The Unexpected Duchess (Playful Brides #1)(11)
Derek blew a frustrated breath between his teeth. “Lady Lucy, perhaps you and I have words better said to each other in private.”
Lucy raised a brow. “The two of us?”
“Yes.”
“In private?”
“Yes.”
“Would you prefer it if I left?” Lady Cassandra offered, looking quite relieved at the prospect, actually.
Derek shook his head. “No. I’m willing to have a short private conversation in the corridor with Lady Lucy if she is willing.”
Lady Lucy immediately stood up and gestured toward the door. “By all means.”
Lady Cassandra watched them, her mouth a wide O, her lovely blue eyes blinking rapidly. Derek offered his hand to Lady Lucy, who promptly refused it with a tight smile and stalked ahead of him out the door of the drawing room. He followed her and closed the door behind them.
Lady Lucy swung around to look at him, her arms still crossed resolutely. “Yes, Your Grace?” A fake smile was plastered to her face—and there went those distracting eyelashes again. Bat. Bat. Bat.
He cleared his throat. “My lady, it seems you and I have got off on the wrong foot. I’d like for us to start over.”
She dropped her arms to her sides. “Very well. Do you intend to desist in your courtship of Cass?”
“Absolutely not.”
“Then I’m afraid we cannot start over.”
He inhaled a deep breath through his nostrils. “Why exactly do you find me so objectionable?”
“For one thing you’re overbearing, for another, you’re arrogant.” She pointed toward the drawing room door. “Cass is a sweet soul. She wouldn’t hurt a bee and she’s friendly to everyone. She needs someone to look out for her best interests.”
He arched a brow. “And that someone is you? Not her father?”
Lady Lucy shot daggers at him with her eyes. “In this case, yes.”
He poked out his cheek with his tongue. “So there can be no truce between us?”
She folded her arms over her chest again. “Not as long as you insist upon courting Cass.”
He nodded. “So be it.”
Lady Lucy placed her hand on the door handle, ready to open it and return to Lady Cassandra. “You’d do well to take my advice and leave her alone. You’re only wasting your time.”
He narrowed his eyes on her certain little back. “And you’d do well to stop interfering. You’re only wasting yours.”
She turned her head slightly to face him and gave him a once-over. “I’m not about to stop, Your Grace.”
He inclined his head. “Neither am I, my lady.”
This time she arched a brow, giving him a challenging stare. “Very well. Then, may the best opponent win.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
The Miltons’ ball was quite an affair. It usually marked the end of the Season and was held just days before everyone left London for their country houses or holiday towns.
Cass wore a stunning peach-colored ball gown. Her hair was swept up on her head, and emeralds sparkled on her neck. Lucy glanced down at her own ensemble. Next to shining Cass, she looked colorless in her silver embroidered gown with diamond bobs at her ears. Jane wore her favorite blue. Jane was always beautiful, though she never thought so. Tonight her mother had confiscated her book when she saw it peeking out of Jane’s reticule, resulting in Jane being both far more involved than usual and far more irritable.
“Garrett will be here later,” Lucy explained as the three of them piled out of Jane’s parents’ coach. Jane’s mother was their chaperone for the evening. Her father had been knighted for his intellect and because the man had no son, his daughter had become as academic as her sire, much to Jane’s mother’s dismay.
“I like Mr. Upton a great deal,” Mrs. Lowndes said.
Jane leaned over and whispered in Lucy’s ear. “She means she likes the fact that when your father dies, Upton will be an earl.” Jane rolled her eyes.
“Yes, cousin Garrett is such a sport,” Lucy responded to Jane’s mother, elbowing Jane. “To accompany us all summer no less.”
Cass readily agreed, nodding. “Oh, I do adore Garrett. It’s ever so kind of him.”
Lucy nearly winced. She hoped Cass didn’t repeat that in Garrett’s presence. She already could tell she’d have to have a talk with Garrett sooner rather than later. His hope that Cass would someday feel anything more than friendly toward him was a futile one. Garrett well knew that Cass loved Julian. She supposed Garrett was just incapable of not falling in love with beautiful Cass. Apparently just like the Duke of Claringdon.
And speaking of the Duke of Claringdon, would he be at the ball tonight? And why did the prospect excite her a bit? Another opportunity to match wits.
Thank heavens Cass’s mother hadn’t been home yesterday when the duke paid his call. If that worthy lady had been a witness to Lucy’s shocking behavior toward the duke, she wouldn’t let her see Cass ever again. Lucy was certain of it. Lady Moreland had never much cared for Lucy. The only reason she allowed Cass to remain her friend was because she was the well-connected daughter of an earl and they were country neighbors. But if Lady Moreland suspected Lucy was up to something, surely she’d never allow Cass to see Lucy again.