Page 21 of The Duke's Gamble
All the more taken aback, Florentina turned her head away, taking the teacup from Christina as she considered her response. Why would Lord Crawley wish to speak to her in such a way?
Unless…Her skin prickled as she glanced at him.Unless the Duke of Dartmoor has asked him to do such a thing. This might be a scheme devised by the Duke himself, attempting to catch me in a compromising situation with another gentleman. That way, he could end our betrothal and take possession of the house!
She cast a sidelong glance towards Lord Crawley, the tinging still on her skin and a warning in her mind. “I do not think that will be possible, Lord Crawley.”
“It is vitally important, Lady Florentina,” he replied, as the conversation began to flow around them. “I would not ask if it was not so.”
“Would you not?” She arched an eyebrow, casting him a somewhat cold glance. “I am afraid that I must take great careover my reputation, Lord Crawley and it is because of that awareness that I must refuse. I cannot meet nor speak with you in private. I am sure that a gentleman of your standing in society will understand entirely what I mean.”
Lord Crawley’s jaw tightened and Florentina, convinced that she had untied the plan before it had even begun, lifted her chin a notch, a feeling of triumph over her.
“I must,” Lord Crawley said again, only for Lord Allington to interrupt them.
“What say you, Lady Florentina? A picnic tomorrow?”
Florentina smiled, relieved that the conversation between herself and Lord Crawley had come to an end. “A picnic sounds like a marvelous idea.”
“It was my own thought,” Lord Allington continued, gesturing to Lord Barlow, “though Lord Barlow is just as eager as I. Shall we say tomorrow afternoon in St James’s Park? Next to the rose garden? I think that the beautiful scents and the excellent company will make for a superb afternoon.” His eyes set to hers, a sudden contemplation in his expression. “To be surrounded by such beauty will throw me into quite the spin, I am certain. I shall be giddy with happiness, I think!”
Seeing the way his face gentled and his gaze became a little more considered, Florentina felt a warmth flow through her. She tried to dampen it, tried to remind herself that she could—ought not—react to any gentleman here in London, but she could not help herself. A small smile lifted the edges of her mouth, her heart quickening only a little as heat rose in her cheeks.
“You are very kind, Lord Allington, Lord Barlow.” She looked at the other gentleman, whose gaze was directed solely to Christina. “I think we should be very glad to join you.”
“Capital!” Lord Barlow’s smile fixed as he then turned his gaze to Lord Crawley, clearly aware that he had only just announced a particular occasion but had not, as yet, invited LordCrawley. Florentina’s stomach twisted, silently praying that the gentleman would not feel obliged to invite Lord Crawley simply because he was a part of the conversation but the longer the pause took, the more she feared he might. Trying to think of something to say, she smiled brightly.
“And are we all to go to Lord and Lady Finchester’s ball tomorrow evening?”
“Lord Crawley, forgive me for my hesitation.” Rather than respond to her question, Lord Barlow gestured to Lord Crawley. “We are not well acquainted but that does not mean that I ought not to invite you to join us, does it? Why, that is how better acquaintances are made!”
Florentina’s heart sank as Lord Crawley grinned, her hopes that he would neither be invited nor accept the invitation fading away.
“I should be delighted. Thank you.” As the conversation continued about the upcoming picnic, Lord Crawley turned to Florentina again, his eyes suddenly serious, no smile on his face any longer. “You must understand, Lady Florentina, that the conversation I wish to have with you is of the most urgent nature.”
Choosing not to answer—for she did not believe a word of what he said—Florentina picked up her teacup and took a sip, keeping her gaze away from him.
“It is about the Duke of Dartmoor, your betrothed,” Lord Crawley murmured, as Florentina shot another look at him. “You may not believe me, I understand that, but it is for your own benefit, I assure you.”
The urge to say something, to tell him that she did not accept those words from him, burned in Florentina’s chest but she still said nothing, pulling her gaze away from him and instead, turned her attention back to the others. At once, she noticed how Lord Allington was looking at her, a slight lift to his eyebrow ashe then glanced to Lord Crawley, only to go back to her again. Flushing, Florentina offered him a smile and then, heedless as to what impression she might give by her actions, rose to her feet and made her way directly across the room. Sitting down in the vacant chair next to Lord Allington, she quickly began a most pleasant conversation with the gentleman, noting how Lord Crawley immediately frowned.
I am not as trusting as the Duke believes,she thought to herself, as Lord Allington smiled warmly at her, clearly delighting in her company.And I certainly will not entertain even the notion of standing alone with Lord Crawley so he might speak with me. What sort of a fool does the Duke think I am?
Chapter Eight
“A picnic.”
Samuel arched an eyebrow. “A picnic?”
“Yes.” Lord Allington shrugged. “It is an excellent notion, do you not think?” He pointed a little along the path. “There, do you see? Lord Barlow is there already and I am sure that Lady Florentina and her sister will be joining us very soon.” He chuckled as Samuel nodded, rubbing one hand over his chin. “I had a prolonged conversation with Lady Florentina when I called upon her. I do think her very pleasant indeed, and quite beautiful.”
Hearing this, something shuddered in Samuel’s chest, making him frown. “Yes. She is.” With a wry smile, he nudged his friend. “Though given that her character is much too determined for a lady, much too fierce and strong-willed, then her beauty of face is all that she has by way of attraction.”
Lord Allington laughed softly, a glint in his eye. “I confess that I do not find a strong-willed creature particularly dislikeable. In a way, I am drawn to such traits, for there is a little more… challenge in such a person.”
This sent a clanging warning through Samuel’s mind as he heard his friend speak. It was not as though he disliked Lord Allington, only that the way he viewed ladies of society was a little… questionable. Though, Samuel reminded himself, it mattered not when it came to Lady Florentina. Ithadto be done and Lord Allington was the best way for Samuel’s aims to be achieved.
“Ah! I can see that Lady Florentina and Lady Christina have arrived. I shall make my way towards them at once.”
A strange desire to join Lord Allington hit Samuel right between the eyes and he stopped short, making Lord Allington turn towards him.
