Abandon (10 page)

Lucy waited in the drawing room with the rest of the house party for dinner to be announced. Aubrey had entered after her, but was waylaid by Lady Charlotte and two other young ladies that she did not recognize. He had sent her a beseeching look, but he was too much the gentleman to abandon the young ladies. Or at least that was what Lucy hoped.

She had wanted to spend some time with him during the day, but there was not a chance to even talk except for brief pleasantries as they passed each other. All of the invited guests had finally arrived and Harriet’s things had been moved into her room. Harriet was all nervous chatter as they prepared for the evening, her maid helping both the women with their hair and dresses.

Harriet was moving around the room, ensuring that her guests had what they needed. She was quite composed, much different from earlier, the perfect hostess and even George’s mother looked proud of her graciousness and tact. She would make George an excellent wife. If he decided to run for a Parliamentary seat, Harriet would assist him every step of the way.

The butler announced that dinner was ready. Lucy rose but dawdled, hoping that Aubrey would make his way over to where she was standing. If he escorted her into the dining room, then he would sit next to her and they could converse during dinner. Lucy was famished for his company. There were only a few more days until she left for home and she wanted every minute with him that she could get.

Her face fell as she saw one of the young ladies take a determined hold of his arm. He did not even glance at her as he led the young lady into the dining room.

“My lady, may I escort you into dinner?”

Lucy looked up startled. Lord Blakesley stood at her side, his arm out to lead her after the others. She took his arm and walked with him, allowing him to seat her and spread her napkin when he sat down next to her. Lady Charlotte was on her other side and Aubrey sat further down the table on the opposite side, a pretty young lady on either side of him. Lucy looked away as a pang went through her. Apparently, he was done with her and was moving on to greener pastures, perhaps inspecting the field for an eligible wife.

Blakesley gave her a charming smile. Lucy smiled back and looked down, adjusting her napkin. Generally, when men decided to seduce her, they gave her a similar look. But Blakesley was Aubrey’s friend, so that seemed unlikely, unless Aubrey had moved on and thought to pass her off to his friend. She sneaked another look down at Aubrey, but he was conversing with the woman on his left.

“Are you enjoying yourself, Lady Lucilla?” Blakesley’s smooth baritone demanded her attention.

“Of course, my lord. I cannot wait for the wedding day festivities.” How true that was, so this could all be over, Lucy thought. “Lady Harriet will be the perfect wife for Baron Aversley and I believe that they will be happy together.”

“I suppose. It was fated that old Aversley would be the first of our group to get leg-shackled.” Blakesley snorted as if the very idea appalled him and Lucy eyed him askance. He unfolded his napkin, making a business of it and looked about the table.

“I suppose that Lovell will be the next to find a wife. Ever since he returned from the Continent, his mother has been busy looking for the next Viscountess.”

Lucy tensed, but managed to give a small laugh. “It appears that he is also looking judging by the young ladies he escorted into dinner. Do you know who either of them is?”

“The young lady in the pink is Miss Reston. And Lady Ophelia Churchdale has the dark hair.”

Aubrey had always liked brunette-haired women. Lady Ophelia was the woman he had escorted into the dining room.

“And yes, Lady Ophelia is very eligible, niece to the Earl of Shrewsbury.” Blakesley seemed to be enjoying himself, happy to indulge in gossip. “Miss Reston is not quite as up to snuff, but her dowry is sizable, trade you know. Lady Lovell would welcome either of the young ladies into her family I am sure if she did not already have someone else picked out.”

Lucy still hadn't said anything, happy to let Blakesley ramble on. She just looked up at him, quirked an eyebrow, and waited for him to speak.

“Lady Clarissa, the Duke of Clairmont’s daughter, is the chosen one. She will do well enough for Lovell and keep him on the straight and narrow. It will be a bloody dull life for him though.” Blakesley seemed to recollect that he was at a dinner party and not his club and he sat up, his cheeks reddening.

“Your pardon, Lady Lucilla. I did not mean to speak so freely.” Blakesley looked around, but he had spoken quietly enough that no one else seemed to hear him. Lucy gave him a nod, but she was distracted, thinking about what he said. He turned to talk to the elderly lady on his other side and left Lucy alone for the moment. Charlotte was still occupied with her own dinner partner so Lucy took the opportunity to ponder his words.

