Page 112 of When Dashing Met Danger

“I know the feeling,” Ethan said. “But if you want her, really want her, you’ll do anything.”

“Right,” Alex said. “I’d better go to London. See her as soon as possible.” Alex rose and started for the door.

“Slow down, Alex,” Ethan said. “I told you she still loves you, but she’s a Dashing, and she has her pride.”

“What are you saying?” Alex asked, turning in the doorway.

“I’m saying this may not be as easy as you think.” Alex frowned. “What is your advice?”

“Practice getting on your knees and apologizing.”

Ethan laughed, and Alex imagined his brother was enjoying the mental image immensely.

“Be serious.”

“I am. From all accounts, your behavior was atrocious.”

“Well, she was no angel.” Alex crossed his arms. “She actually threw a bowl at me.”

“Unprovoked, I’m sure,” Ethan muttered, then shrugged his shoulders and rose to leave. “Very well, if you do not want her back.”

Alex allowed him to take three steps before he gave in. “All right. What do I have to do?”

Ethan smiled. “Sweep her off her feet.”

Alex stared. “Sweep—” He shook his head. “Sweep her off her feet? You’ll have me looking like a complete—” Alex froze, and every nerve in his body tingled. That was it!

“What are you thinking?” Ethan asked. “I don’t like your look.”

“I have it.” Alex snapped his fingers. “I know what she wants.”

Ethan raised a brow. “I find that rather difficult to believe.”

“Well, it’s true. I’m going to marry her, Ethan.”

And he would. He’d never lost anything he wanted this badly. And Alex wanted her. Badly.

LUCIA SPOTTED REGINALD and his wife as soon as she placed one silver slipper on the prince’s ornate marble staircase at Carlton House. The crowd was enormous, everyone jammed together tightly and screaming to be heard over the din of so many voices. But Lucia saw Reginald right away. He was watching her coldly.

His wife stood at his side, a plump brunette, dark and petite. They had arrived in Town, married only two months. She was an heiress from a good family that Reginald had met in Brighton. He’d quickly wooed and wed her, and now everyone was talking about the match.

Lucia stared at the girl, knowing the ton’s comparisons would not be in Lucia’s favor. She had called off the wedding and remained unmarried, while Reginald had snatched up an heiress. And the heiress was a ripe seventeen, while Lucia was past her prime at twenty-one.

Her mother came up behind her. “Do make an attempt to be civil, mia bella,” she said without moving her lips. “For your father’s sake.”

Lucia glanced at her mother and saw her father just behind. He frowned. “Dandridge is still a power in Parliament. It won’t do to offend him more than we have. Make an overture of friendship—a slight one. It will be enough.”

Lucia sighed. It was going to be a night in hell.

At the bottom of the steps, she smiled, nodded to her parents, and made her way toward Reginald and his bride. There was no point in putting off the inevitable meeting. As she neared the couple, she noticed the people around them quieted. Her words would be repeated in more than one drawing room the next day.

Upon reaching Reginald, Lucia curtsied, murmuring, “My lord.”

He did not bow in return. “Annabelle, pray allow me to lead you into dinner. I know you must be hungry.” He turned away, leading his bride with him. To her credit, the girl looked extremely apologetic, but it didn’t lessen the sting of the cut.

Lucia stood stiffly, watching Reginald and his wife disappear into the crowd. Around her, she heard the whispers swell. She had to force her legs to move. Somehow she made it to the open French doors and pretended to study the nearby foliage. After a few moments the ton forgot her, and she escaped through the French doors and into the brisk April night.

She dashed the unshed tears from her eyes and took a deep breath. Outside, away from the crush of people, she could breathe again. She hated London. The gossip and lies. It was a wonder that she had ever tolerated Society. She felt like a caged bird surrounded by people waiting to jab their fingers at her.

---