Abandon
Page 6
“Harriet must be wondering where I have gone. And the horses…” she trailed off as she peeked up at Aubrey. He was smiling at her, the dimple at the corner of his mouth in evidence now. “What is it?” Lucy self-consciously patted at her head, certain that she had unkempt hair or her hat tilted over one ear. That dimple, she thought, that is what had got her into so much trouble years before.
Aubrey reached out and pulled at a glossy curl that had come loose. “I have always loved your hair,” he mused. “So wild and so revealing of your character.” He gave the curl a gentle tug, then carefully tucked it behind her ear.
Lucilla was vexed. What right did he have to judge her or to pretend to know her? He had been gone for five long years, larking about the Continent without a care or concern for her while she had been here enduring trial and heartbreak. She whirled and strode past him, back to where the others and the horses were waiting.
“Wait, Lucy!” Aubrey seized her arm, pulling her back and the force turned her around, back into his arms. “What is the matter? What did I say?”
“Let me go,” she said as she pulled against his grasp and he released her. He wore a puzzled look, as if not sure why her mood had changed so suddenly and truth to tell, she was not sure why either. All at once she was tired. Aubrey knew nothing of her life for the last few years. He had left her without ever saying why he had so suddenly changed his mind about her. Now he was back and pretending as if the last five years had never happened.
“Are you angry with me?” he asked, studying her face for some hint to her mood.
“I do not think of you at all, my lord,” she replied, wanting to lash out. “Now let me go. I need to find Harriet.”
Aubrey’s lips tightened and his face lost all expression. “I will escort you back, my lady.” He placed her hand on his arm, as if they had been casually strolling along the Serpentine.
“You do remember that we are putting on an appearance for Harriet’s sake, do you not?” he drawled just before they reached the small group still chatting away. Lucy stiffened, but made no other sign than a small nod.
“Good,” he said and he led her to the group of people gathered around Harriet and George discussing the wedding. There were a few curious glances, but most ignored her. Two young ladies immediately pounced on Aubrey. Lucy pulled away, stepping back towards Harriet who was standing with George and did not appear to notice her either.
All at once she had had enough. Lucy whirled, turning back to where the groom was patiently waiting, holding onto the reins of the horses.
“My lady,” he stammered as Lucy pulled her reins away. She paused for a moment, trying to decide what to do, but the groom had his hands full and could not help. She could not get into the saddle herself without a block or a leg up. Lucy wanted to stamp her booted foot. She thought about just walking away, leaving behind her the horse, the people laughing and talking, Harriet, George, and above all, Aubrey de Vere.
“Lady Lucilla, is something amiss?” George had noticed her standing by her horse. “Are you in a hurry to go? Harriet has met some old friends but if you are in a rush, I can fetch her away.”
“No, no, it’s… I have a headache, that’s all. I don’t want to disturb Harriet.” Lucy closed her eyes and leaned against the saddle, breathing in the soothing scent of horse and leather.
“I can take you back or I can ask Lovell.” George started to turn, but Lucy whirled and caught his arm before he could go any further.
“No, if you would just give me a leg up, I can return home without bothering anyone.”
“I do not think Harriet would approve of letting you ride home by yourself, a young lady on her own.” George studied her face, startled by the desperation on Lucy’s face. Something there convinced him and he gave a sigh. “Very well, let me give you a leg up. Billy can go with you after he ties off the rest of the horses.”
Lucy squeezed his arm. “Thank you so much, George. I’ll be fine once I reach home. I do appreciate your kindness.”
George humphed and threw her up on her saddle, then said, “Be careful, my lady. Once you reach your townhouse, give Billy the mare and please take care for yourself. I’m sure that Harriet will be in touch later today.”
She nodded and turned the mare, sneaking a look, but Aubrey had his back to her and did not appear to notice that she was leaving. She urged her horse to a trot, closely followed by the groom.
