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“I don’t accept my father’s support now, and I’m far from penniless.” Lucas then shared information concerning his financial ventures and current means. “As for my family’s approval, I’ve lived without it for a long time. And who knows? In a few years, after things settle a bit, we might reconcile.”
Harrow peered at him with an inscrutable gaze. “You’ll be ostracized. Those in your old circle who have yet to abandon you will turn their faces from you. Those in mine currently believe you a poacher and besmirch your name at every turn. You’ll have no social standing.”
“I can live without social standing. I cannot live without her.”
Their eyes met and held.
“You love her,” murmured Harrow.
“I do,” he replied with conviction. “And I need your help to win her back.” Lucas had never really been one for praying, but he sent one winging to heaven now. Please…
“Indeed, I think it could work,” said Harrow with a dark chuckle. “But I have a few changes to make to this plan of yours.”
“Go on,” Lucas prompted, wondering what he had in mind.
“I think it might be time for me to make a strategic retreat from Society—with René, of course. I’ve been thinking of taking an extended trip abroad. Minerva—my wife—has expressed a desire to leave London altogether and remove our son from its toxic environs. I agree. She’s always been happier out in the country, and since the recent scandal broke, her pleasure in Town has been greatly diminished.”
Hope flared in Lucas’s heart.
“The public dispute we’d planned for tomorrow’s ball will take place,” continued Harrow, pulling at his chin with a pensive look. “But instead of casting her out in anger, I’ll play it differently. Instead, I’ll act as if her betrayal has broken me, which will justify my leaving England for a while. René and I will disappear for a few years. When we return, he will have a new name, and my lingering ‘heartbreak’ over Diana will provide cover enough to keep us safe.”
“You would leave England for our sake?”
“For her sake,” the other man clarified, shooting a hard glare at him. “Diana was—is—willing to give up everything for me. How can I not reciprocate in kind? She’s part of my heart, my family. If you can make her happy, then I shall consider you truly my friend—indeed, if you can give her the life she deserves, I’ll consider you as dear as any brother.”
Lucas met his steady gaze and nodded solemnly. “Upon my honor, I’ll do everything in my power to make that happen.”
“One more thing,” said his host. “I want her married before my ship leaves port. I won’t sail until I know she’s safe.”
“Agreed.” They talked a few minutes more, and then Lucas was on his way to obtain a special license before returning home to make the necessary preparations.
Chapter Nineteen
Everyone was in attendance at the Season’s largest ball, which made Diana even more nervous about what she and Harrow were planning to do. She’d already spotted Grenville, as well as her treacherous uncle. When all was said and done, her humiliation would be complete in their eyes. She would endure it, knowing she’d have the last laugh as a free woman of independent means.
Unfortunately, the price of attaining that long-desired goal was too high to allow
her to take true joy in it anymore.
The papers had been diligent in reporting her quarrels with Harrow, and their entrance at the ball had drawn much attention. They’d parted, agreeing to meet again for the first dance, and since that moment, she’d drifted through a crowd seemingly determined to pretend she didn’t exist—at least until they thought her out of earshot.
She’d anticipated as much.
An announcement was made calling everyone for the first dance. She cast about, looking for Harrow.
To her shock, however, it was Lucas who came to claim her. She balked as he reached for her hand, but he was too quick and drew her close before she could escape.
His whisper at her ear was urgent. “I’ve spoken with Harrow. He’s agreed, but you must come with me now.”
“Agreed to what?”
He didn’t answer but instead pulled her out onto the ballroom floor and into position for the waltz.
Though she knew nothing of any agreement between him and Harrow, something in his eyes drew her and wouldn’t allow her to refuse. If this was a torment she must withstand to lend fuel to the fire when Harrow cast her out, then so be it.
At least I’ll have one last dance with the man I love…
The orchestra struck up the tune, and they swung into motion. She could only look into Lucas’s eyes and hope he saw her love for him in hers. Learning that he’d stayed with her after her fall, hearing Harrow describe how he’d worried over her and refused to leave until he was certain of her safety, had told her all she needed to know.
