“Lady Marcia? Were you looking for me?”
“I was. I didn’t see you leave, and I thought you might have gotten in conversation with someone.” She frowned at him. “I saw Lady Dorothy leaving just now. What was going on between you two?”
“Nothing. She dropped her winnings, and I was helping her pick them up.”
Lady Marcia arched an eyebrow.
“Is that a double meaning for something?”
“Of course not. What do you think I am?”
“Someone who likes an opportunity when it arises.”
Lucas snorted.
“I doubt Lady Dorothy will allow me to take advantage of her or anything like that.”
“Are you sure about that? I’ve seen the way she looks at you.” Lady Marcia’s eyes narrowed. “She finds you attractive.”
“You don’t sound too happy about that.”
“I don’t want any competition for your attention, My Lord. As far as I’m concerned, I’ve got it for the rest of the week.”
She knew what she wanted, which Lucas had to respect. But he didn’t like how possessive she sounded. He gave her a smile.
“You don’t need to worry about my attention straying anywhere, Lady Marcia.”
“I hope not. Because I believe you and Lady Dorothy would be an unlikely couple.”
“Why do you say that?”
Lady Marcia winked.
“I’m a woman. I know these things.” She reached his side and took his arm. “Now, are you going to escort me to tea, or am I going to have to drag you along?”
“I’m coming.”
Although Lucas didn’t think he would be able to concentrate on anything she had to say. Not when he was thinking about the woman who had left the room in a fit of frustration. Was there any way he could get her to calm down and forgive him?
At this point, he doubted it.
#
Dorothy was relieved when dinner was over. That had been very uncomfortable, although she had tried not to show it. Whoever had decided on this seating arrangement should be put up against a wall and shot.
Lady Derbyshire had been made aware of Dorothy’s discomfort about Dashwood; she had had to tell the marchioness why she had suddenly disappeared instead of coming to join everyone for afternoon tea, and the older woman had promised to keep them apart. So why was she suddenly sitting across from Dashwood in the middle of the table?
He looked equally uncomfortable, but he did make an effort on his part, engaging both her and Frederica in conversation along with his friend Cowper. Well, Frederica engaged more than Dorothy, her vibrant personality shining through as she threw herself into whatever they were talking about. By the time the dessert was coming to the table, it was just Frederica and Cowper talking, as if they had forgotten that their companions were involved. Dorothy was left listening to her friend and Dashwood’s friend talk, gingerly poking at the slice of cake on her plate, hoping that she could get this to go down with the rest of her food.
All the while, she could feel Dashwood’s eyes on her. Dorothy didn’t dare look up and stare back; her heart was racing too much for that. While the conversation had been light and innocent, she was sure it would slide into something else. Thankfully, their failed engagement would not be coming up in a room with everyone else.
It wasn’t just Dashwood’s eyes she felt on her, either. Dorothy had caught sight of Lady Marcia sitting near the marquess, openly glaring at her. She didn’t look happy about Dashwood being far away from her, nor did she appear content with him focusing on Dorothy. If looks were physical, Dorothy was sure she would be black and blue by now.
Sighing, she concentrated on eating what she could of her dessert without struggling to swallow it down.
It felt like a relief when dinner finished, and everyone started to file out. This time, the ladies made their way to the drawing room with the gentlemen. Unusual, but Dorothy wasn’t about to question it; it wasn’t her house, and the hosts could do what they wanted, even if the men and women mixed together after dinner.
Dorothy touched Lady Derbyshire’s arm as she walked past.