Page 41 of The Misfortune of Lady Lucianna

The situation had spiraled so quickly, Luci could barely understand what was transpiring. Her father had made it seem as if he were pushing Luci toward Montrose as a suitor when all along, he was set on Abercorn. But why? There could be very little besides an added two decades mingling with the upper crust of society that Abercorn had to offer her father.

And there was no doubt, the Marquis of Camden’s goal when marrying off Lucianna was to increase his connections; both within society and in the business. It begged the question: what had Abercorn offered Roderick could not?

“Things are decided,” her father said with a confident nod. “I think it best if you and your friends leave, and you return home. I will arrive shortly to speak with you.”

She didn’t like the way he sniffed at the word “friends” as if Edith and Ophelia were little more than rodents riding her coattails.

“I will not leave, Father,” Lucianna seethed. When she felt Roderick’s hand caress her arm, she cooled down a bit. “I have no intention of wedding Abercorn.”

“That is not up to you,” Abercorn said with a smug smile before looking to Camden for confirmation, but his grin fled when he saw the scowl on the marquis’ face. “What I mean to say is—“

“It does not matter what you mean, Abercorn,” Camden hissed, for the first time allowing his cool demeanor to fall. “Who I choose for Lucianna is my decision. Neither of you has any say in who that is—nor when things will be officially settled.”

It was the only bright spot in the conversation. Abercorn had sparked her father’s displeasure, and Luci only hoped it was more than the transgression her father laid upon her shoulders. Maybe he would see reason, understand that in no world should she be required to wed a man who might very well have killed her dearest friend.

“I think it best if Montrose, Abercorn, and I speak privately.” Her father pivoted sharply and stalked from the room, expecting Roderick and Abercorn to follow.

Abercorn and her father had given her matching smiles, and Luci swore they would have continued with an explanation of letting men handles the business at hand while the ladies returned to their tea and needlework.

Abercorn and Sissy were the first to snap into action and hurry after the marquis. “My lord, we can use my study, if that pleases you.”

“Do keep your nose above trouser level, Francis,” her father huffed.

Luci held tightly to Roderick’s sleeve, knowing she should allow him to go—to speak with her father quickly and not cause the marquis’ anger to settle on him if he were tardy to the study; however, she needed to speak with him.

There were many things they hadn’t discussed, namely, their association after this feigned betrothal ended. Was he even willing to continue with the charade?

More importantly, could Luci ask him to make that sacrifice?

Once their betrothal was called off, Roderick would face another round of scandalous gossip—once again caused by Luci and her petty actions. There would be no chance that Roderick would forgive her twice for ruining his chances of securing a wife.

“Roderick, please…” She looked up into his eyes, eyes she’d always seen as icy and closed off, but now, they appeared crystal blue with a hint of desperation. “I cannot wed Abercorn, but neither will I expect you to throw away your future to save me.”

A reassuring squeeze on her shoulder brought Luci’s attention to Edith and Ophelia, both at her sides with looks of determination. Even Lord Torrington’s dour scowl spoke volumes.

“I—we—will never allow Abercorn to get his hands on you,” Roderick assured her, taking her icy hands into his warm palms. “We will think of something.”

“If all else fails, the pair of you are welcome to my original plan to wed Lady Edith,” Torrington offered with a grin, but it quickly faded when he realized the stark expressions on everyone else’s faces. “Honestly, it is a solid plan and would not be hard to see done.”

“I agree with Triston,” Edith said with a nod. “Gretna Green may be the only answer.”

“Gretna Green?” Roderick stared between Torrington, Edith, and Luci. “But that would mean—“

“We would actually have to wed,” Luci finished, shaking her head. “I cannot ask that much of you, Roderick. A fake betrothal is one thing, but a legally binding marriage? I could never ask you to sacrifice so much.”

Nor was Luci certain she could live with such a grand sacrifice on her part. A future with Montrose as her spouse, neither having agreed to the match willingly, could very well prove a disaster.

“But we will not know anything until Montrose meets with the marquis and Lord Abercorn.” Ophelia’s low, hesitant words cut through the many emotions flooding Luci. “Let him meet with your father. Then we shall convene again and decide our next move.”

“Since when did you become the voice of reason, Ophelia?” Edith asked, clinging to Torrington’s side.

Ophelia’s brow rose. “Likely since you became so smitten with Lord Torrington your sensible nature has been all but forgotten. Besides, I have always been infused with much sense, though I rarely need express it. That is what I have you and Luci for.”

Nervous laughter filled the room as the group started toward the door.

“I think you all should wait at Lord Torrington’s father’s townhouse,” Roderick instructed as they entered the foyer. “I will meet with the marquis and join you immediately after.”

“I will stay here with you.” Luci pushed her shoulders back and paced toward the study door that stood ajar, not bothering to glance behind her to see her friends depart or Roderick trail her.