AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Their small gathering laughed at the chagrinned expression on Stanwell. Lucinda excused herself and twisted through the crowd, escaping into the cool night air. The conversation only pricked at her heart and reminded her of the blasted dare. This was the third day of the week-long party, and if she had followed the plan, perhaps she and the earl would have been in one of their rooms now, discovering if passion could exist between people whose hearts were not entwined but at least liked and owned to mutual admiration, perhaps friendship.
She walked towards a section of the estate that had a large swing mounted on a towering oak behind a fenced garden. The night air was chilled, and she drew her shawl closer around her shoulders and ran toward the swing. Once there, she sat, pushing her feet into the ground, and rocking herself back and forth. Laughter and music wafted on the night air from inside, and a smile touched her mouth. Peering up in the vast sky, the star-studded beauty enthralled her for several moments. She could still hear the murmur of lingering guests in the distance, though no one was visible from her point of view. Lucinda stilled as she felt the presence of someone behind her.
“It was not my intention to intrude on your private moment. I hope you’ll forgive the interruption of your peace,” a low voice drawled.
The Earl of Chisholm.
Lucinda was not entirely sure what to say at the moment. There was something about him that ruffled her composure. “I do not feel intruded upon, my lord. I daresay there is nothing to forgive.”
“I shall take that as an invitation to sit beside you.”
Before she could rebuff that it was anything but that, he came into her view, prowling like a sleek panther. His expression was carefully composed as he sat on the swing. “This is the first night I am seeing you out here.”
At that moment, she gathered that she intruded upon what might be a nightly routine for the earl. “Yes.”
“Unusual and curious.”
Lucinda smiled. “I have been wanting to experience this swing but did not venture out before.”
Silence fell between them, and she took a quick sideways peek at him. The earl was cutting the end off a cheroot.
Sensing her regard, he softly said, “Will I offend your sensibilities if I light it, Lady Darby?”
Amusement rushed through Lucinda. It hovered on her tongue to confess she and Theo had indulged in a cheroot a few times; however, she wisely kept her counsel. “I am made of sterner stuff, Lord Chisholm; there are no delicate nerves to ruffle if you enjoy your cheroot.”
A ghost of a smile edged his mouth, but he made no reply. It was then she noted his cheek was slightly reddened as if…
“You were slapped!”
His low chuckle was rich with amusement. “Ah yes, not all ladies appreciate their delightful charms being refused.”
A flash of insight struck her. “You refused Lady Jensen?”
He arched a brow. “She told you of her plans, hmm?”
“No, but I saw how she looked at you earlier. She is a beauty, and there was a hint of something…familiar between you when a smile was shared. I never thought the countess a lady given to violence.”
“In my experience, the fairer sex defies all sense of logic,” the earl said with a caustic bite.
His unwavering stare felt almost intimate. “So you were watching me, Lady Darby.”
“I am merely observant,” she pertly replied, and added, rolling her eyes for good measure. “I observed everyone in the drawing room and how they behaved to each other’s presence.” Though she was quite used to the mild flirtations of gentlemen, Lucinda felt as if she were navigating uncharted waters. Was he flirting with her? Then because she could not escape the burning curiosity, Lucinda asked, “Why did you refuse her?”
The corner of his mouth hitched in a small smile. “The charming countess and I already had a night together a few years ago. I thought it needless to repeat it, which seems to have given offense.”
“Are you saying you never take the same lady to your bed twice?”
“Yes. To prevent any attachment from forming,” he drawled.
Lucinda spluttered a short laugh. “What conceit!”
“Charming conceit,” he murmured, yet there was a throb in his tone which said there was more to the story. “I understand you were married twice before, viscountess.”
“Yes,” she said after a brief hesitation.
“You do not seem a day over four and twenty. How is that possible, Lady Darby.”
A light chuckle tore from her. “They both did not last long.”
