Chapter 7
Chapter Seven
“Smile, dear Lucy,” Joshua whispered, his breath close to her ear. For some reason, she found it unsettling. “You look like you are about to walk up the gallows rather than attend a ball. While I tell you to be careful with the gentlemen, I don’t want the ton to think I have been mistreating you.”
“I am simply tired, Joshua,” she lied.
In truth, she was anxious, her eyes scanning the guests, dreading a particular face. He should be here, should he not be? It was his sister’s ball, but he was not there for Daphne’s.
“I think I’m tired of coming here only to do what? Go home, without having anyone to commit to come calling?”
Joshua grunted at that. Of course, he knew what the past balls had been like.
He had been the main cause of failure in each attempt at a courtship.
Still, Lucy hoped she could enjoy the ball.
The Duke and Duchess of Oakmere spared no expense in preparing their home for it, with stunning chandeliers and beeswax candles.
It almost felt like the crème de la crème were here.
If there was ever a chance to find a husband, it would be this ball. If only she could escape Joshua’s close watch. Anywhere, no matter how beautiful, could be a prison if he did not change his ways.
Her brother’s hand remained on her elbow. His grip was light, but enough to show her that he did not expect her to steer away from him. He guided her through the crowd and glared at every gentleman who seemed to stare too long at her.
“Ah! Stonewynn! Finally, there he is.”
Lucy’s heart raced. That was him. The Duke of Stonewynn, Victoria’s brother.
It didn’t look like Joshua was there to simply greet him. Her brother waved a hand at him.
And then there was Daniel Brighton, as imposing as ever, even in the midst of a well-dressed crowd.
He wore all black, as if he were a guardian of the night or was in perpetual mourning.
His hair was slicked back, with one rebellious lock hanging by his brow.
He looked like a rake without even making an effort.
“Marsleigh,” he greeted smoothly, although his eyes quickly turned to Lucy.
She cursed her brother inwardly. Why did he like dragging her to every place he wanted to be, instead of just letting her find her own cluster?
With the way her heart was pounding, she thought she might hyperventilate and be sent to a physician. Perhaps that was preferable.
The Duke’s blue eyes were openly boring into hers, but didn’t reveal what he was thinking or that he was planning to keep their encounter in that back alley secret.
“Your Grace, allow me to introduce my sister, Lady Lucy,” her brother said, though the cheer in his voice sounded fake. But why? He was the one who called the Duke’s attention. “We’ve missed you at the last few events.”
Daniel took Lucy’s hand and bowed over it. He held it a second too long, his thumb brushing over her glove. The sensation that made her skin prickle. She could not guess what it meant. She had not felt it before.
“A pleasure to meet you, Lady Lucy,” he murmured, his eyes remaining on hers. They were so blue, like the deepest waters of the ocean. “Have we met before?”
“Er, I don’t think so, Your Grace,” she lied once more. It was like this ball’s sole purpose was to make her commit many sins.
“Ah. It was a dream, then, though I could have sworn it was a rather vivid memory.”
“Your Grace, I’ve heard you rarely attend balls. I, for one, am rarely out except for balls and social events with my brother,” she said softly. To her horror, she felt her cheeks burn.
“Mmm. Is that so?” Daniel asked, even as his mouth curled into a smirk. “Well, if you were like me, then I dare say that quiet lives harbor the most intriguing secrets.”
Was that a confession as well as subtle teasing?
Joshua’s eyes darted between them. The tentative look on his face had completely transformed into a frown. Lucy wondered if her brother could sense the way the air seemed to vibrate between her and the Duke.
No, Lucy. You are imagining things, feeling fear and guilt.
Much to her gratitude, the hostess herself approached them, her silver gown befitting a woman of her stature.
“Marsleigh, Lady Lucy, I am pleased that you have come,” Marianne said. She sounded a tad too formal when she addressed Joshua, but her eyes warmed when she turned to Lucy.
It seemed that her friends and their families were trying to hide their dislike for Joshua, but it somehow flickered to life. It was sudden and subtle, but Lucy caught it anyway.
“You look absolutely beautiful tonight, my dear,” Marianne complimented as she took both of Lucy’s hands in her own.
“Thank you, Your Grace,” Lucy replied. “But look at you. That silver dress is exquisite!”