It should not hurt so much, confirmation of the news that Aubrey was seeking a wife. After all, she had expected it. Indeed she had thought that he might have married while he was away. It was a shock that he had not brought home a wife, a dark-haired contessa from Italy. And he needed heirs. Her stomach clenched and she looked at her plate uneasily, not hungry in the least.

Somehow Lucy made it through the meal. Blakesley moved onto other topics and Charlotte was amusing when she turned to her. Lucy would not look up the table to where Aubrey sat. She pretended that she had no interest in his behavior. Their affair had been regrettably short, but that was satisfactory as she was returning to Yorkshire soon anyway. He could marry and for that matter find himself another mistress, one who suited him better than she apparently did.

The ladies rose and retired to the sitting room, leaving the gentlemen to their port. Harriet came over to check on her, but then bustled off to ensure that the room had been set up properly. She was planning musical entertainments from the young ladies. Lucy thought of trying to excuse herself from the evening, claiming an upset stomach, but she did not have the heart to leave Harriet, even though she was managing perfectly fine. She took a chair in a corner and watched as the other ladies chatted with each other.

When the gentlemen came in, she watched for Aubrey out of the corner of her eye. He appeared to be looking for someone, but Miss Reston approached him and practically dragged him over to a settee at the front of the room. Lucy gave a sniff. Apparently Miss Reston was part of the evening’s entertainment and wanted her new beau to have a front row seat. The only consolation to Lucy was that Lady Ophelia had a sour look on her face, her plans spoiled by the upstart Reston girl who had neatly cut her prey out of the herd and carried him away with her.

“All by yourself, Lady Lucilla. We cannot have that, can we?” Lord Blakesley was back.

“Oh yes we can,” thought Lucy, but she put up no demur when he seated himself on a chair next to her just as Harriet stood up at the front of the room, her future mother-in-law at her side, to announce the first pianist. It appeared that they had dragooned Lady Charlotte into displaying her talents. Luckily she played well.

Lucy listened to Charlotte and the young ladies that followed, occasionally nodding her head when Blakesley whispered something to her even though she was not really paying him any heed.

When Miss Reston had her turn at the piano, the woman coyly urged Aubrey to assist her by turning the music pages. Lucy was happy to see that Aubrey acted reluctant and obviously followed the woman to the front of the room because of his good manners. The woman played mechanically with no feeling for the music and the applause was tepid. Then it was Lucy’s turn.

She stepped to the piano where Aubrey waited with a smile on his face.

“Let me assist you with your music, Lady Lucilla.”

“No need, thank you.” She sat and arranged her skirts while Aubrey bowed and went back to his seat. Then she bowed her head over the keys and began to play. She was playing Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 8, a piece that she loved and knew by heart.

When Lucy played she was only aware of the music. A natural talent for the piano had been enhanced by constant practice in the last several years. The piano was where her cares fell away and Lucy played both naturally and beautifully.

When she finished she placed her hands in her lap and slowly came back to herself. The people in the room stayed quiet and then broke into uproarious applause. Blakesley stood, calling “Bravo” and his cry was taken up by others.

Lucy looked up straight at Aubrey. He looked stunned and was clapping languidly as if he could not force his hands to move. She nodded deliberately at him and rose, going back to her seat, ignoring the pleas for an encore.

Lady Ophelia then stepped forward, the last to perform.

“Lord Lovell, may I ask for your assistance with the pages.”

Aubrey rose and Miss Reston sat with her lips pursed, now the unhappy one. Lady Ophelia arranged her music and began to play, Aubrey occasionally leaning over to turn the page. She was a competent musician but after Lucy’s performance sounded bland and amateurish. Aubrey’s eyes kept wandering toward Lucy, but she did not see him. She was focused on the back of the chair in front of her. Blakesley however did see where Aubrey's attention was and made a point of periodically dipping his head towards Lucy to murmur in her ear. Aubrey was so incensed with his erstwhile friend that he almost missed a page turn and Lady Ophelia looked up at him reproachfully.

Once Lady Ophelia had taken her bows, Lucy rose and made her way to the door, determined to retire for the night. She moved so quickly that Blakesley did not even realize she was gone until he turned. By then she was moving through the doorway on her way out of the room. He followed and was behind her when she started up the stairs.

“Lady Lucilla, where are you going?”

She stiffened and then turned. “Lord Blakesley, I am tired and ready to retire to my room.” She turned back to ascend the stairway, but he stepped up and took her arm.

