Surrender of Trust (First Volume of the Surrender Series) (3 page)

With relief, Lucy noted Cedric had the
foresight to set out the best china cups in the Cornelia Green
pattern by Mottahedeh. It was one of her favorites. The matching
plates were a pale green with colorful flowers that lined the rim
of the plate. Each plate had a single delicate butterfly that lined
the rim of the plate. It was an excellent choice by Cedric to make
good impression on their exalted guest.

Lucy smiled gratefully at Cedric. "No Cedric,
I'll manage the tea. Thank you."

Cedric exited the room and closed the door
behind him.

Lord Perdan cleared his throat. "Miss
Goodwin, while I am sorry your brother is currently indisposed, his
indisposition has at least brought me the distinct pleasure of your
company."

Lucy gazed into Perdan's handsome face. His
short, golden hair was combed forward and fashionably tousled. The
smile on Perdan’s face failed to reach his pale, ice blue eyes.
There was something off Lucy couldn’t quite identify. Maybe it was
the way Perdan’s eyes followed her.

Perdan stepped in close, much closer than
propriety would allow. Internal warnings blared in her mind and
Lucy willed herself not to step away. With great effort, Lucy
suppressed a shudder and looked up at Perdan, an uneasy smile on
her face.

"Let me speak frankly. The news is your
brother has been injured and may not survive. Is that true?"

How much does he know? Who else knows? How
does he know?
Fighting a mild panic, Lucy stalled, "Could I
interest you in some tea, Lord Perdan?"

"Let me not mince words. The reason I am here
is your brother owes me a debt. A large debt. And I expect payment,
soon."

Trying not to show dismay, Lucy asked, "How
much money are we speaking of, Lord Perdan?"

"He owes me six thousand quid."

Lucy's knees nearly buckled and her mind
screamed.
How could we owe so much?

"I've been very patient, but my patience is
wearing thin."

Lucy gulped and exhaled slowly.
Think,
think
. Trying to steady her voice, Lucy said "I must naturally
speak with my brother, Lord Perdan."
Of course, there’s no way
that will be possible any time soon
, she failed to add.

"Really? When? Today, tomorrow. Maybe next
year? That simply won't do. I notice you didn’t answer me as to the
severity of your brother's injuries."

"Well,

Perdan’s hand lashed out and grabbed her
wrist, pulling her toward him. He lowered his face close toward
hers and his lips curved slowly into a sardonic smile. Lucy tried
to pull her arm from his grasp, but Perdan held her tight.

"I like women to fight. Go ahead, fight some
more.”

Lucy stopped struggling and said nothing.

"Miss Goodwin, I don't think you understand.
Your brother, and by extension you, are in my debt, and I expect
payment. Though perhaps ... ," his eyes bored into hers, "we could
make some alternative arrangements for payment in your case." He
licked his lips slowly.

Fear began to worm its way into Lucy’s belly.
She stood still and remained silent.

"After all, a man, or a woman," he smiled,
"has to pay their debts or face disgrace. You wouldn’t want that
now, would you?" Perdan reached out and traced a finger traced
along the curve of Lucy’s jawbone line. A tide of revulsion rose
from her belly at the unwanted familiarity in his touch.

Perdan pulled her closer."Why, we could start
today. You know, woman love me. I could teach you things," he
whispered into her ear.

Her skin crawled and fear trickled up Lucy’s
spine. Gathering every bit of strength she had, Lucy wrenched
herself away from him. It was only a touch to her face, but there
was something unaccountably wrong with it, and with him.
Was it
a hint of cruelty?
She could picture him as a child pulling the
wings from flies and laughing.

Quelling tremors, in as frosty a tone as she
could manage, Lucy said, "I believe it’s time for you to
leave."

"Pity. I’m sure we could enjoy one another’s
company. We may well yet. It remains to be seen. In the meantime, I
have yet to receive payment and my patience is running short.
Amazing what women will do to avoid disgrace." He smiled at
her.

"I’ll expect to hear from you or your brother
by the end of the week. Otherwise, I will start legal proceedings
and you and your brother will be in disgrace. I’ll see myself out."
Perdan sauntered from the room. At the door, he turned and smiled
again at Lucy.

