Anything but Innocent

by Dayna Quince

  Anything But Innocent

  Hot Historical Romance

  Dayna Quince

  Copyright © 2014 by Dayna Quince

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Contact Dayna at daynaquince.com

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  Created with Vellum

  Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Sneak Peek!

  Newsletter Sign up

  About the Author

  Also by Dayna Quince

  Prologue

  Lucille, you are hereby banished from London and the season until I deem you mature enough to behave in a manner befitting of your breeding.”

  “Father, please. When has breeding ever improved one’s behavior?”

  “If your great grandmama were alive, she’d be disgusted.” Lucy’s mother whimpered.

  Lucy wished to roll her eyes but refrained. The great grandmamma guilt was overused.

  “What on earth gave you the notion of pushing Lord Whippet in the fountain? In front of the whole of society, for that matter?”

  “Would you rather I’d done it in private?” Lucy asked dryly.

  She glanced up timidly when silence answered her remark. Her father was red about the gills. His eyes narrowed at her in that insufferable manner that she knew to mean he found her behavior insufferable. She sighed in remorse.

  “Go to your room until you are summoned. Marigold will pack your belongings, and we will depart for York as hastily as possible.”

  “That will look suspicious,” her mother said.

  “She pushed the damn man in the fountain, Augusta. It already is suspicious. Is there anything else we need to know?”

  Lucy scoffed. The whole situation was absurd. “No.”

  Her father shook his head and turned his back to her. Lucy stared at his reddening neck in angry silence for only a moment before turning on her heel and quitting the room. Her father was extremely upset. She could see that. But banishment? Why is she to blame for one man’s foolish behavior? She stomped petulantly as she climbed the stairs. There had to be more to this exile than a simple shove in a fountain—well, there was. The man had been down on his knees, for Christ sake. Everyone was looking, staring, and laughing while he clung to her skirts and professed his undying love. What was she to do? Surely not agree?

  All the blame would fall on her shoulders and not the buffoon who sought to trap her into marriage with a public proposal. To add to her temper, she would have to leave Thea behind. She couldn’t ask her to abandon the rest of the season, too.

  Lucy reached her room. Marigold was already there with her trunks.

  “I suppose you’ve been told everything?”

  Marigold nodded sadly. “All the staff knows, but we agree with you. That man was inappropriate to demand marriage in such a way.”

  “I wish my father would see it that way. All he sees is the potential scandal. Pushing a man into a fountain may have been scandalous, but Scandal is fodder for the papers and then it fades. Had I agreed, I’d have to live with that fool for the rest of my life. But does my father care? No. All he cares about is the repercussions to his good name.”

  Marigold nodded. “Believe me, I understand. It was not long ago that I was in a very similar situation, but my consequences were much more severe.”

  Lucy paused in her agitated pacing and looked at Marigold. She had only been her lady’s maid for six months, but they had grown close in that time. Marigold was not the traditional lady’s maid. She was exotic. Her skin was a warm brown, and she sometimes had an accent when she talked quickly. But Lucy had never asked where Marigold hailed from. Lucy sat on her bed. “I’m sorry you went through such a thing.”

  The maid shrugged. “I am glad to be far away from my homeland and from my father. Women are treated much differently there.”

  “You must think me a selfish child.”

  “No.” Marigold turned and met Lucy’s gaze. “You are lucky, but that doesn’t lessen the pain of knowing your life is not your own.”

  Lucy dropped her gaze. She felt like she was being treated like a child. There were shadows in Marigolds eyes that Lucy only now noticed. Wherever she had come from, whomever she had escaped, it was far worse than Lucy could have imagined. Lucy lived in a rosy bubble of privilege. She knew that, but she’d never tried to see past it.

  “I should appreciate a stay in the country then. The season has nothing to offer anyhow.”

  “You did not like this suitor?”

  “No. We danced one time. It is my understanding he is in need of a rich wife. A fortune hunter, our society calls the likes of him.”

  Marigold shook her head in distaste. “And he thought humiliation would woo you?”

  “He thought to trick me. Tis all it was. Humiliate me into agreeing. Why can’t my father see that? I should have bloodied his nose as well as push him into the fountain.”

  “What will your brother do?”

  “I can count on Jonathan to have a word with him to make sure he won’t bother me further. I wish my father would care as much.”

  “Perhaps you will find a husband in the country?” Marigold offered as she closed one trunk and began the next.

  “I doubt it. There is nothing to do in the country but ride horses, take walks, and read.” Lucy pouted.

  “That sounds lovely.”

  “I know. But Thea won’t be with me. She will have to attend parties with her aunts and they treat her poorly.”

  “Can she visit?”

  “Father will say no. He will wish to punish me. It will be Thea who will be punished. I shall appeal to my mother. She knows of Thea’s situation.”

  “Then all is not lost.”

