Surrender Amanda Quick

by Surrender (lit)

  Aunt Cleo in the shop of a fashionable

  London modiste.

  Had she actually assumed, even for a

  moment, that he would have reacted as one

  would have expected any normal husband

  to react to such shocking news?

  If there was one thing she had learned

  about Lucas by now, it was that he was

  definitely not an ordinary sort of husband.

  While he was occasionally arrogant, high

  handed, stubborn, and yes, a bit stuffy in

  certain matters, he was never at a loss.

  And he always took care of his own. His

  dedication to his lands and the people of

  stone vale proved that.

  Still, even knowing what she did about him,

  she had not expected quite such a

  placid, pragmatic reaction. She was still

  a bit awed by his cool acceptance of

  her rather sordid past. Of course, she

  was dealing with a man who had once

  taken her to a gaming hell and a brothel,

  Victoria reminded herself, a man who took

  her riding at midnight.

  Is this not a lovely bit of silk, dear? Just

  your color, too." Aunt Cleo indicated a bolt

  of amber yellow stuff. It would make a

  very nice evening gown."

  Oh, yes, Vicky. Absolutely perfect for

  Jessica Atherton's ball," Annabella declared.

  You must be completely stunning for that

  great event, and your aunt is correct: the

  color is just right."

  Very pretty." Victoria reached out to

  finger the beautiful fabric.

  What do you think of the muslin,

  Vicky?" Aunt Cleo glanced at her in

  quiringly.

  Quite nice." Victoria forced herself to

  pay closer attention to the business at

  hand. The muslin was a deep yellow. She

  liked it at once.

  But not for Lady Atherton's ball,"

  Annabella insisted.

  Perhaps a walking dress trimmed in

  aqua, then?" Victoria suggested, unwilling

  to let the fine muslin go.

  The modiste, a tiny woman with a

  thick French accent, nodded emphatically.

  Most charming, my lady."

  Very well, a ball gown in the silk and

  a walking dress in the yellow muslin,"

  Victoria said decisively. Now, as to the

  gown, I will want it in the height of

  fashion, do you understand?"

  It must be absolutely riveting," Anna

  bella declared. Perhaps something along

  the lines of this one." She indicated a

  fashion plate she had noticed earlier.

  A lovely gown, madam," the modiste

  assured her.

  Aunt Cleo frowned as she peered down

  at the plate Annabella had pointed out. It

  showed a drawing of a woman in a dress

  that displayed a great deal of bosom. Do

  you think Lucas will like that one, Vicky,

  dear? You know what he said last night

  at dinner. He distinctly mentioned that he

  did not want you getting anything with an

  extremely low neckline."

  Lucas is fond of saying things like that,"

  Victoria explained. But he really does not

  know all that much about fashion, This

  gown is for Lady Atherton's party, and

  Annabella is quite right: it simply must

  be as dramatic as possible."

  Yes, well, I shall leave you to explain

  it to Lucas," Cleo remarked. He is your

  husband, after all."

  Annabella giggled. I am certain that by

  this time Vicky has molded her lord into

  an agreeable sort of husband who does not

  give his wife any trouble."

  Victoria smiled serenely and decided it

  was not absolutely necessary to admit

  that there were still some rough edges

  on Lucas that needed a great deal more

  polishing before he would be molded into

  a perfectly agreeable husband. He will be

  quite content with this gown."

  I swear, Vicky, you are an inspiration

  to us all," Annabella said in admiring

  tones.

  Cleo Nettleship's brows rose. Or an

  extremely dangerous example. Very well,

  then, let us be off. We have several more

  appointments to keep today."

  A short time later Victoria followed

  her aunt and Annabella out onto Bond

  Street. The exclusive shopping district was

  crowded, as usual. Fashionable carriages,

  well-dressed women, and outrageously

  garbed dandies littered the landscape.

  Aunt Cleo's carriage was waiting at

  the curb, but as they started toward it

  another carriage pulled up behind it and

  the groom jumped down to assist his

  passenger.

  Isabel Rycott stepped out. She was

  dressed in a deep green that set off her

  eyes. A small, feathered hat was perched

  jauntily on her sleek, dark hair.

  Good morning. Lady Nettleship. So

  nice to see you."

  Isabel." Cleo inclined her head politely.

  And the radiant bride." Isabel smiled her

  mysterious smile as she turned to Victoria.

  What a commotion you caused when you

  married Lord stone vale. Quite romantic,

  I'm sure, although one wonders what your

  dear parents would have said about such a

  hasty marriage."

  As they are no longer around, it hardly

  signifies, does it?" Victoria remarked.

  Perhaps you are right. I had heard that

  you and your husband were back in Town.

