Page 64 of Lavender’s Lost Duke

“Of course,” Samuel stepped through the doorway. “I was just on my way out. You can join me for a stroll.”

“Thank you, Your Grace.” Lord Chilcott’s footsteps sounded behind Samuel’s.

Thomas stayed in his place a full minute after he heard the two men exit the house. What would Lord Chilcott need a private audience with the duke for? The most likely reason would be for the man to beg permission to ask for Lady Lavender’s hand in marriage. How would Samuel avoid that without causing suspicion?

Chapter 31

Lavender pulled her long white gloves up as high as they could stretch. She’d spent plenty of time this Season listening to the conversations of others around her, but this was different. Her goal was oddly specific tonight. At precisely half-past ten, she needed to be sitting behind the far pillar in the grand entryway at Almack’s, feigning a headache. The trouble was sneaking off at the correct time. She didn’t want to draw undue attention to herself previous to her leaving.

Their carriage rolled up the drive two hours after the beginning of the ball, as they planned, in hopes that gentlemen would have filled most of their dances before her arrival.

Miriam placed a hand on Lavender’s shoulder. “Remember, all you need to do is act as if you have a headache and remember everyone you see pass by.”

Lavender nodded. “And you are certain that Lord Chilcott will find me?” The thought made her insides squirm. She didn’t want to be found alone with him.

“I’m sure,” Miriam said. “But I will be just around the corner.”

This was finally a way Lavender could be helpful. For so long, she’d felt as if her presence in London wasn’t going to accomplish anything. If she could help the Duke of Fenleigh’s name be cleared of suspicion for treason, perhaps the man would allow her an introduction. Tom had recommended Fenleigh himself, and since Tom was unwilling to allow Lavender into his life, she might as well marry someone who would provide for her well. She trusted Tom’s judgement. She’d told him that an incredible library would make her happy, and Fenleigh’s library was the most incredible she’d ever seen.

The ballroom was already hot and stuffy by the time they walked in. Samuel and Miriam were immediately sought after—as was usual—and Lavender was swept into society’s wake with the suddenness of a sneeze.

Lord Chilcott sidled up to her within five minutes. “I was worried you wouldn’t come.” His eyes roved over her appreciatively. “You are stunning.”

“Thank you.” Lavender looked into Lord Chilcott’s eyes and could only read truth within them. “You look very well yourself.” And he did. His black coat and bottle green waistcoat made his hair lean more toward brown this evening.

“Would you care to dance?”

Lavender nodded. “I would. I am only surprised that you still have any dances remaining for the evening.”

“I have danced with no one else. My sole purpose for the evening is to spend as much of it with you as is socially acceptable.”

Lavender’s cheeks heated through. “How forward you are.” She laughed.

Lord Chilcott shrugged with a satisfied smile.

What had changed in the baron? Their courtship had been blatantly manipulated in the beginning. He’d not particularly tried to hide that he didn’t fancy Lavender—only that he wanted to court her. She still did not understand why. But now, his attentions seemed . . . genuine. It was one thing for Lavender to consider marrying the man to fulfill her father’s dying wish, but she had never intended for her feelings to be touched. If Lord Chilcott was truly coming to feel something for her, it wouldn’t be fair to marry the man when her heart was still with Tom. No, she needed a marriage of convenience. One that would suit both of them. She needed a fortune hunter without a heart in order to be at peace with herself.

The baron stayed glued to Lavender’s side until the musicians were ready for a new set. He led Lavender to the middle of the dance floor. “At last, the reason I came tonight.” He smiled down at her.

Lavender swallowed thickly. “I did not know you enjoyed dancing so much.”

“I don’t particularly care for it, no,” Lord Chilcott said. Then he leaned forward and lowered his voice to a whisper. “But I do revel in holding you in my arms.”

“What has come over you?” Lavender asked.

Lord Chilcott’s gaze was all fire and emotion. “Perhaps we can talk about it later.”

Lavender blinked quickly. She didn’t know that she wanted to talk about it at all. In fact, she could have kicked herself for asking in the first place. Even with adoration written all over Lord Chilcott’s features, Lavender had no tender feelings toward him. Under different circumstances, he could have claimed a portion of her heart. But she knew too much of her own feelings and too much of his machinations. That part of a man didn’t disappear just because he learned to like someone.

The music drew them together in a waltz. Lord Chilcott pulled Lavender toward him with purpose and intensity. She kept shifting her gaze from his shoulders to his eyes, but his eyes never roamed from her face. Goodness. She knew she needed to keep up appearances, especially if she were to be helpful in the plan for the evening, but Lord Chilcott was making his intentions abundantly clear to her, and she did not like the direction they were taking.

“I have made you nervous,” Lord Chilcott chuckled after minutes of silence between them.

“Perhaps,” Lavender admitted.

“I know you like to be a wallflower, but all these people watching us will become accustomed to the sight of us. Before long, there will be someone more interesting to watch.”

Lavender’s eyes started roaming around the spacious room. Lord Chilcott was correct—they were drawing far too much attention for her liking. How was she ever to extricate herself from this courtship that she’d never entirely agreed to? Her pulse began hammering. She’d been nervous before she knew they were the center of attention and the talk of the evening. It would be no difficulty to fake a headache once their dance was over. “Perhaps we ought to speak of something else,” she suggested.