Scandalous Intentions (2 page)

He bowed. “Shall we?”

Sarah forced a smile and threaded her hand through his offered arm. At least Lord Shillington was not an admirer, he was a family friend. The dance would prove more pleasurable for that. So long as he did not step on her toes.

Sarah moved in tune to the music while Lord Shillington led her through the dance. She could not help but search out Lord Luvington in the crowd, knowing their waltz came next.

He stood near the veranda door, and their gazes locked for an instant before Shillington turned her around. She nibbled her bottom lip. Refusing the dance would be considered poor manners, something she had never been accused of. Sarah sighed.

“What bothers you, Lady Sarah?” Genuine interest reflected in Lord Shillington’s gaze.

She offered a small smile. Other than her brother, Lord Shillington was the only gentleman with whom she could speak freely. He never judged her, nor did he share her musings with others. However, did she want to discuss
this
with him?

“Clearly something has you riled. You can tell me, whatever it is. Perhaps I can be of assistance.”

“It is nothing.” Sarah glanced back at the veranda for a moment. “Only, how well do you know Lord Luvington?”

Lord Shillington’s mouth quirked in a teasing smile. “Has a gentleman finally captured your fancy?”

“Goodness, no,” she said without thought, then blushed at her rudeness. “But he did sign my dance card.”

Shillington twirled her, and when she came back into his hold he said, “Lord Luvington is a fine chap. I play cards with him at White’s on occasion.” He blinked. “I should likely refrain from telling you any of this.”

“Any of what? Gentlemen play cards all the time.”

“Yes, of course. What I was about to tell you is of a different nature.” His cheeks tinted pink.

Much like her, Lord Shillington was seen as a pillar of good moral behavior among their peers. Clumsiness plagued him and had gained him quite the reputation, but no one questioned his character.

“Now you simply must tell me.” Sarah batted her lashes and formed her lips into a pout.

“He is rather…how can I put this delicately?” He glanced away. “Popular among the fairer sex.”

“A rake, you mean.”

He swallowed, meeting her gaze again. “No matter. A dance will be fine.”

“Even if it is the last waltz of the evening?”

“Even so.” Lord Shillington spun her and brought her back into his arms once more. “There now, do you not feel more at ease?”

“Yes, thank you.” She allowed her eyes to close for an instant. How would she survive a dance with such a man?

The quartet ended their song, and Lord Shillington led Sarah over to Lord Luvington. “I hear you have the pleasure of Lady Sarah’s final waltz.”

“Indeed I do.” Lord Luvington proffered his arm for her.

She glanced up at him before accepting it. Her stomach gave an unwelcome flutter. Warmth spread across her chest and cheeks as she imagined everyone in the ballroom staring at them. He led her to the middle of the dance floor and gathered her into his arms as the quartet resumed playing.

“Relax, my lady. It is only a dance.”

Mortified, she tipped her chin. “I am relaxed.” How had he known she fretted? Sarah took a deep breath and let it out slow, with a glance around at her peers.

“If this is you being relaxed, I pity those exposed to you when you are not.”

His smile did uncomely things to her insides.

“On my honor, this is only a dance.”

“I do not believe you have any honor, my lord, nor am I fool enough to believe this an innocent dance.” She glanced up at him. “You want something from me.”

He grinned. “Perhaps I do.”

“You are wasting your time, my lord.”

“Unless, of course, this is simply a dance.”

“You just stated you want something from me.” Sarah balled her free hand in the fabric of her skirts. If she were less of a lady, she would slap his face for toying with her.

“No, I said perhaps I wanted something. Which means I could very well want nothing.” He arched one dark brow and a chestnut lock of hair flopped onto his forehead.

Good heavens, no man should be so attractive. She stared into his green eyes. “Enough of your games. Tell me what you want, Lord Luvington.”

“Tonight?”

“Yes, tonight,” She bit out through clenched teeth.

“Tonight, I want to hold you.”

His rakish grin made her heart nearly stop. She blushed at the implication and glanced at the couples dancing nearby. Another statement the likes of that one and she would be ruined for sure.

He pulled her scandalously close, leaning in until his lips brushed her ear. “Tomorrow, I want to get to know you better.”

The waltz ended, and before she could form a thought, he walked off, leaving her standing in the middle of the dance floor alone.

SCANDALOUS INTENTIONS

CHAPTER TWO

Lord Luvington’s stomach
tightened as he entered the office. He was not surprised to find Father seated behind his regal mahogany desk. After his dance with Lady Sarah, he called for his carriage and received a missive requesting his appearance at the ducal estate. The sun peaked above the horizon painting the landscape in shades of orange and pink when Julian ordered his driver to make haste for his patents’ estate in hopes of getting the meeting over with quickly.

“Good morning, Julian.”

“Is it, Father?” He steeled himself for an interrogation. The Duke of Tisdale knew how to get the answers he wanted better than the Peelers. And Julian had no doubt his father wanted answers.