“Ha. It should be. There was a time I didn’t care much for such things. People often turned their noses up at me when I was but a young woman yet to marry. They found me strange.”
“She does not eat meat, and she hates the hunt,” Daniel explained with a small smile. His eyes sparkled as he looked at his sister.
Lucy wished that Joshua would look at her with that kind of fondness and respect, not possessiveness.
“Well, I do believe Lady Lucy is quite a beauty. Even if the ton thinks you’re different, there will still be suitors,” Marianne mused. “It is surprising that you aren’t surrounded by a few. I heard some asking about you.”
Joshua’s face darkened further. Lucy tensed when she saw his jaw clench. He was not even making the slightest effort to hide what he was feeling, and he was right in front of the hostess, the Duchess of Oakmere herself.
“No one present at this ball is worthy of my sister,” he grumbled. Then, he gave Daniel a sharp look before saying, “No offense, Stonewynn.”
Daniel narrowed his eyes at him. Clearly, offense was taken. His posture shifted. It became more rigid, as if ready for a fight.
“None taken,” he replied with surprising coolness. “I know what it’s like to care for a sister. I have five. However, you must consider that the harder you cage a bird, the more desperate it will be to be free. To fly.”
Joshua watched him with disbelief, but somehow kept his temper, much to Lucy’s relief.
Daniel was not done with her, though. He turned his intense gaze to her and said, “And some may fly to forbidden places. What do you think, Lady Lucy?”
“I have yet to test my wings, Your Grace,” Lucy replied, even as her breath hitched. “Therefore, I would not know.”
“Well, I believe tonight is the time to begin testing those wings,” Daniel said in a low voice. He sounded pensive, but his eyes sparkled with mischief.
“Has Victoria arrived yet?” Lucy asked Marianne, hoping to steer the conversation away from birds and their wings. “I would love to see her.”
“She has. I will take you to her, Lady Lucy,” Marianne offered, much to her relief. “The men can proceed with their dull business on their own.”
Joshua looked positively sour, his hands curled into fists as if trying to control himself. He gave his sister a nod.
“Don’t be too long, Lucy.”
The women crossed to the other side of the room. Daniel watched Lucy’s retreating back until he could no longer see her.
Yes, he was teasing her, but it was his way of testing the waters. The girl seemed terrified of getting caught. He had seen how her brother had hovered, and could no longer blame her for wanting some adventure in her life.
“So, how are you settling into your new role, Stonewynn?” Joshua asked, trying to reclaim his attention. “A duchy is not an easy thing to run, and you’ve just settled into your role as the Marquess of Grisham. Most men would have stumbled in their first year, and it would have been understandable.”
“It’s a piece of cake,” Daniel replied. Joshua could think him arrogant, and he didn’t really care.
“It’s more numbers on a page and choosing to transact with the right people.
I wouldn’t say I just settled into my previous role as Marquess.
I was born knowing I would take over after my father.
And you’ve seen my sister Marianne. She taught us how to be brave, strong, and principled. ”
“I am certain that you are right,” Joshua replied, his eyes boring into Daniel’s. “However, I wonder what you’ve been looking for. I heard you’ve been spending quite some time at the East End, in some areas our kind is not expected to explore without getting hurt.”
“Who,” Daniel corrected him.
“I beg your pardon?” Joshua asked, his body stiffening. It was barely perceptible, but Daniel noticed it.
“I am searching for a particular person,” Daniel clarified.
“How mysterious,” Joshua murmured. “Why are you looking for this person? He must be quite important. Did he owe you something?”
“I don’t think it’s time for me to talk about these things,” Daniel said. “But perhaps one day, when I’ve found him, I will tell you.”
“The places you’ve been exploring can be quite dangerous. I’d caution you against those parts of London. The things I’ve heard happen in those back alleys are alarming.”
“I’ve survived worse, Marsleigh,” Daniel insisted, and he saw Joshua’s knuckles whiten around his glass of brandy. “I believe I can handle myself.”
“All is good, then,” Joshua said, before his eyes landed on something behind Daniel.
Daniel turned to see another man looking their way.
“If you’ll excuse me, Stonewynn. I must go and talk to Lord Beasley.”
As Joshua made his way to his acquaintance, Daniel took it as an opportunity to scan the crowd for Lucy. There she was, with three of his sisters: the twins and Marianne. He smiled.
