Saving a scoundrel, p.7
Saving a Scoundrel, page 7
“Mr. Grisham, it is nice to see you again. How is your naughty sister?”
Lucius stiffened.
But the lady continued without waiting for a response. “Happy as a clam with my Daniel, no doubt.”
“Aunt, don’t tease. You saw the happy couple yourself over Christmas,” Hawksridge admonished.
Lucius relaxed as he realized Lady Wells was teasing. “Yes, in fact, she wrote me with the good news she and Daniel are expecting their first child.”
“What exciting news! Did you know this Hawksridge?” Lady Wells turned to her nephew.
“Yes, I just received a similar letter.” Hawksridge’s expression softened into a wide smile.
“What! Did you say Charlotte is expecting?” a shocked feminine voice rang out.
Lucius turned. Susanna Dearborn and Eleanor Spencer rose from a nearby settee. His sister’s best friends crossed to join their group. They wore identical stunned expressions. Eleanor’s brow furrowed right between her eyebrows as she frowned at him.
“Yes, that’s what she wrote.”
Susanna turned to face Eleanor. “I can’t believe she hasn’t told us.”
“Why would she tell him first?” Eleanor replied.
“Hey! I am her brother,” he protested.
“That’s hardly the same as a bosom friend, Lucius,” Eleanor replied tartly. “What else did the letter say?”
“Wait.” He held up his hand and closed his eyes in mock rapture. “I just want to enjoy this moment of knowing something you don’t.”
“Lucius Grisham, loose your tongue.” Eleanor snaked out a hand and pinched his arm.
Next to him, Katy gasped and sent Ellie a glare, but he laughed out loud. “Only that they had changed their mind about coming to town. Daniel wants to keep her in the country. You know how he feels about the fresh air. Oh, and that I should make sure you are not being a wallflower.” He winked at Eleanor.
Eleanor let out a small huff of indignation. “I told you already that I don’t—”
“I just received my letter this morning,” Hawksridge interjected. “I’m sure your letter is en route.”
Susanna patted Eleanor’s arm. “He’s right. She would have written to all of us at the same time. Now I’m sorry we didn’t see her before we left for town. Things were so busy packing and such. I thought they would be coming to London in another week.”
Eleanor nodded. “Exciting news all the same.”
“Very exciting news.” Miss Macdougal looked up at him. “Please tell your sister congratulations from me.”
Susanna glanced at Miss Macdougal. “Lucius, who is your friend?”
Where were his manners? “Um, sorry. Lady Ashby, Miss Spencer, may introduce you to Miss Macdougal.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you both.” Miss Macdougal smiled, but her fingers gripped his arm tightly. “Terrible weather tonight, isn’t it?”
“Truly! I hope the whole spring won’t be as wet as this week,” Lady Wells replied.
“I see you both managed to stay dry coming in. Lucius, did you remember to bring an umbrella this time?” Eleanor said drily.
“This time?” Lucius watched pale pink color flush Eleanor’s cheeks.
“I saw…I mean, we saw you pass by the bookshop in Piccadilly earlier this week trying to keep the rain off your head with a newspaper.” She smiled at Katy. “He is always woefully unprepared.”
Katy turned to him. “That was the day you showed up at the brewery soaked to the bone.”
“The brewery?” Eleanor asked.
That’s enough about that. “Miss Macdougal, I am parched. Shall we get a drink?” He steered her away before any more questions could be asked about the brewery. He lowered his voice. “Miss Macdougal, maybe we could not mention that I work for your father.”
She glanced up at him with a cheeky grin. “Ah yes, the quality aren’t supposed to actually work for a living.”
Lucius grimaced. She wasn’t wrong. “Strictly speaking, as a second son, I need to have a profession of some sort, but I haven’t explained to my friends what I have been doing.” He grabbed two wineglasses off the table, automatically handing one to Miss Macdougal. “Wait, are you allowed to have wine?” He didn’t usually socialize with young unmarried women.
She rolled her eyes. “Yes, I’m allowed to have wine.” She took a rather large gulp. “So you know those ladies well? They called you Lucius.”