“Please let me escort you, my dear.”

“Thank you, but I don’t want to take you away from the other guests. I am quite fine on my own.” Lucy pulled her arm away and moved up the staircase.

“I insist.” Blakesley was not sure why he was being so insistent but he had had a little too much to drink and was determined to follow her.

“The lady does not need your escort.”

Blakesley turned to find Aubrey in the middle of the hallway, his face implacable. Lucy never stopped, but kept going and disappeared at the top of the stairs.

Aubrey watched her go and then turned back to his friend.

“Why the sudden interest in Lady Lucilla, Blakesley?”

Blakesley blinked and affected surprise. “Why not? The lady is unattached and perhaps willing to indulge in a liaison.”

“She most definitely is not either unattached or willing.”

Blakesley narrowed his eyes. “Why should you care? I thought you were wife-hunting.”

“I am. Stay away from Lady Lucilla.”

Blakesley stepped back down to the hallway, puzzled by his friend’s attitude.

“Do you have designs on her?”

Aubrey drew in a deep breathe, trying to suppress the urge to use fisticuffs on his old friend. “As you said, I am wife-hunting.”

Eyes opened in surprise, Blakesley put his hands up in supplication, recognizing the seriousness of his tone and Aubrey’s need to pummel him.

“Then do excuse me. I did not realize your intent and I apologize for any offense.” He gave a short bow then strode past Aubrey back into the drawing room.

Aubrey looked up the stairs, but knew that he had lost any chance of speaking to Lucy that evening. Others would be leaving to find their rooms. He looked back into the drawing room, then went down the hall to the library, hoping to find a book to take back to his room and lull him to sleep. He feared that he would be up half the night with thoughts of Lucy. He marveled at her competency and artistry at the piano. The Lucy he remembered could play, often with some brilliance, but did not care to practice. She would rather run wild outside in the meadows and woods of her father’s estate. But he looked forward to discovering more of the changes that had overtaken the girl he once knew and intended to know well once more.

Aubrey left the breakfast room just as Miss Reston and Lady Camilla entered. Both young ladies looked disappointed but they sat down on either side of Blakesley much to his evident dismay. Lucy had not been at breakfast and Aubrey was determined to find her this morning and spend some time talking with her. He headed towards the small sitting room that Harriet had been using as her headquarters, but no one was there.

Next he tried the library, but again the room was empty. He wandered towards the front hallway, hoping that someone there might have the information he sought. Harriet was talking to the housekeeper and Aubrey breathed a sigh of relief. Surely where Harriet was today, Lucy would be nearby.

Aubrey waited rather impatiently for Harriet to finish. She eyed him curiously, but continued to converse with Mrs. Johnson, giving final instructions for room preparations. Aubrey mused that Harriet was already making a fine Baroness although she did not yet wear the title. It must please the staff that George’s mother had decided to cede her responsibilities, as she was a bit of a dragon and Harriet would prove much easier to deal with.

“Good morning Lord Lovell. How may I be of service?”

“Good morrow to you, Lady Harriet. I was looking for Lady Lucilla. I wondered if you had seen her this morning.”

Harriet smiled. “She has gone off to the church in the village to supervise the placement of the floral arrangements and ribbons for the morning.” Harriet dimpled prettily, thinking about the wedding ceremony that would change her life. “I expect that you might find her there.”

Aubrey bowed, then strode off. The walk to the village was only about five minutes and the morning was fine. There was a path that was shorter through the woodlands, but he thought that Lucy would stay on the main drive and he did not want to bypass her.

The church was not far, on the outskirts of the small village. He walked up to the old wooden doors of the gray stone church and peeked into the shadowy interior. There were a few women hanging ribbons on the pews so he stepped inside and looked around, but did not see Lucy anywhere.

“Excuse me, is Lady Lucilla about?”

One of the women started and turned to see who was addressing them. Apparently she resided in the village, but she recognized the name.

“Lady Lucilla just left a few minutes ago to go back to the big house. We said that we would finish up here.”

Aubrey thanked them and went back out into the sunshine. He looked up the street, but did not see Lucy anywhere. She must have taken the wooded path back to the manor so he had missed her after all.

