Gemma watched as Mary led Pembroke over to the wall where they began speaking in earnest. No friend named Sally, eh? Gemma shook her head. Leave it to Mary to lie about why she wanted to speak to him. She was up to something as well, but thankfully it was no longer Gemma’s concern. Now that Mary was betrothed, she’d stopped threatening the wallflowers. Which meant Gemma could relinquish her role as their unofficial protector.
“Lady Mary was staring daggers at you,” Lucian pointed out.
“Oh, I was never her favorite, and when you and I married, I suppose I made a lifelong enemy.”
“I wouldneverhave marriedher.” Grovemont took a sip from his champagne glass. “Even if she’d been the one I’d been found alone with in the study.”
And with that startling bit of information, he offered his wife his arm for yet another dance.
O
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
The Next Morning, The Marquess of Trentham’s Town House
Lucian had plans for the day. Plans to learn precisely how to be charming. After last night, he realized it would not be easy convincing Gemma to give him a chance. It would take every bit of his skill and then some. Which is why he’d sent a note round to someone who knew all about charm. Meredith’s brother, Ashford Drake, The Marquess of Trentham. It was also why Lucian was even now sitting in Trentham’s study.
The marquess had a desk, but it had been turned into more of a sideboard of sorts, with bottles of alcohol and glasses sitting upon it instead of papers, ledgers, and an inkpot. In fact, if the man had an inkpot, Lucian didn’t know where it was.
Trentham had long ago declared himself a lifelong bachelor, but he’d also been quite clear that he had no intention of seeing to his estates, attending sessions of Parliament, or doing mundane things like meeting with solicitors. In fact, he’d handed off all his work to his secretary. Ash spent his time carousing, drinking, and being charming.
A more devil-may-care chap did not exist. And Trentham was never without a beautiful woman on his arm. Charm, you couldsay, came naturally to the man. Which was precisely why Lucian was here. If one wanted to learn to be charming, one went to an expert.
“Tell me again what exactly you’re trying to do,” Trentham said as he poured them both a large glass of brandy.
Lucian cleared his throat. His errand was embarrassing, but he and Trentham had been good friends since they were lads. Trentham would keep anything he shared a secret. “I wish to win over my wife.”
Trentham cupped a hand behind his ear. His brow furrowed. “Pardon? I thought I heard you say you wish to win over your ownwife?”
Lucian shifted in his seat and bit his lip. “I did.”
Trentham cocked his head to the side. “What would you want to do that for? The woman is alreadymarriedto you.”
Lucian nodded. Trentham didn’t believe in marriage. So much so that one day at Court, he’d announced to the King himself that he had no intention of marrying. Ever. The King had apparently thought it was a jest, but anyone who knew Trentham well knew that he was quite serious. The man gave no cares about his title, his estate, or an heir. In fact, he’d been quite vocal when his father had been alive, telling the previous marquess that he had every intention of letting the estate rot. And Lucian thought he had issues withhisfather. Apparently, Trentham won that contest.
Regardless of his unorthodox lifestyle and choices, Trentham was a decent man and a good friend. He would help. Lucian knew it. Though he’d also be the recipient of a lot of good-natured ribbing in the meanwhile.
“Isn’t the entire point of marriage that you no longer need to be charming?” Trentham continued, handing Lucian his brandy glass. He was giving Lucian a look that clearly indicated he thought he’d lost his mind.
“In some instances, perhaps,” Lucian allowed, taking a large sip. It might not yet be noon, but this was damned humiliating. The drink couldn’t hurt. “But in my case, I need all the help I can get.”
Trentham took a seat behind the desk and pushed away some of the bottles so they could see each other. “It’s no great mystery,” the marquess said. “Women want what everyone wants.”
“Which is?” Lucian prodded.
“Attention, of course.”
Lucian nodded. “Sounds easy enough. But in practice, it’s much more difficult.”
“Not really,” Trentham continued. “Women like to be treated as if they are special.”
Lucian blinked. “That’s it?”
“Essentially, yes,” Trentham replied. “And the truth is, theyarespecial. So it’s not difficult to do. For example, when you’re with a woman, you should never mention another woman. At least not another woman you’re interested in.”
“I’m not interested in another woman,” Lucian replied, frowning.
“All the better for you then,” Trentham replied with a wink.
