An American Lady

by Emma Brady

  “I just might have to do that. That doesn’t tell me why you are here.”

  Lucas wanted to wipe that grin off the man’s face. “Meeting with someone for business.”

  “You mean the competition? I know that new American is staying here.”

  That got his attention and Lucas looked at Michael more closely. “How do you know that? You don’t pay attention to anyone without a title.”

  “This one is different. His connection to the duke’s granddaughter has made him the topic of a lot of gossip. I try to stay current on what people are saying.”

  “Especially when you think there might be something useful to you in it.”

  “It’s easier to play the game if you know all the players.” Michael gave him a wink.

  “You still haven’t stopped your courtship? I believe she has turned you down already.” Lucas could remember how firm Sinclair was about it and winced.

  “I’m still working on it. I just need to find the right angle.”

  Lucas wanted to pull the man up by his throat and tell him to stay away from her, but that would cause a scene. Instead he just glared at the man in hopes of getting his message across. Michael was oblivious to the mood Lucas was in continued to talk.

  “I don’t blame you from wanting to get a look at the new man. He’s become popular in a short time.” said Michael.

  “Have you met him?” Lucas might as well get what he could from the situation.

  “No, but I have seen him coming and going. Young gentleman with an air of the working class about him. He wasn’t born into privilege.” Michaelmoved away from Lucas and towards the stairs. “Seems to be fitting in nicely. With Miss Brown’s help of course.”

  That made sense if Sinclair’s father was also someone who had climbed his way up in society. That probably impressed Sinclair, which explained why she admired the man so much. Lucas let Michael leave so he could be vexed on his own.

  Chapter 15

  That night’s entertainment was to be a musicale with Sinclair playing the piano. Her grandparents didn’t know how poorly she played and she wasn’t going to enlighten them. Charlotte was unfortunately going to sing though she had a large case of stage fright and the twins were playing violin. Only Maria was lucky enough to escape the mortification by her lack of musical skill.

  “I hope no one in the audience is a lover of music, or they will be sadly disappointed,” Sinclair grumbled, fidgeting beneath the confines of her corset.

  Her grandmother’s maid had meticulously dressed Sinclair for the night’s event. The sleeves of the dark blue dress that fell gracefully off her shoulders allowing the neckline to dip across her bosom, making it appear fuller. The skirt was decorated with pieces of black lace pinned up in cascading layers. She wasn’t going to be able to fool them again with a lie about tumbling down the stairs. The maid hovered in the corner, waiting while Sinclair finished preparing, then followed closely until she was downstairs.

  “My mother is bitterly upset that I am unable to perform,” Maria said, standing with her friends “She practically wailed about it all afternoon.”

  “She could hardly be surprised, considering you don’t even play an instrument.” said Charlotte.

  “That fact upsets her even more.”

  “Why didn’t she hire a tutor for you before you had a season?”

  “She did, more than once, but I frightened them off by putting worms down their gowns.”

  All four women laughed out loud until tears came to their eyes. Even the maid stifled a smile. Sinclair was barely able to breathe when they stopped.

  “I should have thought of that,” Sinclair gasped, wiping the tears of joy from her eyes, “It would have saved my housekeeper hours of miserable music.”

  “You are that bad?” Charlotte looked at her incredulously.

  Sandra Brown had hoped desperately that music lessons might soften her daughter into more of a lady. Yet hours of patient practice could do nothing to help her. Her mother had been forced to give up and admit defeat.

  “I’m completely tone deaf.” said Sinclair.

  “That poor audience,” said Maria.

  All four girls nodded solemnly, knowing that tonight would be painful for those in attendance

  “Sinclair, darling.” Her grandmother came towards her, practically dragging Lucas behind her.

  His face was drawn together and he glared at everyone in the room, but averted his eyes from her. Sinclair wasn’t the only one who remembered their recent mistakes. Lillith seemed to ignore his obvious discomfort and smiled brightly at the group of girls.

  “I was just telling the earl about how wonderful tonight’s music will be.” said her grandmother.

  “You’ll make me blush.” Sinclair felt guilty that she would dash the woman’s hopes.

  “If you take after my side of the family, we will all be truly impressed.”

  She started to say something but was interrupted by her grandfather tapping her shoulder. Turning, Sinclair was dismayed to find Michael standing there beside him. Both men were beaming at her. She glanced back and forth between the two men with drawn eyebrows. By this time she would have thought the viscount would get the idea that she was not interested in his attention and take it elsewhere. Even doing him bodily harm hadn’t dampened his pursuit. Sinclair winced when he bent to kiss her gloved hand.

  “Michael, I’m surprised you would attend something as dull as this. I hope you remember how to mind your manners in such a setting.” said Lucas.

  An evil glint burned in the earl’s eye as he stepped up beside her. The viscount was taken aback for a moment before replying. The smug smile Michael gave Lucas turned Sinclair’s stomach. There was a lot more than just polite conversation being passed between the two gentlemen.

  “I wouldn’t want to miss this. I promise to be on my best behavior.” said Michael.

  “That still doesn’t bode well.”

