“The man my parents wanted me to marry. He’s here. I’ve just spoken to him.”
Frederica stared.
“Are you serious? How is this possible?”
“He’s a family friend of your Uncle Mark.” Dorothy held up a hand. “I don’t honestly believe that he brought Dashwood here to match us up. I don’t think he even knows.”
“I’ll still ask my aunt about it.”
“Don’t. I don’t want to cause any fuss.” Dorothy shook her head. “And I don’t want one of us having to leave because of the previous history, for want of a better word, that we have.”
“But you can’t expect to spend a week in the Peak District without bumping into him, can you?”
“I’m sure I can find a way to avoid him.” Lowering her hand, Dorothy stared at her hands in her lap. “It’s just unfortunate that he’s here at the same time, and I’m not happy about it. Not happy at all.”
She didn’t think she could voice out loud that she found Lucas Dashwood very handsome. That he had captured her attention. But Frederica knew her well enough to know when she wasn’t saying something. Her friend came to sit next to her.
“You found him attractive, didn’t you?”
Dorothy winced.
“Do I need to say it out loud?”
“I don’t think you do. I can tell by the way you are.” Frederica sighed. “Oh, Dorothy. Of all the people to meet this week, it had to be him. Do you think you’ll be able to manage?”
“I’m going to have to. I don’t want to cause discomfort for anyone. As far as I know, the banns were never published, and the engagement never announced. Apart from you, and maybe your aunt and uncle, nobody knows we were engaged. That should lower the awkwardness.”
“But you’re still going to be around each other.” Frederica frowned. “If you want me to do something, I can talk to him about keeping away from you.”
“Don’t do that. I’m sure he’ll do that regardless. I saw the look on his face.”
And it hurt Dorothy to see it. If only they hadn’t introduced themselves. Having a flirtatious conversation with a stranger had been more exciting, livening up the evening. And now …
At least nobody else had seen them together. If word got back to her parents about this …
“I think I’m going to retire for the night.” Dorothy stood up. “If I go back in with the ladies, they’re going to notice that something’s wrong.”
“I understand.” Frederica joined her. “I’ll make excuses for you to my aunt. I’ll say you’re still recovering from our long journey.”
“We arrived yesterday.”
“And we can still suffer from travelling. I’m sure she’ll believe it.”
Dorothy gave her a smile and squeezed her friend’s hand.
“Thank you, Frederica. I’m so glad you’re my friend.”
“And I’m glad you’re mine.” Frederica winked. “And don’t worry about this Lucas Dashwood. We can have fun even with him in the way.”
Dorothy hoped they could. She had been enjoying herself so far, and she wasn’t about to have it ruined by the man on the other end of her failed engagement.
Chapter 4
She was Dorothy Napier? Lucas lay in bed and stared at the ceiling, trying to figure out how this had happened. How had he ended up meeting and becoming attracted to the woman he was engaged to last year?
This had to be a dream. He would wake up in a moment, and she wouldn’t be in the house.
But Lucas knew she was here. And he was going to have to spend time with her for a week. How would he manage it?