Page 34 of The Duke’s Wager

The older man closed his eyes for a minute and pressed his hand against his heart. “Bless his soul, he did not.”

“He did. Of all the idiotic things to say!”

“He is clearly not a clever man. Don’t pay him any mind, my dear. You take your book to the garden, I’ll whip up a lemon cake for you. I know it’s your favorite.”

With that, Nicolas disappeared to the kitchens and Lucy turned around with a smile. He was not wrong – lemon cake was her favorite, and though she had no appetite, she’d never say no to a slice.

“My lady,” came the footman’s voice.

“How may I help you, Charles?”

The young man looked surprised when she mentioned his name but quickly gathered himself. “You have a visitor.”

Lucy groaned inwardly. It was just like her father to secretly arrange for one of his approved suitors to see her without warning. Well, it was too bad. She did not wish to see anyone.

“Please, tell whoever it is that I am not available.”

“My lady… Lord Edward is quite insistent that he will see you.”

Lucy froze at his words. She turned back to face him – slowly, her eyes wide. “Edward? Edward Lockhart is here to see me?”

Charles nodded sternly. “Yes, my lady.”

Despite herself, Lucy could feel her heart racing madly. What was Edward doing here? Why did he want to see her?

No. She would not get carried away by his visit, there was no way.

“Please, lead him to the drawing room, Charles. I will be with him shortly.”

Charles nodded and walked back to the front entrance. Lucy wavered for a few seconds, considering seeing Edward as she was. He wanted to visit her, this was what he would get. She quickly decided against it and rushed to the kitchen, where as she had hoped, Maria was leaning against one of the walls with a cup of tea.

“Lucy! I thought you were relaxing in the garden already!”

She ignored Nicolas’s jesting, facing Maria with trembling hands.

“Maria… you have to help me. I beg you… You have to help me!”

Maria immediately put the cup of tea down and grabbed hold of Lucy’s wavering hands. “Of course, my dear. What can I help you with?”

“I… you… I just… please, help me?”

“Of course.”

Maria had barely uttered the words before Lucy ran out of the kitchen again – this time with Maria following her.

“Lucy! Are you alright?”

Lucy ignored Maria’s concerned voice, yanking at the strings of her corset the second she entered her room.

“What are you doing, child?”

“Maria, grab me the blue dress, please.”

They both paused. Their eyes met. Maria’s wide, Lucy’s feverish.

“The blue dress, Maria. Please!”

“The one… the one your mother wore…?”