Page 10 of The Duke’s Wager

Lucy smiled to herself at the thought for she herself was rather desperate to get out of this carriage.

Naturally, her father left the carriage first. He looked around proudly before offering her his hand. Of course, there had to be a little gathering waiting to see the incredible Lucy Beaumont leave her carriage and enter the banquet hall!

Lucy plastered a false smile onto her face as she stepped out.

It was time for the farce to begin.

CHAPTER FOUR

The cool smile remained on Lucy’s face. Though she was painfully aware of the many eyes on her, she pretended not to notice. Instead, she placed a gentle hand on her father’s forearm as they made their way into the main hall.

Lucy could hear the whispers following her. She could feel eyes boring holes into her back, and once again, as she had done many times before, she wished that she could vanish.

As it was, she could not – and she had to endure the stares and whispers. Their thoughts were neither subtle nor secretive. Lucy knew exactly what they were thinking.

The Ice Queen had arrived.

For a second, the delicate smile on her face was real. The Ice Queen. When she had first learned of her nickname, she had been distraught. It felt offensive, insulting and, above all, unnecessary. She could vividly remember crying about it in Maria’s arms. The woman had stroked her back and whispered words of encouragement as she sobbed.

“Let them think what they want to think, Lucy. It doesn’t matter. You know who you are, my dear.”

Nicolas, as usual, had whipped up a decadent treat and watched her worriedly as she nibbled at it.

“Allow them to believe you are an unfeeling Ice Queen, Lucy. Better they have their own misinterpretation of who you are than them truly knowing you and using that to hurt you. As long as someone is wrong about who you are, they have no chance of truly hurting you.”

The words had hit the mark, and Lucy had taken it as encouragement going forward. It did not take long for her to see the advantages of being wildly misunderstood. They feared her. Αnd she soon learned that she would much rather be feared than pitied.

Pity made her feel vulnerable and weak, whereas the fear that she instilled in the youth of the ton made her feel powerful. She was untouchable, and that was enough for her. It kept her from the frivolous conversations her father so feared, and it allowed her to hold on to some control.

She was hesitant to admit it, even to herself, but she quite liked it. It gave her a sense of pride to see the intimidation she caused.

“Lucy.”

Her father tapped her hand gently and she looked up at him. He gestured to a corner where Alfred stood with his mother and father.

“We must greet the Wintles. Come.”

Lucy ignored every stare on their way over to the Wintle family. Alfred noticed her and quickly nodded in her direction. He moved to greet her father first, his hand outstretched.

Henry loved it, he positively beamed at the younger man. “Good day, Mr. Wintle!”

“Good day, Lord Birchrook. It is a pleasure to see you, as always.”

Lucy watched the crowds as the men exchanged pleasantries. She was so entranced by the many people that she nearly missed Alfred’s father speaking to her.

She turned to face expectant eyes – all on her. Lucy could feel a blush rising to her cheeks, and she looked at Thomas.

“Forgive me, my lord. Could you repeat that?”

The man laughed freely and winked at her father. Lucy did not dare look at him – he would be furious, no doubt.

Viscount Thomas Wintle, on the other hand, was amused. He made a big show of laughing before looking at her kindly.

“I was complimenting your appearance, my dear. You look quite lovely today – your mother certainly gifted you, what with the golden hair and aquamarine eyes.”

Lucy blushed at the compliment. She was always quite touched when compared to her mother in any way.

“Thank you, my lord.”