Page 6 of Fortune Favors the Viscount
Those were Lucy’s favorite. A dreamy smile settled on her face. “I can’t wait to meet him.”
“We must be patient,” she told the girl, wishing she could be more encouraging. It was her own fault Lucy had pinned all her hopes on Nicholas Dashwood. She ought not to have said anything about him. But the poor child had been so fearful, so anxious about their future, it had been hard not to tell hersomething. Without staff to distract her, she’d clung to Emilia’s side until finally Emilia gave in and told the girl what she was doing, searching through all the musty books in her father’s study. Now they were joint conspirators in the search for a Sydenham heir. “He’s a busy man.”
“Yes.” Lucy sobered as well. “Will he like me, do you think?”
If he wants to keep his head attached to his neck,thought Emilia. “I’m sure he’ll like you much better than he likes me.”
“No! Oh, Millie, he couldn’t dislikeyou! You’re so lovely and clever and kind...”
“As are you,” Emila returned, wrinkling her nose. “Butyoudidn’t walk into his club and demand he do this and that, and care for a property in Dorset, whereno onewants to live—”
Lucy’s giggle cut her off. “You wouldn’t tell him he has to live in Dorset! That would frighten anyone!”
If they had endured what Lucy had there, it would. “I did not mention Dorset. I thought we’d best wait for that until he’s had some of Mrs. Watson’s lavender cakes, and is so content he won’t care about anything else.”
“Of course.” Lucy smiled again. It was a miracle she could do that after mention of Dorset.
“But now,” said Emilia in mock sternness, “if you’re out of bed, you should get dressed, Miss Sidney. And then we must begin anew on French.”
Lucy heaved a sigh. “Can’t we do dancing? I like dancing so much better.”
“Later. After French and sums.” Emilia helped her up and they climbed the stairs together.
At the top, Lucy stopped. “Millie,” she said hesitantly, “he will come, won’t he? And he’ll help us?”
“I hope so.”
“That’s good,” said Lucy softly. “Then I will like him.” She turned and headed toward her room, the cat trailing along behind her with his tail swishing from side to side. And Emilia could only watch her go, her heart throbbing painfully in her chest.
Mr. Dashwoodwouldagree to claim that title, if she had to hound and harass him for the rest of her life.
CHAPTERFOUR
“Here’s the report you wanted.”
Nick barely glanced at the packet Forbes laid on his desk, focused on rubbing the tight muscles at the back of his neck with both hands. A patron had needed to be escorted out earlier, but he was pickled drunk and in a fighting mood about it. He struck two footmen before Nick could persuade the man to get into a carriage. For his efforts, he’d been thrown against a wall and called a number of rude names, and tomorrow Lord Fitchley would be his usual arrogant self, unapologetic and unashamed. Nick was beginning to regret admitting him to the club.
“Why don’t you give him the boot?” asked Forbes, divining Nick’s thoughts. “Fitchley’s an ass.”
“He is,” Nick agreed. His shoulder would ache like the devil later. “But he wagers incredible sums of money without blinking an eye.”
Forbes grunted. “Is that the new standard for membership?”
“Hardly. Itisbeneficial to our profits, though.” Nick cast a weary eye on the packet. “What’s this?”
“Miss Emilia Greene.” Forbes pronounced her name like a courtier announcing the queen. “The lady who barged in at dawn a week ago bearing a forged note and somehow got an audience on the spot.”
“Forged?”
“Lord Oliver McCorquodale has been in Scotland these past two months or more, according to all his household staff.”
Nick remembered almost nothing of that note. He wished he could say the same about the woman. “Which means...?”
“The note said it was an urgent matter. Either his lordship wrote that several weeks ago, which doesn’t seem very urgent to me, or he didn’t write it at all.” Forbes smirked. “Miss Greene”—again he pronounced it with airs—“is a friend of his sister, Lady Arabella, though.”
Nick glared at his manager. “Close the door behind you.”
Forbes grinned. “Aye.” He left and closed the door with an impertinent snap that make Nick wince. Fitchley had given him a headache to go with the sore shoulder.
