Page 72 of The Duke’s Wager

Lucy shook her head at this, her lips pursed. “I was not enough though, was I?”

“Lucy…”

It did not make sense in the slightest; none of it did.

“Was she ever really happy with him, Maria?”

Maria shook her head slowly, her eyes downcast. “I think she wanted to be. She believed that she could be… but, no. She was too afraid of him to truly be happy.”

This was something Lucy could understand. After all, she too was far too afraid of her father to even consider doing something that would make her happy – especially if it would irk him.

“Learn from her, Lucy. If not from her life, then learn from her mistakes. Live. Consequences be damned! Do not allow that man to steal your joy like he stole hers.”

It was a terrifying thought and one that Lucy had not even considered until she had met Edward.

“You are right.”

Those three words were the most terrifying words she had ever spoken, but she lifted her chin now, certain of herself. “I will break free from this man. He will not control my life. I refuse to allow it any longer.”

“Good!” Maria’s face was alight with pride, and she beamed at Lucy. “You are stronger than him, Lucy. And you are allowed to have a life… one controlled by you, not him.”

“I…” Lucy paused but then smiled. “I will go to the cemetery tonight. I will meet Edward there, my father be damned!”

“Well…” Maria laughed softly. “He does not need to know everything. Let me take your place in your room in case he comes by to check on you.”

“Maria, no!” Lucy shook her head quickly, and her body gave a fearful shiver. “If he sees that it is you and not me, he will send you away or worse! I cannot allow that.”

“And yet,” Maria said with a gentle smile, “you will. He will not know that it is not you. He will be satisfied seeing a sleeping form on the bed.”

It was dangerous. Far too dangerous, but Lucy could not say no – she could not stay away, she could not stop herself from rushing out to meet Edward.

She had to see him, she needed to see him.

A terrible thought took hold of her all of a sudden, and she shuddered. What if he decided not to go to the cemetery after all?

* * *

What if she decided not to go to the cemetery after all?

Where he sat in the kitchen, nursing a hot cup of tea, Edward was anxious – far more anxious than he had ever been. He had known many women, had kept many lovers, but never before was he afraid that a woman would elect not to spend time with him. He knew that if his carriage headed to Lady Margaret’s estate, she would receive him. If he told any of the countless London ladies to meet him at any given place, they would be there – and he would not have any doubt. Lucy was different.

She was like a closed book, one that he wished to open, for he wanted to read every word imprinted on her soul, wanted to know every secret she held, to explore all she was.

Did she want the same? It certainly felt that way at the opera house, but was that enough, or would she leave him waiting?

Edward looked up slowly when footsteps approached, and a tender smile crossed his lips when Evelyn entered the kitchen. She seemed rather surprised to see him, her brows rising.

“You are up late.”

He gestured to the cup of tea with a shrug. “I had trouble sleeping.”

Evelyn nodded and sat down next to him. He quickly jumped to make her a cup of tea too.

“What did you think of the opera?”

Edward hesitated.

“It was… quite something.”