Surrender of Trust (First Volume of the Surrender Series) (4 page)

Swallowing, Lucy said, "Since Lucien is
unwell, and I am not familiar with your discussion, perhaps you
could set the terms and conditions down in the form of a contact I
could take to my brother?"

With a looking of exasperation, Chalifour
said, "That is precisely why I came to see Mr. Goodwin today. I
wanted to confirm whether the details we discussed were acceptable
to him before I had the contact drawn up. I would prefer not to
waste time and money having a contract drawn and then having to
redraw it because something is not palatable to your brother."

Lucy took a breath to calm herself. They
needed money, needed it now. A mild panic arose in her. She needed
to find a way to give Lord Perdan enough of a payment on the debt
to satisfy him in the interim. Panic morphed into desperation at
the mere thought of Perdan. Desperation enough to prompt her to let
an outsider into their business, at least temporarily.

According to the accounts she reviewed, Lord
Perdan had been taking payments for the last year. Lucy needed to
buy enough time to sort things out with Lord Perdan. Namely, she
needed to ascertain the basis for the debt and how to pay off the
staggering sum. Later, she would divine a way to extricate Lord
Chalifour from their business, or leave it for Lucien to deal with.
After all, Lucien had initiated this arrangement in the first
place. What had Lucien been thinking?

Lucy smiled in what she hoped was a radiant
fashion. "My Lord, if it pleases you, let’s retire to the house. I
could offer you some tea and something to eat after your long
ride."
And I could at least freshen up.
"I'll ask Lucien if
there was anything unacceptable in your offer. You'll have your
answer before you leave."

Chalifour regarded her for a moment. "Fine.
I'll accompany you to the house so you can confer with your
brother."

An awkward dilemma faced Lucy as she led
Chalifour through the garden toward the house, should she escort
him through the kitchen or walk to the magnificent, ornately carved
front door her father installed to please her mother? Lucy was
unsure of the proper etiquette for the situation.

Would Chalifour expect to be walked through
the front entrance? Lucy had never much bothered herself with the
rules of decorum before.
So why was she now worried about social
conventions or what Chalifour thought? And why did Chalifour have
to be so devilishly
handsome? Why couldn’t he have a paunch,
a bald pate, and a hump or something?

At twenty- two years old, Lucy was already on
the shelf and in no hurry to marry. In truth, the prospect of
marriage didn't appeal to Lucy in the least. Recent conversations
with Lucien drifted through her mind. Lucien had been interested in
her matrimony prospects of late and started prodding her on the
subject. Lucy had resisted his efforts thus far.

Was Lucien's recent interest in the idea of
marriage more for himself, or for her? An uncertainty welled up
within her. Shaking herself, Lucy decided to bring Lord Chalifour
through the kitchen. After all, he had already visited the stables
and seen her looking like something the cat drug up. What
difference would her choice of entrance make at this point? So much
for a dignified reception she muttered to herself.

Traipsing though the kitchen with her guest,
Lucy saw Cook's eyes widen as she mumbled something. Though
Chalifour followed her wordlessly through the house, Lucy was
acutely aware of his presence. After passing through the formal
dining room and into the front hallway, Lucy abruptly changed
direction. Bypassing the salon, she led him toward her mother's
sitting room.

As Lucy escorted Lord Chalifour through the
house, irrational though it was, she found herself growing more and
more agitated. She was annoyed at Lord Chalifour for finding her in
the state she was in. She was annoyed at Lucien for putting them in
this financial position which she didn't even understand and could
ruin them. She was annoyed about everything that was happening to
her serene world. She was even annoyed her father had abandoned
them when he died. Lucy knew she was being ridiculous, but she
couldn't help herself.

Lucy had a sudden urge for petty revenge, for
what, she wasn't quite sure. Lord Chalifour was, well, so intensely
male. His masculinity was bringing out the worst in her. She
couldn't help but notice his height and the breadth of his
shoulders. He almost had to turn sideways when he entered the
kitchen door.

Would Chalifour would feel as off balance
as she did right now if she placed him in her mother's sitting
room?
The room was distinctly feminine room and reflected her
mother's taste. Leading Chalifour into the room, Lucy smiled
sweetly up at him.