Lucy heard the front door close. She sank
into a chair and fought the panic that threatened to overwhelm her.
Lucy sat for a period of time until the fear evolved into anger.
How dare Perdan threaten them and treat her like a trollop!
Standing, Lucy marched across the room. Grabbing the door she
fairly slammed it off the hinges. Fists clenching and unclenching,
Lucy paced the floor. The rush of emotion gradually faded away and
she was suddenly weary and drained.

Lucy dropped back into the chair in the
corner of the room and stared numbly at the floor. She noticed
inanely that the rug in the salon could stand to be replaced, or at
the very least, could use a good cleaning. How many other things
had she ignored? Apparently some very important things, like their
financial condition.

After several minutes, Lucy pulled herself to
her feet. She walked from the salon and into the hallway, footsteps
heavy. Lucy had stupidly neglected to inquire into the basis for
their encumbrance before she asked Perdan to leave.
How could
Lucien possibly owe so much money?
Why had he put them in this
position? If they didn’t pay Perdan, they would be disgraced. Not
only would their family name suffer, so would their livelihood.
Dear God, they could be ruined
.

Lucy couldn’t risk asking Lucien about the
debt. Even if he had moments of clarity, Dr. Willets had been
adamant. Lucien mustn't be upset or worried about anything. Lucy
would have to divine a way to pay Lord Perdan before they were
utterly disgraced.

Lucy dragged herself up the staircase and
barely registered Alistair when she passed him on the stairs.
Entering Lucien's room, she sat on the bed beside him. Lucy gazed
at his sleeping form for several minutes. Reaching out, she lifted
his hand and pressed it to her cheek before pressing his hand
between her palms.

"Lucien," she whispered. "What have you
gotten into? Have you been gambling? Was father gambling? Have the
stables done so poorly? What has happened? And why didn't you
confide in me?" The tears glided down her cheeks. Lucien didn't
respond.

The following morning, Millie finished
buttoning the back of Lucy’s black crepe gown. The black matched
her current mood. Besides, if she wanted to be superstitious,
wearing the half mourning color of white had not worked well
yesterday when she met Lord Perdan. The incident had left her
deeply disturbed and she had slept only fitfully last night. Lucy
grimaced remembering her reflection in the mirror.
Best not to
dwell on that image!
Perhaps some tea and toast would help,
though she doubted it.

Lucy sat still and Millie brushed out her
hair. The scene with Lord Perdan repeated itself over and over
again in her head. With a start, Lucy realized Millie was pinning
her hair into an elegant upswept style. "Millie, thank you, but
there's no need to style my hair. I must go to the stables this
morning and check on the horses. I really need to ride Zeus. It's
his turn for a ride and I'm sure he's antsy by now. My hair won't
resemble anything civilized by the time Zeus finishes with me,
especially after keeping him waiting so long!"

Their grooms took excellent care of the
horses. They loved the horses nearly as much as she and Lucien did.
Of course, it didn’t hurt the grooms knew the horses were the
source of income that ultimately paid their wages. They were not
likely to be careless in their duties. Still, she would feel better
if she saw the horses and touched them herself.

In the kitchen, Lucy took her customary seat
at the servant's table in the kitchen. Lucien generally did the
same when they were not entertaining. It was just simpler for
everyone.

Knowing her proclivities, Cook placed a
kettle of tea along with buttered toast and a jar of marmalade
before her on the table. Her stomach rumbled. For the first time
since the accident, she was famished. Lucy poured herself a
steaming cup of tea and tucked into her toast.

After she finished a second slice of toast,
Lucy rose and strode to the stables to see her horses. Calmness
descended on her the moment she entered the cool stables. The scent
of manure and hay and the gentle rustling and neighing of the
horses soothed her raw nerves. "Hello Zeus, sweet boy. It's your
turn for some attention now, isn't it?" In a nearby stall, Thor
neighed in protest.
Males! They're all the same.

