The Unexpected Duchess(94)
He pulled the hair away from her cheek and stroked her face. “My servants would never disparage the name or reputation of the future Duchess of Claringdon.”
Lucy stopped short. The future Duchess of Claringdon? Her. She was the future Duchess of Claringdon. It was an amazing thought, but true. She grinned. “I am a bit hungry.”
He laughed and rolled over atop her and kissed her full on the lips. “You are beautiful.”
“You mentioned that earlier. I don’t quite believe you.”
He looked sober. “Lucy, what are you talking about?
“I know I’m not Cass. She’s so … perfect and I just wonder if…” She trailed off into confused embarrassment. What had she wanted to say? I just wonder if you’ll still love me in the future? If you’ll take your love away from me if I displease you? Like my parents did when Ralph died.
He stared into her soul. “Cass is beautiful, that’s true, but she’s not more beautiful than you are. You’re absolutely breathtaking. I thought that the first night I met you.”
She widened her eyes. “At the Chamberses’ ball?”
“Yes.”
She gave him an incredulous look. “No, you did not.”
“I most certainly did. I thought how it was really too bad that such a beautiful lady was so set on hating me.”
Her smile faded. “I didn’t hate you, Derek, truly. I only wanted to help Cass.”
Derek nodded and kissed her cheek. “I know.”
Lucy cleared her throat, her face turning pink. She rolled over and slid her arm around his side. “Didn’t you say something about twenty ways to make me feel good?”
He gave her a roguish grin. “Ah, yes. I believe we still have nineteen more to go.”
Lucy laughed and nipped at his corded neck. “By all means, Your Grace. Let’s begin.”
CHAPTER FIFTY
Later that morning, Lucy stood in front of her open wardrobe, hands on her hips, staring at the contents. Which items of clothing might she retain as the new Duchess of Claringdon and which had to go? Oh, she needed Cass’s help. Lucy didn’t give a fig about fashions, and neither did Jane. Jane had on more than one occasion remarked that she’d become a nun for the simplicity of dressing and never having to buy fripperies if it weren’t for all that religious nonsense she just couldn’t get past.
Thankfully, Lucy had managed to slip back into the house early this morning with Garret and Aunt Mary being none the wiser. Lucy was just about to give up on the clothing and go in search of Cass when a sharp knock sounded on her door.
“Who is it?” she called.
“It’s me” came Cass’s sweet voice.
Lucy hurried over to the door and opened it. Excellent timing. “Come in, dear. I was just looking at—”
Lucy snapped her mouth shut. Cass stood in the corridor looking quite pale and wringing her hands. “Oh, Lucy, you must come quickly.”
Lucy’s heart leaped to her throat. “What is it, Cass?”
“Mama and Papa have gone to the duke’s town house to demand that he offer for me.” The words rushed out of Cass’s mouth like water through a dam.
Lucy’s hand flew to her throat. “No.”
“Yes.” Cass nodded, her blond curls bobbing at her temples. “It’s awful. I’m mortified. I’m afraid that if the two of us don’t go and try to explain what’s happened, Papa will end up with a forced offer from Derek and I couldn’t stand it. You must come with me, Lucy. You must help.”
Lucy nodded rapidly and pointed down the corridor. “By all means, let’s go.”
The two hurried downstairs where Lucy took a moment to hastily throw on a pelisse and a bonnet. Then they were off in the coach Cass had come in.
Their insistent knocks at Derek’s door were met with Hughes’s monotonous tone. “Yes?”
“We must speak with His Grace immediately,” Lucy said.
Thankfully, the butler acted as if he’d never seen Lucy before. “His Grace is already occupied with callers at the moment.”
“We know!” Cass brushed past the large man. Lucy was impressed by her forcefulness.
Hughes looked at them both as if they were street urchins forcing their way into the kitchens and demanding scraps. Clearly under duress, he showed them to the drawing room where Lord and Lady Moreland were already having words with the duke. Lucy and Cass rushed inside. But the other occupants of the room didn’t seem to notice them.
Derek stood next to the mantelpiece, his hand braced against it, his face a mask of stone.
Lady Moreland, her nose high in the air, sat on the settee. Lord Moreland paced across the expensive carpet nearly shouting at the duke. “I will not have my daughter treated so cavalierly.”