Chalifour’s eyes surveyed the room. He looked
at her and raised an eyebrow.

"If you'll excuse me a moment, I'll arrange
for tea to be brought to you while I speak with Lucien."

Lucy left Chalifour alone in the room. Once
outside, she gulped air. She had been unaware of holding her
breath. Hurrying upstairs to Lucien's room, Lucy watched Alistair
rearrange the bed covers over Lucien. "How is he?"

"The same. Not much change, I'm afraid. I'm
not sure if that's good or bad."

"Neither am I," Lucy admitted. "Dr. Willets
will return in a day or so. Since Lucien is no worse, I’m hopeful
he is not bleeding internally or developing any kind of
infection."

After a brief silence, Lucy said, "I left
Lord Chalifour downstairs in Mother's sitting room." Alistair
looked at her with a quizzical expression. Ignoring the look, she
continued, "Could you have Cedric serve tea to Lord Chalifour? If
he inquires about Lucien's well-being, instruct Cedric he is not to
disclose Lucien's true state of health, only that Lucien is not
feeling well. Is that understood?"

Alistair glanced at her in an odd manner and
answered, "Yes, m'am. I will see to Cedric now."

"Thank you, Alistair. And please send Millie
to my room." She followed Alistair from Lucien's room and continued
down the hallway. Thinking furiously, Lucy reviewed her options.
She couldn't let Lord Chalifour discover the severity of Lucien's
injuries, otherwise he wouldn't invest in the business which meant,
in turn, she wouldn't gain access to the funds she needed by the
end of the week to pay Lord Perdan. Which meant they would be
ruined.

Lucy stood at her washbowl and splashed water
on her face before sitting at her dressing table. She unpinned her
tangled hair, her dark auburn curls falling in a cascade past her
shoulders. Grabbing her silver hairbrush Lucy brushed her mass of
hair.

Millie entered her room. Looking up, Lucy
said, "Quick, Millie. I need you make me look presentable." Millie
worked quietly and efficiently, brushing and pinning. Satisfied,
she backed away so Lucy could study her reflection in the
mirror.

"Once again, Millie, you have worked
magic."

"Thank you, m'am."

Lucy descended the stairs and approached her
mother's sitting room. She stood outside a moment and trepidation
engulfed her. Taking a breath, Lucy determined her course of
action. Lifting her chin and squaring her shoulders, she glided
into the room.

The intense blue eyes swung to her and locked
on her. Lucy’s mouth went dry. Chalifour’s eyes widened slightly
and he might have noticed her hair had been styled, but she
couldn't be sure. Lucy’s pulse quickened and something moved in the
base of her stomach. Chalifour’s large frame looked ridiculous in
the dainty chair.

"I feared you might never return," Chalifour
said dryly.

Lucy gazed at Chalifour’s large form stuffed
into a dainty chair with a floral pattern adorning the fabric. Her
lips twitched and Lucy stifled an impulse to smile. Unable to
control herself after a moment, a laugh burbled up and escaped her
throat.

"Perhaps you will share the source of your
amusement?"

Lucy choked back her laughter and took a deep
breath. "I beg your indulgence, it's just," she started laughing
again. "It's just, you look so out of place in here!"

The ghost of a smile touched Chalifour’s lips
momentarily. "I'm so pleased to have been able to amuse you."

It occurred to Lucy belatedly she might have
insulted Chalifour. She quickly said, "I meant no offense. In
retrospect, I'm sure I should have taken you to the large salon
instead. I should have foreseen you would be uncomfortable in here.
Perhaps we should adjourn to the large salon?"

"No, you've gone to the trouble of providing
refreshments here. I wouldn't wish to inconvenience you." His blue
eyes mocked her. Somehow Chalifour knew she intentionally placed
him in this room to make him uncomfortable!

"Oh, but it would be my pleasure. I do so
hate the thought of a guest being uncomfortable," Lucy said, eyeing
Chalifour with feigned innocence.

"I believe we should just conclude the
business at hand rather than moving about."

"Of course, how silly of me. I am to inform
you that Lucien has nothing to add to your proposal." Well that
much was true. Lucien certainly didn't have any changes to make to
the proposal since he wasn't even conscious at the moment.