  “The rest of the season will be lost. Dancing, meeting interesting gentlemen whom I have yet to meet. What if I miss the one man who may suddenly become interesting?”

  Marigold laughed. “If he is meant to be yours, he will wait for you. I think I have a way to make our stay in the country more enjoyable, but you have to promise you will tell no one what we do.”

  Lucy perked up. She loved mischief. “I promise.”

  “It’s a style of dancing from my country. It is not done by women of noble birth—not openly, but we all learn a bit.”

  Lucy didn’t react to the revelation that her lady’s maid was of noble birth in her country. There was a mysterious past that Marigold was obviously hiding. “Go on?”

  “I could lose my place here if we are caught.”

  “I know I don’t always behave so, but I can be discreet.”

  Marigold smiled. “To the country, we will go.”

  “And great fun will be had.” Lucy grinned.

  Chapter 1
>
  Lucy leaned over the balustrade as Thea poured her a cup of tea. It was a fine morning. The day would be hot, but the morning was still cool even though the bright rays of the sun held warmth. She sighed blissfully. She wasn’t missing the city after all. Her mother had allowed Thea to keep her company, and Marigold had kept her promise. Lucy didn’t have a care about the delights of London. The country was proving to be just as delightful.

  She looked out over the expanse of lawn, the stables off in the distance and past the rolling hills. She could see it all from the south terrace, a charming picture of country living. Her brother was due back at any moment. He had promised to take them riding.

  The only drawback to her exile was the constant chaperone of her brother that her parents insisted on. As if he had a moral compass more sound than hers, Lucy flicked a fallen leaf in annoyance.

  She saw him striding up the lawn, waving obnoxiously. Lucy turned her back to him. She loved that she could still poke his temper by ignoring him.

  “I see your brother has returned,” Thea said from her seat. “Who is his friend?”

  Lucy turned back toward the lawn. Who was that man? She squinted, shielding her eyes from the glare of the sun. She couldn’t make out any identifying features at their present distance.

  Lucy shrugged. “I don’t recognize him.”

  Thea went back to the paper she was reading and sipped her tea.

  Lucy continued to watch the gentlemen. She lost sight of them below the steps that lead to the lower lawn. Soon, they would reappear again at the top of the steps. Two bobbing heads appeared, first her brother and then a head of a dusty blond hair. He’d removed his hat, allowing the sun to shine upon his face.

  Lucy sucked in a breath.

  She’d never seen him before. She would never forget a face like his. It was beautiful. Masculine, but coyly adorable. His smile with one side of his mouth, a charming, crooked smiled, speaking words she was too far to hear.

  She didn’t know why, but she was very aware of her breathing, and her heart was beating erratically with every step he took toward her. A wave of heat swallowed her.

  He looked away from her brother and toward her. Their eyes caught. He walked with a loose saunter, a stride of ease and arrogance. He was taller than her brother by half a head.

  An awareness took hold of her. As they drew ever closer, he still held her complete attention. Lucy had an odd sensation of losing her balance though she stood perfectly still. She panicked, swiftly turning and darting toward her empty chair next to Thea. She crashed into her seat, as graceful as a bull, and promptly slid right off the polished wood. She landed on her rear beside Thea’s legs.

  “Goodness!” Thea cried. “What has come over you?”

  Lucy sat in stunned silence as the scuff of footsteps brought her brother and his friend up onto the terrace.

  “I slipped off my chair,” Lucy grumbled as she pulled herself up and reclaimed her seat carefully.

  “You wouldn’t have if you—” Thea stopped.

  Lucy sent a blessing to the heavens for Thea’s good sense.

  “Miss Manton, my dear sister.”

  Jonathan had that strained tone of voice that meant he was trying very hard not to laugh. Lucy’s head snapped in his direction, and she did her very best not to snarl, but instead, employed a practiced and perfectly bland smile.

  “You’ve met Lord Winchester before, yes?”

  Lucy frowned and turned to Thea. “I don’t believe we have.”

  “We met while riding on the Heath. I had a beard at the time,” he answered.

  Lucy was taken aback. It couldn’t be the same man, could it? “I beg your pardon. I did not recognize you, my lord.”

  She was unnerved by him. That happened very rarely to her. Men were easy creatures to understand, but this one…he was different. She should heed the warning her body was giving her, but instead, she was intrigued.

  “What brings you all the way to York, my lord?”

  “I’m taking a respite from my travels, Lady Lucy.” He cocked his head to the side and squinted at her like he was amused by her. Lucy didn’t like it.

  “And his mistress,” Rigsby quipped as he took his seat next to his sister. “If you would please, Thea.”

  “Certainly.” Thea poured him a cup of tea.

  Lucy smiled behind her teacup as she watched Lord Winchester swallow uncomfortably and take his seat.