Lucy disregarded the curious stares of the other riders and carriages as she passed through the gates. Her brother’s townhouse was not far. Once she reached it, she did not even wait for poor Billy, but slid down, landing on the street with a jolt. She tossed her reins to the beleaguered groom, called her thanks, and hurried up the steps. She rushed in and slammed the door behind her, then finally relaxed the tenseness in her shoulders. This had been a bad idea to come to London. If only she had known that Aubrey had returned. She would not have come within a hundred miles of the city.
A creamy envelope on the side table in the hallway caught her attention. She picked it up and sighed when she saw the wax imprint for Carlisle. Jamie must have returned. She hoped that he would not continue to press her for marriage. Still, that gave her an idea. James Lennox, Duke of Carlise, was a big man and could provide a suitable shield, at least for the next several days.
Chapter Ten
Aubrey tugged at his sleeves, already sticking in the overheated, crowded rooms of the Sedgmont’s musicale. He looked again at the entrance, trying to be subtle, but Harriet had assured him that Lucy had recovered from her headache and planned to attend tonight's performance. The violinist was supposed to be superb, although Aubrey did not believe that he would surpass some of the performers that he himself had heard during his stay in Italy.
He was still irritated that George had aided Lucy in escaping the park this morning. George insisted that Lucy had not felt well, but then why should he let her ride back alone? What if she became more unwell on the way? No, there was something that George had not told him. He tried to press him in the carriage on the way, but Harriet kept diverting the subject. She talked about the people she had met in the park, who might attend the musicale, and so on, and would not answer any questions about Lucy.
And it was not that he felt guilty about his treatment of Lucy. He had only wanted to see if he could arouse some jealousy when he had strode off to chat with the insipid Miss Bennett and Lady Amelia North. The old Lucy would not have stood for him abandoning her like that. She would have marched right over and taken his arm, establishing her hold on him. It bothered him that she would rather flee the battle and forsake her rights. Did she really no longer care about him? He thought that he had made some progress during the ride and while helping her down from the tree limb.
She had looked so beautiful with her flushed cheeks and her curls around her face as he lifted her down from that branch. It was all he could do not to kiss her right there and he thought that she might not be unwilling as well.
“There she is. Thank goodness.” Harriet was nodding her head towards the doorway. He looked up and immediately stiffened, a pain stabbing at his gut.
Lucy stood at the entrance to the room and she was beautiful. She outshone every other woman in the room. Her dress was an icy blue, covered with little pearls that matched the pearls strung through her chestnut hair. Her skin was pale and she looked like the queen of winter, remote and disdainful of those who turned to look at her. Her slender arm rested on the sleeve of that black-hearted James Lennox who was supposed to be doing his ducal duties on his estates which in Aubrey's estimation should be far away.
Aubrey clenched his fists as Harriet and George moved forward to greet the new arrivals. Lucy was smiling and looking up at Carlisle, that great buffoon, her eyes alight with triumph. She was making a point of ignoring him, but he knew that she was aware of his presence in the group.
"Carlisle, I had no idea that you were back in town." Aversley was genial and welcoming. "I thought that you
had left for the season."
The tall man almost blushed and looked down at Lucy. "Yes, that had been my intent, but I received a request that I could not and would not refuse."
Lucy lowered her eyelashes and put her hand over her mouth as she tittered, then batted her eyelashes at Carlisle. Aubrey couldn't believe his eyes. Lucilla Blount had never flirted a day in her life. She was appallingly bad at it, but the big lout straightened and patted her arm, seemingly oblivious to the falsity of her manner.
Aversley looked sideways at his betrothed and Harriet responded with a shrug. “Your Grace, I don’t believe you have met our good friend, Viscount Lovell. Lovell, this is His Grace, the Duke of Carlisle.”
Carlisle inclined his head, but Lucy pulled his attention away by tugging on his arm.
