“Please let me escort you, my dear.”
“Thank you, but I don’t want to take you away from the other guests. I am quite fine on my own.” Lucy pulled her arm away and moved up the staircase.
“I insist.” Blakesley was not sure why he was being so insistent but he had had a little too much to drink and was determined to follow her.
“The lady does not need your escort.”
Blakesley turned to find Aubrey in the middle of the hallway, his face implacable. Lucy never stopped, but kept going and disappeared at the top of the stairs.
Aubrey watched her go and then turned back to his friend.
“Why the sudden interest in Lady Lucilla, Blakesley?”
Blakesley blinked and affected surprise. “Why not? The lady is unattached and perhaps willing to indulge in a liaison.”
“She most definitely is not either unattached or willing.”
Blakesley narrowed his eyes. “Why should you care? I thought you were wife-hunting.”
“I am. Stay away from Lady Lucilla.”
Blakesley stepped back down to the hallway, puzzled by his friend’s attitude.
“Do you have designs on her?”
Aubrey drew in a deep breathe, trying to suppress the urge to use fisticuffs on his old friend. “As you said, I am wife-hunting.”
Eyes opened in surprise, Blakesley put his hands up in supplication, recognizing the seriousness of his tone and Aubrey’s need to pummel him.
“Then do excuse me. I did not realize your intent and I apologize for any offense.” He gave a short bow then strode past Aubrey back into the drawing room.
Aubrey looked up the stairs, but knew that he had lost any chance of speaking to Lucy that evening. Others would be leaving to find their rooms. He looked back into the drawing room, then went down the hall to the library, hoping to find a book to take back to his room and lull him to sleep. He feared that he would be up half the night with thoughts of Lucy. He marveled at her competency and artistry at the piano. The Lucy he remembered could play, often with some brilliance, but did not care to practice. She would rather run wild outside in the meadows and woods of her father’s estate. But he looked forward to discovering more of the changes that had overtaken the girl he once knew and intended to know well once more.
Chapter Nineteen
Aubrey left the breakfast room just as Miss Reston and Lady Camilla entered. Both young ladies looked disappointed but they sat down on either side of Blakesley much to his evident dismay. Lucy had not been at breakfast and Aubrey was determined to find her this morning and spend some time talking with her. He headed towards the small sitting room that Harriet had been using as her headquarters, but no one was there.
Next he tried the library, but again the room was empty. He wandered towards the front hallway, hoping that someone there might have the information he sought. Harriet was talking to the housekeeper and Aubrey breathed a sigh of relief. Surely where Harriet was today, Lucy would be nearby.
Aubrey waited rather impatiently for Harriet to finish. She eyed him curiously, but continued to converse with Mrs. Johnson, giving final instructions for room preparations. Aubrey mused that Harriet was already making a fine Baroness although she did not yet wear the title. It must please the staff that George’s mother had decided to cede her responsibilities, as she was a bit of a dragon and Harriet would prove much easier to deal with.
“Good morning Lord Lovell. How may I be of service?”
“Good morrow to you, Lady Harriet. I was looking for Lady Lucilla. I wondered if you had seen her this morning.”
Harriet smiled. “She has gone off to the church in the village to supervise the placement of the floral arrangements and ribbons for the morning.” Harriet dimpled prettily, thinking about the wedding ceremony that would change her life. “I expect that you might find her there.”
Aubrey bowed, then strode off. The walk to the village was only about five minutes and the morning was fine. There was a path that was shorter through the woodlands, but he thought that Lucy would stay on the main drive and he did not want to bypass her.
The church was not far, on the outskirts of the small village. He walked up to the old wooden doors of the gray stone church and peeked into the shadowy interior. There were a few women hanging ribbons on the pews so he stepped inside and looked around, but did not see Lucy anywhere.
“Excuse me, is Lady Lucilla about?”
One of the women started and turned to see who was addressing them. Apparently she resided in the village, but she recognized the name.
“Lady Lucilla just left a few minutes ago to go back to the big house. We said that we would finish up here.”
