“You don’t have to say that just because—”
He lifted himself up over her until she was staring into her eyes. “Frances, listen to me. I promise to never lie to you again and I would never lie about something like that. I meant every word I said.”
She smiled and snuggled back against him again. “Very well. I believe you, but while we’re on the subject of your, ahem, playacting, why didn’t you tell me?”
“Tell you what?” He kissed the side of her neck and a shudder went through her.
“That playacting is quite fun,” she said, trailing her hand along the outside of his thigh.
He grabbed her hand, pulled it to his lips, and kissed her knuckles. “You know we can do that again whenever you’d like,” he whispered against her ear.
“Ooh,” she said. “Next time, can I pretend to be a housemaid?”
“Whatever you wish, my lady.” He kissed her long and deep, then pulled her against his chest and cradled her in his arms. “I was serious. I’ll double, no triple, whatever purse Sir Reginald offered your parents.”
“No doubtthatwill convince my parents,” she replied. “Only I’m afraid Father will just gamble it all away again.”
“I’ve no intention of letting your father have the money,” Lucas said. “I’ll set up an allowance for him through my solicitor so he can’t plough through it, at least until your sister is wed.”
Frances lifted up and turned to face him. “How did you know I have a sister?”
He winced. “I sort of did an…investigation of your family. After I realized how much I was beginning to like you.”
“You spied on us?” She blinked at him.
He lifted his shoulders. “Spying is such a complicated word.”
She arched a brow at him. “Is that how you learned my full name?”
He nodded guiltily.
She laughed. “Well, what else did you find out?”
Lucas settled back onto the pillow. “I learned the details and sums of your father’s debts. I’ll be paying them all off, and don’t worry, I fully intend to settle a sizable sum on your sister when it comes time for her debut.”
Frances caught her breath. “Truly?”
He nodded. “Of course. Why wouldn’t I?”
Her eyes filled with tears. She cupped her hand against his cheek. “That is the loveliest thing anyone has ever done for me.”
Lucas pulled her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles again. “I love you, Frances, more than words can say. I’d do anything for you, and I know I already said it, but I promise you, I’llneverlie to you again. Thank you for showing me what was right in front of my eyes.”
She frowned. “What do you mean?”
Lucas rubbed a fingertip against his temple. “The glaring difference between the classes. I’m ashamed to admit that I’d never stopped to think about it deeply until I was playacting at being a footman and talking to you about the Employment Bill.”
Frances sighed. “I’d like to say I can’t believe the guests at the party didn’t recognize you when you were serving them, but the truth is I shouldn’t have found it surprising in the least.”
Lucas nodded. “It may have begun as stupid, drunken bet, but I’ve learned more from this experience than I imagined, and I’ve gained far more than I deserved.” He touched his nose to her cheek and kissed her.
“I should thank you, too, Lucas. You and Lord Bellingham, I suppose,” she added with a laugh.
“For what?”
“Through our disagreement I realized something about myself.”
“What’s that?” he asked.
