Surrender of Trust (First Volume of the Surrender Series) (32 page)

"You forged it."

"Yes. And then I worried Lord Chalifour would
discover I forged it. I think I prefer to say I signed it for you.
It sounds better."

Lucien rolled his eyes."Whatever you want to
call it. So what about the race?"

"I'm a good rider. An excellent rider, if I
say so. If I pretended to be you, I might have a chance to win the
race. With the purse, I would have a large sum of money to coerce
Perdan into signing some sort of satisfaction of any alleged debt
and affidavit of your honesty or something. I hadn't quite gotten
that far."

"Of all the insane ideas! You could have been
hurt, or even killed!"

Lucy declined to answer. She had already
heard all of this from Chalifour. She wasn't sure she wanted to
hear the diatribe again from Lucien too. Swallowing her irritation,
Lucy said, "I only tried to help you. Do you believe me?"

"Yes, Lucy. I do believe you. It's just I'm
not sure I approve of your methods."

"I'm not sure I approve of my methods
either," Lucy said wryly. "They certainly didn't fare very
well."

"You're right about that," Lucien said, a
smile slowly creeping across his face. "Oh, Lucy," he reached down
and pulled her off her knees and wrapped her in a fierce hug."I've
missed you!"

"Does this mean you forgive me?"

"Of course, I forgive you. I just needed to
understand what happened and why you did these things. And I needed
to hear it from you."

Lucy's world brightened and her heart soared
with light. Then Chalifour's face crossed her mind and her spirits
plummeted again. Her association with Chalifour was now at an end.
Chalifour and Lucien would go forward with their business and
Chalifour's interest in her would dwindle. It had been inevitable
that Chalifour's interest would diminish over time, but it was
painful to realize that time was drawing near.

Lucy pulled away from Lucien's arms, stood,
and then sat beside him on the couch. "Thank you. I just wanted to
look after you. I'm so very sorry for the harm, or near harm, it
caused."

"All is forgiven."

"So, what now? Shall we go home in the
morning?"

"Maybe. But we're already here, don't you
want to see the race? Besides, there are some loose threads which
need to be mended."

"Such as?"

"I believe Chalifour has some things he needs
to speak to you about."

Lucy's heart lurched. What could Chalifour
possibly have to say to her? She looked at Lucien. "About
what?"

"I think it would be best if it came from
him. It's awfully late. Get some sleep and I'll see you tomorrow."
Lucien planted a quick peck on her cheek, slowly rose and limped to
the door.

Lucy's eyes followed her brother out the
door. Sure. Thanks. I'll get plenty of sleep tonight.

Chalifour paced his room. He had ensured that
Lucy's room was next to his, so he heard Lucien depart a short
while ago. Chalifour ached to go to Lucy, rub her silken skin, bury
his face in the burnished fire of her hair. Consequences be
damned.

Chalifour was committed to his plan. But
would Lucy accept him this time? Lucien had expressed his doubts.
He said Lucy had shied from marriage and fought his matchmaking
efforts at every turn.

It was nearly four a.m. and sleep would not
come to Chalifour, especially with the knowledge Lucy's succulent
body rested so close to his. Chalifour dropped into a chair and
rubbed his face with his hands. His nervous energy soon forced
Chalifour from the chair to resume his pacing. Being unsure of
himself, particularly when it came to women, was a new sensation
for Chalifour.

He smiled. Lucy was so like a young, spirited
filly. It took a steady and gentle hand to earn a filly's trust.
Had he earned Lucy's trust yet? Chalifour couldn't think of
anything further he could do on that front. He couldn't help but
admire Lucy's spunk and courage. Her actions had been rash, but her
intentions were pure.

Chalifour found his protective instincts
surfaced when Lucy was near. He found he jealously guarded her from
the admiring glances of other men. He returned their looks with a
cold stare of his own until they were forced to avert their eyes. A
hot rage suffused his body at the thought of another man touching
Lucy and pleasing her.

Damn it.
Chalifour strode out the door
and into the hallway. He walked to Lucy's door and stood outside in
the hallway, hesitating. Lucy had finally admitted the truth to
him. There were no lies between them. Chalifour reached out for
Lucy's doorknob. His hand froze in midair. Lucy was probably
emotionally drained from her conversation with Lucien. Would she be
able to deal with more turbulent emotions this evening? Would that
be beneficial for either of them? Or would it further complicate
things between them? Chalifour stood and pondered what he should
do.

