Scandalous Intentions (11 page)

“The pleasure is all ours, dear. Please join us.” The Duchess tipped her chin.

The quartet’s music drifted on a warm breeze, somehow comforting. “I would be honor to do so.”

The Duchess of Tisdale turned to Grace. “You simply must join us as well. It seems like ages since we have spent time in one another’s company.”

“Not since Lady Celia’s coming out,” Grace said. “Shall we make ourselves comfortable?”

The Duke of Tisdale arranged himself on the turkey mat under the shade of the tree. “Yes, all of you. Come sit.”

He seemed to have softened, but Sarah found him foreboding all the same. She would rather be anywhere else at the moment. Alas, she had struck a bargain with Lord Luvington and intended to see it through. Unable to bring herself to release his arm, she glanced at him.

He patted her gloved hand, then turned his attention to his parents. “I am afraid we cannot stay long. I have promised Lady Sarah some time with her friends.” He looked back at her, a rakish twist to his mouth.

A chill galloped down her spine as her heart leaped. She dropped her hand from his arm and sat beside Grace. That look affected her far too much. Perhaps once his parents were satisfied, she could convince hers to take her home. She never agreed to stay for the entirety of the party.

“I hoped to run into you today, Duchess. And how splendid you are here with Julian’s Lady Sarah.” Julian’s mother glanced at Sarah, then back to Grace. “What a perfect coincidence.”

Grace opened her fan and began to wave it near her face. “Lady Sarah and I became fast friends last season. I have grown very fond of her.” She glanced at Sarah.

Warmth spread through her for the woman. Thank heavens Grace was here with her to make the situation more comfortable.

“Won’t you both join me for tea tomorrow at our country estate?” The Duchess of Tisdale angled her head toward her husband.

Something akin to dread streaked through Sarah. How could she deny the invitation of a duchess? She glanced at Lord Luvington, who nodded, his eyes alight. The cad either enjoyed her discomfort or believed this farce would lead to an engagement. Sarah clenched her teeth and focused on his mother.

“I cannot speak for Lady Sarah, but I am happy to accept your invitation.” Grace reached up and loosened the ties of her bonnet.

“Do say you will join us, Lady Sarah.”

Drat
. Sarah glanced at the Duchess of Tisdale. “Yes of course I will.” What other choice did she have? One did not simply toss out the invitation of a duchess. Mother would have her hide if she dared.

The Duke cleared his throat. “Splendid, Julian and I will join you ladies. We can discuss the nuptials.” He lifted one hand and waved it toward Sarah and Lord Luvington.

Sarah jerked her eyes up to meet Lord Luvington’s. His face paled as his gaze locked on hers. Heat seared her cheeks. He had tricked her again, outright deceived her. She had asked him directly if he told his parents they were going to marry and he said he had not. It was foolish of her to trust him for even a moment, and she had better make a point of remembering it from now on.

Lord Luvington peered at his father. “Lady Sarah has not agreed to anything beyond my courting her, Father.”

When he looked at Sarah, his gaze no longer held the playful spark she had become accustomed to. Rather he appeared subdued like a fearful child. Perhaps he had not misled her after all. The Duke certainly did not seem like a nice man, and she knew the demand he placed on his son. Maybe he decided to take matters into his own hands. It must have been awful for Lord Luvington growing up with such a crass father. A tinge of regret touched her heart.

The Duke stared at her. “You know Julian will be cut off if he fails to marry a respectable lady by month’s end?”

Sarah clasped her hands on her lap in an attempt to stop them from shaking. How dare the duke put such demands on his son. And now to drag her into it as though only she could remedy the situation. The man was despicable.

“That is quite enough, Piers. This is neither the time nor the place.” The Duchess of Tisdale shook her head at Sarah. “Please accept our apology. The Duke merely worries about our dear son’s future. He does not mean to cause you any distress.”

Sarah nodded and forced a smile before staring at the plush green grass next to her.

Grace reached over and squeezed Sarah’s hand. “The Duke never did mince words. One always knows what he is thinking.” Her soft eyes sparkled. “I assure you, he means no harm.”

“I need no defending, ladies,” The Duke stated flatly. “However, if I have offended you, I do apologize.”

Sarah forced a polite nod. “Shall we just put this behind us and move forward? No harm done.”

Lord Luvington gazed at her. A small smirk pulled at his lips and some of the playfulness seemed to have returned to his gaze. If she could just talk to him alone.

“I am rather parched. My lord, would you mind escorting me to the refreshment tent?” She tilted her head to look at Lord Luvington.

“It would be an honor, Lady Sarah. Can I bring something back for you, Your Grace?”

“No thank you, dear,” Grace replied.

He stood up and offered his hand to Sarah.

She took it and allowed him to help her. Once standing, Sarah smoothed her blush colored skirts then squared her shoulders.

“Mother, Father, are you in need of refreshments?” he asked.

“Some fruit would be divine.” The Duchess flipped open her fan.

“Very well.” Julian offered his arm. “Shall we?”

She placed her hand under his arm, allowing him to lead her toward the tent.