Not long after Joshua had left him standing alone, Theo approached. Daniel heaved a sigh of relief at the sight of his friend wearing something black for a change. He’d have to avert his eyes to protect them if Theo decided to wear his magenta suit.
“You are doing it again, Stonewynn, and I suspect you don’t even know it.”
“W-what?”
“You are staring at no other than Lady Lucy Coulson, were you not?” Theo asked, arching his eyebrows. “You have been staring at her like a wolf about to pounce anytime. Be careful, your sisters are very perceptive.”
“I was merely observing the room and my sister’s guests,” Daniel lied, glaring at him. “I rarely attend such events.”
“Mmm. Not a complete lie. Lady Lucy is, after all, part of the room. She was with three of your sisters. Now, two more are approaching. That is a difficult blockade to break.”
Daniel shot his friend a death glare. Still, he could no longer deny it.
Lucy was thoroughly enjoying her time with the Grisham sisters. They all seemed to like her. It felt wonderful to be part of a group of kind-hearted people.
But the circle would soon have to disperse. The orchestra began playing a waltz. Soon, the Dukes approached to claim their wives for the dance.
“We will be back as soon as the music stops,” Victoria promised.
“I think we should not leave her here alone,” Daphne fretted.
“Lady Lucy won’t be alone,” Daniel’s voice interjected from behind, startling Lucy. “She will be dancing with me. Will you dance with me, Lady Lucy?”
His sisters turned toward him, their eyebrows raised. Other guests seemed to have noticed what was happening, too. They were just as startled. After all, the Duke of Stonewynn was known to hate balls, especially after he inherited the duchy.
The hostess’s brother, a duke no less, was asking a woman whose marriage prospects were dismal to waltz. It was intriguing, to say the least. If she said no, it would be an even more devastating blow to her marriage prospects.
“I—I w-would be honored, Your Grace,” she stammered.
As he led her to the dance floor, whispers swirled around them.
“The Duke of Stonewynn here? And he’s dancing?”
“Why didn’t he ask me to dance? I am dressed so much better than her.”
“It seems he is very charitable with his choice.”
“Poor thing. She looks drab and terrified next to him.”
“Pay them no mind,” Daniel whispered, resting his large, warm hand on the small of her back. “They are why I rarely come to these events.”
“Of course you’ll say that,” Lucy hissed. “It is easy for you, a man and a duke no less. However, I am a woman with no marriage prospects. If I refuse you, I would be accused of pride and idiocy. If I seem to enjoy this too much, I will be considered ruined.”
Daniel merely smirked. His hand tightened around hers, while the other pulled her even closer. Lucy was aware that they were skirting the rules of propriety, but she did not pull away.
“It would be much diverting to give them something to whisper about,” he teased.
For someone who hated balls, Daniel was a powerful and graceful dancer. He guided her with such ease that she was able to confidently twirl and spin to the music.
Even with the music’s joyful rhythm, Lucy became acutely aware of how the skirts of her dress brushed against his trousers. In their proximity, she could smell his cologne mingling with his pure masculine scent.
His eyes flashed. Black was growing larger within the blue of his eyes as he took on an almost predatory look. And she was not scared. She was not scared at all. Instead, it gave her a thrill.
What was it they said about the Duchess of Oakmere? She hated the hunt. But this hunt, Lucy could live with. She could thrive in it. It made her skin heat.
She was far too aware of how his fingers now dug into the small of her back through silk and lace. She flushed as images of them in a different kind of embrace flashed before her.
What kind of woman was she? Perhaps Joshua was right to restrain her.
When the music ended, she was breathing hard. Daniel finally released her, but she could still feel his fingers pressing into her flesh.
As they walked away from the dance floor, Joshua approached them. His eyes were narrowed into slits. However, he quickly masked it.
“I am quite surprised you chose to dance with my sister,” he commented.
“Oh, it’s merely the polite thing to do,” Daniel replied dismissively.
Lucy frowned. Was that why he did it? Perhaps he also did it out of pity.
The comment stung, to her surprise. Her chest ached just as her body had heated moments ago.
“Stonewynn! I was right. It was you,” a lord about Joshua’s and Daniel’s age called out.
“If you’ll excuse me,” Daniel murmured, executing another bow.
Lucy merely stared at him, grappling with the emotions within her. He didn’t have to know that his reaction had a potent effect on her.