam with a sharp, taunting look. “That would be a shame.”
“It would, and because of that and our prior arrangement, she should walk with me.” Northam smiled again, but it didn’t reach his eyes. He moved even closer to Lavinia.
Her mother lifted her hands, palms out toward them. “Now, gentlemen, you mustn’t quarrel over my daughter.” She laughed, and Lavinia could practically feel her glee.
“There’s no quarrel,” Devaney said, looking down his long nose—or trying to anyway—at Northam. “She’ll walk with me now, and if there’s time, Northam can take her for a quick spin.”
Lavinia couldn’t quite believe this was happening. It was, in a word, absurd. How she’d love to choke the Duke of Seduction.
“Faint.”
The slight whisper reached her, and she flicked a glance toward Northam, who barely inclined his head to indicate she should fall down. Was he mad?
No, he was trying to solve this dilemma. Or, she could just walk with Devaney.
In the end, it wasn’t a choice at all. She bent her knees, fluttered her eyelids, and dropped to the ground.
Only she didn’t reach the path, because the warm, strong arms of the Marquess of Northam, notorious rake, caught her first.
* * *
Beck swepther into his arms. It was not an easy feat, for she was taller than the average miss. It was also not very well thought-out as far as a stratagem for helping her avoid attention. This escapade would likely ensure she would be the most talked-about female in London for the next few days at least.
It was too late to alter course, however, and so he looked to her mother. “Where is your vehicle?”
Her eyes were wide as she shook her head. “We didn’t take one.”
“I have my curricle.” He inclined his head toward Grosvenor Gate, where his vehicle sat with one of his grooms. He’d brought Philip with him to sit with the curricle. “I can see her home. What’s your address?”
“Twenty-five Park Street,” the countess replied, looking concerned. “I’ll meet you there.”
Beck gave her a nod before pivoting and carrying Lady Lavinia to his curricle. Everyone turned and stared as they passed. Her lids began to flutter.
“Keep your eyes closed,” he murmured.
Her two friends, Miss Colton and Miss Snowden, approached him. Their faces were also creased with concern, perhaps even more than the countess’s had been.
“What happened?” Miss Colton asked.
“I’m fine,” Lady Lavinia said quietly but with considerable force, keeping her eyes shut. “Lord Northam is rescuing me from an untenable situation. I’ll tell you about it later at the ball.”
The two young women visibly relaxed, and Beck continued on to his curricle. He set her inside, propping her against the cushion. “Keep your eyes closed until we’re moving.” He turned to his groom. “Philip, I need to drive Lady Lavinia to her house. Please meet me at home.”
“Yes, my lord.” He waited to leave until Beck had climbed inside and started the vehicle on the path.
“Can I open my eyes now?” she asked.
“Yes.” He glanced over at her as she blinked her eyes open and peered out the side of the vehicle.
“Well, that was one way to extricate me from that situation, I suppose.” She sat up in the seat as they left the park. “I want to choke that bloody Duke of Seduction more than ever.”
He winced and darted a look toward her to see if she’d noticed. She didn’t seem to—she was adjusting her hat, which he’d knocked askew as he’d carried her to the curricle. “I did try to help,” he said.
“Which I appreciate. It’s not your fault Lord Devaney was behaving like a pompous jackanapes. Nor is it your fault the Duke of Seduction has caused this mess.”
But it was, of course. “I wonder if he doesn’t realize you don’t care for his assistance.”
“I suppose that’s possible. Perhaps I should write a letter to him and have it published in theMorningChronicle.” She tipped her head to the side, her eyes narrowing, but she wasn’t squinting. She was thinking. “Yes, that’s a splendid idea.”