  Lady Atherton is having a reception for

  you, is she not?"

  That is correct," Victoria said. I hope

  you have been keeping well, Lady Rycott."

  She forced a smile.

  Very well, thank you."

  And your friend, Edgeworth? Is he in

  good health?"

  Isabel's smile tightened fractionally. I

  have not seen much of Edgeworth recently.

  I assume he is fine. Tell me, Vicky, dear,

  will we be seeing you tonight at the

  Foxtons?"

  It was Cleo who responded. We are

  thinking of dropping in for a short time,

  although we will not be able to stay long.

  Vicky and stone vale are in Town for only

  a few days and they have received scores

  of invitations. Impossible to accept them

  all, you know."

  I can imagine/ Isabel murmured. Now

  that Lady Atherton has given her opinion

  that it is the wedding of the Season, more

  than one hostess is anxious to have the

  famous couple grace her ballroom. Good

  day to you both. I trust I will see you this

  evening, and if not, then perhaps at the

  Atherton reception."

  Victoria watched Isabel enter the modiste's

  shop and then she stepped up into the

  carriage, following her aunt and Annabella.

  Really, that woman can be so damnably

  annoying. I cannot put my finger on it,

  but I know I shall never like her."

  Who? Isabel Rycott? I know what you

  mean. There is something about the

  woman that grates," Annabella
agreed.

  Not on men," Cleo observed dryly.

  Victoria grimaced and glanced back at

  the shop as the carriage pulled away from

  the curb. Interesting what she said about

  Edgeworth, is it not?"

  He was not her first paramour and

  doubtless will not be her last," Cleo said.

  Isabel always has a man or two trailing

  after her."

  Annabella frowned thoughtfully. Come

  to think of it, one does not see Edgeworth

  about much these days at all, not with

  Isabel Rycott or anyone else."

  Really?" Victoria could not wait to

  mention that little tidbit to Lucas.

  As it happened, she did not get a

  chance to talk to her husband until she

  came down the stairs of his town house

  that evening. She had dressed with care

  for her first night out in London as a

  married woman. The yellow and cream

  gown fell in a graceful, slender line to

  her ankles. She had chosen to wear no

  jewelry except the amber pendant and a

  tortoiseshell comb in her hair.

  Lucas was standing in the hall, waiting

  for her. He was dressed in starkly elegant

  black and white. His dark hair gleamed in

  the light of the chandelier. Victoria looked

  down at him from the third step and

  wondered if he would ever truly love her as

  she loved him. Perhaps the best she could

  hope for was his affection, companionship,

  and the protection he offered everyone

  toward whom he felt responsible.

  She could hardly complain if that was all

  she ever received from him, Victoria told

  herself. It was a great deal more than many

  women were fortunate enough to obtain

  from husbands, especially those who had

  been married for their money.

  Lucas bowed gallantly over her hand as

  she came down the last two steps. You

  look lovely, madam. I consider myself the

  luckiest of men tonight."

  She smiled. I am feeling rather lucky

  myself, sir."

  Shall we go out and perform for the

  crowds?" he asked dryly as he led her out

  the door.

  That is exactly what it feels like, does it

  not? I would much rather go for a midnight

  ride with you, Lucas."

  Personally, I am looking forward to a

  relatively quiet evening of being squeezed

  and trampled and bored in a series of

  overheated ballrooms. It sounds positively

  restful compared to the adventures we

  always seem to encounter when you drag

  me out after midnight."

  Victoria flashed him a berating look as

  he handed her up into the carriage. Really,

  Lucas, the way you complain, one would

  almost think you did not thoroughly enjoy

  yourself on our midnight adventures. Now,

  then, I have been waiting all day for a

  chance to speak to you about Edgeworth."

  What about him?" Lucas asked as he

  sat down across from her.

  I ran into Isabel Rycott today on Bond

  Street and she made it clear she is no

  longer seeing him. In fact, I got the

  impression from what my aunt and

  Annabella said that he is no longer

  circulating much in the higher levels of

  the ton."

  Perhaps he has suffered some more

  losses at the gaming tables," Lucas offered

  mildly.

  Lucas, you suggested once or twice that

  he might have been involved in either the

  carriage incident or the footpad attack.

  Have you given any more thought as to

  whether he might have been the one who

  sent the pamphlet and note to me?"

  I have thought about it." Lucas studied

  the street outside the carriage window. I

  do not doubt for a moment that he would

  not be at all concerned if I suffered an

  unfortunate accident. But I cannot see

  that it makes much sense to bother you.

  Not unless he was paving the way for a

  blackmail attempt."

