Page 60 of The Duke’s Wager

The spell between them was broken when her father took a stride forward.

It happened quickly, suddenly. It was so subtle that no one other than Lucy could possibly have noticed it. The desire in his eyes disappeared, as did the admiration.

Gone was the Edward she knew, the real Edward – the one who was not afraid to be vulnerable and honest. In his stead, stood the Edward who made her uncomfortable, the man who made her feel insecure and small. He was once more the Edward who had used her cruel nickname at a party – he was the man who hid from his feelings, who felt nothing, not for anyone.

“Your Grace! It is lovely to see you here this evening.”

Her father’s voice dripped with sweetness and Lucy blinked a few times, watching as he stepped forward, eagerly greeting the Duke and Duchess.

“Have you met my daughter, Lady Lucy?”

Lucy was pushed forward surprisingly gently, and she glanced at Edward once more before looking at his grandparents.

“I believe we have met at a gathering some years ago,” the Duchess spoke kindly, extending a hand to Lucy and pressing it against her cheek in a loving gesture. “You look radiant this evening.”

Lucy smiled and sneaked another glance at Edward. “Thank you, Your Grace.”

Edward stared at his shoes pointedly, seemingly rather bored with the conversation or the company.

“She is my pride and joy, my Lucy,” Henry said now, his voice eager, clearly desperate to impress those who carried his favor. Despite her father’s pride and the Duchess’ compliments, Lucy felt a twinge of sadness biting at her. Edward was still ignoring her.

Could it be that the Edward at the cemetery never truly was the real Edward? Had he played her for a fool all this time? As though he could sense her hurt, Henry quickly turned to the cause thereof, facing Edward with a menacing glint.

“Lord Edward. How have you been?”

Edward slowly raised his eyes to meet those of her father’s. Lucy watched anxiously, waiting for him to glance in her direction.

He did not. Instead, he looked at her father, and a smile played around his lips.

“I have been well, thank you, my lord. And yourself?”

Henry’s smile widened. Lucy supposed it was because Edward was the one person in the opera house at the current time not paying her any mind whatsoever.

“I have no complaints, my lord. I must apologize for missing your visit to my house a few weeks ago. Do you plan on calling on us again?”

Edward’s smile froze and he tilted his head almost imperceptibly. “No. I have no such intention.”

Behind her, the Duchess gasped softly. Lucy closed her eyes, trying to bite back the tears that threatened to spill. She would not cry. She would not give either her father or Edward the satisfaction of driving her to tears in public.

“Now,” Edward continued, his voice cold, like a stranger’s. “If you do not mind terribly, I simply must find our seats. Excuse me.”

He left rather abruptly, without as much as a glance in Lucy’s direction.

She was vaguely aware of the Duke and Duchess making their apologies for their grandson’s behavior, earnestly and with feeling. Lucy did not even hear her father’s response. She was far too hurt.

The truth had bludgeoned her, and it was time to admit it. She could no longer hide from the painful reality, hide behind pretended kindness and cemetery visits.

Edward Lockhart was not the kind, gentle man he pretended to be. He was cold, callous, and arrogant. And, Lucy thought – this being the truth that hurt the most – he was ashamed of her.

She was certain that he thought the Beaumont family below the Lockharts; it must have been part of the reason why he would not even glance in her direction when they were in public.

In private – oh, in private where no one could see them – he was kind and tender, and he spoke to her as though she mattered more than anything in the world.

In public, however, when eyes were upon them, he ignored her. What she had seen as a budging friendship that she had grown fond of, one she looked at with tenderness, she now realized Edward saw with shame and embarrassment.

It took everything she had to keep from crying. She could feel the sting of tears behind her eyelids, but she could not cry. Her father would not forgive her the humiliation.

She lifted her chin. She would not allow this man to affect her even in the slightest.