Chapter 31
Sitting in her front parlor, Marlowe looked over the design for her new car that the builder she’d hired had sent over. She wanted something a little larger, a little sturdier. She was contemplating hiring out, giving people rides. She doubted she’d make enough to feed herself, much less to care for her mother and pay off her father’s debts. But it would fill her days and perhaps eventually set her on a new path. Mistresses were seldom bothered during the day.
Two nights had passed since the calamitous affair at the Dragons. Of course it had made the gossip columns. Naturally the lords were offered some protection, only their initials used—Lord L and Lord C. She, however, was on full display. Marlowe. There was a time when it had pleased her to be so well-known. Now she wished only for anonymity.
She did an awful lot of wishing. Her father had taught her that.Wish for anything you want. You never know which wish will come true.
She also wished she’d not been quite so curt with Langdon when he’d brought her home that night. He was obviously honoring her hasty announcement that they were done because she hadn’t seen or heard from him since. Oh, how she missed him.
Especially as she studied the design of the car he’d offered to pay for. Or when she crawled into bed at night wearing his shirt. Or when she looked at the barometer upon first awakening in order to determine if the day would be brilliant.
So many lovely days when she missed having her balloon. But it should be repaired in another week, maybe two. While she and Langdon were no longer together, she could still offer to take him up. She wanted to share that experience with him, show him the joy of being above it all. Troubles and strife always seemed to remain on the ground, too heavy to float above the clouds.
She heard the resounding knock on the door, but ignored it, knowing her butler would see to it. Only a few minutes passed before he was walking into the room, holding what appeared to be an ivory envelope.
“This was just delivered by a young man dressed in livery,” he said. “I’m afraid I didn’t catch the design of the coat of arms on the coach well enough to identify whom he might be serving.”
She took the envelope. Her name was written on it in elegant script. She turned it over. Within the wax resided the outline of the coat of arms. She’d never memorized them all, so she hadn’t a clue as to whom this one belonged. Was a duke extending her an invitation to become his mistress? It seemedpossible. Perhaps Hollie had enjoyed dinner with said duke and put a word in his ear about his former mistress needing a protector. Yesterday she’d sent him a note alerting him that she and Langdon were over and she would begin in earnest the hunt for someone to provide for her all she required.
Oh, how she hated that. She wanted a different way to take care of herself. But she’d grown so accustomed to the life she now led that it would be hard to give it up, to go without. And unfair to ask the shop owners in Vexham to be more patient than they’d already been when it came to being paid what was owed to them.
Knowing for certain that her father was dead, and how he had died, her anger with him had dissipated somewhat. Perhaps she should take a few days to visit her mother now, before she gained a new lover who might not be thrilled with her going away once the Season ended. She’d have to learn all his various quirks. How he liked his tea. His favorite alcoholic beverage. Which side of the bed he preferred.
She waited a few minutes after her butler left to pluck off the wax seal and take the vellum card from the envelope. As she read the inscribed words, her heart began to pound in a frantic rhythm.
The Duke and Duchess of Lovingdon
Request the honor of your presence...
“Are you responsible for this?”
Sitting at his desk, Langdon looked up from the possible future plans he’d been outlining for the estate. He wasn’t yet certain of their viability, butit thrilled him to consider how he might improve what he would one day inherit.
Waving an ivory card, Marlowe was marching toward him. He’d not slept since she’d slammed the door on him, he missed her so. He’d barely eaten. He didn’t like the way things had gone the last time they were together. She might be ready to end things, but he wasn’t.
He stood and fought against going around the desk, taking her in his arms, and capturing her mouth with his own. “And what would that be?”
She slapped the card down on his desk. He didn’t bother to look. He couldn’t tear his gaze away from the fire in her eyes. So much passion in this woman.
“The Duke and Duchess of Lovingdon have invited me to the ball they are hosting tomorrow night.”
“Yes.”
She appeared flummoxed. “Yes, what?”
He wondered if being so close to him, so near, her thoughts had drifted to them doing something a good deal more fun than sorting out an invitation. “Yes, I asked them to invite you to their ball.”
“Did you learn nothing from our night at the Twin Dragons?”
“I was reminded that you are not mine... and I am not yours. However, I spoke with them before our trek to the club and as they’ve gone to the trouble to invite you, it seems you could at least go to the trouble to attend. I am more than willing to provide escort.”
She shook her head. “My presence would only serve to ruin their affair.”
“I very much doubt it. The Duke and Duchess are powerful in their own right. Add to that the influence of their families—Lovingdon’s stepfather is Jack Dodger, one of the wealthiest men in Britain, and you already know the duchess’s father is the Duke of Greystone—and the fact that those three families are very near and dear to my family and none of their guests are going to want to cause any unpleasantness. Especially toward a woman on my arm.”
“And the duchess is your cousin.”
“Yes. Drake Darling and his wife will be there. As will Uncle James and his family. Uncle William and his.”
