“I will marry when the time is right.” He’d mulled over the potential for this Season but had decided to wait another year or two. There was no rush, and he did not wish to make a poor choice, especially not one that had to be so perfectly thought through.
She shook her head a little with amusement dancing on her lips. “I certainly hope you do nottimeyour falling in love. That is no fun at all, nor is it feasible. But it would be very entertaining to see you try.”
Lucas did not say what he was thinking. He had no intention of ever falling in love. Therefore, choosing whom he would marry would not be fun. It would be controlled. Safe. One could not make mistakes that way—nor be hurt.
When he did not respond, she added, “You are sure you do not mind wiling away your afternoon with your brother?”
He minded a great deal, in fact. Not only was calling on women the last thing he wished to do with his time, but calling on Miss Faraday added a bit of danger to the discomfort. She had indicated recognition the night before. Even if she hadn’t been able to pinpoint how exactly she’d known him, that could always change. The possibility left a heavy sensation in his chest. It verynearly felt like panic. He’d kept his pugilism secret for years now, and the fact that one person could unravel that had him immensely on edge.
However, he could not tell his mother that, nor could he deny her request when she hardly asked anything of him. So, with regret and plans to remain in the background, he shook his head. “I do not mind.”
Mother reached up and patted his cheek, her eyes twinkling. “Thank you, dear. Perhaps you will meet someone you should like to call on yourself.”
“Perhaps I shall.” Not likely, but he would not contradict his mother.
With a smile, she left the room. Without one, Lucas finished his letter, checked the financial ledgers he’d been perusing, and left to find his brother.
***
Charlie swung himself up into the phaeton and grabbed the reins. Lucas would have opted for the more private carriage, but Charlie had never cared for the same things as he. The gulf between them had grown in recent years, though Lucas was not entirely sure why. Perhaps it would be good for them to spend time together today.
His brother urged the horses forward a little too quickly, causing Lucas to be pushed back into the seat. His stomach protested the movement, the muscles sore from a round he’d gone at the club the night before.
He should have stayed in the drawing room.
Charlie glanced over at him, hands loose on the reins. “Why the sudden interest in joining me? Do not tell me you’ve taken an interest in Miss Faraday yourself, have you? Did something occur after I left to spark your fancy?” Charlie had just finished regaling Lucas with the story of how he’d managed to learn thewoman’s name. Evidently, it had involved bribery, subterfuge, and ultimately, hiding outside the door to hear the altercation with Mother after he’d left. True genius, really.
They weaved through carriages and persons at a higher speed than necessary.
Lucas gripped the edge of his seat. “No, I have not.”
“Then why are you coming?”
It was not unusual that their mother would have Lucas watch over Charlie, but Lucas did not want to embarrass his brother, so he told him half of the truth. “I want to ensure she was not ill-treated for having ruined a gown.”
Charlie turned shocked eyes at Lucas. “Blast, I hadn’t even thought of that. You think Lord Tarrington would be upset?”
“I hardly know the man.”
Charlie continued watching Lucas, who reached over and corrected their path with a hand on the reins. Charlie didn’t seem to mind. “I’ll feel a real dunderhead if she was made to suffer for my mistake.”
Lucas pulled the reins again. “And here I thought you’d already accepted that aspect of your personality,” he said with a dry tone.
His brother chuckled, finally returning his attention to the road. Just in time to swerve in avoidance of a horse and rider.
They arrived in front of the Mayfair terrace home, and Lucas’s eyes traveled up the height of the brick facade. The sun shone weakly on the polished iron surrounding the front courtyard and adorning the first floor. Charlie bounded to the door, and Lucas followed at a slower pace. The butler answered, took Charlie’s card with an appraising look at the both of them, and ushered them straight into the drawing room.
“Lord Berkeley and Lord Charles.”
The inhabitants of the room watched their entrance. Lucas’s gaze was immediately drawn to Miss Faraday. She sat betweentwo gentlemen who had risen at their arrival. He met her eyes, and she smiled, a hint of surprise etched across her brow.
That smile didsomethingto his chest. It was startling and unexpected enough that he nearly raised a hand to check the beating of his heart.
And then Charlie was passing him into the room, bowing over Miss Faraday’s hand and greeting the men. Lucas followed suit, ignoring the residual effects of his heart’s strange episode.
“Might I offer you some tea, Lord Berkeley, Lord Charles?” She looked at them both in turn.
“Indeed, thank you,” Charlie responded quickly, seating himself in a chair opposite Miss Faraday.
