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“I’m glad Lord Derbyshire has finally found love. He’s been unmarried all my life, so to have him with a wife is both surprising and pleasing.”
“I can imagine.”
“Although I don’t think my aunt is too happy about it. She had some designs on him, and her reaction to his marriage wasn’t great.”
“Well, we can’t always have what we want.” She sighed. “Life will dictate things we have to do, and most of the time we’re powerless to go against it. Then life tips sideways, and we’re left floundering, even if it’s what we wanted.”
Lucas didn’t know what to say to that for a moment. He stared at her, feeling something blossoming in his chest.
“That’s a rather profound statement,” he said.
“My friend says I do tend to speak in flowery terms at times.” She shrugged. “Being a woman, I can’t be as outspoken as I want to be. It’s really frustrating that a gentleman can talk as they want, but a woman must watch her tongue or have a strong opinion. You cannot begin to imagine how often I’ve been told not to worry my pretty little head about something that would require using my head to think.”
Lucas hadn’t thought about it like that before. He didn’t mind an outspoken woman, but he knew only so much could be displayed in mixed company.
“Is that why you talk about mundane conversations like fashion, who’s marrying whom, and … all that … well …”
“Salacious gossip? Pretty much. We’re not allowed to explore other topics of conversation just in case we get a mind of our own.”
“And that’s dangerous, is it?”
She smiled, and Lucas felt his heart miss a beat. She was certainly beautiful, especially in that light.
“Queens have been regents for princes and kings before. They have taken charge of armies. We’re stronger than men believe, and that scares them. We have to be put back in line somehow.”
“Oh, really?” Lucas chuckled. “All men?”
“Pretty much. Unless you want to change my mind about it.”
Was that a challenge? Lucas did like a challenge.
#
Dorothy had spied the dark-haired gentleman across the room. He had been talking to Lady Marcia, who was clearly turning on the charm. He also seemed to be in good company with the marquess, who was very warm towards him. Dorothy knew she shouldn’t stare, but she couldn’t help it. She admired him, from his jaw's strong, firm lines, the smile that seemed to sparkle, the muscles moving under his jacket, and the strong thighs. Dorothy couldn’t stop from watching his thighs.
Very nicely put together.
It was something of a relief to have him at the far end of the table because Dorothy knew she would have made herself look like a fool gawking at him with her mouth open. She concentrated on dinner and conversation with Lady Derbyshire, but she did end up glancing down the table at the gentleman as he talked with another young man close to his age with straw-coloured hair. His long fingers were just as distracting.
Who was he? Dorothy was tempted to ask, but she didn’t want anyone to think she was gauging any interest in a gentleman. Knowing her luck, he would be married or engaged, and she would just be deflated that another good-looking man had passed her by.
Even so, she was curious. Maybe she should talk to him and see who he was. She hadn’t thought she would actually find someone who would interest her this way, especially after the disaster that was her Season, but she might as well satisfy her curiosity. If he was taken, then that was no harm done, although Dorothy would feel a bit envious of the woman in question. If he wasn’t …
She needed to stop getting ahead of herself; otherwise, she would end up disappointed.
Following him when she spied him going past the library had been a stroke of luck, and saying she wanted a moment outside due to being too warm had been enough to leave the ladies. Now she was here, trying to act nonchalant as they looked at each other properly for the first time.
There was something in his eye that said he liked what he saw. Dorothy saw him looking over her body, just a flick of the gaze. It made her feel like it was warmer outside than it was indoors.
“I’m sure I can change your mind,” he purred, giving her a smile that made Dorothy weak at the knees. She was glad she was leaning against the wall. “I’m very good at changing people’s perceptions of me.”
“I’m sure you are. Your wife … betrothed …” she hesitated, waiting.
“I’m not married. And I don’t have a betrothed.”
“You don’t?” Now this was getting interesting. Dorothy cleared her throat as her heart skittered. “Well, I’m sure you’ll be able to change your future wife’s perception of you.”
“You think she won’t like what she sees when she first meets me?” He pretended to look affronted. “My, how you hurt me, My Lady.”