“Make yourself comfortable, my boy, and tell me about the ball.” Father leaned forward in his seat.

Julian took the leather chair in front of Father’s desk. “There is nothing to tell. It was a ball like any other.” Father’s most recent mandate and doggedness did nothing to endear him to Julian. But then was that not how it had always been? Father got an idea then shoved it at Julian until he succumbed to his wishes.

Father slammed his hand down on his desk. “Do not be evasive with me. Your time is ticking down, Julian. I fear you do not realize how serious your situation is.”

Julian tipped his head back and took a deep breath. “There is no need to remind me. I am well aware of my situation.”

Father studied him. “Then you realize if you fail to marry a respectable lady before month’s end, you will not receive so much as another farthing from me? You will become a broke marquess and will remain as such until you inherit the duchy.”

Julian’s pulse quickened. Father’s words were no mere threat. “I cannot pluck a respectable lady from her home and elope. You are being entirely unreasonable, Father.”

He leaned back in his seat. “Nonsense, I met and married your dear mother in less than a fortnight.” His eyes danced, showing a rare flicker of gentleness for her. “Have you at least begun courting a respectable lady?”

“I have. Lady Sarah Roseington. I am to call upon her this afternoon.” Julian fought a smirk; his words carried a shade of truth. Sarah had not agreed to his courtship, but he had told her he would call on her all the same.

He pictured the look on her beautiful face as he walked away from her mere hours ago. The memory of the fire in her violet eyes and the feel of her small waist beneath his hand caused his loins to tighten. He longed to run his fingers through her golden tresses, to hold her close once again.

“Very well. She will make a fine duchess, and her impeccable character will go a long way in repairing yours. Do not sully the girl before you wed her.” He lifted a gray brow, pinning his son beneath his hazel stare.

A shiver coursed through Julian at Father’s words. “I would not dare harm her reputation. Now, may I be excused? I need to rest before I call upon her.”

A swoosh of skirts announced Mother entering the office. “Call upon whom?” She moved to Julian’s side, placing a hand on his shoulder.

He glanced up at her and grinned before standing to embrace her. He would never stop appreciating how loving she was in contrast to Father.

In all fairness, Father probably could not help his nature. According to Mother, Grandfather had treated Father in much the same way. Unfortunately, Grandmother had passed away during childbirth so Father never had the influence of a loving, supportive parent.

“Good morning, Mother.” Julian released her and stepped back.

Her green eyes, so much like his own, scanned his face. “Did I hear you say you are courting someone?” She beamed at him.

“Yes, Lydia, he has chosen Lady Sarah Roseington.” Father cut in.

She glanced between them. “How wonderful. She is a marvelous choice.”

Julian’s head began to throb. He needed sleep, and, more importantly, he needed to get away from his father. Understanding his nature did not change the way Julian felt about the man.

“I am quite fatigued. May I be excused?”

“Very well, but remember, time is running short. Waste not a moment.”

Mother placed a hand on his arm. “You can retire to your old suite, if it pleases you. I will have food brought up, and you have spare clothing in the wardrobe. There is no reason to travel back to London straight away.”

“That is a novel idea, Mother. Thank you.” Julian gave a nod. “Father.”

The hike up the stairs to his old room seemed like hours. As soon as he entered, he lowered himself onto a wing-back chair and relaxed, letting the tension of his predicament seep out of him. Laying his head back, he allowed his heavy eyelids to close.

Several hours later, he woke still in his evening clothes. He rolled his neck to work out the kinks from sleeping upright, then stood and stretched.

A cursory glance out the window confirmed he had slept well into the day. It had grown too late to take Lady Sarah for a ride through Hyde Park as he had planned. But then, he doubted she would have gone willingly.

He would not give up so easily. Julian removed his evening coat and cravat, then rung for a valet to help him change. He splashed his face with cool water from the basin on the washstand before drying it with a soft cloth. The looking glass reflected his disheveled state, and he shook his head. A shadow of whiskers covered his jaw. He would have the valet give him a shave.

A knock sounded on the door, and Julian tossed the towel aside. “Come in.”

“At your service, Lord Luvington.” The valet bowed.

Julian sat near the basin and stretched his legs out, closing his eyes as the man shaved his face clean. The perfect time to think. He needed to come up with a new plan to see Lady Sarah today.

But what? He could not very well march up to her home and request her company at this late hour. Nor could he waste time not seeing her.

The moment Father ordered him to marry a woman of sound morals, he had decided on Lady Sarah. Beneath her proper façade, he suspected there lay a woman full of passion and fire. Last night provided him evidence that his theory was correct. At least the fire was there. He did not want to be saddled with a boring lady nor a starry-eyed debutante. Lady Sarah proved to be neither.

She had enjoyed several seasons already, putting her well past the debutante stage. He could only imagine she remained unattached because she did not wish to wed, or because she desired a love match. In either case it made seeing her all the more imperative. It would take time to sway her.