Aubrey thanked them and went back out into the sunshine. He looked up the street, but did not see Lucy anywhere. She must have taken the wooded path back to the manor so he had missed her after all.
Heaving a sigh Aubrey retraced his steps back to the manor house. How could it be so hard to track down one woman? Just as he reached the gate a carriage pulled by a beautiful quartet of matching chestnut horses turned in, raising a small cloud of dust. He cursed to himself and beat at his coat, attempting to remove the grime from his clothing. The coach stopped just a short way up the drive. He looked up to see his mother poke her head out of a window.
“Lovell, why are you walking there?” Her lips were pursed together, denoting her disapproval of his audacity in exercising his limbs on a fine day.
“Good day to you, mother,” he responded dryly. “I did not expect to see you today.”
She harrumphed and drew her head inside as he came even with the coach. “Say your how-do’s to Lady Clarissa,” she grumbled.
Aubrey nodded as his heart sank to his stomach. Why were they there? Well, he knew why his mother was there and why she had brought Lady Clarissa. She intended to force him into marriage. But why did Lady Clarissa put up with her? Surely the daughter of a duke and a diamond of the first water could do better than a mere Viscount. And he was having a hard enough time of it trying to find Lucy without two more obstacles in his way.
Lady Clarissa smiled. “We were invited for dinner before the ball this evening. Since we’re staying at my father’s estate at Rustling Park nearby we decided to come over early to help dear Lady Harriet.” She blushed enticingly, but Aubrey was in no mood for fatuous young ladies.
“Climb into the carriage, Lovell. Ride with us up to the house as befits your station.”
Aubrey looked up the drive hoping to spy Lucy emerging from the woods, but there was no escape there. He finally opened the coach door and stepped in, seating himself opposite the ladies.
“The Duke will be arriving later as he had business to attend to. He will be glad to speak with you this evening.” Lady Lovell narrowed her eyes at him. Aubrey thought that if she could have got away with kicking him in the shin to make her point, she would have. It was obvious what the Duke wanted to speak about and Aubrey had no intention of obliging him.
“It will be a delight to greet his Grace,” he murmured, not committing himself in any way.
The carriage jolted to a halt and his mother fussed at her skirts, not willing to complain about the Duke’s coachman in front of his daughter. Aubrey stepped out and turned to help the ladies step down. Lady Clarissa took his arm in a proprietary manner and he almost jerked it away, but remembered his manners and led her into the house. Harriet was waiting with her butler and housekeeper as well as other students.
“Lady Lovell! Lady Clarissa! I did not expect you this early, but you are most welcome.”
His mother swept past and took Harriet’s hands. “Of course, my dear. We have come to aid you in this trying time. Your own dear mother was a great friend of mine and I know that she would want me to do all I can to help you prepare for your wedding ball.”
It was all Aubrey could do not to roll his eyes. Harriet’s mother had died at her birth and as far as he knew his own mother had never exerted herself for Harriet before
this moment. But Harriet took it all with aplomb, nodding her head and making arrangements with her housekeeper for the unexpected guests. They would not have to accommodate them for the night, but they would need to find facilities where the two women could rest and use in order to change for the ball.
Just then Lucy entered the hallway from the sitting room. She stopped short as she saw Lady Lovell, then looked at Aubrey standing behind his mother. He was so glad to finally see her that he completely forgot Lady Clarissa still hanging on his arm like a limpet until Lucy looked away, her eyes cool.
“Come and sit while I have some tea brought to us.” Harriet looked at the housekeeper while herding her unplanned guests into the drawing room. She was too polite to shoo them away, but it was apparent that she wished them anywhere but here.
Aubrey watched Lucy carefully, ready to bolt after her if she tried to disappear again, but she obediently followed Harriet into the room. So he led Lady Clarissa after them. Once he had her seated he left her and walked across the room to where Lucy sat in a chair in the corner.
“I am glad to finally find you,” he murmured.
