“Would that I could,” Lucy said simply, looking ahead.
“Oh my, you have spirit. Allow me to introduce myself…” He took a step back and bowed deeply. “Lord Barrington, the Viscount of Wembley, at your service.”
“Charmed,” Lucy offered him plainly.
“As you should be.” He straightened himself up. “In truth, you should be thanking me.”
“Is that so?”
“Oh yes.” He took a step closer… a little too close. “It is Lady Whitcombe, yes? I see how you sneer at these other pretenders, which tells me that you are smarter than most.” He looked around the busy hall and sighed. “A pack of rabid dogs, is what they are. Throw them a fresh steak and see them drool.”
“And if they are rabid dogs, what does that make you?”
He narrowed his eyes at the comment and then laughed. “The kennel master. Believe me when I say that I am saving you. Once they see us speaking, few would dare interrupt. Think of this as a mercy.”
“How kind.”
“You aren’t much of a conversationalist, are you, Lady Whitcombe? It is like trying to squeeze water from a stone.”
“I would be, did I not think they would be a complete waste,” she said.
“How so?”
“Why, I doubt one such as you cares what I have to say. You did not hurry over here because you thought me an apt conversationalist. And you are certainly not here tonight because you wish for me to be.”
“True enough…” His eyes roamed her body, and Lucy resisted the urge not to curl her lip at him. “I confess, your beauty is whatdrew me. That dress…” Again, his eyes lingered. “Might I be so bold as to say how good it looks on you.”
“I would rather you did not.”
“How about, how good it might look off you.” He flashed his eyes wickedly. “Now, that would be a sight worth hurrying across the room for.” Lord Barrington licked his lips and stepped closer.
Lucy clenched her jaw, holding back her first comment… and then her second. It was one thing to be short with a lord, while it was another to be purposefully rude. Men like this did not take kindly to women who wagged their tongues, and Lucy began to see the danger in this entire endeavor.
I must tread carefully. Say just enough to bore him, but not enough to pique his interest. Telling him he cannot have me is the fastest way to ensure his obsession. And if that happens…
A cold shudder ran up her body.
“It is rather stuffy in here.” Slowly, he moved his hand to her waist. Lucy gasped and turned stiff, resisting the urge to slap it away. “Might we go somewhere more private? The grounds are said to be lovely.”
“I would rather we did not.”
“But I insist…” His grip on her waist tightened and a malevolent snarl passed behind his eyes. “Come now, no need to act so coy. That you are here –”
“Is proof enough that she wants nothing to do with you.” From nowhere, another lord appeared. “I dare say that was she physically capable, she might have vanished into thin air. No doubt she wishes she was able”
Lord Barrington turned suddenly stiff and his eyes widened when he saw who spoke. What was more, he instantly whipped his hand away.
“Your Grace…” He sneered. “If you do not mind, Lady Whitcombe and I were –”
“There is your first mistake. Speaking for Lady Whitcombe, rather than asking what she desires. But then again, if you dared to do such a thing, you would undoubtedly learn that she wants nothing to do with you.” The mysterious duke looked at Lucy for an answer.
“I would rather stay here,” Lucy said. “Anywhere, where Lord Barrington is not.”
“And there you have it.” The mystery duke looked plainly at Lord Barrington, but it was enough to see the man falter. Power exuded from the mystery duke like expensive cologne, and it suffocated Lord Barrington’s bravado like a blanket thrown over a fire. “I suggest you heed her words and make yourself scarce.”
“And if I refuse?” Lord Barrington drew himself up.
“It would not be wise to do so.”
