As the man stalked away, Dominic noticed that the earlremained calm but slowly got up and followed in the same direction.
Dominic quickly tossed down his cards and scooped up his few winnings. He’d heard enough. Returning to his carriage, he instructed his driver to take him back to home where he penned a missive to Amos. While Lord Lindley might not be connected to his assailant in any way, he decided that he was worth some further investigation. Especially if he intended to continue pursuing Lexie.
But that wouldn’t last long because Dominic intended to put a stop to that.
CHAPTER 13
The next morning, Lexie was bombarded by her aunt. She entered her chamber when Lexie was still asleep and threw the curtains open. “We are going shopping.”
Still trying to drag herself to the land of consciousness, Lexie murmured, “Is there a special occasion coming up of which I am not aware?”
“There is to be a ball at the end of the week for which we shall need something spectacular, but that isn’t the reason I wish to go to St. James’ today.” She turned to her with a bright smile. “I have it on good authority that the earl shall be out in his phaeton and you wouldn’t want to miss the opportunity to make a good impression after last night’s unfortunate dinner. There may still be time to salvage the disaster that the duke presented to your father. I daresay I have not witnessed such skill when it comes to mockery of one’s own significance except on the stage.”
It was all Lexie could do not to sigh. While she should just go along with her aunt’s enthusiasm, she found that the rebellious streak she had always possessed wanted to dig in her heels. “Might I ask why you are so set on me marrying the earl when I have clearly chosen the duke’s company? And whether youapprove of my father’s decision or not, he has apparently offered his preferred choice as well.”
Her aunt shook her head. “That is because you refuse to give Lord Lindley the opportunity to impress you properly. You seem determined to turn your focus toward the duke when I have warned you against his salacious nature time and again. Mark my words, you will come to regret trusting in a man like that.”
Lexie frowned. “You almost speak as if he has wronged you in some manner.”
“Not just me,” the lady returned emphatically. “All of society is aware of his current ruse and they are not pleased that a man of such high standing—a cousin to the king—should act out in such a way. It’s quite regrettable.”
Reluctantly pushing back the covers, Lexie moved her legs to the side of the bed. “You ask me to give the earl a chance and yet, you don’t seem willing to do the same for the duke.”
“Because I am well aware of his nature,” her aunt snapped. She paused and appeared to collect herself. She moved toward the bed and sat down next to Lexie. Taking her hands, she spoke in a calmer tone. “It is my responsibility to see to your welfare, my dear. If I did not do my utmost to protect you I would be failing in my duties.”
Some of Lexie’s frustration subsided in the face of her aunt’s empathetic demeanor. She squeezed her hands lightly. “I appreciate everything you have done for me thus far, Aunt. You have taken me in and done your best to lead me through London. But I am old enough to know my own mind and I have chosen the Duke of Cuthbert.” When her aunt would have spoken, she rushed on. “I will continue to be cordial to the earl, but you must rid your mind of a union between us.”
She looked as though she might argue the point further, but in the end, her shoulders slumped slightly, as if she were defeated. “While I appreciate your candor and your steadfastness toward a man who does not deserve the title of a gentleman, I will notpress the issue any further.” She tilted her head to the side. “However, I would still like to see what new bonnets are out for the upcoming winter season, if you are still amenable?”
Some of the tension eased from Lexie’s shoulders as she offered her aunt a smile. “I would love nothing more than to spend the day with you.”
Once Lexie was attired in a light blue gown and royal pelisse, a smart straw bonnet trimmed with velvet ribbon on her head, she entered the carriage after her aunt, who was similarly attired in a dark orange shade that complemented her features.
They chatted about neutral topics on the way to the heart of the shopping district in fashionable London and visited the millinery, Locke & Co, where they each procured a new velvet bonnet lined with silk. After that, her aunt mentioned some new perfume, so they dropped by Floris, another long-standing staple of the city.
From there they visited a haberdashery and her aunt’s favorite modiste where Lexie was fitted for a new ballgown to wear to the upcoming ball. While her aunt was busy trying to decide what she wanted to wear, Lexie meandered about the store and inspected the various bolts of fabric that were laid out on display. There were the usual pastels that young, unmarried ladies were expected to wear, and more daring, bold colors that Lexie had always yearned to try, but had not yet had the opportunity to do so.
As she turned, she happened to catch sight of movement from the corner of her eye. She glanced outside and spied Lord Lindley striding purposefully down the pavement. She quickly darted out of sight in case he might see her as well, but when he walked past without hesitation, she breathed a sigh of relief. She was having a nice day with her aunt and didn’t want it spoiled by the arrival of the earl. Lexie wouldn’t normally have had an issue with the man if her aunt wasn’t so determined to become a successful matchmaker. But when his name waspressed upon her so often, it was difficult not to lament ever meeting him.
“Where shall we go next?”
Lexie turned when her aunt approached and looped her arm through hers. “I say it’s about time for tea, don’t you?”
“Splendid!” Her aunt smiled broadly. “We shall visit Fortnum & Mason.”
Lexie was quite sure that the earl would not be sitting down to have tea or a Scotch egg, as he had appeared in a rush to get somewhere, so her aunt’s suggestion was a rather welcome respite.
However, as they arrived at the front doors of the establishment, a gentleman standing near the entrance greeted them with a polite bow. “Lady Devonly. Miss Givenwald.”
Lexie’s heart sank as she exchanged a similar reply to Lord Lindley. She turned to her aunt who looked entirely too innocent not to have set up this fortuitous meeting ahead of time.
The earl held out his arm to her. “Shall we enjoy the rest of this pleasant autumn day?”
Before Dominic had retiredthe night before, he’d left strict orders with Amos to have one of the Blue Boys trail Lord Lindley. Something didn’t set well with regard to the earl, but he couldn’t pinpoint what it was exactly. Although he might not be the thief that Dominic was after, he decided that he was worth watching.
With Amos as the messenger for Avalon, Dominic had received word that the earl had left the house. While he hadn’t expected his movements to take him to the shopping district of Mayfair, Dominic’s jaw soon clenched with annoyance when he discovered his intended target.
Apparently, the decision from Lexie’s father hadn’t been enough to persuade the man that she was already spoken for. However, since the first of the banns had yet to be read regarding their engagement, it wasn’t official.
