Page 40 of The Tempting of a Devilish Lord

Chapter Twelve

Alex had certainly done some strange things in his life but hiding in the trees, readying himself to jump into a row boat and effectively kidnap Lucy had to be near the top of the list of odd moments in his life. When he’d agreed to come to Cumbria, he certainly had not envisaged this as one of the ways he would pass the time.

He only hoped Lucy came this time. He tightened his grip on the nearby tree and listened for the sound of their arrival at the jetty. The thought of this rival—some Bernard Sandwell chap, whoever the heck he was—stealing her away from him made his blood heat.

Mary-Anne seemed to think the man was no challenge, but Lucy had chosen to spend time with him rather than row a boat with her sister. Surely that meant she had some sort of feelings for him?

Well, Alex was going to find out for certain today. Did she care for that rigid-looking chap with all the personality of a wet fish or did she like him?

Or maybe even love him?

Because, damn it, he was not above a little spying, and when he had seen Lucy with this Bernard fellow, he’d wanted to stride over, kiss her firmly and claim her as his. The woman looked entirely bored and uncomfortable around him.

However, the old Alex might have been willing to do such a thing, but the new Alex would not. For Lucy, he would be as good and as sweet and as gentlemanly as possible. He would not risk scandal. Which was why they would row out, away from prying eyes, and he would tell her of his desire to court her in person, and with any luck she would say yes.

He didn’t want to think about what he would do if she did not. Likely sink into a mire of frustration as deep as the one his brother Leo seemed tangled in over his old love. For the first time ever, he could truly sympathize with his brother over having his heart broken.

He’d never felt such a thing before—this strange, twisting feeling that had him on the edge of a mountain, ready to tumble off and shatter at the bottom, if Lucy did not want him. It was oddly exhilarating but also horribly terrifying. If it were not for the fact the reward would be thoroughly worth it, he would be riding back to London and telling his mother their deal was off and she could cry as much as she liked about it.

He stilled at the crunch of footsteps. His lips curved at the sound of Mary-Anne talking far too loudly for his benefit.

“I want to go from here,” she demanded, “because the views of the lakes are much better.”

“I do not see why we could not use one of the boats at the lakefront.” Lucy came into view through the trees and his heart gave a jolt. “I did not even know there were boats here.”

“At least we can get away from boring Bernie.”

“He is not boring,” Lucy replied, and Alex ground his teeth together.

“He is the dullest man on Earth, and you think simply because he is somewhat respectable, he will make you a good husband.”

“Like hell,” Alex muttered.

Lucy froze. “Did you hear something?”

Alex ducked down a little farther for a few moments, lifting his head up to spy Lucy and her sister climbing into the boat. He waited until Lucy was seated with the oars in hand as agreed with Mary-Anne then he sprinted over quickly, dashing down the jetty before Lucy noticed him. Mary-Anne gave a triumphant grin and leaped up, making the boat rock.

“Mary-Anne!” Lucy exclaimed.

“I forgot something,” she said and stepped swiftly out of the boat, allowing Alex to swap places with her.

Mouth ajar, Lucy stared at him. “What are you doing?”

He used her shock to his advantage and snatched the oars from her then Mary-Anne shoved the boast away from the jetty. With a few powerful movements of the oars, he had them away from the edge of the lake, giving Lucy no chance to escape.

“Alex, take me back,” she insisted.

“Not a chance.”

“This is—”

“Scandalous?” He shook his head. “I have made sure no one can see us.”

She folded her arms. “It would be less so if peoplecouldsee us.”

“Very well.” He put all his effort into rowing them farther toward the town center where the majority of boats and people were.

“That is not what I meant,” she protested.

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