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“You are?”
“Of course. I don’t want to be married to a child who throws a tantrum.”
Lucas bristled.
“That’s not what happened.”
“That’s what it sounded like,” she shot back. “I understand you were not happy about it, but you wasted my time. I waited a full Season for a wedding that would never happen. I could have been out and about meeting someone else who could love and appreciate me better than you ever could. You wasted my time.”
Lucas felt like he was being scolded by his mother. He scowled.
“I tried to get out of the engagement earlier. If my parents hadn’t been so stubborn, you would have been free to carry on as before.”
“And if you hadn’t been so childish, you could have at least met me so we could make the decision together.” Dorothy’s tone was stern. “You couldn’t even give me the dignity of meeting me at least once.”
Now that Lucas had winced at. She did have a point; he had behaved badly, and she had taken the brunt of it even though she didn’t do anything wrong. He was beginning to feel two feet tall.
He took a deep breath.
“I do apologise for the way I behaved, Lady Dorothy. You didn’t deserve that.”
“No. I didn’t.” Dorothy turned away. “Don’t approach me again while we’re here, Lord Dashwood. I think it’s best you keep your distance.”
“Are you sure?”
She didn’t answer. She just went down the stairs, looking cool and collected. Lucas watched her go, wishing he could make her smile and not be angry at her.
She wanted him to keep away from her. And Lucas didn’t think he could do that.
#
“Who wants to play a game of cards?” Lady Derbyshire asked brightly.
There was a slight murmur around the room. Half of the guests had come to the library hoping to find something to read. Most of the chairs were taken, everyone with a book in their hands.
Sitting in the window seat, Dorothy would have been content to read a book all afternoon. She did like reading. But she also liked a game of cards, especially when she was winning. That was her favourite part of playing; her parents had taught her how to play, and Dorothy enjoyed outplaying everyone as a result.
A few of the guests looked interested, as did Gabriel. He caught Dorothy’s eye and grinned with a nod. He was in for a game. Dorothy looked at Lady Derbyshire, who was looking around at everyone hopefully.
“I’d like to play, My Lady,” she said.
“As would I,” added Gabriel.
“Perfect!” Lady Derbyshire perked up. “We have a table big enough for six, so that’s three of us already. Now, Mr Cowper, would you like to play? And I see Baron Chadwick nodding as well …”
“I’d like to play as well.”
Dorothy jumped when she heard Dashwood’s voice. Turning, she glared at him at his current position by the fire, his legs crossed as he gave Lady Derbyshire a smile that would make any woman simper. It was certainly drawing Lady Marcia in, sitting beside him with a sly smile.
Dorothy ignored the knot in her stomach. She was not going to get upset over Dashwood being with another woman. He wasn’t her fiance anymore, so she had no say.
Even so …
“That’s great.” Lady Derbyshire stood up. “Let’s set up. My husband will keep score for us, so we can simply focus on the game.”
The marquess looked bemused as he closed his book.
“You’re offering me up without my input, darling?”
