Page 88 of The Duke’s Wager

There was, however, someone who might understand – someone who might offer a tender ear or some words of wisdom.

She needed to see Maria. Still, Lucy did not want to take the risk of going to the kitchen and finding a myriad of servants there. She needed Maria and only her.

She breathed a sigh of relief when one of the younger servants passed and she lifted her chin. “Would you possibly send Maria to my room?”

The girl, wide-eyed at being addressed, nodded quickly. “Yes, my lady. I will send her shortly.”

The relief of knowing that Maria would soon be with her motivated her feet to move, and she rushed to her room, needing nothing more than to escape the fiery red dress she had worn in a ridiculous attempt to look good for that man.

Lucy yanked the dress off the second she stepped into her room, not caring when she heard material rip.

She threw the miserable red heap off to the side, angry at the dress, at herself, at Edward. She had barely dressed herself in a nightgown, when Maria entered, her eyes wide and eager for news.

“Lucy, what ha—”

Lucy did not give Maria time to finish her question before falling into the woman’s arms. Though her body shook with hysterical breaths, her eyes were dry.

“Lucy, darling…” Maria pushed her away ever so slightly, making sure to still have a comforting hand on her shoulder. “What happened? I expected you, I had hoped you would be filled with joy… What on earth is the matter, my sweet girl?”

Yes, Lucy realized, tonight was supposed to be different. She was meant to come home and tell Maria that Edward was officially courting her, that they no longer needed to hide their feelings, that she would escape the misery of her life.

Instead, her heart cried at the thought. Instead, she had to admit that she had been made a fool by the very man who had convinced her that he loved her.

Maria suddenly looked angry, as though she could read Lucy’s thoughts, and she put her hands on her hips.

“What did your father do? If he forbade you from seeing Edward, do not fret. I am certain that the Duchess will use her influence to—”

“No, Maria…” Lucy’s voice was broken, and she shook her head miserably. “It was not my father. Can you believe that? It… it is Edward.”

Lucy was quite certain that most women in her predicament would cry. In truth, she wanted to – perhaps, she thought, if she could cry, she would be able to accept what had happened and manage to heal from it. But the tears would not come.

“Did…” Maria’s voice was hesitant. “Did something happen to Edward?”

“He was not real. Nothing he ever said… He was nothing more than a liar.”

Maria sunk onto the bed at this, her eyes glazed over with confusion.

“I do not understand.”

Lucy almost laughed at this. Well, in truth, neither did she. None of it made sense.

“Edward… our relationship, our friendship, whatever it was… it was all a lie! He had a wager with Julian Pembroke—”

“A wager?”

The truth scratched at her heart with long, vicious claws, and Lucy nodded. “Yes. They had a wager to see if Edward could bed me within a month.”

A look of relief crossed Maria’s face. “But you found out about it before anything…”

One look at Lucy’s expression, and Maria’s words trailed off. Her hands fluttered in the air, as though to reach for Lucy, but they fell onto her lap helplessly.

“Lucy… What…” Maria’s voice was strained. “What are you saying?”

When Lucy finally spoke, none of the emotion she felt was traceable in her voice.

“I gave myself to him, Maria. All of myself… I gave him my heart, my soul… and yes, I gave him my body too.”

“Oh, Lucy…”