  “I didn’t think that bit of news appropriate for the present company,” he grumbled to Jonathan.

  “It’s only Lucy and Thea. I’ve corrupted Lucy, and she’s corrupted Thea. There’s no use pretending otherwise.”

  “Exactly. I’m escaping a mister, and you’re escaping a mistress. They are almost the same thing.” Lucy shrugged daintily.

  “I highly doubt it. What reason could you possibly have to escape a man when you have the protection of your brother and father to shield you?”

  Lucy stiffened under his condescending tone. “What reason do you have for needing to escape a woman, feeble as we are?” She raised a brow in challenge.

  “My apologies if I implied—”

  Lucy waved away his apology. “Do continue. You won’t find delicate ears here.”

  Lord Winchester gave her brother a look. “Be that as it may…”

  “Lucy is banished for tossing Lord Whippet in a pond.” Jonathan blurted.

  “I did not toss—” Lucy cocked her head to the side. “No, I do believe I could toss him if I wished to, but I did not. And it was a fountain that I pushed him into. Not a pond.”

  Jonathan chuckled. Thea shook her head and sipped her tea without comment.

  Lord Winchester blinked at her. She felt like a strange bug under his magnify glass.

  “I think it best to refrain from topics of mistresses for the moment.”

  “Congratulations, Jonathan. You’ve befriended a prude,” Lucy smirked.

  Jonathan snorted. “Prude? Couldn’t be farther from the—”

  There was a thump from under the table. Jonathan grimaced. “Very well. Lucy and Thea are on holiday for the season, and so are you, Winchester. May we have some tea and discuss other things now?”

  “Will you be staying long?” Lucy tried to sound as bored an unaffected as he did.

  “I haven’t decided.”

  Good, Lucy thought. She sipped her tea and gathered her thoughts. She didn’t like feeling out of her element when normally handling men was her element. But with him, five minutes in his presence and she suddenly felt she felt young and stupid. She’d already tripped all over herself over his good looks. Now she needed to find her feet again so she could converse with him like a normal person of intelligent faculties. How else was she to impress upon him her better qualities?

  Did she wish to impress him? Oh yes. He was the exact sort of man town life had been depleted of. Strong, edges made hard by the world outside London ballrooms. He wasn’t some dandy or a rake who preyed on the weak-minded widows and spinster daughters. He was a man.

  “Where have you traveled?” Thea asked.

  God bless Thea. She could ask all the questions Lucy wanted to know, and she wouldn’t be affected like Lucy was.

  “I’ve spent a great deal of time in Asia, India more specifically, and Egypt.”

  “How exciting. Have you seen the sphinxes?” Thea asked.

  “That I have. A marvel of human ingenuity.”

  Thea continued to pepper him with questions, and Lucy observed silently. She needed to revise his current impression of her, but she didn’t know how. When the volley of conversation stopped, Lucy decided to proceed with her best tactic for drawing a man’s attention. Ignoring him.

  “Jonathan, do you still plan to take us riding?”

  “Yes.” Jonathan eyed her warily. “Why do you ask?”

  “Well, it was clear you came from the stables. I was only wondering. We are perfectly able to go ourselves.” Lucy could feel Lord Winchester’s gaze on her.
>
  “No, Father made me swear I would watch over you,” Jonathan admonished. “I will take you riding.”

  Lucy looked at Thea. “Are you ready?”

  Thea nodded. Lucy stood and smoothed the skirts of her habit. It was ruby red and hugged her waist in a way that made her feel womanly. She ran her hands down the sides of her torso hoping to draw his attention to her figure. She moved to turn away and paused. “Oh—Lord Winchester, you are welcome to join us if you wish.” She smiled benignly.

  “Thank you, Lady Lucy, but my horse needs a day of rest, as do I.”

  “Good day, then, Lord Winchester,” Lucy said affably and turned to her brother.

  “I’ll meet you at the stable, Lucy. Winchester, I’ll show you inside and Mrs. Gabe will set you up in a room.”

  “Good day, Lord Winchester,” Thea echoed.

  “Good day, Miss Manton, Lady Lucy.”

  “Please, call me Lucy. I loathe formalities this far from London,” Lucy had to add.

  He nodded noncommittally, and Lucy had no other option but to turn away with Thea or look like a bigger fool.

  They descended the steps, both silent until well out of earshot.

  “What on earth went on back there?” Thea said without turning to Lucy.

  “I’m not sure, but I think I’ve fallen in love,” Lucy said with trepidation.

  This time, Thea did look at her. “You don’t look very pleased about that.”

  “It’s a very uncomfortable feeling. I’ve met my match, and he thinks I’m a spoiled brat.”

  “He can’t think that from what little time you’ve spent together.”

  Lucy pulled Thea to a halt. “He is a man who’s seen the world, Thea. He can see right through me.”