“Carlisle, I am dreadfully thirsty. Can we get some ratafia? Please?” Lucy crooned at the Duke. At this point even Carlisle was looking askance at her.
“Of course, my dear, in just a moment. I would like to speak to Lovell here for the nonce.”
Lucy’s eyes widened and Harriet rushed forward and took her arm. “Aversley, would you please get us something to drink while Lady Lucilla and I take a moment in the repairing room? I need her help with something, a flounce.” Harriet was flustered, but she sailed off arm-in-arm with Lucy while George gave a short bow and went off to do her bidding.
Carlisle was just a few inches taller than him and Aubrey hated that. He waited for Carlisle to say whatever it was that he wanted to say, but the man just stood there and looked him up and down. Aubrey risked a peek to see the back of Lucy’s head as Harriet dragged her up the stairs to the next floor where the retiring room was situated.
“Have you known Lady Lucilla long?”
Carlisle's voice startled Aubrey and brought his focus back to the man. Apparently, the big buffoon was not as dull as he appeared.
“Her brother’s lands run along the boundary of my own estate. We have known each other since we were children,” Aubrey replied.
“And you have just arrived back from the continent?”
“Yes, I was in Italy for five years.” Aubrey was getting irritated at the Duke’s inquisition, but there was not much he could do about it at present. There were people all around watching them curiously. Carlisle smirked at him as if the same realization had occurred to him also. Then he lost the grin as another thought presented itself.
“Five years? You left England five years ago?” His eyes narrowed as he waited for Aubrey’s reply.
Aubrey looked him in the eye. “Yes, Your Grace, I left England five years ago. I was under a misapprehension that caused me to leave mistakenly and I am now here to rectify that error.”
Carlisle tapped a long elegant finger against his lips while he pondered this admission. “I believe that I see.” He gave Aubrey a hard stare. “Aversley tells me that you are a good an. And if you have a reason for the hurt you did her...,” he paused as Aubrey stiffened. “Yes, I can tell it was you. Her odd manner alone would have given it away. Anyway, I expect that you will redeem yourself and treat her well if she will have you. But if you hurt her in any way I will hunt you down and see you dead in a most unpleasant manner.”
Aubrey gave a low bow, then faced the Duke. “Your Grace, I will never stop trying to make up for the damage I caused Lady Lucilla. I would be the luckiest man on earth if she would have me. And I do intend that to be our future - together.”
Carlisle winced just a little and Aubrey remembered that the man had asked for Lucy’s hand not that long before.
He said in a low voice, “I love her and I have always loved her. I will not hurt her again.”
Carlisle gave a sharp nod. “Would you please relay my regrets to Lady Lucilla? Another estate emergency has called me away and I will not be returning anytime soon. I will leave her in your capable hands.”
“Thank you, Your Grace. You need not worry. I will convey your apologies.” Carlisle spun around and headed for the door, ignoring the mamas and their daughters trying to gain his attention. Aversley arrived bearing two glasses of ratafia in time to see his back going through the doorway.
“Is Carlisle leaving?” he asked. “I thought he had just arrived. Is he taking Lady Lucilla with him?
“No, I assured him that we would bring her home in our carriage. He had an estate emergency.”
“Estate emergency? Now?”
Aubrey raised an eyebrow and George pursed his lips.
“I see.”
“See what, my dear?” Harriet and Lucy were back and Lucy did not look happy. She was turning her head furiously, seeking out her errant escort.
“What did you do with Carlisle?” she angrily asked Aubrey. “Where is he?”
Aubrey put his hands out in a conciliatory manner. “I did nothing. He asked me to tell you that another estate emergency called him away again."
George was bobbing his head. “Yes, yes, Lady Lucilla, and we are to take you home in our carriage after the musicale.”
“Which is starting now.” Harriet took George’s arm and proceeded to find seats. Aubrey laid Lucy’s arm onto his own and followed.