Chalifour, Elizabeth, Lucy and Lucien sat in
some of the best boxed seats available at the Derby Stakes. Lucy
hardly noticed the riotous fanfare around them as the minor races
were run, leading up to the main event. She enviously watched the
animated conversation between Lady Elizabeth and Lucien. If she
didn't know better, she would think they were flirting with each
other.
Hmmm
, maybe Lucien and Elizabeth were the ones that
needed a chaperone. Their enthusiasm for each other only served to
make Lucy more morose and isolated.

Lucy would return home with Lucien and life
would go on as it had. Except they would now be in the position to
breed what would surely become the most sought after thoroughbreds
in England over the next few years. Their honor and livelihood were
now secure. What about her? What did she want?

Lucy glanced at Chalifour. Her eyes locked
with his. Her breath caught in her throat and her essence
constricted painfully. Chalifour lips curved into a knowing smile.
Did Chalifour know what he did to her? Last night, Lucy was certain
she heard footsteps outside her room. Breathless, heart hammering
in her chest, Lucy waited in vain for Chalifour's knock. Lucy had
obviously imagined the entire episode. Bitterly, Lucy admitted to
herself that Chalifour's attraction to her was purely temporal.

Chalifour had acted on his carnal desires and
seduced her, belatedly feeling a sting of guilt at bedding his
business partner's sister. Lucy couldn't blame Chalifour. She
certainly hadn't resisted his attentions. Lucy had hungered to
experience sensual love, never contemplating the possibility she
might become smitten with a man. Lucy had discovered the one man
she wanted only to find he wasn't interested.

Chalifour broke eye contact with Lucy and
turned his attention to Lucien. "Is our wager still on?"

Lucien's head bobbed enthusiastically and a
toothy smile brightened his face. "This might be the only wager I
ever made I wouldn't mind losing."

Lady Elizabeth eyed Lucien and Chalifour
curiously.

"Fine," Chalifour said with a wicked grin. He
turned to face Lucy and his smile faded. A solemn expression
replaced it and he dropped to his knee before her.

Lucy recoiled, horrified. "What are you
doing?" She quickly scanned the crowd which surrounded them to see
if anyone had noticed the impropriety amidst the bedlam and
noise.

"Why, I'm asking for your hand in marriage,
sweetling. What does it appear I'm doing?"

Lucy was confounded. "What do you mean? I
don't understand."

"I asked for your hand once before. It was
rash on my part. You were right to refuse me."

Lucy glanced at Lucien's face which
registered confusion. Lucien's curiosity would certainly be aroused
to a fever pitch by Chalifour's admission! Lucy couldn't possibly
explain to her brother the reasons Chalifour proposed to her
earlier.
Oh, after I let him have his way with me and he
ravished me all night, Chalifour had an attack of guilt because of
his relationship with you. Gads!
Her eyes focused back on
Chalifour's handsome face and form before her.

"I am asking you for all of the right reasons
now," Chalifour continued. "If you refuse me again, that will be
the end of it. I will not ask you again. I love you, Lucy. You are
courageous and true of heart. But I will not settle for a small
part of you. I want all of you, which means I must have your
confidence too. If I have not earned your trust and love at this
juncture, I doubt I ever will. So what will your answer be?"

Lucy stared at Chalifour, speechless. She
looked at Lucien again. Lucien's face bore a gentle smile, no sign
of shock or outrage at this thoroughly improper proposal. Lucien
already knew! He had inferred as much last night when he mentioned
Chalifour had matters to discuss with her.

Lucy's heart soared. She couldn't help the
huge smile she knew had stolen across her face. Lucy was so
delirious she must look silly. She wanted to dance. She wanted to
sing. Most of all, she wanted Chalifour to hold her."Yes, yes! Oh
yes!"

Chalifour's strong face broke into a smile
and he pulled her from her chair and crushed her against him,
ignoring the disapproving stares around them.

Lady Elizabeth clapped her hands in delight,
eyes shining."That's wonderful! Why didn't you tell me?" She shot
her brother a quick scowl before breaking into a delighted laugh.
"Now, I'll have the sister I always wanted. You might be in
trouble, brother! Two of us to one of you! I can hardly wait!"

Chalifour looked over at Lucien and smirked.
"I guess I won my wager."

"I guess you did. Though I'm curiously
unaffected by my loss," Lucien said. He smiled. "Welcome to the
family."

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Credits
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This book is dedicated to my wonderful
husband, David, who supports me in all my endeavors.

My cover art is the creation of the talented
Melody Simmons.