After the stable boy saddled Zeus for her,
Lucy mounted the horse and trotted down the road. The coolness of
the morning air invigorated her and sharpened her senses, which was
just as well since Zeus required a more firm hand than Thor did.
Zeus and Thor were both tremendous stallions, but, oh, so
temperamental sometimes.

Lucy discovered years ago she seemed to think
more clearly whenever she rode. The rocking motion of the horse and
the fresh air and scenery often lulled her into a peaceful state of
mind. Today was an exception, however, and she fretted over her
conversation with Perdan the previous day.

Lucy had poured over the account ledgers the
night before. Nothing in the accounts indicated an actual debt to
Lord Perdan. Yet there were several large unexplained payments to
him over the course of the past year.

Lucien had been paying Lord Perdan for a
reason. Why? And why was the obligation still so large? What was it
for? And how was she going to pay the balance? She didn't have
legal access to the accounts, but she was going to need funds if
she was to care for Lucien and keep their reputation and business
intact.

Other creditors needed to be paid too. Items
like feed needed to be purchased. It was spring foaling time. How
was she going to legally sign the siring and stud contracts and
collect the money? Pondering these questions, Lucy returned to the
stables and started her routine of brushing Zeus, lost in thought.
She had to make this work. It was imperative she keep Lucien and
herself safe.

"Miss Goodwin, I believe?"

Lucy jumped. She knew that molasses smooth
voice that had intruded on her reverie. The hairs along her neck
stood up.
What was he doing here
? Spinning, Lucy found
herself looking into the intense blue eyes of Lord Chalifour.

"Lord Chalifour! This is a surprise." Her
heart palpitated and her breathing became erratic.
Why couldn’t
her body behave when this man was around?

"I apologize we were never properly
introduced the last time I saw you, but I see you know who I am
now. I’ve come to see your brother on a matter of business. We’ve
been corresponding for months and we were scheduled to meet. I was
told he was indisposed and I should speak with you, though I don't
see the reason for it. I told your servants I would return in a few
days on my way back to Town. I can conclude my business with him at
that time. They insisted I speak with you first, however."

Lucy groaned inwardly.
Honestly, couldn’t
she at least appear presentable just once when she met this man?
Was it too much to ask she at least occasionally look
presentable?
Lucy wanted to place a bucket over her head and
hide, but it was too late for that. Chalifour stared at her,
doubtless amazed a woman could appear so disheveled not once, but
twice.

Though she was not a highborn lady, Lucy was
the daughter of a prosperous and respected business man and she
would attempt to comport herself as such. She made an effort to
smooth her hair with her hands before speaking. "Lord Chalifour, my
apologies to you. I believe my servants sought only to
inconvenience you as little as possible."

"And? Why is it I need to speak with you?
Judging by your clothing, am I to gather your brother is more than
slightly indisposed?" Chalifour raised an eyebrow.

Lucy glanced down and realized he had
misconstrued the reason for the black garments, inferring she was
now in mourning over her brother. "Oh, oh no, My Lord, I still wear
these clothes for my father, not my brother!"

"Well, that's a relief," Chalifour said
dryly.

"The reason the servants so strongly
suggested you speak with me, My Lord, is that my brother was
injured in a coach accident the other evening while he traveled
from Town. He may have broken a leg. The doctor wants him to lie
still and be disturbed as little as possible. Aside from the fact
the doctor does not want him disturbed, I am sure you can imagine
how you would feel having someone visit you in your bedchamber when
you have not even had the benefit of a bath."

"So when will I be able to speak with
him?"

The blue eyes blatantly scrutinized her from
head to toe. What was he thinking, taking in her state of
disarray?

"It may be several weeks before my brother is
in a position to receive callers. Perhaps I could serve as a go
between for you both until he is well enough to speak with you
directly?"

Chalifour’s piercing eyes narrowed and he
continued to study her. "I suppose that would be satisfactory. I
need to know if the details of my offer to purchase an interest in
your brother's business are acceptable as I outlined them to him in
our correspondence."

Stunned, Lucy swayed slightly. She expected
Chalifour to be seeing her brother regarding some routine business
matter such as stud fees, purchasing a foal, or the like. She had
not expected to hear he was purchasing part of her brother's
business!