“Yes, they are friends of my sister. I’ve known them forever.” He took a sip of wine and glanced across the room where Susanna and Eleanor still stood chatting with Hawksridge and his aunt. He had no idea they would be here tonight, but he probably should have guessed. Hawksridge was the consummate politician, he would of course welcome them to town with a dinner party.
Eleanor looked lovely tonight. Her bronze dress set off the shoulder and his gaze traveled across the expanse of alabaster skin it showcased. A single golden curl hung down and brushed against her shoulder.
“Mr. Grisham,” Miss Macdougal said in a tone that told him this hadn’t been the first time she’d said his name.
“Pardon?” He tore his gaze from Eleanor.
“I said, tell me who else is here. Any of your rakish friends?” She giggled and took another large swallow of wine.
He wondered if maybe the wine had been a bad idea. “How do you know I have rakish friends?” he teased.
“I read the scandal sheets, same as everyone else.”
“Don’t believe everything you read. I don’t have the stamina for half the things they say about me.”
Katy walked her fingers down the front of his jacket as she looked up at him through her eyelashes. “Oh, I think you must have marvelous stamina.”
Lucius broke away from her sultry gaze with an uncomfortable cough. Across the room, he caught Eleanor frowning at him, and he took a step back from Miss Macdougal. “Well, Lord Hawksridge’s friends tend toward the serious and earnest, so I don’t expect there is anyone scandalous here tonight.” He took her empty wine glass and his and set it on the table. “Let’s go mingle.”
Chapter Twelve
Ellie frowned. Blast it all, who was that woman? The lady couldn’t be more than eighteen or nineteen and far too wide-eyed to be one of Lucius’s usual lady friends. Ellie’s excitement had known no bounds when she heard that Lucius was invited tonight. She took extra care with her appearance. She should have known he would arrive with a woman on his arm.
Miss Macdougal’s hand trailed across Lucius’s chest as she looked up at him with cow eyes. Ellie sucked in a sharp breath. Jealousy poked at her, a familiar prick to her heart. Rather forward for polite company. Not that it was any of her business. She turned her attention back to the conversation.
“Oh, there is Lady Throsby. I must say hello. Please excuse me,” said Lady Wells.
They were left alone with Hawksridge. Susanna turned to him. “My lord, who is that lady with Lucius?”
Ellie had never been happier about her friend’s forthright manner as in this moment.
“I haven’t any idea.” Miles clasped his hands behind his back. His gaze darted around the room.
Ellie studied him closely. He would not meet her gaze. “Charlotte was right when she said you are a terrible liar.”
“Out with it, Hawksridge. What do you know?” Susanna demanded.
“Nothing. I’ve never met the lady.” He sighed as Ellie and Susanna continued to stare at him. “I recognize her name. Lucius has been doing the accounting for a Macdougal Brewery.”
“He is doing the accounting for a brewery? Why?” Ellie asked.
“He takes care of the books for several businesses, including the gaming hell where he lives, the Termage I believe it’s called since his father cut him off last June.”
“What?”
Susanna’s loud exclamation mirrored the one in Ellie’s head. Lucius cut off? Lucius working? Ellie’s mind reeled at all the new information. Lucius was a layabout rake. He drank too much and gambled and…was his reputation all a façade? She shook her head in disbelief.
Hawksridge stepped forward and took hold of each of their elbows. He guided them farther away from the rest of the guests. “I shouldn’t have said anything. I don’t think he wants people to know. Including Charlotte.” He gave them a stern look.
Ellie held up a hand. “Wait, did you say he is living at a gaming hell? Do people do that?”
“Hawksridge, if he is in financial straits, why haven’t you helped him?” Susanna poked at his chest with one finger. “You are rich as Croesus. How could you let a friend flounder?”
“I offered my help, but he refused.” Hawksridge crossed his arms in front of his broad chest. “A man has his pride.”
“Pride, hmmph.” Susanna snorted. “Perhaps I should marry him, and then we could live off my dowry.”
Ellie felt her mouth fall open in shock. Hawksridge had a similar expression. But Susanna just laughed. “I’m teasing! You should see the two of your faces.” Her expression sobered as she looked over at Ellie. “I would never do that to you, love.”
