Chapter One
“Ilike how you hold your fan, Lady Lucy,” Lord Sterling remarked, making the lady in question almost choke on her spit.
She could smell expensive brandy on his breath, which perhaps was one of the sole reasons he spoke like a carriage out of control.
“It shows you are a woman of, uh, restless energy. I feel like we have not seen everything you are capable of yet,” he added.
Despite the blatant appeal to her pride, Lucy Coulson, sister to the Earl of Marsleigh, still flushed. She liked it when people could see beyond her. Even though the lord was flushed red, he was still a handsome young man. Yes, he was more boyish than ruggedly handsome, but she assumed he was the type of man people might consider harmless and definitely marriageable.
Truth be told, any adequately handsome man would be marriageable at this point. Somehow, such a comment made life better at Wolfcrest House.
“You are certainly right, My Lord,” Lucy agreed. “I am a restless soul, but I do find ways to burn energy. It is why I am grateful to the Duke and Duchess of Wolfcrest for their invitation. One must note, though, that people expect more porcelain and ice, rather than fire, from a young lady of supposed consequence.”
“I suppose it is dangerous to be different,” the young lord said, nodding at her with a big grin on his face. “Still, you must know that you radiate a beautiful energy wherever you go, Lady Lucy.”
“Sterling!” a voice boomed from a few feet to her back. “There you are. You are much needed in the card room.”
Lucy knew that voice all too well, and she barely stifled her groan. For some reason, her brother, Joshua Coulson, the Earl of Marsleigh, always arrived at the wrong moment.
“Marsleigh,” Sterling mumbled, suddenly stiffening. “I was merely having a lovely conversation with your beautiful sister.”
“Ah. She is quite a treasure, is she not?” Joshua asked, giving them a beaming smile.
Lucy could not help but sigh. Her brother had the strange, almost magical skill of appearing whenever she was talking to awould-be suitor. She supposed it was the way it was with two orphans like the two of them. They only had each other left.
“I do believe Lord Westcott wants you back in the card room. I heard that some interesting properties are being wagered over there. It seems that your expertise is currently required,” Joshua continued.
“Uh, I see,” Sterling mumbled, even though his eyes were still on Lucy. “Please excuse me, Lady Lucy. I hope that I will see you again soon.” Then, with a nod at the Earl, “Marsleigh.”
Disappointment settled in Lucy’s stomach as Sterling sauntered away to see whatever he was required for in the card room. It was nothing new, though. She’d felt like this before.
“Joshua, he seems perfectly harmless. I was even enjoying the conversation. He is near my age, titled, and seems to value what I have to say. Now, you’ve just chased him off like every other man who’s ever tried to talk to me.”
Her brother looked pained by what she had just said, and it made her feel guilty. Joshua had taken it upon himself to protect her from everything that might come their way, and while their family was not particularly wealthy, he had done wonders for their coffers.
Joshua reached out to smooth the silk of her glove, his hand lingering on her wrist. Then he pulled away and tapped it awkwardly, as if she were a child being gently scolded or reminded. She chuckled.
“You are still too sweet for this world, dear Lucy. You find all men harmless, I presume,” he murmured, his voice always that soothing balm. She was fortunate to have a big brother like him. “Sterling might not be bad to look at, but he has the reputation of being a rake. His intellect will not match yours, and conversations will be merely tedious for you.”
“He was flirting, and his attention was on me, Joshua. I believe that many men of the ton either have the reputations of being rakes or have a tendency for cruelty anyway,” she said pragmatically.
“And that’s what you want?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.
“It isn’t, but I’d rather not be married to someone cruel, a pompous man three times my age,” Lucy retorted. “It does not look like I will have many chances, given that you absolutely terrify anyone who wants to even have a conversation with me.”
“It is my duty to protect you, Lucy,” Joshua replied gently. “I won’t have anyone tarnish your reputation. You will always be safe by my side. I know you know that. That is why you are happiest close to me. You’ll be safe in Marsleigh House. As your older brother, I am the one who knows how best to shelter you from the filth of this city.”
He squeezed her arm gently, making her feel just a little guilty about having thoughts of rebelling. Joshua always wanted the best for her, but most times, she just felt suffocated.
“I must speak with Lord Avery about some important matters, but do stay near this spot and don’t wander far. Don’t let yourself be swayed in the wrong direction.”
Lucy might understand her brother’s overprotectiveness, but she could not help but feel annoyed about being treated like a child. She opened her mouth to protest, but he was already striding away with his usual confidence. Joshua had certainly earned the reputation for guarding her virtue with so much zeal.
“Your brother is quite a fire-breathing dragon, isn’t he?”
Lucy turned to see Victoria, the Duchess of Hawksford, approach.
Vicky had become her friend when they were still both unmarried, even though their experiences at the ball were completely different. While her brother tried to keep her on the shelf, Victoria’s mother pushed her onto anyone with wealth and title. Yet their shared amusement at the marriage mart had the two bonding through laughter and shared criticism.