  But there has been no demand for

  payment," Victoria said.

  I know. As I said, it makes no sense.

  Not yet, at any rate. Nevertheless, I intend

  to start my inquiries with Edgeworth. Tis

  as good a place as any."

  Shall we hire ourselves a runner?"

  Victoria asked, growing excited by the

  prospect. The one I employed to track

  down information on Lord Barton was

  excellent."

  Lucas met her eyes. I would rather not

  get involved in hiring a runner if I can

  avoid it."

  Why not?"

  Because in doing so, I would run the

  risk of bringing up awkward questions

  about your stepfather's death, and those,

  in turn, might lead to awkward questions

  about you."

  Oh." Victoria sat back in her seat. Yes,

  I see the problem. You are very clever,

  Lucas. Always thinking ahead."

  One tries."

  How will you go about tracking down

  Edgeworth?" Victoria asked.

  I shall start by making a few inquiries

  at my clubs. Someone is certain to know

  something about a man who gambles as

  much as Edgeworth does."

  An excellent notion."

  I am glad you approve. Because it

  means that you will be obliged to go

  straight home to bed after we have put

  in a few appearances this evening."

  What?" Her eyes darkened. You cannot

  mean that."

  I fear so, madam. I cannot possibly

  sneak you into my clubs. We both know

  that. And since I do not want you running

  about at night without me, that leaves us

  with no option except to see you safely

  tucked up in bed at home."

  While you are out gathering information?"

  Victoria was incensed. That is not

  fair, Lucas."

  It is not a question of fairness. It is

  a question of your safety. I will not risk

  any more runaway carriages, footpads, or

  ghosts who leave behind items marked with

  a W."

  But, Lucas, I will stay in Aunt Cleo's

  company or Annabella's. I will not be

  alone," Victoria insisted.

  Not good enough, Vicky. One cannot

  expect your aunt or Annabella to be on

  guard for a runaway carriage or a footpad,

  especially since they do not know they

  should be on guard for such things in the

  first place. No, I want to know you are

  safe at home while I am at my clubs."

  Victoria's temper sparked as she sensed

  his implacability. You cannot shut me out

  of this investigation. I will not allow you

  to do so. We agreed that the chief reason

  we would come back to London was to

  pursue this matter. This is my affair."

  I am not shutting you out. I'm simply

  ensuring that I know exactly where you

  are at a time when I cannot be with you.

  The danger lies here in London, Vicky.
/>
  All the incidents occurred here. So while

  we are in Town, I want you under either

  my direct observation or lock and key,"

  Lucas declared, his tone as definite as his

  words.

  Victoria bristled. Lucas, I must tell

  you that while you have made a tolerable

  husband in some respects, I do not like

  it at all when you assume the attitude of

  a superior officer and start giving orders

  to me. I am not under your command.

  I am your partner, remember? We are in

  business together."

  Above all, you are my wife, and as

  your husband I have certain responsibilities

  toward you. I am sorry if I offend you with

  the occasional command. I fear old habits

  are sometimes hard to break."

  Victoria gave him a withering look. Do

  not blame your old military habits. That is

  nothing but an excuse, my lord, and you

  are well aware of it."

  Well, then, to be perfectly truthful,

  Vicky, I must admit there are times when

  nothing else except a direct order will

  suffice in dealing with you. Tonight is

  one of those times. Now stop looking at

  me as though you would like to strangle

  me and try to look like a loving bride. I

  believe we have arrived at the FoxtonsV

  Lucas, I warn you I will not tolerate

  being treated like a witless child."

  I would not dream of doing so." He

  glanced out the window as the carriage

  drew to a halt. It looks as if we have

  helped Lady Foxton draw a sizable crowd

  tonight. She will undoubtedly be feeling

  suitably grateful. Ready, my dear?"

  Damn it, Lucas, you are not going

  to get away with acting like this." She

  glared at him as he stepped out of the

  carriage and reached back to take her

  hand. Just because you can seduce me

  virtually anytime you please does not mean

  I have become a weak-willed, fluff-brained

  female whom you can order about as it

  suits you."

  His hand tightened roughly around her

  fingers and sudden laughter filled his eyes.

  I do not believe I heard that properly.

  Would you care to repeat that, madam?"

  You heard me. Oh, look, there's Anna

  bella and Bertie, now." She summoned up

  a brilliant smile. I cannot wait to talk to

  them." Victoria rushed off, dragging Lucas

  along with her into the throng of people

  clustered on the front steps of the Foxtons'

  town house.

  His wife's sense of timing was, as

  always, devastating. Lucas grinned ruefully

  to himself as he got out of the carriage in

  front of one of his clubs. Her admission