Chalifour's eyes narrowed and he eyed Lucy
speculatively. "You are quite sure there are no changes that your
brother wished to make."

"No, he did not speak of any changes to me."
Well, that was true too.

"Very well. I am returning to Town today and
will have the contact drawn up. I've been spending far too much
time as of late traveling between my estate in Chalifour and my
house in Town trying to conclude a number of business dealings. Now
that Season is getting under way, there are matters I need to
attend to in the House of Lords. I'll return here in about two
day's time on my return trip to Chalifour Manor so the contact can
be signed. Perhaps your brother will be well enough to speak with
me then."

"Perhaps he will, My Lord."

Chalifour’s eyes flicked to the musical
instruments in the room. "Do you play the pianoforte or harp?"

"No, I'm afraid not. They belonged to my
mother. She loved to play."

"That's a fine harp. A double action pedal
harp made by Georges Cousineau, I believe."

Lucy stared at Chalifour in surprise. "That's
right. How did you know?"

"I have a sister. She plays the harp so I
know a lot about them, more than I care to, actually."

"Does she play well?"

"No, not really."

"Oh, I see."

"I think my sister mostly plays because she
is expected to, not because she enjoys it. You said your mother
loved to play. Did she play well?"

"Yes, she did. It was beautiful to hear, like
an angel would play."

"I wish I could say the same of my
sister."

Lucy laughed. "It can’t be that bad!"

"Want to bet! Well then, I'll take my leave.
I will expect to see you, and Mr. Goodwin, in two day’s time. Thank
you for the pleasure of your company and your excellent
hospitality."

They stood and Chalifour followed Lucy to the
door. Chalifour's presence behind her was distracting. Lucy was
certain he was scrutinizing her.
What was his impression of her
now that she looked presentable for the first time since making his
acquaintance?

Pausing at the front door, Chalifour bent his
head close and looked down at Lucy, his face a foot away. Her
breath caught in her throat. That pesky stray lock of dark curly
hair had fallen across his forehead again. Lucy almost reached up
to brush the hair back into place, but quelled the urge. Chalifour
stared at her and said nothing for a moment, pinning her with those
blue eyes.
Did he know what she was thinking?
Her breathing
accelerated and her heart beat faster. They stared at one another a
moment before Chalifour broke the contact.

"Good day, Miss Goodwin." Chalifour turned
and walked out the front door.

Climbing into his coach, Chalifour settled in
for the ride into Town. He had made the trip between Town and
Chalifour Manor all too frequently of late. He began to mull over
the exchange which had just taken place at the Goodwin residence.
He was missing something. He was sure of that.
But what?
His
curiosity was now piqued.

Chalifour recounted the events in his mind.
After they entered the house, Lucy had placed him in her mother's
parlor. The room was obviously not used, yet Lucy chose to host him
there. The little chit wanted to make him uncomfortable by design.
The question was why.

Lucy had left him to speak with Lucien. When
she rejoined him in the salon, Lucy had restyled her hair during
the time she was supposed to be consulting with her brother. That
meant Lucy and her brother couldn't have spoken long. Though
curious, that in and of itself did not amount to much. However,
Chalifour had never done business with someone who didn't at least
attempt to change some of the terms of an agreement to his own
betterment.

Lucy had reported her brother requested no
changes. That was highly unusual. Though if Lucien was as out of
sorts as Lucy implied, perhaps he simply didn't have the strength
or the clarity of mind at the moment. If that was the case, while
Chalifour thought of himself as shrewd in his business dealings, he
certainly was not so dishonorable as to take advantage of someone
in a weakened physical and mental state. He needed to think this
through.

Having nothing else to occupy him on the ride
into Town, Chalifour leaned back in his seat and stretched his
long, muscular legs. Chalifour crossed his hands behind his head
and let his thoughts wander back to Lucy. She was as beautiful as
he remembered. When he had spied her in the stables with her back
turned to him, humming and combing that magnificent stallion, he
had been mesmerized by the thick, curly mane of auburn hair shot
through with copper colored streaks. What would it feel like to
bury his face in those lustrous locks?