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Dorothy couldn’t help laughing.
“She will be very impressed with how you look, certainly. But if your attitude beneath your good looks isn’t a good match, you’ll have to work hard to change it and show you’re just what she wants.”
Oh, dear, did she just say he was good-looking? Dorothy could feel her face getting warm. She wasn’t that good at flirting. Frederica was better at it, but she wasn’t here. He arched an eyebrow at her.
“I’m flattered that you think I’m good-looking?”
“I … well …”Go for it.Dorothy straightened up. “I do. Is there anything wrong with me making a statement?”
“I’m just surprised that a young woman would make such a comment.” He gave her a slight bow. “And I’m flattered, Lady … forgive me, I don’t know your name. It feels a little odd having a conversation with someone when I don’t know who they are.”
“Oh. Right.” Dorothy dropped a quick curtsy. “Forgive me. I’m Dorothy Napier. My father is the Earl of Bedford.”
She immediately felt the chill, and everything seemed to go really still. His expression froze, staring at her like he had never seen her before. Now Dorothy was feeling nervous.
“Is there something wrong?”
“You’re Dorothy Napier?”
“Yes. What …?”
“I’m Lucas Dashwood.”
It took a moment for Dorothy to realise who he was. Oh, no. This was the man her parents had been trying to get her to marry? The man who refused to meet her at all? The one who made her wait an entire Season, unable to do as she truly wanted before the engagement was broken?
She couldn’t believe it. No. This handsome man who made her pulse skip was not the same man she had been pushed into an engagement with. He couldn’t be.
“I … I …” Dorothy’s confidence was suddenly gone. She didn’t know what to do or say. “I think I … I’d better go in right now.”
“Yes.” Dashwood sounded very stiff now. “Maybe you should. I think it’s best that we’re not seen alone together, given the circumstances.”
Swallowing, feeling like a fool, Dorothy went back into the house, almost tripping over the threshold. She had to get out of there before she ended up embarrassing herself further.
How had she managed to flirt with the man she had been told she was engaged to? And without a chaperone. Dorothy knew she would get into trouble if anyone found out about this. Then there would be a marriage.
That was not how Dorothy wanted it, especially not with someone who didn’t want to marry her.
Feeling a little dazed and confused, Dorothy wandered back to the library. She was almost there when the door opened, and Frederica came out. She stopped when she saw her friend.
“Dorothy? Are you well? You look pale.”
“I … I met him …”
“Met who?”
Dorothy swallowed, glancing towards the partially open door. She grabbed Frederica’s arm.
“Can we go somewhere in private?” she whispered. “I need to tell you this.”
“Of course.” Frederica looked bewildered, but she led Dorothy away. “Come with me.”
They made their way through the house and into a room on the other side, far away from everyone else. Frederica urged Dorothy to sit down on the chaise, and then she shut the door.
“Alright, we’re alone. Now tell me why you’re looking so spooked.”
“Lucas Dashwood is here.”
“I beg your pardon?”
