Page 38 of Trapped with the Forbidden Duke
“I would love to come with you,” Diana sighed as they returned to their group. “To be provided for by a duke… Heavens, it might make me more forgiving of his shadowed life.”
“Did you not just warn me against His Grace?” Edwina couldn’t help but laugh.
“Yes, but I am not blind to his appearance. He is very easy on the eyes. Do you think he might know the Marquess? I am sure if he does, he could introduce us!”
“I shall not be the one to ask him,” Edwina answered her.
They rejoined their families before Edwina was quickly ushered to the carriage to go to the modiste.
Chapter Twelve
“Seems like the Earl cannot join us once again,” Lucien noted, looking around the dining room that evening.
So many plans were in motion, and with each stone he laid down for the wall he was building around the Montgomeries, he was growing happier with himself.
“Nicholas has fallen ill,” Lady Isabel explained, smiling politely. “Perhaps it is serendipitous, too, given the spat between you both.”
Lucien forced a smile as he tucked into the main course. He was trying to focus on the expensive food and the rich wine, and not how well Lady Edwina looked, outfitted in a new gown of deep emerald green.
He could not help but notice how her green dress brought out the blue of her eyes, how her gaze remained lowered, a furrow in her delicate brow.
Her long hair, so dark in the candlelight that it looked almost black, was pulled prettily back from her face. Despite the harshness of the style, it made her look regal. Elegant in an unreachable way, nothing like the skittish woman he had met in the private room at the Raven’s Den.
Lucien found himself rather attracted to both versions.
“Spat or not, he should be there for his family,” Lucien answered, realizing that Isabel was waiting for a response. “Forgive me if I am being too forward, but I believe in honor and duty when it comes to family. Through thick and thin.”
“What an admirable principle,” Lady Isabel praised, leaning further towards him.
He realized she was looking at him like a woman who had a daughter of her own and was seeking to pair her with him. He gave a stiff smile.
“Tell me, Your Grace, why have you decided to help us? Your connection to our family rested on your friendship with my nephew. Yet, even though your friendship turned sour, you have come to our aid.”
Lucien’s attention turned to Lady Edwina once more. He tried to push back the memory of their kiss, of how she had assumed the role of a seductress. The way she gave back quite as much as he gave her.
“Well,” he began, clearing his throat. He despised questions about himself. “I do not give up on people, even if they walk away from me. I raised myself better.”
“Yourself?” Lady Isabel echoed, her eyes bright. “You had no mother or father?”
“As many do not,” Lucien answered smoothly, smiling tightly. He brushed it off, not wishing to dwell on his upbringing. “Regardless, I enjoy using my influence to help. Contrary to common belief, I do not do it for control over people but for the satisfaction of helping those who need it.”
“Mostcharitable.” The older woman giggled. “I have always said that charitable men are the backbone of society, have I not, Edwina?”
“Aunt Isabel, I believe that your true words were that a man who enjoys a good glass of wine is the backbone,” Lady Edwina quipped, shooting Lucien a smirk.
He wanted to chase it with his mouth. He clenched his hand around the stem of his glass.
“Ah, yes, I did say that.” Lady Isabel shook her head, a lazy smile on her face. “Oh, that does remind me of Lord Finnick. He was the German cousin of some baron, so I did not mingle with him, save for one night. And oh, Heavens, did he know how to handle his wine.” She raised her eyebrows. “He rather knew how to handle women, too, if you understand?—”
“I am sure His Grace understands well enough,” Lady Edwina said, cutting her off. Lucien watched, amused. “Aunt Isabel, we do not need to listen to stories of your romantic adventures.”
“So I am to be an old spinster with no youthful spirit to look back on fondly?” Lady Isabel pursed her lips, unimpressed. “A lady should not always be a prude, though we all know that my sister-in-law believed otherwise, God rest her soul.” Her older, mirthful gaze met Lucien’s. “You should have met the Countess of Montgomery. Oh, she was a formidable lady.”
“I am sure my mother would have been overjoyed,” Lady Edwina muttered, rolling her eyes. “The Duke of Stormhold in her house. A very wonderful feat, I imagine. How come you never met my parents?”
“I did, from afar,” Lucien answered, recalling the former Earl and Countess of Montgomery. “Nicholas and I became friends in Cambridge. It was me, him, and the Marquess of Tulley. So, when Nicholas left for the war after we finished university, I had little reason to formally meet your family. I knew about you, for he spoke in great lengths about you.”
He rather enjoyed the blush that spread across her face.