They strolled in silence. Her mind raced as she attempted to make heads or tails of his father. The last thing she wanted was to feel sorry for Lord Luvington, but how could she not?

At least he had his mother. The Duchess turned out to be delightful, just as Grace said she would. Perhaps they could be friends. But the Duke?

“I do not wish to spend any more time in your father’s company at this soiree.” She glanced at Lord Luvington from the corner of her eye. His shoulders stiffened, and he met her gaze.

“He can be a lot to take in. I do not blame you. We will excuse ourselves after I bring Mother her fruit.”

Sarah sighed. “Yes, I suppose you must follow through. And we abandoned the Dowager Duchess as well.” Sarah nibbled her lower lip.

“Do not worry over the Dowager Duchess. As I said, she is an old friend of the family and quite capable of handling herself.” The muscle in his arm flexed under Sarah’s hand.

A jolt coursed through her at the power beneath her gloved fingers, culminating in her core. What would it be like to be wrapped in his arms? It was a dangerous idea, but the thought had a mind of its own. She should be mindful of her own scandalous intentions.

Seeing him with his father softened her resolve. He had transformed from the rakehell she knew him to be into the gentleman she never believed he could be. One who wore his emotions on his sleeve and fought to hold his head high while his person was under attack. A gentleman who fetched refreshments for older ladies and entertained them despite his own discomfort. She could not help but admire the way he handled himself around the loathsome Duke of Tisdale.

“Will you join us for tea tomorrow?” Sarah asked. “I should not like to be in your father’s company without you.”

He chuckled. “You could beg off. But if it pleases you to have me there, I shall move heaven and earth to avoid your disappointment.”

His smooth words wrapped around her. “It would be rude to decline the invitation. Your parents hold a higher social rank than I.” She slanted her glance at him. “As for my disappointment, I trust you will keep it at bay.”

“Do my ears deceive me?” He flashed a wicked grin. “It sounded as though you said you trust me.”

Sarah laughed. “Pray, do not let it go to your head.”

SCANDALOUS INTENTIONS

CHAPTER TWELVE

Sarah tossed and
turned the entire night as she mused over all that had happened since her introduction to Lord Luvington. She could not help but want to save him after meeting his father, but could she sacrifice her chance to be loved in order to do so?

By the time she departed the garden party, it had become clear Lord Luvington held her heart. Would her love for him be enough to carry her through the rest of her days? Perhaps she could love enough for them both.

Sarah shook the foolish thought from her muddled mind and focused her attention on the drive leading to her townhouse.

Grace would be here to fetch her any time. A light breeze brushed Sarah’s skirts around her ankles. She glanced at Mother. “The weather is lovely today. Perhaps we should go for a ride this afternoon.” Small talk, but at least it distracted her from her other line of thoughts.

“What a wonderful idea, dear. I should love to.” Mother tipped her chin. “The Duchess has arrived.”

The Duchess of Abernathy’s carriage approached. Sleek and black with her crest in gold leaf on the side. Sarah’s stomach tightened. She had no desire to spend the afternoon in the Duke of Tisdale’s company. At least she would have Mother by her side. The Duke invited Papa as well, but they were to hunt before tea. Did Papa enjoy the Duke’s hospitality, or did he itch to break away? She could not imagine how he could not.

Sarah and Mother made their way over and allowed a liveried footman to assist them into the carriage. Grace grinned as they settled in. “Lady Sarah, Lady Havenshire. You both look splendid today.”

“You make a smashing vision yourself, Your Grace.” Mother tilted her head.

Something about the pleasantries made Sarah laugh, releasing the tension that hung in the air. The other ladies soon joined in. The merriment soothed her nerves, but it would not last.

Grace knocked on the carriage roof. It jolted forward as the driver urged the horses into motion.

“I wonder how Papa is getting on with the Duke of Tisdale.”

“Marvelously, I am sure.” Mother straightened her bonnet ribbons. “Your father is an avid hunter, and I am certain the duke holds prime hunting lands.”

“Yes, but the Duke is ghastly. You did not witness the way he treated Lord Luvington yesterday.” Sarah leaned back against the plush upholstered seat. “My heart broke for him.”

Grace patted Sarah’s glove covered hand. “I fear you have an inaccurate idea of the Duke. He is really a splendid man who loves his son a great deal. He only wishes to see Lord Luvington settled. I do hope your opinion of him is changed after this afternoon’s tea.”

Sarah pulled her brows together.

“Truly, dear, you cannot judge a man until you know him well. The Duke was a perfect gentleman when your father and I were introduced to him.” Mother smiled at Grace. “It is possible you had the misfortune of meeting him at a bad time.”

Sarah opened her fan. “All the same, I do not see my opinion changing.”

“Will Lord Luvington be joining us?” Mother asked, a sparkle in her eyes.

Sarah rested her fan in her lap as a wide grin stretched her lips. Heaven help her, she could not help the joy springing forward in her. “I have it on the best of authority he will.”

“Splendid. I do enjoy his company.” Mother folded her hands on her lap.

Grace tossed her head. “Pardon me for what I am about to say.” She glanced at Sarah and smirked. “Wild horses could not keep him away from our dear Lady Sarah.”