Hawksridge glanced over his shoulder at Lucius and Miss Macdougal. “Perhaps he’s had a similar idea. Macdougal’s brewery supplies beer to half of London and southern England. I’ve invested a bit of money with it, and it makes me a pretty profit each quarter.” He arched one eyebrow. “Who do you think told Macdougal about Lucius’s talent with numbers? His daughter most likely has a sizable dowry.”
Ellie’s heart sank. It all made more sense. She glanced across to where Lucius stood, chatting with an older gentleman and his wife. Miss Macdougal said something, and Lucius laughed, his eyes shining with good humor as he looked down at her.
Ellie sucked in a deep breath. Enough. Lucius Grisham will never be yours, she told herself sternly. Enough of this silly childhood crush. This would be her year for adventure, and she would not waste another minute of it pining for Lucius Grisham.
She turned, and her elbow bumped into a gentleman standing to her left. “Pardon me!” Ellie said.
“Entirely my fault.” The gentleman smiled down at her. Dark hair framed a handsome face; his dark brown eyes were full of good humor. “I was just coming to greet our host. Lord Hawksridge.” He nodded his head.
“Lord Danvers. Lady Ashby, may I introduce you to Lord Danvers?”
Susanna outstretched her hand in greeting.
“Ah, the one who beat all the boys on Rotten Row last year.” Lord Danvers gave Susanna a wink after releasing her fingers.
“Well, I can’t help it if I have superior horseflesh.” She threw him a saucy smile.
Hawksridge cleared his throat. “And Miss Spencer, Lord Danvers.”
Lord Danvers lifted her outstretched hand to his lips. “A pleasure. You look lovely tonight, Miss Spencer, like a bronze goddess.”
Ellie felt her cheeks heat. What an outrageous compliment. Were all men in London so charming?
“Dinner is served,” the butler intoned.
Lord Danvers held out his elbow. “May I escort you in?”
Ellie nodded, and they followed the other guests into the dining room. Platters laden with thick slices of beef steak, roasted partridges, potato pudding, roasted root vegetables, and what looked to be peach fritters filled the center on the long table. Lord Danvers held out a chair for her and then seated himself to her right. Lucius and Miss Macdougal settled into chairs across the table.
“Evening, Danvers,” Lucius said. “I didn’t know you knew Hawksridge.”
“Evening, Grisham,” Lord Danvers replied. “I am acquainted with Lady Wells. She often asks me to come fill out her numbers.” He turned to Eleanor. “It’s so nice to be boy, girl, boy, girl, don’t you think?”
Ellie nodded. But she did not miss Lucius’s frown as he unfolded his napkin and placed it in his lap.
“Have you met Mr. Grisham?” Lord Danvers asked her.
“We are acquainted.” Ellie shot Lucius a grin.
Lord Danvers glanced back and forth between her and Lucius.
“This is my guest this evening, Miss Macdougal, may I introduce Lord Danvers?”
“A pleasure to meet you, Miss Macdougal.”
“And you, Lord Danvers.” Miss Macdougal took a large gulp of wine. Then, she turned to Lucius and whispered loudly, “The wine is excellent.”
A footman started forward with the flask of wine, but Lucius waved him away from behind Miss Macdougal’s head. Ellie glanced down the table. Susanna sat next to her mother. She cast Ellie a rather desperate look. Seated next to Susanna was Lord Compton, a man who spoke of nothing but his hounds. Ellie sent Susanna a sympathetic look.
A bowl of soup was set in front of her, and the warm scents of chicken and herbs filled her nose. Ellie took a small spoonful, delicious.
“Miss Spencer, where do you hail from?” Lord Danvers asked.
“I am from Hertfordshire. My father is the vicar in Marbury.”
“I’m not familiar with Hertfordshire. Is it quite bucolic?”
“Indeed. I will admit that London is not making a good impression on me with all this rain turning the streets to mud.”
“Oh, but the entertainments are many. The sun will emerge, and you can ride in the park or visit the gardens at Kew. But, of course, the most fun to be had happens at night.” He winked at her.
“I’m sure nice young ladies like Miss Spencer don’t partake in the kind of fun you are insinuating, Danvers,” Lucius interjected.
