by Darcy Burke
It was also quite dark in their hiding spot, which was just as well. He wasn’t sure he wanted to see her face. Was she afraid? Angry? Something else?
Muffled voices carried across the room. It was a man and a woman, and from the sounds of her moans, they’d come to the library for precisely what Beck feared. There was no help for it. They’d have to stand there and wait until the couple was finished. To do anything else would compromise Lady Lavinia, and that simply wouldn’t do—and not just because he had no desire to marry. He’d already complicated things for her. Sullying her reputation would be unforgiveable.
Beck realized he was still holding her hand. He should let go. But it was dark, and perhaps he was an anchor for her. Or maybe that was just what he was telling himself. Maybe the truth was he liked holding her hand.
He released her and silently urged the couple to hurry.
“What the devil?” The man’s exclamation was clearly intelligible.
The response—also masculine—was not loud enough to be heard. Beck strained to hear what they were saying, for the conversation continued.
Finally, one of them spoke with enough volume. “We were here first!”
Oh, good God, was it a second couple?
Warmth seeped into his side as Lady Lavinia pressed into him. “What’s going on?” she whispered with quiet urgency.
“I’m not entirely certain.”
“Are they arguing over who was here first?” she hissed. “That sounds awfully familiar.”
Beck had to bite the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing.
The dispute continued for a bit longer, and then came the sound of an exaggerated exhalation. This was followed by the clear sound of the door snapping closed. Had one couple left?
Beck found the edge of the curtain in the middle of the window and slid his hand up to eye level. Moving the fabric the barest fraction, he peeked into the room.
The man was patting the woman’s back, and when he lifted his head, Beck nearly shouted with laughter. It was the bloody Earl of Devaney. Apparently, he was having a bad week when it came to women and getting somewhere first.
Grinning broadly, he closed the curtain and listened for what would happen next. He prayed their mood had been dampened enough to encourage a retreat. A moment later, he heard the door close again. He waited a few beats and then peered around the edge of the drape once more. Seeing that the room was now empty, he let his shoulders relax and the air fully leave his lungs.
“Are they gone?” she whispered.
“Yes.” He pulled open the drape and gestured for her to precede him from their hiding place.
She turned to him, her dark gaze sharp and curious. “Were they—?”
“Seeking an assignation, yes. Two couples with precisely the same idea. One of them included Lord Devaney.”
Bright laughter spilled from her mouth, and he couldn’t keep himself from joining in her mirth. “Poor Devaney. Thwarted again.” She shook her head. “I’d no idea library assignations were so popular. I’ve stolen into many libraries during social events, and I hadn’t ever encountered such activity.” Her gaze narrowed in on his. “Until you.”
“This is my fault, then?”
She shrugged, her mouth hinting at a smile. “Why not? It seems you’re to shoulder the blame for everything this evening.”
He let out the laughter he’d been holding. “Lady Lavinia, you are the drollest woman I’ve ever met.”
She flashed a smile and dipped a brief curtsey. “Thank you, my lord. And now I must away before someone else decides this is an excellent location for a rendezvous—which it clearly is. Perhaps I’ll see you in the park tomorrow so we may further discuss our mutually beneficial association. I’m afraid we’re going to have to stop meeting in libraries.”
He couldn’t keep from smiling in return. “Yes, quite.” Sobering, he wanted to convey one important thing before she left. “I trust you to keep my secret. I ask that you not tell your friends about me.”
She blanched but nodded. “I’m glad you told me. Your secret is yours and not mine to tell.”
He inclined his head in appreciation. “Have a good evening, Lady Lavinia.”
She picked up her hem and swept from the room. Suddenly, the space seemed darker, or at least far less alive.
Alive?
He had to acknowledge that Lady Lavinia carried a certain vibrancy that electrified every room she entered. Her eyes moved, despite the fact that she couldn’t see very well, or maybe because of it. She was constantly seeking and learning and storing information. He suspected she was collecting data, as a scientific mind might. He, on the other hand, obtained thoughts and feelings, emotions he might bend and transform into words or music. They were, in some way, rather alike.