  “I’m not the one spending my days around the docks.” He smiled. “Unlike you. If one of us has dirty hands, it won’t be me.”

  For a moment Lucas appeared to lose control of himself and lurched forward. Instinctively Sinclair placed a hand on his arm to stop him. Michael noticed the tiny gesture and the smile vanished from his face. A bright red color crept up from his collar and ignited in the angry glint of his eyes.

  “Perhaps we should begin the musical portion of the evening,” her grandmother suggested, unaware there was about to be bloodshed in her parlor. Sinclair was the only one who saw the animosity between the two men.

  “May I walk you in?”

  The deep timber of Lucas’s voice held a hint of challenge in it. He was asking her to choose and she felt it was important to answer him. Slowly, Sinclair lifted her arm and placed it on his. The bright smile he rewarded her with stole her breath for a moment. Sometimes she forgot what a handsome man he was.

  “It would be my pleasure.” Sinclair cast a glance at Michael who clenched his jaw in anger.

  “No, the pleasure is mine.”

  Those words were enough to make her face grow warm. She could feel her body tingling with excitement as he stared at her. It was as if his eyes were stroking her bare skin.

  Flashing a victorious smile at Michael, who stood with his mouth hanging open, Lucas slowly began to lead her towards the ballroom. Sinclair wanted desperately to ask him a dozen questions about what had happened between them in the park, but they were getting close to the crowded ballroom. Anxious to talk to him alone, Sinclair caught him off guard by pulling him into a nearby closet.

  “What the devil?”

  The tiny space was pitch black and a broom handle was pressed into the back of her dress. Lucas bumped his head against the low ceiling and she heard him groan. The width of his chest surrounded her and she could hardly breathe, but at least they were alone.

  “I needed to talk to you,” she whispered, trying to sound calm.

  “In a closet?”

  “I couldn
’t think of any other way to get you alone.”

  Lucas cursed again and she wondered if I was because he bumped his head. Concerned, she reached up to touch his face but he flinched away. Confused, she let her hand drop back down to her side. He wasn’t going to make this conversation easy for her.

  “This is not a good idea,” he mumbled, fumbling for the door knob but not finding it in the dark.

  “I have to know what this thing is between us.”

  “That isn’t appropriate to talk about in a dark closet.”

  “Why?”

  “Because you are not going to like the answers.”

  His chest heaved with a heavy sigh that spread warm air across her neck. It felt wonderful and she found her body leaning in closer to him. The warmth filled the small space, melting her against him.

  “The two of us are getting too close to doing something we will regret.” said Lucas.

  “How do you know we will regret it?” Sinclair had thought she might enjoy it.

  “You deserve more than to be used by a man who does not want to marry you.” Lucas said, giving up his search for a way out and becoming motionless.

  “I know you find me attractive.” Something about being in the dark gave Sinclair the confidence to be bold. “I find you alluring.”

  “You are not the kind of woman I could ever marry, regardless of how attractive I might find you.”

  “Because I’m strong.”

  “Because you are stubborn.”

  “So are you.”

  “That’s how I can recognize the trait. You don’t want to be married and neither do I, but if we continue letting this attraction drag us in, that will end up being the outcome.”

  “Oh.”

  Confusion muddled her thoughts, but she was too proud to ask for further explanation. If he could so easily dismiss her, then she could return the feeling. Sinclair flung open the door and rushed away from the closet. She didn’t even turn to see his expression, too worried it might match her own disappointment.

  SITTING IN ONE OF THE tiny upholstered chairs, Lucas felted trapped. He was surrounded by women in evening gowns and perfume. They sighed and tittered, sending invitations with their eyes. Some of the bolder ones even wetted their lips for him. Still, his eyes focused on the center of the room.

  His sister stood as still and pale as a ghost, singing in the wrong pitch. Her hands were clutching at her skirt with damp palms. Only the terrible wailing from the piano was enough to draw attention away from her. Lucas had never heard such awful music.

  “It is such a shame,” whispered a painted matron sitting in front of him, “A beauty like that is such a dreadful piano player.”

  “No one can have everything,” answered her friend.

  “Yes, but why did they display her lack of talent?”

  Lucas had a suspicion he knew why. It was all part of her grand plan to remain a spinster. It seemed to be working on most of the gentlemen in the room. They were fools not to see what a sparkling creature she was. Frustrated, Lucas made his way out of the crowded ballroom.

  “You couldn’t stand it either?”

  Lucas hadn’t noticed Davonport standing in the empty hallway. The old man stood with a glass of brandy in his hand. Gray hair stuck out on the sides of his head, giving him a disheveled look. It must have been difficult to watch his granddaughter put on such a display.

  “Someone should have warned the audience.” Lucas smiled for the other man’s benefit, “Whose insane idea was this?”

  “My wife’s, but Sinclair assured us she could play.”

  “Apparently she can play, just poorly.”

  Davonport winced at the truth and Lucas felt guilty. It wasn’t the old man’s fault he’d been outsmarted by his own granddaughter. Sinclair had a skill for making men look like fools.