Lucy's chest was heaving as she tried to contain her anger, but she was not sure whom to unleash it on. She might suspect that Aubrey was the main culprit, but how could he have got rid of Carlisle? Jamie knew that she needed him here tonight. She had been most explicit with him while trying not to tell him too much. She sat next to Harriet and Aubrey took the chair on her other side.
He casually turned to look over his shoulder and his thigh pressed against her leg. Lucy gave a little gasp as heat flared in her belly, but then he turned back leaving his leg touching hers. She tried to inch away but Harriet frowned at her as the music was about to start. A thin man, Monsieur something or other, stood at the front of the room with a violin. Lucy gave up and waited for the musicale to begin. Somehow Aubrey had acquired a program and she surreptitiously tried to read what music was being performed this evening. Aubrey did not look up, but he moved the program over and held it up so she could see what it said.
“Hmm, Mozart. I prefer the Baroque period.” Lucy sniffed and settled her reticle in her lap.
“I prefer Beethoven. So much more romantic, don’t you think?” Aubrey smirked at her and tapped the program. “Ahh, but here at the end he is performing some Paganini. I heard him play when I was in Italy and he was a virtuoso. We will see if Monsieur LeTours can compare.”
Lucy eyed Aubrey curiously but then the maestro lifted his bow and began. The violinist seemed quite competent to her and she relaxed, enjoying the Violin Concerto in D Major as the music flowed around them. Almost immediately George’s head bowed and his eyes closed as he settled in for a nap. Harriet looked and rolled her eyes, but did not wake him. Aubrey, on the other hand, was rapt, thoroughly engrossed in the performance. But Aubrey was an artist and although not a musician, still sensitive to the creative world. She watched him surreptitiously when he closed his eyes, the better to absorb the music. He was clearly listening and not asleep like poor George. Lucy wondered at the sensitivity of this man who could so clearly appreciate fine arts but ignore the susceptibility of a young girl.
Chapter Eleven
The cool air outside the Sedgemont’s home was welcoming after the heat inside the music room. Lucy, Aubrey, Harriet, and George waited with other attendees for their carriage to arrive at the front of the line. George was quite refreshed after his nap and happily expounded on the virtues of violin music for sleeping versus the issues involved with applause at a musicale being a detriment to that same sleeping. Harriet was laughing merrily, not at all embarrassed at her fiancé’s faux pas. Indeed, at least half the men and a few of the older ladies had also recouped some energy from napping.
Aubrey was smiling, but he appeared distracted. He had admitted that the maestro had played the Paganini quite well, and he had acted the escort for Lucy during the intermission, fetching a drink and then staying by her side.
George’s carriage arrived and they all got in. Lucy settled next to Harriet, a little weary. She had been tense all day, waiting to hear back from Jamie. And then he had deserted her so easily. Lucy knew that she had taken advantage of him, but for him to strand her with Aubrey, well, that was beyond the pale. Of course, she could not confide the real reason she needed his escort, so he probably thought she was just being frivolous. She could not fault him in truth.
Conversation was desultory on the ride back home. It wasn’t until they reached Harriet’s home that she realized she had a dilemma. Aubrey had perked up and was watching her as Harriet stepped out of the carriage, George handing her down to escort her up her steps. But Lucy had not made a motion to get out and in the dim carriage lamps she could see Aubrey waiting for an explanation. Even if she stepped down from the carriage here, it was too late and too dark for her to walk the three blocks to her brother’s townhouse all alone.
George stepped back into the carriage and sat next to Aubrey. He smiled and said, “Since you are both residing next door to each other for the time being, there is just one more stop until I can find my own pillow.” He chuckled and added, “As if I haven’t got enough sleep tonight.”
Lucy nodded with a small smile, determined not to respond as Aubrey’s eyebrows rose higher on his forehead. George was a wonderful man, so sweet and perfect for Harriet, but she should have anticipated this dilemma. If Carlisle had taken her home, she would not have any issues. The events of the evening had really discomposed her.