And now they would help each other. He’d been loath to tell her the truth, both because he’d wronged her as the Duke of Seduction and because he hadn’t wanted anyone to know his secret. Now she was the only other person besides Gage who did. That put her in a very specific and small class of people—those he trusted.
It was an alarming realization along with the way he’d enjoyed holding her hand. Those were not things a rake with no interest in marriage should think about.
Then he simply wouldn’t.
Chapter 6
Mist fades fast, banished by her light,
She glows with warmth and joy so bright.
No storm, nor hurricane can stand
To resist her love; close at hand.
* * *
-From An Ode to Miss Jane Pemberton
by The Duke of Seduction
* * *
Due to another storm the day before, Lavinia did not walk in the park, which meant she did not see Lord Northam. She had, however, spent a great deal of time thinking about him. About how he’d lied to her. About why he’d done so. About how much she liked him.
She’d never had a male friend before. It seemed odd for that to be the case—Lavinia tried to make friends wherever she went—but given Society’s rules, it was deuced hard to cultivate a friendship with a member of the opposite sex. God forbid they spend time together without thinking sexual thoughts.
Which wasn’t to say Lavinia hadn’t entertained a few inappropriate ideas. All of them springing from that first moment of their acquaintance.
His mouth. Her neck.
Sensation danced along her spine, and she shivered.
“Are you cold?” her mother asked, looking up at the flinty sky as they approached Hyde Park. “Perhaps we should return home.” She’d been vacillating all afternoon as to whether they should go. It was quite chilly, and yesterday’s storm would ensure the park was muddier than usual. They always stuck to the paths, of course, but on a crowded day, that wasn’t always possible. However, Lavinia doubted this would be one of those occasions.
“I’m not cold,” Lavinia said, glad she’d brought her muff. “I’d like to continue. If the weather turns, we could be stuck inside for days. Best to take advantage while we can.”
“True. We needn’t stay long either. I can’t imagine there will be many people in attendance.”
Lavinia slid her an exasperated glance. “Sometimes it’s just nice to go for a walk, Mother.”
“Yes, of course. But we needn’t do it in the sodden park if we don’t care to be seen.”
Biting her tongue, Lavinia strolled through Grosvenor Gate and immediately saw Miss Lennox with her mother. “Excuse me, Mother. I want to offer my congratulations to Miss Lennox. I haven’t seen her since her engagement.”
“I’ll go with you,” the countess said, dampening Lavinia’s enthusiasm. “The first banns were read on Sunday, I believe.
They approached Miss Lennox and her mother. Both women were pale with dark hair, but whereas the older woman’s eyes were brown, the younger’s were a vivid green.
“Good afternoon, Mrs. Lennox, Miss Lennox,” Lavinia’s mother said.
Mrs. Lennox smiled warmly. “Good aft
ernoon, Lady Balcombe.” She shifted her gaze to Lavinia. “Lady Lavinia.”
“We wished to offer our best wishes for Miss Lennox’s upcoming nuptials. Mr. Sainsbury is quite a catch!”
Lavinia wasn’t sure that was true. The man was heir to a barony, but he’d always struck Lavinia as one of Society’s Insincere—those people who behaved one way in polite conversation and another when you weren’t watching. Except Lavinia was always watching. Her position along the wall made that rather easy to do.
“He’s quite charming, yes.” Mrs. Lennox sent a smile toward her daughter, who looked as though she were rather bored. Was she? “Phoebe is so fortunate. The wedding is in just over a fortnight. There is much to do, of course.”
“I can imagine. My eldest son is married, but it’s different when it’s your daughter.”
“Yes, I would think so. Phoebe is my first and only.”
Lavinia moved closer to Miss Lennox. “Are you enjoying the preparations?”
“Yes. As Mother said, there’s plenty to do,” Miss Lennox said without even a touch of zeal. Perhaps she didn’t enjoy planning a wedding. “And yet here we are at the park.”
Mrs. Lennox laughed softly. “So you can see Mr. Sainsbury.” She turned to Lavinia. “How does it feel to be the latest beneficiary of the Duke of Seduction’s prose?” Her guileless expression seemed to indicate she expected a favorable response.
