escape.
She rested her chin in her hand, leaning on the door and watching London streets fly by without seeing anything clearly. The realization that she was anxious to get home to Lucas and have him solve her problem didn’t sit well. She’d been the mother figure for a long time and wasn’t used to depending on others in a crisis. She needed to remind herself that Lucas may hold the title of her protector, but it was simply in name only. Any saving of her family had to be undertaken by her alone.
Chapter Eight
“And then he tipped back in his chair onto his ar…ahem…rear,” Lucas said and pulled her arm closer so he could brush his hip against hers. They were strolling in the park at a very unfashionable hour, enjoying an unusual bit of warm air before winter delivered its calling card.
Charlotte’s laughter bubbled at the conclusion of one of his many travel tales and he felt a bit taller at making her laugh. She’d been too serious of late. She’d continued to be everything a man wanted in his mistress—responsive, sensual and available. However, it seemed only her body was available. She was holding a piece of herself back and he missed it. Ever since she’d returned from visiting her friends at Madame Bella’s she’d withdrawn, not throwing herself at him at every opportunity.
Had Madame Bella spoken to her? Reprimanded her in some way for being so much more than a mistress? He didn’t know and didn’t know how to broach the subject.
“Is that Lady Sarah?” He squinted to better see the lone figure tossing crumbs at the pond ahead.
“Your eldest brother’s former betrothed?” Charlotte’s smile faded. Of course she wouldn’t know Lady Sarah on sight. Mistresses were strictly verboten at good society events where Lucas had spent frequent evenings in the past week researching Sebastian’s social gentleman’s persona.
“Yes, I think that’s her.” He tugged at Charlotte’s hand to hurry her toward the young woman. “We’ll be able to question her here in the park. Ballrooms are too crowded.”
His footsteps kicked up dust on the gray pebbles as he neared Lady Sarah. As he arrived within polite shouting distance, he realized Charlotte was no longer at his side. He turned back to see her halt and give him a little wave.
“Go on, talk to her. You said you can never get her alone in a ballroom, she’s always dashing off when you get close. Now’s your chance.”
He stepped closer and clasped her hands. “Why are you stopped here?”
Her eyes closed for a second. “Lucas, I’m your mistress . I can’t speak to an unmarried girl, let alone any woman in society.”
He frowned, recognizing the truth in her words but hating the ridiculous strictures society thrust upon them. Up until a few weeks ago, Charlotte had been as gently bred and innocent as Lady Sarah. He swallowed the queasy discomfort at his role in her status change. “She won’t know you’re my mistress. You look as innocent as she.”
“Oh? And where’s my chaperone?” Charlotte’s impatience matched his. “Go on, before she leaves.”
He grabbed her elbow and dragged her with him, releasing her free will in the matter. “I’ll introduce you as my wife.” He was able to ignore her snort and mutterings because of the smile she tried to hide at the word ‘wife’.”
“You’re going to regret this tomorrow evening when every matron in the ton wants to know where your wife is.”
He smiled and waved at Lady Sarah, but addressed his words to Charlotte. “I’ll tell them you’re in a delicate condition and prefer to rest at home.”
“And what of your infamous mistress for whom you set a new bidding standard?”
He shrugged. “Everyone will assume I needed an outlet for my male passions if my wife is pregnant.”
She chuckled. “It is audacious. No one will assume your wife and mistress are one and the same person.”
He turned his response into a greeting. “Lady Sarah. May we join
She rested her chin in her hand, leaning on the door and watching London streets fly by without seeing anything clearly. The realization that she was anxious to get home to Lucas and have him solve her problem didn’t sit well. She’d been the mother figure for a long time and wasn’t used to depending on others in a crisis. She needed to remind herself that Lucas may hold the title of her protector, but it was simply in name only. Any saving of her family had to be undertaken by her alone.
Chapter Eight
“And then he tipped back in his chair onto his ar…ahem…rear,” Lucas said and pulled her arm closer so he could brush his hip against hers. They were strolling in the park at a very unfashionable hour, enjoying an unusual bit of warm air before winter delivered its calling card.
Charlotte’s laughter bubbled at the conclusion of one of his many travel tales and he felt a bit taller at making her laugh. She’d been too serious of late. She’d continued to be everything a man wanted in his mistress—responsive, sensual and available. However, it seemed only her body was available. She was holding a piece of herself back and he missed it. Ever since she’d returned from visiting her friends at Madame Bella’s she’d withdrawn, not throwing herself at him at every opportunity.
Had Madame Bella spoken to her? Reprimanded her in some way for being so much more than a mistress? He didn’t know and didn’t know how to broach the subject.
“Is that Lady Sarah?” He squinted to better see the lone figure tossing crumbs at the pond ahead.
“Your eldest brother’s former betrothed?” Charlotte’s smile faded. Of course she wouldn’t know Lady Sarah on sight. Mistresses were strictly verboten at good society events where Lucas had spent frequent evenings in the past week researching Sebastian’s social gentleman’s persona.
“Yes, I think that’s her.” He tugged at Charlotte’s hand to hurry her toward the young woman. “We’ll be able to question her here in the park. Ballrooms are too crowded.”
His footsteps kicked up dust on the gray pebbles as he neared Lady Sarah. As he arrived within polite shouting distance, he realized Charlotte was no longer at his side. He turned back to see her halt and give him a little wave.
“Go on, talk to her. You said you can never get her alone in a ballroom, she’s always dashing off when you get close. Now’s your chance.”
He stepped closer and clasped her hands. “Why are you stopped here?”
Her eyes closed for a second. “Lucas, I’m your mistress . I can’t speak to an unmarried girl, let alone any woman in society.”
He frowned, recognizing the truth in her words but hating the ridiculous strictures society thrust upon them. Up until a few weeks ago, Charlotte had been as gently bred and innocent as Lady Sarah. He swallowed the queasy discomfort at his role in her status change. “She won’t know you’re my mistress. You look as innocent as she.”
“Oh? And where’s my chaperone?” Charlotte’s impatience matched his. “Go on, before she leaves.”
He grabbed her elbow and dragged her with him, releasing her free will in the matter. “I’ll introduce you as my wife.” He was able to ignore her snort and mutterings because of the smile she tried to hide at the word ‘wife’.”
“You’re going to regret this tomorrow evening when every matron in the ton wants to know where your wife is.”
He smiled and waved at Lady Sarah, but addressed his words to Charlotte. “I’ll tell them you’re in a delicate condition and prefer to rest at home.”
“And what of your infamous mistress for whom you set a new bidding standard?”
He shrugged. “Everyone will assume I needed an outlet for my male passions if my wife is pregnant.”
She chuckled. “It is audacious. No one will assume your wife and mistress are one and the same person.”
He turned his response into a greeting. “Lady Sarah. May we join
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