Page 126 of Lords, Ladies and Love

“I’m just going into the village. I need to discuss the food with the butcher.”

“If you give me a moment, I will accompany you.”

“Oh, there’s really—”

He started hammering again, cutting her off. She was not certain why she was protesting anyway, only that if she was going to prove to him she belonged here, she should not be accepting his help. The other part of her, however, wanted him with her. The past few weeks things had changed. She wanted his company, more than anyone else’s. She wanted to make him smile, to hear more about his life, even to understand why he had returned. Was it just that he wanted her married off? Was it something else? He was frustratingly silent on the matter.

He finished hitting the post in place and retrieved his jacket and cravat from a nearby post. He put it on, andLucy averted her gaze, feeling as though she was witnessing something intimate as he dressed. That would be something his valet would witness or his lover or his wife. She swallowed as her throat tightened. She wanted to witness such things. She wanted to help untie his cravat or do up his shirtsleeves.

She smirked to herself. If he knew she was thinking such thoughts, he would think her mad. He might’ve mistakenly tried to kiss her, but she was still his ward. Just as her previous infatuation had been foolish, so was this. It would only lead her to getting hurt.

“You know, you really need not accompany me. I’m quite adept at managing menus. Even if they are for a hundred people.”

“I did not doubt that for a second. But I did persuade you into organizing this, and I will admit to feeling a little guilty.” He gave her a half-smile. “I should at least do something to help.”

“You will have the perfect ball, I promise,” she said.

“Is there such thing as a perfect ball?”

She scowled at him. “If you do not want to have a ball, then exactly why are we having one?”

“Because…” He paused and glanced away from her as they followed the path toward the village. “Because it is important to bring my family together,” he said firmly.

It did not sound a lie exactly, but she was not certain it was the truth either. Which still left the possibility that the ball might be for her, to ensure she was no longer his problem.

“It shall be nice to see your sisters again. Will Lady Minerva be coming?”

He nodded. “With any luck.”

Though Lady Angel and Lord Seth visited the house on occasion, Lady Minerva rarely came due to her fear of travelling. Lady Angel was only a few years older than her and had been quite sweet to her when she had first come to the house. But allof them had busy lives in London, so she did not see them very often. At least that would give her something to look forward to at the ball.

“I hope she does. It seems a shame that she is practically trapped in London because of her fears.”

Theo grimaced. “And you do not think you are trapped here?”

“Goodness no! I would far rather be here than in London. Most definitely. I love the countryside, and I love Eastbrook. I would not wish to be anywhere else. Sincerely.”

He chuckled. “Very well, I believe you.”

But was it enough to persuade him that she should not leave this place? She just did not know. She could confront him about her worries, she supposed, but if she was wrong, she would feel silly indeed. And even if she was right, what could she do about it? Her fate was in his hands. Being a woman came with its blessings, but in times like this, she could not help she wished she was born a man.

Theo let her negotiate with the butchers, even when she thought he might have stepped in. It was rather impressive that a marquis might step aside and let a young woman take control, she supposed. Particularly for a man like Theo, who was used to being in charge of everything. She had seen how hard he worked, how much he cared for his family. Now that she understood the financial restraints, it made sense that he spent so much time in the study.

But at least she was getting more than the occasional smile from him now.

When they returned to the house, he excused himself to wash and change. Lucy watched him ascend the stairs briefly before heading to the study. She ran her fingers over the open books, smiling slightly at the ink splotches and the rifled pages. Yes, her feelings had changed about him. No, he was no longerthis perfect specimen of a man in her mind. He was still hard-working and a gentleman, and the kindest man she had ever met.

Blowing out a breath, she sank onto the chair and pulled out a fresh sheet of paper. They still had a little while until the ball, but there was so much to be done, and now that she had met with the butcher, she could start planning the menu.

She was so absorbed in her plans, that she hardly noticed when Theo stepped into the room. He came from behind her and leaned over to see what she was writing. She huffed and crossed out one decision, then wrote it back in again.

“Planning food for one hundred people is harder than I thought,” she complained.

“I can help, if you wish,” he offered. “Though I cannot claim to have ever prepared a menu for one hundred people either.”

She shook her head. “I can manage.” Lucy scowled at the mess in front of her, her fingers covered in ink and splotches covering the paper. “Believe it or not, I have figured out some of it. Though it may not look like it here.”

“I trust you, Lucy.”

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