Heaving a sigh Aubrey retraced his steps back to the manor house. How could it be so hard to track down one woman? Just as he reached the gate a carriage pulled by a beautiful quartet of matching chestnut horses turned in, raising a small cloud of dust. He cursed to himself and beat at his coat, attempting to remove the grime from his clothing. The coach stopped just a short way up the drive. He looked up to see his mother poke her head out of a window.

“Lovell, why are you walking there?” Her lips were pursed together, denoting her disapproval of his audacity in exercising his limbs on a fine day.

“Good day to you, mother,” he responded dryly. “I did not expect to see you today.”

She harrumphed and drew her head inside as he came even with the coach. “Say your how-do’s to Lady Clarissa,” she grumbled.

Aubrey nodded as his heart sank to his stomach. Why were they there? Well, he knew why his mother was there and why she had brought Lady Clarissa. She intended to force him into marriage. But why did Lady Clarissa put up with her? Surely the daughter of a duke and a diamond of the first water could do better than a mere Viscount. And he was having a hard enough time of it trying to find Lucy without two more obstacles in his way.

Lady Clarissa smiled. “We were invited for dinner before the ball this evening. Since we’re staying at my father’s estate at Rustling Park nearby we decided to come over early to help dear Lady Harriet.” She blushed enticingly, but Aubrey was in no mood for fatuous young ladies.

“Climb into the carriage, Lovell. Ride with us up to the house as befits your station.”

Aubrey looked up the drive hoping to spy Lucy emerging from the woods, but there was no escape there. He finally opened the coach door and stepped in, seating himself opposite the ladies.

“The Duke will be arriving later as he had business to attend to. He will be glad to speak with you this evening.” Lady Lovell narrowed her eyes at him. Aubrey thought that if she could have got away with kicking him in the shin to make her point, she would have. It was obvious what the Duke wanted to speak about and Aubrey had no intention of obliging him.

“It will be a delight to greet his Grace,” he murmured, not committing himself in any way.

The carriage jolted to a halt and his mother fussed at her skirts, not willing to complain about the Duke’s coachman in front of his daughter. Aubrey stepped out and turned to help the ladies step down. Lady Clarissa took his arm in a proprietary manner and he almost jerked it away, but remembered his manners and led her into the house. Harriet was waiting with her butler and housekeeper as well as other students.

“Lady Lovell! Lady Clarissa! I did not expect you this early, but you are most welcome.”

His mother swept past and took Harriet’s hands. “Of course, my dear. We have come to aid you in this trying time. Your own dear mother was a great friend of mine and I know that she would want me to do all I can to help you prepare for your wedding ball.”

It was all Aubrey could do not to roll his eyes. Harriet’s mother had died at her birth and as far as he knew his own mother had never exerted herself for Harriet before this moment. But Harriet took it all with aplomb, nodding her head and making arrangements with her housekeeper for the unexpected guests. They would not have to accommodate them for the night, but they would need to find facilities where the two women could rest and use in order to change for the ball.

Just then Lucy entered the hallway from the sitting room. She stopped short as she saw Lady Lovell, then looked at Aubrey standing behind his mother. He was so glad to finally see her that he completely forgot Lady Clarissa still hanging on his arm like a limpet until Lucy looked away, her eyes cool.

“Come and sit while I have some tea brought to us.” Harriet looked at the housekeeper while herding her unplanned guests into the drawing room. She was too polite to shoo them away, but it was apparent that she wished them anywhere but here.

Aubrey watched Lucy carefully, ready to bolt after her if she tried to disappear again, but she obediently followed Harriet into the room. So he led Lady Clarissa after them. Once he had her seated he left her and walked across the room to where Lucy sat in a chair in the corner.

“I am glad to finally find you,” he murmured.

“Lovell, come and entertain us. Lady Clarissa would like to hear more about your time on the Continent.” Lady Lovell smiled, but her eyes were hard as she beckoned to him.

Aubrey stood where he was, determined not to leave Lucy to escape him again, but before he could say so he heard her speak. “Lord Lovell is most entertaining. I’m sure that he has many…,” she paused, “anecdotes to share with you, especially Lady Clarissa.” He choked at the innuendo and gave her a sharp glance while Lucy returned a saucy grin.

“Yes, do please, Lord Lovell. I love to hear your stories.” Lady Clarissa was triumphant and he had no choice, but to go over and sit next to her on the couch while Harriet poured their tea.

