Page 57 of To Break the Rules

“You’re very wise.” Lucia nodded, hiding a smile and pleased to hear such words from Minerva. She’d been so intent on catching herself a title at the beginning of the season and had been quite ruthless about it, endearing herself to no one.

Prue had since confided that it was Minerva’s mother who was full of ambition, and had pushed her daughter to ingratiate herself wherever possible. Minerva had recently made a vow to marry for love, however, no matter where she found it.

Noticing dancers taking the floor for the next set, she saw Matilda being led forward on the arm of Mr Burton. He’d been paying her some very marked attention over the past weeks, and the house had been besieged by daily deliveries of exotic hothouse flowers. The colourful arrangements decorated all corners of their house, their heady scents becoming somewhat cloying en masse.

Lucia also knew that there had been another delivery, one that Matilda had not told her about but that their maid, Sarah, had let slip.

It was the only one she kept in her room.

With a little persuasion, Sarah had gone into raptures over it, declaring it the loveliest thing she’d ever seen in her life. It was a rare blue–and-white orchid. Lucia herself had never seen an orchid before, except in botanical prints, and had been tempted into peeking around the door to see the lovely thing in all its glory.

Sarah had said her mistress was now terrified of killing it and had been desperately seeking advice on how to care for it.

Lucia had been little surprised to discover who’d sent such a difficult and staggeringly valuable gift.

She looked about the room, finding the man himself, cool and aloof as ever. He too watched Matilda take to the floor, watched her laughing as Mr Burton made some amusing comment.

Montagu’s expression did not change, but Lucia shivered nonetheless. The marquess did not like Mr Burton’s attentions, of that she was certain.

He didn’t like it one bit.

***

29th July 1814. Friday Street, Cheapside, London.

“Nani maa!” Lucia called out as she headed to the parlour. “I come bearing gifts,” she added, pushing the door open and getting hit in the face by a wave of heat. “Goodness, it’s stifling in here.”

Dharani looked up from the book she was engrossed in and scowled as Lucia dropped the parcel she was carrying. She hurried to the window, sliding it open as far as it would go.

“Close that down, do you want me to catch my death?” Dharani grumbled.

Lucia turned to stare at her, hands on hips. “Nani maa, it’s boiling outside, and you have a fire lit? Are you trying to roast yourself? It’s as hot as Calcutta before the kal baisakhi in here.”

“My old bones don’t hold the heat like they used to,” the old woman complained, setting aside her book and spectacles so she could wag an arthritic finger at Lucia. “And you should have more respect for the comfort of your elders.”

“Nonsense,” Lucia said briskly, casting aside her hat and spencer. “Now stop complaining or I shan’t give you the present Lord Cavendish has sent for you.”

To her amusement Dharani perked up at once, her eyes alight with interest. “Give it to me,” she said, holding out her hands and making grabbing motions.

Lucia snorted and shook her head. “You’re a spoilt old magpie, that’s what you are,” she said, though she knew the affection in her voice was clear enough. “Here you go, Nani maa. I don’t know what you said to him, but he seems very taken with you.”

Dharani preened, clearly delighted by that. “Well, naturally. The boy has taste.”

“Hardly a boy,” Lucia murmured, blushing as Dharani proved her hearing was not as terrible as she sometimes made out.

“True,” she said, nodding. “He’s a fine-looking man. I might be tempted myself if I were twenty years younger.”

“Oh, ho!” Lucia exclaimed, laughing. “Only twenty?”

Dharani smoothed down her thick, white hair. “I’m very well preserved, bhanvaraa. I remember a few tricks.”

Lucia held out a hand and grimaced. “Stop right there,” she pleaded. “Just open your present.”

Dharani sent her a wicked grin and tore into the brown paper and then gasped as she drew out the vibrant yellow silk sari. She touched it with reverent fingers, her eyes so soft and bright Lucia felt her throat tighten. It was embroidered all over with blue butterflies Lucia thought it the loveliest thing she’d ever seen. She’d been touched and a little overwhelmed when Silas had asked for advice for a present for Dharani, though he’d made light of it.

“Well, of course, love. I’m not a fool,” Silas had said, grinning. “If I want to marry you, I need her onside or she’ll make my life hell.”

But she recognised his desire to be well thought of, to befriend someone he knew was very important to Lucia, and that had meant more to her than she could express.