  “I think we should escape to another room before Lillith finds us here and drags us back.” said Davonport.

  “Splendid idea.”

  The duke motioned for Lucas to follow him into a darkened study. A fire burned softly in the fireplace, casting the only light in the room. Davonport took a seat in one of the two large, leather chairs sitting before the mahogany fireplace. Just as he’d done many times, Lucas took the seat beside him.

  “Your sister seems to have blossomed since the start of the season.” said Davonport, relaxing now that they were alone. “She isn’t the same frightened girl who made a mess of her first ball.”

  “It is the influence of your granddaughter. Sinclair has taught Charlotte how to ignore everyone else’s opinion.”

  The old man chuckled in agreement.

  “She is a handful,” he said, “She reminds me so much of her mother when she outsmarts me.”

  “You must have had your hands full back then.”

  “It was blissful though.”

  Lucas could almost imagine Sinclair as a little girl with dark ringlets and rosy cheeks. His chest tightened as he thought about her having a daughter of her own. In his mind the little girl had her mother’s locks but eyes the color of clear emeralds. He shook his head to clear the image away.

  “Your mother used to run wild with her,”Davonport continued. “They would play in the orchard near our country home and terrorize the kitchen. It was seldom you’d find one without the other.”

  “I find it difficult to imagine my mother being so free.” The only memories he had were of his mother cowering under his father’s anger. Their marriage had been painful for them both.

  “Things change, I suppose.” said Davonport.

  “What changed their friendship?”

  The lines of age deepened a little on the duke’s face as he tried to remember those long ago days. A sad expression momentarily crossed his face, shadowing his eyes. Then he blinked and was once again in good spirits.

  “Your father did not approve of your mother’s friendship with Sandra.” Davonport said slowly.

  “My father did not approve of most things my mother did.”

  “He thought she would encourage Elizabeth to be rebellious.”

  “I wish she had.”

  Davonport paused and stared at Lucas for a long moment. He could sense the old man had something he wanted to say, but struggled with it. Lucas patiently waited for Davonport to speak.

  “My daughter did once try to get your mother to run away.”

  The words were said slowly but Lucas could barely comprehend what was being said. Lucas had known that what the duke would say might shock him, but he was unprepared for this. He could feel his eyes widen as he stared at Davonport in disbelief.

  “When she ran away to America, Sandra sent a letter with money in it to Elizabeth. They were to meet on the boat at midnight.”

  “My mother never left.” Lucas wished she had.

  “Your father caught her before she could leave and locked her in her room.”

  Now Lucas could recall faint memories that matched the story. “I remember her crying and begging to be let out.”

  “You were four at the time.”

  Shaking his head, Davonport stood and began to pour a large glass of brandy. Lucas accepted it quietly and sipped the amber liquid slowly. His mind whirled as he remembered the sound of his mother pleading from the other side of the door. Days later, when she emerged she was different. His mother had never smiled again after that. A few years later she passed away and he remembered thinking she was at peace.

  “That man was a monster.” Lucas growled the words.

  “I know you cannot understand his reasons, but your father thought he was doing the right thing.” said Davonport.

  “Keeping her like a prisoner?”

  “Your father loved her too much to risk losing her.”

  “He crushed her spirit.”

  Lucas could still remember the way she would shrink in the presence of his father, like a candle flickering out. Love became an obsession and both people suffered. Better to avoid it all together than become a slave to it.


  The duke nodded, watching Lucas in cautious silence. The earl’s face tightened until a flinch was felt in his jaw. He never liked to speak about his father because it always brought out a rage he struggled to control.

  “The man didn’t even leave anything behind for his children when he died. He spent everything on booze and gambling, so that we would still be suffering after he was gone.”

  Bitterness rang in his voice, but Lucas could barely hear himself. His mind just kept going back to the pitiful life his mother had endured for her husband. Knowing that she could have escaped made it that much worse.

  “My steward says you have paid off all your debts recently.” Davonport, settlled back into his seat next to Lucas.

  “All but the money you loaned me to go into business.”

  “You hardly need to worry about paying that back. You are practically family.”

  Lucas had only accepted the thousand pounds offered to him by the duke because he was desperate. Creditors were threatening to evict him and take everything they had. It would have meant disaster for Charlotte’s season. He’d sworn to pay his old friend back as soon as his business investments became profitable.

  “You should still expect the money to arrive soon. Profits are coming in quickly now.”

  Davonport shrugged, sipping his brandy with a smile.

  “I always knew you would become successful,” the duke said, “If only your mother could see the proud young man you have become.”

  Lucas knew the old man had a fondness for him that was equally returned. Many times since his mother’s death, Lucas had turned to Davonport when he needed the support his own father couldn’t offer.

  “Do you think she would approve of the way I live?”

  “She would want you to be happy, gentleman or tradesman.”

  “Unlike society, which looks down on me for earning a living.”

  A knock on the door was heard, followed by Frederick’s calm voice. “The performance is almost over, sir.”

  “That can only mean my wife sent him in here after me.” said Davonport.

  “How did she know?”

  “Women have the irritating habit of knowing everything, or at least thinking they do.”