“Lovell, come and entertain us. Lady Clarissa would like to hear more about your time on the Continent.” Lady Lovell smiled, but her eyes were hard as she beckoned to him.
Aubrey stood where he was, determined not to leave Lucy to escape him again, but before he could say so he heard her speak. “Lord Lovell is most entertaining. I’m sure that he has many…,” she paused, “anecdotes to share with you, especially Lady Clarissa.” He choked at the innuendo and gave her a sharp glance while Lucy returned a saucy grin.
“Yes, do please, Lord Lovell. I love to hear your stories.” Lady Clarissa was triumphant and he had no choice, but to go over and sit next to her on the couch while Harriet poured their tea.
Aubrey answered Lady Clarissa’s questions and the prompts by his mother, but he never took his eyes from Lucy who sat in her corner, obviously amused by the attentions displayed by the women. Harriet fidgeted, not wanting to offend her guests, but having much to do this day to prepare for the ball. Finally she interrupted.
“Perhaps you ladies would like to retire to rest and refresh yourselves before dinner and the ball?”
Lady Lovell protested, but finally allowed Harriet to lead them from the room. Lady Clarissa gave Lucy a dark look as she passed her, but changed it to a simpering smile when she looked back at Aubrey who had declined to escort them. Lucy barely refrained from rolling her eyes and sat silently, waiting to see what Aubrey would do or say.
He cocked an eyebrow and said with a smirk, “Lady Lucilla, you have absented yourself from my presence and I am very displeased with you because of it.”
Lucy beamed up at him. “Indeed sir, that was not my intention. But I have been exceedingly busy helping Lady Harriet prepare for the ball. And it would appear that you have found other entertainments to amuse yourself.” She folded her hands in her lap, demure and waiting.
“A gentleman may not and cannot respond to that remark.” He held out a hand. “Would you walk with me, Lucy?”
She rose and took his arm, happy to finally have his heat and masculine scent at her side.
“Not that way,” he demurred, indicating the hallway where obstructions might still lurk. “Let us try the side door.” He led her to the attached conservatory where they passed outside onto the wide lawn and gardens. Aubrey picked up his pace when he saw the wide windows of the small ballroom that George’s mother had had built onto the main house, hoping to avoid the hordes of servants working in the room, readying it for the night’s festivities. He led Lucy towards a small copse of wood at the far side of the gardens. When they had gone a few feet into the woods far enough that he could no longer see the house, Aubrey stopped and turned to Lucy.
“At last! I have been desperate to see you, be with you,” Aubrey murmured as he backed Lucy against a broad old oak. He carefully set her against the bark with his hands on her shoulders.
She looked away nervously. “I did not even get my hat.”
He barked out a sharp laugh and let the back of one hand caress her cheek. “Oh Lucy, I have missed you. I cannot wait until this damned wedding is over and done with so I can have you for myself.”
“What do you mean? I must go home next week. I have responsibilities, people are depending on me.” Lucy pushed against his chest, but Aubrey did not move. “I told you that this, whatever we’re doing, would only last until the wedding is over. Then I must go home.”
“I never agreed to that.”
Lucy stopped pushing and looked up in surprise. “Whatever do you mean?”
“I have plans for us and nothing you say or do will change that.”
“Aubrey, you abandoned me five years ago, but my life did not stop. I have changed and you have changed.” Her pulse was fluttering in panic and excitement.
“But I still love you and you still love me, that has not changed. We can manage the rest.” Aubrey heaved a deep breathe. “Be with me always, Lucy. I love you.”
Lucy felt her distress fly away, drifting over the trees. He was right, they would work it out after they married. But…
“Yes, then, yes. But Aubrey, there is something I must tell you that can’t wait...”
His mouth interrupted her and her lips opened as his tongue plundered her depths. He held her face, careful not to push her too hard against the tree, but not willing to release her. Lucy’s arms slid up around his neck and pulled him closer. He broke away from her mouth and kissed his way down the side of her neck. She nipped at his ear lobe, trying to bring him back to her mouth, but Aubrey was busy pulling up her skirts.
