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Hopefully. From how Lady Marcia had been looking at him across the table during dinner, she obviously had some designs on him. As the son of an earl, Lucas was in high demand. Eventually becoming the Countess of Milton Keynes would be perfect for her. Somehow, Lucas couldn’t see that happening. She was fun for a flirty encounter, but that was it.
It was a shame because she was very beautiful. Outwardly, she would be perfect. Inwardly was another matter.
Then his thoughts drifted to the tall, slender woman he had seen enter the room on one arm of Viscount Constable’s son. Lucas had tried not to stare at her with his mouth open. Her light red hair was pinned up, but it didn’t hide the curls that escaped, framing an oval face that suggested she spent time out in the sun without a parasol. She had looked a little nervous to begin with, but she slowly came out of her shell, and Lucas saw her smile.
Now she would be more interesting. Lucas wanted to get to know her to find out more, but he hadn’t had a chance to talk to her. She had sat at the far end of the table near the marchioness, and Lucas didn’t think it would be polite to shout down the table towards her. He didn’t even know what her name was.
Maybe he should find out more about her. As he had found with Lady Marcia, beauty only went so far if you couldn’t back it up with a good personality and disposition.
“Oh!”
Lucas turned, almost doing a double-take, when he saw the redhead he had been thinking about standing on the terrace staring at him. It was like someone had conjured her up for him as he thought about her. He gave her a smile and bowed.
“My Lady. Were you hoping for a moment alone?”
“I … well …” Her cheeks darkened a little as she bit her lip and looked around. “I was hoping for a moment outside before I went back and joined the ladies. I didn’t mean to bother you.”
“It’s fine. You’re not bothering me at all.” Lucas tilted his head to one side. “You and I can share the terrace together, can’t we?”
“That isn’t really proper if we have no chaperone.”
“You can stay where you are, and I’ll stay here.” He held up his hands. “I won’t do anything untoward, I promise.”
She looked a little dubious. But she nodded and moved to lean against the wall by the window. The light from the candles inside landed on her, making her hair look like fire crackling in the hearth. Very attractive.
Lucas cleared his throat.
“How do you know our hosts? I assume you’re acquainted with one of them.”
“My friend is Lady Derbyshire’s niece. She invited me to come along with her for the week. And you?”
“My father is a friend of the marquess. He was unable to come himself, so I’m here in his place.”
“You’re a friend of Lord Derbyshire.” She looked him up and down in an unabashed way. “So, you know him quite well, then.”
“Pretty much. I haven’t seen him for a couple of years, though.”
“What is he like?”
“Warm, generous, kind.” Lucas couldn’t help smiling. “Has a penchant for chocolate.”
She giggled. It was a surprisingly nice sound. Lucas didn’t care for giggling, but coming from her, it was different. He wanted to hear more of it.
Wait, what was happening to him?
“Sounds like the marquess and marchioness are kindred spirits. She was always giving us chocolate as treats when we were children. And a lot of it.”
“Did you have to hide it away and eat it when you thought nobody would be paying attention?”
She grinned.
“Is that what you did?”
“Pretty much.”
“Sounds like they’ll be perfect for each other. Although they might end up liking chocolate a bit too much.”
Lucas laughed.