Lord Danvers shot him a tight smile. “I wasn’t insinuating anything, Grisham. I was simply referring to the opera or the ballet.”
“Or the theater?” Ellie shot Lucius a frown. “Going to the theater is definitely on my list of things to do in town this spring.”
What was his issue with Danvers? He should pay attention to his dinner partner. Miss Macdougal’s wide gaze tripped back and forth between the two men. She lifted her spoon and took a loud slurp of soup.
“Certainly. I believe they are playing The Bohemian Girl at the Theatre Royal, starring Miss Lily Jamieson.”
“What else is on this list?” Lucius lifted one eyebrow. “This is the second time you’ve mentioned it.”
Ellie shrugged one shoulder. She turned to Lord Danvers. “Do you like to sail?”
“Indeed! I have a fine yacht. Perhaps you will allow me to take you out for a sail?” Lord Danvers’s smile was genuine, but his eyes roamed down from her face to skim over her breasts.
She was no fool, she opened her mouth to decline, but Lucius again inserted himself into the conversation.
“A sailing party? What a capital idea. I would love to go sailing.” He turned to Miss Macdougal. “Lord Danvers is inviting people to go sailing. What say you? Does that sound like fun?”
Lord Danvers opened his mouth. “I didn’t in—”
“That sounds wonderful!” Miss Macdougal nodded her head enthusiastically. “I would love to go sailing, Lord Danvers,” she said rather loudly.
“A sailing party?” Lord Haverty said from the other side of Danvers. “Excellent. What day?”
“Can I invite my sister?” the lady next to Lucius asked. “She does so like to go sailing.”
Lord Danvers let out an enormous sigh. Ellie covered her mouth with her napkin to stifle a chuckle. Then Danvers turned to her and said, “Are you free Saturday afternoon?”
Chapter Thirteen
As dinner ended, the women began to filter out of the dining room to repair to the drawing room for after-dinner conversation. Someone grabbed her elbow as she exited the room.
“Ellie, could you watch out for Miss Macdougal for me?” Lucius pulled her aside. “Don’t let her have any more wine. If I bring her home drunk, her father will kill me, or worse, sack me.”
“Of course. You work for her father?” Ellie feigned ignorance.
Lucius grimaced. “Yes, I do all his accounting. But he also has allowed me to learn how to brew the beer. It’s fascinating, and I rather not lose the chance to keep learning the business.” He ran a hand through his shaggy hair. The wavy dark blond locks falling immediately back onto his forehead, so long they covered his eyes.
Ellie reached out and swept an errant hair behind his ear. “You need a haircut,” she murmured. She allowed her fingers to graze his clean-shaven cheek. He always smelled of lemon soap.
His gaze snared hers. The green depths seemed to flash, and he grasped her hand to bring her fingers to his lips. “Always looking out for me.” He smiled and took a step back.
“And you as well. That was quite the smooth maneuver about the sailing party.”
He shrugged. “He should know better than to ask a lady to go sailing without a chaperone.”
“I’m not foolish. I was just about to decline his offer.” She tried for a disapproving frown, but her lips twitched and began to turn upward. “Sailing is on my list, so I guess I will say thank you.”
“Ah yes, the infamous list. You are going to have to share this list with me, you know.”
“Absolutely not. It’s private. Now go on and have your brandy and smokes. I promise to watch out for your friend.”
Ellie hurried to catch up to the other women. In the drawing room, many of the women had settled into the seating area with a glass of sherry. Miss Macdougal sat alone on a settee by the far window. She almost felt sorry for the younger woman. Susanna walked over to stand next to Ellie.
“Well, dinner was a bore. Or rather Lord Compton was. At least you got to sit next to someone handsome as a dinner companion.”
“Yes, Lord Danvers was quite entertaining. He’s invited us to go sailing this Saturday.”
“Us?”
“Yes, it will be a whole sailing party. Lucius is coming as well.” She nodded at Miss Macdougal. “With his friend.”
“Hmmm. Well, that’s all very interesting. I look forward to it.”
“Let’s go talk with her; Lucius asked me not to let her have any more wine. He’s concerned what her father will think if she imbibes too much.”
“All right. I’m eager to find out more about Miss Macdougal.”
