Page 9 of The Duke’s Wager

He glared at her as though she was a threat to the Beaumont name. Lucy simply nodded quietly.

“There are people that you must avoid at all costs. The Bonham family has endured numerous scandals this year, and you will not speak to them under any circumstances. Should they approach you, you will make an excuse and walk away from them.”

Lucy was unaware of any scandals, but still, she nodded. She was so used to nodding by now, that she was quite certain her head could perform without any participation from her brain.

“The Greene family came into some money. No one knows how, but there are rumors of gambling. I want you to avoid them too. I will not have this family’s name tarnished by associating with gamblers!”

“Yes, father.”

He glared at her as though she herself was guilty of gambling, and Lucy shifted uncomfortably.

“The Wintles are safe. The Viscount and I have been in business for years and his son is your age – Alfred. I believe you know him.”

“Yes, father.”

She was already tired of his endless list, but his eyes were trained on her. There was no getting out of this conversation.

“Stay away from the Pembrokes. I do not trust a single one of them. They are callous and spendthrifts. We do not have time for that.”

This would be an easy rule to follow, as she had no desire whatsoever to have anything to do with Julian Pembroke. She had met him a few times, and he had a way of looking down at those around him. He also had a rather pointed nose, and though Maria would call this observation shallow, Lucy could not help but notice it. It made him seem even more callous.

“There is a new Earl who recently moved here. The Earl of Scarborough, I believe. We do not know much about him, but he seems to be of good standing.”

The list went on and on, and Lucy turned her head to take in the scenery while her father’s voice droned on about who she was allowed to talk to and who she had to avoid.

In truth, she believed the entire conversation to be wholly absurd. She was old enough to make her own decisions now, yet her father still insisted on treating her like a twelve-year-old. Do not talk to this person, talk to that one, but no frivolous conversations, no loud laughter, no joy.

Lucy scowled but quickly rearranged her face when she realized that her father may notice it. Scowls were not permitted in the Beaumont household. They were far too undignified for someone of their station.

Even the dreary scenery outside was preferable to her father’s voice. He took the season seriously and his daughter had to be his pride and joy. Heaven forbid that she herself had even a semblance of enjoyment. No, that was probably far too undignified as well.

Lucy could not help but wonder what it would have been like to engage in the season had her mother still been alive. She did not remember much about her but she knew that the woman had been a social butterfly. People loved her everywhere she went.

Maria was full of stories about her mischievous behavior at events when she was a young lady. She was, by Maria’s account, a joyful being, filled with love and light. This was far from the tearful, quiet, demure woman Lucy remembered – it was even further from the broken porcelain doll lying at the edge of the terrace on that fateful night.

Lucy blinked quickly. It would not do to think about her mother and become emotional. Her father would most certainly not approve of that.

“Lucy! Are you listening to me?”

Somewhere along the troubling thoughts he seemed to have stopped, and Lucy jumped slightly at the sound of his voice booming through the carriage.

“Yes, father. I’m listening.”

She lied seamlessly, hoping that he would not ask her what had been said. Luckily for her, he did not. He merely nodded and continued.

“You must ensure that your dance card is full, you cannot be a wallflower. But do not allow any man more than one dance! That seems far too much like a commitment, and I will not have it.”

“Yes, father.”

Goodness, was he exhausting.

“Do not engage in gossip – even if that gossip pertains directly to you. We have received many invitations and we know that you are the most popular lady of the season, but you cannot show that you are aware of this at any point. It does not look dignified.”

Lucy nodded silently.

As much as she dreaded the engagement, Lucy breathed a sigh of relief when the carriage slowed down. They approached the estate where the evening was already underway.

It was classy to be a little late – anyone who arrived too early proved to be desperate for socialization, and the Beaumonts were anything but.