Lavinia’s mother rushed to answer, likely before Lavinia could say anything derogatory. “It’s certainly elevated her profile!”
“I imagine she has plenty of suitors.” Mrs. Lennox gave the countess a knowing look. “You’ll be planning a wedding soon, I’ll wager.”
“Well, that would be splendid,” the countess said with a nod. “I don’t mind telling you I’d begun to wonder. Decent, eligible men are certainly in short supply.”
“Don’t forget interesting,” Lavinia put in sweetly.
“I would add intelligent,” Miss Lennox offered.
Lavinia nodded. “Most definitely.”
Miss Lennox turned her head toward Lavinia. “Do you suppose the Duke of Seduction is intelligent?” There was an edge to her tone that spoke volumes to Lavinia.
“Probably,” Lavinia said carefully. “He’s at least interesting?” She flashed a smile and, when it wasn’t reciprocated, let it slide from her mouth. “He’s certainly good at interfering.”
“Oh, I’d say he’s helping,” Mrs. Lennox said. “Phoebe agrees. If not for his poetry illuminating Phoebe’s grace, she might still be on the Marriage Mart.” Her gaze moved past her daughter. “Mr. Sainsbury is coming.”
“I wasn’t unhappy,” Miss Lennox muttered.
Lavinia seized the moment to edge closer to Miss Lennox while their mothers conversed. “Are you unhappy now?” she whispered.
Miss Lennox’s eyelids fluttered with surprise. “No. Sainsbury is pleasant and charming.”
“And yet you don’t sound very enthusiastic.” Lavinia’s anger toward the Duke of Seduction kindled anew. No, her anger toward Northam. She would tell him that he may have ruined Miss Lennox’s life with his meddling. Except he had been trying to help. His sister’s failure obviously weighed heavy on him and had driven him to action.
“This has all just happened so quickly,” Miss Lennox said. “It could be far worse. I’ll be content with Mr. Sainsbury. It’s certainly preferable to spinsterhood.”
“Is it?” Lavinia couldn’t say anything more, as Miss Lennox’s betrothed arrived.
They exchanged pleasantries, and Lavinia concluded that Mr. Sainsbury was indeed charming and seemed besotted with Miss Lennox. His eyes lit up when he saw her, and he was effusive in his greeting. In fact, Miss Lennox perked up a bit in his presence, her features softening as he complimented her walking costume.
Lavinia hoped they would be happy. Unfortunately, Miss Lennox was stuck with her groom. To cry off after a betrothal caused considerable scandal, as it had for Lavinia’s friend Diana.
As if conjured from her mind, Diana strolled into the park with another party to their “scandal,” Violet, the Duchess of Kilve, whom Lavinia had met and befriended at a house party last fall.
Before Lavinia could excuse herself from her mother, Sarah seemed to appear out of nowhere. “Lavinia, may we walk for a moment?”
“Go ahead,” the countess said resignedly. “There aren’t many people here, so we won’t stay long.”
Lavinia linked arms with Sarah. “Did you see who just arrived?”
“Yes, that’s why I came to get you,” Sarah said.
They walked together, their pace quick, and met Diana and Violet on the path. Diana smiled warmly and they all ended up embracing and launching into a babble of excitement at seeing each other again.
Diana beamed at them. “I’m so glad to see you both.”
“You look so happy,” Sarah said. “It can’t be from encountering us.”
“Why not?”
“Because your happiness jumps off every single letter you’ve written. It isn’t us, it’s your husband.”
Diana blushed. “I can’t deny it.
Violet nodded in agreement. “It’s true.”
Throwing her a sidelong glance, Diana laughed. “You are every bit as happy.
“Also true.” Violet grinned. “But let us walk and discuss Lavinia and this Duke of Seduction business.” Her eyes sparkled with mirth as she looked toward Lavinia. “Are you about to become betrothed?”
As they started along the path, Lavinia gave her head a light shake. “Heavens, no.”
“You aren’t being courted?” Diana asked.