Aubrey answered Lady Clarissa’s questions and the prompts by his mother, but he never took his eyes from Lucy who sat in her corner, obviously amused by the attentions displayed by the women. Harriet fidgeted, not wanting to offend her guests, but having much to do this day to prepare for the ball. Finally she interrupted.

“Perhaps you ladies would like to retire to rest and refresh yourselves before dinner and the ball?”

Lady Lovell protested, but finally allowed Harriet to lead them from the room. Lady Clarissa gave Lucy a dark look as she passed her, but changed it to a simpering smile when she looked back at Aubrey who had declined to escort them. Lucy barely refrained from rolling her eyes and sat silently, waiting to see what Aubrey would do or say.

He cocked an eyebrow and said with a smirk, “Lady Lucilla, you have absented yourself from my presence and I am very displeased with you because of it.”

Lucy beamed up at him. “Indeed sir, that was not my intention. But I have been exceedingly busy helping Lady Harriet prepare for the ball. And it would appear that you have found other entertainments to amuse yourself.” She folded her hands in her lap, demure and waiting.

“A gentleman may not and cannot respond to that remark.” He held out a hand. “Would you walk with me, Lucy?”

She rose and took his arm, happy to finally have his heat and masculine scent at her side.

“Not that way,” he demurred, indicating the hallway where obstructions might still lurk. “Let us try the side door.” He led her to the attached conservatory where they passed outside onto the wide lawn and gardens. Aubrey picked up his pace when he saw the wide windows of the small ballroom that George’s mother had had built onto the main house, hoping to avoid the hordes of servants working in the room, readying it for the night’s festivities. He led Lucy towards a small copse of wood at the far side of the gardens. When they had gone a few feet into the woods far enough that he could no longer see the house, Aubrey stopped and turned to Lucy.

“At last! I have been desperate to see you, be with you,” Aubrey murmured as he backed Lucy against a broad old oak. He carefully set her against the bark with his hands on her shoulders.

She looked away nervously. “I did not even get my hat.”

He barked out a sharp laugh and let the back of one hand caress her cheek. “Oh Lucy, I have missed you. I cannot wait until this damned wedding is over and done with so I can have you for myself.”

“What do you mean? I must go home next week. I have responsibilities, people are depending on me.” Lucy pushed against his chest, but Aubrey did not move. “I told you that this, whatever we’re doing, would only last until the wedding is over. Then I must go home.”

“I never agreed to that.”

Lucy stopped pushing and looked up in surprise. “Whatever do you mean?”

“I have plans for us and nothing you say or do will change that.”

“Aubrey, you abandoned me five years ago, but my life did not stop. I have changed and you have changed.” Her pulse was fluttering in panic and excitement.

“But I still love you and you still love me, that has not changed. We can manage the rest.” Aubrey heaved a deep breathe. “Be with me always, Lucy. I love you.”

Lucy felt her distress fly away, drifting over the trees. He was right, they would work it out after they married. But…

“Yes, then, yes. But Aubrey, there is something I must tell you that can’t wait...”

His mouth interrupted her and her lips opened as his tongue plundered her depths. He held her face, careful not to push her too hard against the tree, but not willing to release her. Lucy’s arms slid up around his neck and pulled him closer. He broke away from her mouth and kissed his way down the side of her neck. She nipped at his ear lobe, trying to bring him back to her mouth, but Aubrey was busy pulling up her skirts.

“What…oh,” Lucy gasped as Aubrey inserted a finger into her. She frantically unbuttoned his breeches and he groaned as her fumbling rubbed against his hard member. “I need you, Aubrey. Please.”

He pushed into her hard and fast. Lucy did not care anymore, whether the bark scratched against her back or if someone heard them from the house. She just wanted Aubrey to make love to her. The fire had blazed so quickly between them. She closed her eyes as he took her over the edge and then followed her there. Aubrey balanced one hand against the tree and held onto Lucy with the other, somehow keeping them both standing.

Lucy finally caught her breathe and shakily adjusted her clothes, brushing pieces of bark away from her dress.

“Did I hurt you? I lost control of myself.” Aubrey grimaced.

“No, I am fine, but I need to get back to the house. Harriet will be wondering where I am.”

“Go. I will wait a moment, then follow you.” She gave him a quick smile and a kiss and then walked swiftly away. Aubrey grinned as he waited. Lucy had agreed, she was finally to be his.