“I know what I want in life, Lord Dashwood. And I didn’t want anyone to have your attention.”
“So you thought you could say all these things about me, and it wouldn’t matter as long as you get what you want?” Lucas demanded. “Do you know how manipulative that sounds? Did you think about how much it would hurtmyreputation? And what would people think about you if you decided to be with me regardless?”
“I wouldn’t care as long as you were mine.”
She sounded so determined about it. Lucas would normally admire that determination, but not the way she went about it. He was stunned that she would even do that for her own selfish gains.
“Your mindset is strong, Lady Marcia. I’ll give you that.” Lucas shook his head. “But you focused it on the wrong person. You wasted your time.”
“I don’t believe I have,” Lady Marcia said defiantly. “You’re not courting Lady Dorothy Napier anymore, are you? She’s believed those rumours about you, hasn’t she?”
“How do you know about that?”
“My friends told me about how you’ve been walking out with her, how attentive you’ve been to the girl.” She sniffed. “I must admit, when I heard you were courting her, I was shocked. She’s mousy and bookish. Not what you would look for in a countess at all.”
Lucas wished they weren’t in a room full of people. He had quite a few choice words to say to this woman.
“You will not talk about Lady Dorothy in such a manner. You will not disrespect another woman.”
“It’s the truth, isn’t it?”
Lucas shook his head.
“I don’t know how you think you’re going to charm me onto your good side when you talk about another person that way. I didn’t realise you were such an … unpleasant person.”
Lady Marcia flushed. She glared at him.
“What does she have that I don’t? After all, she’s walking out with Lord Burville. I don’t believe she even cares about you.”
Lucas felt cold hearing that. He hadn’t realised that Dorothy had been with Burville after their argument, and she rejected him. Had she been lying when she said she didn’t care for him? He gritted his teeth.
“Whatever Lady Dorothy does is none of your business. Just like anything to do with me has nothing to do with you.”
“But …” Lady Marcia started to protest, but Lucas cut her off.
“I apologise if you had something in mind for us, but I’m afraid it will not be happening. You’re wasting your time. Instead, find someone more worthy of your time because it isn’t me.”
For a second, he thought she was going to cry. He really didn’t want any attention to this, and Lucas turned away to leave. Only to have Lady Marcia grab his arm.
“But I love you,” she whispered. “Why would you be so cruel?”
“Why would you try to blacken my name so you can have me to yourself? Given what you’ve spread around the ton, I wouldn’t be surprised if more than a few significant people actually believe what I do. I can’t associate with someone who would think that was acceptable to do so she could get what she wants.” Lucas removed her hand from his arm. “Good evening, Lady Marcia.”
He walked away, hoping that nobody saw their interaction. A part of him felt awful for doing this, given that they were in a crowded room, and she didn’t deserve to be humiliated so publicly, but then Lucas reminded himself that Lady Marcia had attempted to disparage his name so she could have no competition for him. And Dorothy had believed the lies.
He was going to have to work really hard to get Dorothy’s trust back. Lucas would consider himself lucky if he ever got back even a sliver of it.
If only she would actually listen to him.
The room was starting to feel stifling, and Lucas felt like he couldn’t breathe; the cravat seemed to be throttling him. He needed some air.
Moving around the edge of the room and trying not to draw attention to himself, Lucas reached the door to the outside, relief flooding him as he moved into the summer evening. The sun was showing no signs of setting, even at the current hour, and it was still as warm as it had been earlier in the day. Lucas wouldn’t have been surprised if he started sweating shortly; he had been all day.
Leaning against the wall, Lucas tugged the cravat and loosened it. It brought a bit of a reprieve, but not much. So he pulled on it more, and the neck scarf completely came off. That meant he was in a state of undress, but Lucas didn’t care. He just wanted to be able to breathe again.
He leaned his head against the wall and closed his eyes. This felt like torture. Pierce had urged him to take a step back and wait for Dorothy to come to him, but if what Marcia had said was true, she wouldn’t be doing that. Had she been using him for her own amusement? Was this just a game to her?
Lucas felt nauseous at the thought of being used by the woman he loved. But that couldn’t be right because Dorothy was not that sort of person. She was far too honest for that. Whatever she did that was out of character was to protect herself and keep control.