“What…oh,” Lucy gasped as Aubrey inserted a finger into her. She frantically unbuttoned his breeches and he groaned as her fumbling rubbed against his hard member. “I need you, Aubrey. Please.”
He pushed into her hard and fast. Lucy did not care anymore, whether the bark scratched against her back or if someone heard them from the house. She just wanted Aubrey to make love to her. The fire had blazed so quickly between them. She closed her eyes as he took her over the edge and then followed her there. Aubrey balanced one hand against the tree and held onto Lucy with the other, somehow keeping them both standing.
Lucy finally caught her breathe and shakily adjusted her clothes, brushing pieces of bark away from her dress.
“Did I hurt you? I lost control of myself.” Aubrey grimaced.
“No, I am fine, but I need to get back to the house. Harriet will be wondering where I am.”
“Go. I will wait a moment, then follow you.” She gave him a quick smile and a kiss and then walked swiftly away. Aubrey grinned as he waited. Lucy had agreed, she was finally to be his.
Chapter Twenty
Lucy watched as George led Harriet out for the first dance of the wedding eve ball. Harriet was radiant in a lovely pink dress that matched the blush on her cheeks. George was beaming at his bride-to-be in a manner that left no doubt of his feelings for her.
Aubrey was across the room, standing with his friend Blakesley. He looked very handsome in his formal clothes.
She nervously smoothed the silk of her skirt. Harriet had insisted that she buy a new dress for the ball and she had a dressmaker make it up when she was in London. The blue was so light that it looked like an iridescent tinted white. She wore the pearl ear drops that Lady Wakefield had given her for her come out. Harriet had said that she looked like an ice queen, but Lucy like the effect against the richness of her dark hair. She hoped that Aubrey liked the dress.
Thinking back to the afternoon Lucy blushed. What had she been thinking to make love with him outside like that? Anyone could have come upon them. True, they were planning to marry, but she did not want more scandal.
Others had joined Harriet and George on the dance floor now. Lucy moved to a corner where she could sit in peace. Aubrey had spoken for two dances later in the evening, but she did not expect anyone else to ask her to dance exce
pting maybe George. Lucy settled in to watch, trying to keep an eye on any possible mishaps before Harriet could see and panic. But George’s staff was excellent and there was nothing for her to do at this point.
Therefore, Blakesley startled Lucy when he appeared and asked her to dance. She rose and put her hand in his and he led her to the floor. Aubrey was in the set dancing with Lady Charlotte. He gave her a warm smile, but narrowed his eyes at Blakesley who ignored him.
“It seems a pity that your swain has not asked for your hand in a dance, my lady,” Blakesley said.
“My swain?”
“Lovell, of course.”
“Lord Lovell is not my swain, although he has put his name on my card for two dances this evening.” Lucy twirled around Blakesley and he turned to face her once again and raised her hand to promenade down the set. When they reached the end of the row they waited for the next couple.
“I stand corrected then.” When Lucy lifted an eyebrow in question to his statement he continued. “Lovell has demonstrated his evenhandedness by asking you for two dances. He shares his favors impartially.”
“I know not your meaning, my lord.”
“No matter. I’m sure it will be made clear soon enough.” Blakesley stepped forward to turn her, but Lucy was still pondering his words. There was a ripping sound as he stepped on her dress before she could move away. She looked down in dismay.
“I do apologize, Lady Lucilla. It is entirely my fault.” Blakesley’s face was red as he surveyed the damage done to her dress.
“It’s not too bad. I will go to the retiring room and have it mended. It was not your fault,” Lucy murmured although she was quite distressed by the small rip in her beautiful dress. Lovell escorted her to the hallway where she left him to enter the morning room that made a retiring room for the evening. Maids were waiting to assist the ladies and Lucy went over behind a screen to undress so that one of the maids could mend the rip in her hem. Other ladies were using the mirrors or going behind the screens to find a chamber pot. Lucy handed out her dress to a clucking servant girl and settled down to wait until the dress was ready.
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