Page 25 of The Duke’s Wager

Edward looked shocked. He tilted his head in a rather endearing manner, his brow furrowed.

“Really, my lady? And why is that?”

“Well…” She managed a small smile, hoping that he would interpret the stiffness of the smile as part of her Ice Queen persona rather than her anxiety. “We have attended quite a few of the same events, if I am not mistaken and you have yet to approach me before tonight.”

Lucy had no idea why she had decided to be bluntly honest. She could only hope that Edward would not be offended by it – that he would continue the conversation.

She suddenly regretted it, but he spoke before she could apologize.

“You’re right, my lady.”

She lifted a brow and smiled. Edward did not smile back at her. Instead, he looked almost guilty.

“I have to admit that I had thought about asking you to dance many a time, but I never had the courage. It was rather foul of me, and… I apologize.”

Lucy frowned at the words. He did not have the courage to ask her to dance? This made no sense at all. As much as she was aware of her own reputation, Edward Lockhart had garnered quite the reputation himself. He was a proper ladies’ man – a rake some would say – one who could have any woman he desired, and showed no hesitance or shyness once he approached a woman. There were many tawdry tales about his conquests… and his skills as a lover.

She blushed, ashamed of her thoughts. Edward looked at her with a small smile and she could feel her cheeks growing even warmer under his direct gaze.

“I must admit my lord…” Her voice was shaky, and she stared at a spot over his shoulder, suddenly unable to look him in the eye any longer. “I find that rather hard to believe.”

“You do?” He sounded truly surprised.

“You do not seem like the type of man to lack courage at all.” Though her words may have come across as rather harsh, she said it with a smile – hoping once more that he would not be offended by her directness.

Edward laughed softly and pulled her a little closer to his body. He lowered his voice, and the timbre thereof sent small shivers down her spine.

“Well, my lady… would it be terribly unmanly of me to admit that I found you rather intimidating?”

It was absurd – of course, it was. Lucy shook her head with a soft laugh.

“It would not be unmanly, my lord. Only unbelievable.”

He seemed surprised and a gentle smile formed on his lips.

“Unbelievable? Why is that?”

Lucy shrugged and laughed. She was beginning to rather enjoy the conversation – they could be so bluntly honest with one another, there was no need for false pleasantries or shallow chitchat.

“Who am I to be intimidating? You are Edward Lockhart, after all.”

He laughed and shook his head, his eyes twinkling. “Indeed, but you are infamous, my lady. After all… not many men would dare to approach the Ice Queen.”

Lucy’s stomach dropped at this, and she took a step away from him mid-dance. She could see in his eyes that he knew he had made a mistake, but not even the regret in those green orbs could calm her temper.

“The Ice Queen? You wanted to tame the Ice Queen, was that it?”

Edward raised his hands apologetically, his entire demeanor pleading with her.

“Lucy, wait. Be reasonable.”

It was far too late for reason. Fury coursed through her, and she glared at him, her body trembling. “Of course, that was what this was! It was all about your reputation.”

He took a step in her direction, but she evaded him, stepping back quickly.

“I am not some wild thing to be tamed, my lord.”

She struggled to keep her voice low, to refrain from attracting attention.