Page 82 of The Duke’s Wager

The heat of his gaze made her think back to their passionate encounter in the carriage. She could feel her entire body heating up at the feel of his eyes on her. Somehow, she had to keep calm. Her father would be livid.

As it was, he mumbled irritably next to her.

“Does the cad have no respect? No regard for your name at all? He is blatantly staring.”

Lucy did not respond. Unlike her father, she had no problem with Edward’s staring.

“Lucy. Lucy!”

Her father’s irritable voice shot through her, and she turned to face him, her entire body having gone cold at his tone.

“The shamelessness of that man!” It took all Lucy had not to breathe an audible sigh of relief. He did not even notice her. He was far too upset at Edward’s staring to see her reaction to it.

“He is gawking at you! I don’t know what you were thinking to wear that color. It is the color of harlots, and you know it. Should have worn blue, but no! You had to draw attention to yourself, and now? Now the man cannot keep his eyes off of you!”

In all honesty, Lucy thought, she was rather confident that Edward would not have been able to keep his eyes off her no matter what she had chosen to wear. She decided, however, to not mention this to her father, nodding quietly instead.

“Well. We must greet our hosts… Even though one is leering at you in that lecherous manner. Come!”

“Yes, father.”

Despite her father’s hostility, Lucy trembled with excitement as they approached Edward and his grandparents. She was vaguely aware of her father exchanging pleasantries with the Duke and Duchess as her attention was drawn in by Edward – who made no secret of his admiration.

He took her hand slowly and kissed it intimately, his eyes meeting hers.

"Lady Lucy. You look lovely, as always.”

Lucy took a flustered step back and nodded quietly. It was all she could to not giggle and blush like an adolescent girl in front of a handsome suitor.

Yet, Lucy thought to herself, was that not exactly what she was? A young girl in front of her suitor?

No. Her experience with Edward had turned him into far more than a suitor. He was her lover – secret and scandalous though it may be. Her heart raced from the feeling of his lips on her skin, and next to her, her father had turned a particularly deep shade of crimson.

She knew that he wanted nothing more than to explode, but he could not. He would not dare do or say anything that might harm his reputation, especially in front of the Duke and Duchess.

“My lady, may I be so bold as to ask you for the first dance?”

Lucy was vaguely aware of her father opening his mouth next to her, most likely to protest. He was going to say no, she just knew it. He was going to come up with some lie, some excuse, to prevent Edward from dancing with her.

Normally, Lucy would allow it. Her father had convinced her that he always knew best, and she knew better than to irk him. Tonight was different. She was different. She wanted to dance with Edward, and she would not allow her father to get in her way.

“I would be honored, my lord.”

She could see from the corner of her eye that her father’s eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. A large vein pulsated on his forehead, and she knew without a doubt that she would pay for this insolence at home.

She did not care.

Lucy lifted her chin as Edward led her onto the dance floor, his hand covering hers protectively. He lowered his voice as they moved away from her father, though he glanced back furtively once or twice.

“My darling, your father looks positively furious. Was it a mistake to ask you to dance? Should I not have done that?”

Lucy squeezed his hand lightly and shook her head, though she knew that in truth, it may have been a mistake.

“No, Edward. I am at this ball because of you. My father has attempted to control me all my life. He has taken everything from me – my mother, my joy, my entire life – I will not let him take the honor of dancing with you as well. I refuse it.”

“You, my little Lucy…” Edward turned her around as they waited for the other couples to join them on the dance floor. His eyes sparkled with joy and love. “You are a brave little one. But I have spoken to my grandmother, and she approves of me courting you officially.”

Blood rushed to Lucy’s face at this, and her heart raced. He wanted to court her officially? Of course, this was to be expected after all that had transpired between them, but there had been a part of her that feared he had only used her. He had no reason to mention wanting to court her – unless it was the truth.