No! Love was messy. It was not for her.
Despite her decisive thoughts on that matter, she didn’t step away from Roderick’s grasp that he still hadn’t let go.
“Are you going to shake me, or what?” she asked quietly.
“For what? For being so unconcerned about your own safety that you would walk around Town on your own when I told you explicitly that you could be in danger?”
“But you said it wasn’t likely to be true,” she interjected.
“Or for the fact that you thought you could investigate my brother’s conspiracy on your own?” Roderick continued without acknowledging her protest.
“But–“ Lucy started to object, but he carried right along.
“You are the dearest and strangest girl I’ve ever encountered, Lucy Scranton. I can’t decide if I ought to shake you or kiss you.”
Lucy stood frozen. Well, not frozen as she felt as though she were melting inside, but she couldn’t have moved from her spot if a wild animal were to attack. Warm flutters had taken over her midsection and she rather thought they were delightful. She wasn’t sure what to do with her hands. It felt decidedly awkward that they were still hanging down at her side, dangling still from his grasp on her arms. She wanted to put them upon his person, perhaps his chest or around his neck, but surely that would be too forward. She almost laughed. Surely this entire scenario was far too forward.
The sound of heavy footsteps approaching finally penetrated the bubble of intensity that surrounded them, putting lie to the thought that Lucy couldn’t move. She stepped away from Roderick’s arms just before Caroline entered the room.
“Have you finished your lecture, Roderick?” Caroline asked with laughter evident in her voice, demonstrating that she didn’t think it was a lecture being given while she had been absent.
Neither Roderick nor Lucy could quite look at their hostess, but Lucy finally pulled herself together sufficiently to sit down and finish her tea. It had grown cold but her mouth had grown dry, so she didn’t think either fact really mattered.
“Is Mr. Northcott in today?” she asked as innocently as she could manage without looking at either of the other occupants of the room.
There was a beat of silence that made Lucy finally look at Caroline, who was frowning slightly.
“Do you mean other than Mr. Roderick Northcott?” she asked with light emphasis on Roderick. “Are you seeking an audience with Gilbert?” It was clear she couldn’t imagine a possible reason for such a strange request.
Lucy worked very hard at not squirming under the other woman’s stare. “There was just something I thought he might be particularly capable of helping me with.”
“Are you in some sort of trouble? Am I going to regret receiving you?” Her tone implied she didn’t think this at all possible, but Lucy still felt awkward with her hostess.
“That might be possible,” Lucy replied with a light laugh. “I am not always the most sensible creature.”
“No, I don’t believe it,” Caroline stated firmly even as her gaze shifted between Lucy and Roderick. “But I do think the two of you ought to start explaining yourselves. I was hoping there might be some clandestine courtship happening between the two of you, and while there would be no reason for subterfuge, I was delighted at the possibility of a match. Now I’m starting to think I allowed my own wishes to cloud the matter. I think you had better both start explaining yourselves.” Her severe tone brooked no argument as she repeated her edict.
But Lucy held her silence. It was a near run thing. She wasn’t used to opposing anyone other than Roderick or maybe her brothers. She had been taught to be compliant at all times. At least in behaviour. Her mind might often object but she complied anyway. It was nearly always the voice of her father in her head forcing her to do so.
Lucy could only hope her smile appeared innocent rather than confused as she sat and waited for whatever Roderick might say though her mind was a tumult.
Could she have fallen in love with Roderick?There was much to love about him of course, not the least of which was his intellect. But Lucy wasn’t supposed to admire intellect. She was supposed to want possessions and ballgowns and social invitations.
Her sigh was audible and her cheeks flared.
Caroline was the first to give in to the awkward silence. And it was only when that silence was actually broken by the sound of a slight commotion at the front door. Relief spread across their hostess’ features and she jumped to her feet and ran to the door.
“Gilbert, could you come in here for a moment, please?” she called while keeping her gaze fixed upon Roderick and Lucy. That was no mean feat as they weren’t sitting side by side. But she somehow managed to make it seem as though she could examine them both at any moment.
“Good afternoon, my darling,” Gilbert greeted his wife with a brief but intense kiss that made Lucy’s already fluttering stomach swoop further. For the life of her, she couldn’t prevent her gaze from flickering to Roderick. Would he have kissed her like that if Caroline hadn’t interrupted them?
Caroline, flustered, stepped back from her husband and cleared her throat. “You have visitors,” she stated in a tone that was probably far less firm than she had intended.
Gilbert appeared only very briefly surprised to see Lucy in his wife’s receiving room.
“Why Miss Scranton, what a surprise to see you here. Are you with Roderick or is it just a lucky happenstance that you’re both here at the same time?”
Lucy couldn’t read his jovial greeting. She doubted he was that frivolous in reality, but was he trying to lull her into a false sense of security or did he hope to prevent his wife from knowing what he was up to?