“I have far more masculine attention than I used to, most of it not worth mentioning.”
“Most of it?” Violet asked. “Does that mean there is something worth mentioning?”
Sarah blinked at Lavinia. “Is there? I didn’t think anyone had caught your eye.”
Why had she said most? Because the Season wasn’t completely unremarkable. Because of Lord Northam. And yet what could she say about him to them?
Nothing without revealing the way they’d met and the way their friendship had developed and the direction their association was now headed as they worked to help each other. She felt a flash of remorse for keeping it all from Sarah, her dearest friend, but she’d promised Northam she wouldn’t tell anyone he was the Duke of Seduction. And she wasn’t sure how to relate the story now without disclosing that piece. What a tangle.
“You’re right, Sarah. There isn’t anything worth mentioning. It’s been a parade of suitors, and I’m weary of it already.” She glanced back toward her mother, who was now talking with a few other ladies. Their gazes strayed toward Lavinia and her group, and Lavinia turned her head around. “My mother wishes I were more enthusiastic. She is confident I’ll be wed by Season’s end.”
Violet’s brow furrowed. “Don’t you want that? I seem to recall you wanting to marry.”
“The right gentleman. When—and if—he presents himself. It’s not too much to ask, is it?”
“No,” Violet agreed. “Take it from me. I was wed to a man I didn’t choose and didn’t love. Now that I am married to a man I do love—madly—I can say with utmost certainty that you should wait for the right man.” She smiled, adding, “If you can.”
“That’s the real issue,” Sarah said. “I’m not sure your mother will let you put it off any longer. My mother prays every day that the Duke of Seduction writes about me next.”
Diana tipped her head to the side and regarded Sarah with curiosity. “Would you want him to?”
Sarah shrugged, surprising Lavinia. “Maybe.” She flicked an apologetic look toward Lavinia. “I know you haven’t liked the attention, but I think I might.” Her shoulders lifted again. “Or not. I suppose I’d just appreciate the opportunity.”
“Careful what you wish for,” Lavinia said, her mind whirring. She could very easily ensure the Duke of Seduction wrote about Sarah. But Lavinia knew her friend. She might like
the attention, but falling in love was even more important to Sarah than it was to Lavinia. The insincerity and triviality would wear on her just as it did Lavinia.
Sarah exhaled, her mouth sliding into a brief, slight frown. “I’m sure you’re right.”
Lavinia hoped her friend wasn’t sad or, worse, jealous of Lavinia’s current notoriety. “Would you really want the Duke of Seduction to write about you?”
“I don’t know. Maybe I just want to be as popular as you.” She flashed a smile at Lavinia.
She was jealous. Lavinia’s chest ached, and she wove her arm through Sarah’s. “I’m not really popular, but you know that. This will pass, and then we can go back to the way things were.”
Sarah looked at Diana and Violet before sliding her gaze back to Lavinia. “Do we really want to? Marriage seems to agree with them.”
“They’re aberrations.” Lavinia laughed. “I’m joking. But they’re in love. If we find—when we find that,” she amended, “we’ll look as disgusting as they do now.”
“And you’re right, Lavinia,” Sarah said, inclining her head toward a group of women gathered on an adjacent path. “Popularity isn’t all that grand, especially when it’s for the wrong reasons.” The women were openly staring at the four of them, and Lavinia was about to apologize for being a nuisance when the words stuck in her throat. She squinted at the group and, even with her myopia, realized there was something different about their demeanor.
Violet let out a breath. “Well, that was to be expected. We knew our arrival would arouse a flurry of gossip and judgment.”
“Yes.” Diana looked at Lavinia and Sarah apologetically. “We’re sorry if this causes you trouble.”
Both Lavinia and Sarah scoffed. “We don’t care,” Lavinia said. “You’re our friends.”
“It’s nonsense anyway,” Sarah said with a surprising burst of vehemence. “You’re both happy. No one was ruined or hurt by what happened. If Diana had married Kilve, there’d be four unhappy people instead of four people who deserve the very best and will have it. If that’s not acceptable to Society, well, I don’t want to be a part of it.”
