Chapter 4

H er unhappy marriage had taught Lucy a valuable lesson. Never again would she rush into a romantic relationship. After her brother and her best friend had fallen in love and married, she'd been convinced that Mansfield would be her own happily-ever-after.

She couldn't have been more wrong. But the fact she wasn't looking for love didn't mean she couldn't explore another physical relationship with a man.

Anticipation filled her entire being as she considered exploring such intimacies with Holbrook. It was beyond impulsive. She'd just escaped a loveless marriage that had convinced her she was physically incapable of experiencing pleasure with a man. She never had with her husband, not even during those first few months of her marriage when she'd still loved him.

She was a widow now and free to do whatever she wanted. She could take a lover. But she wasn't sure it was wise to consider the first man to whom she now felt an attraction. She'd done that at eighteen, when she was newly out in society. She wouldn't make that mistake a second time.

So she avoided Holbrook for the rest of the ball. Before she could move forward with her plans, she needed to discover whether she could experience a similar attraction to another man. It would be easier, after all, to conduct a discreet affair with someone who wasn't a close acquaintance of her brother.

For the next few hours, she spoke to the men who sought her company and danced with those who asked her. She was careful, however, not to be alone with them.

Despite her determination to keep an open mind, she felt no spark of attraction for any of those men. And for some reason, she could still feel Holbrook's gaze on her. She was careful not to be caught staring at the man, but a discreet peek here and there told her she wasn't imagining things. Even when he was dancing with other women, Holbrook kept glancing her way.

And every time their eyes met, a thrill of anticipation surged through her.

Several hours passed that way, and Lucy's feet were starting to ache from the unaccustomed exercise. She'd been a young woman of eighteen, newly out in society, the last time she'd danced this much in one evening. At thirty-one, she would hardly be considered old, but it seemed that her endurance had finally reached its limits.

She rejoined Charlotte and her brother, who were also returning from their most recent dance. She didn't miss the significant look her friend cast her husband before she turned to Lucy and linked arms with her.

"Let's get something to drink," Charlotte said.

Lucy should have realized her friend had an ulterior motive, but she was so distracted by her own musings she didn't notice when Charlotte walked past the refreshment tables.

They were in the hallway before Lucy realized they'd left the ballroom. Assuming Charlotte needed the retiring room, she turned left, but her friend tugged her in the opposite direction.

They passed several footmen along the way, but Charlotte kept walking. When they reached the library, she led them into the room.

Bemused, Lucy waited for her friend to close the door before speaking. "What could have happened to cause you to leave the ball just so you could speak to me? I'm sure that whatever it was could have waited until tomorrow."

Charlotte placed her hands on her hips and examined her for several seconds before speaking. "Is something happening between you and Lord Holbrook?"

Lucy froze at the question and then let out a soft sigh. She'd wanted to discuss this very subject with her friend tomorrow. But Charlotte knew her well, so it was inevitable she'd noticed Lucy's interest in the man.

"Am I so obvious?" Lucy dropped onto the settee that was tucked into one corner of the room.

Several such seating arrangements were scattered throughout the large library amid the many bookshelves, making it one of Lucy's favorite places in her brother's town house. It seemed it would also be the room where Lucy was going to confess her scandalous plans.

Charlotte grinned and settled next to her. "Only to me. The two of you got along well last night. Then there was that waltz." She fanned herself in an exaggerated manner.

Lucy frowned. "It was just a waltz."

Charlotte made a soft tsking sound. "After which the two of you have been sneaking glances at each other all night."

Lucy groaned. "I thought I was being subtle."

"You were. But he wasn't pleased about the fact that you've danced at least once with every eligible man here."

Lucy felt a little thrill at her friend's confirmation that she hadn't been imagining things. She'd half worried she was seeing only what she wanted to see. "How well do you know him?"

"We've met a few times and I like him, but Alex sees him often. And you know he wouldn't have invited him to dinner last night if he didn't think highly of him."

She couldn't hold back a small smile at Charlotte's attempt to appear nonchalant. "You're matchmaking."

Charlotte reached for one of her hands and gave it a quick squeeze. "Please don't be angry. Alex and I are only together because of your assistance. I want to see you happy as well."

Lucy sighed. "After my marriage, I'm not sure that's possible."

She hated the sad look on Charlotte's face.

"Not every man is like Mansfield," Charlotte said. "Alex's friends, the other men who were here last night… They're all happily married. And faithful to their wives."

Lucy found it difficult to hold back her discomfort with this subject. It wasn't as though Charlotte hadn't been aware of Lucy's husband's infidelities, but they'd never spoken about it openly.

Lucy didn't want to dwell on the past. "I have no plans to marry again. But…" She had to take another deep breath before she could continue. It was impossible to believe she was actually considering this. "But there's no reason I can't take a lover."

Charlotte's mouth dropped open. Her expression of shock was so comical Lucy would have laughed if her own heart wasn't racing.

"Holbrook?" Charlotte's voice was barely above a whisper.

Lucy nodded. "There's no one holding me back now."

They both knew she could have had an affair while married. Heaven knew her husband had left her alone for long periods of time. Lucy had even considered it on several occasions. But even if she'd been tempted—and she'd never met a man before now who would have made her consider it—she'd meant her wedding vows. Even after she'd grown to despise the man she'd married, she would never go back on her sacred promise to remain faithful to him.

Lucy could almost see the wheels turning in her friend's mind. It was a great relief that Charlotte hadn't rushed to talk her out of her plan. Still, she needed her friend's reassurance and so she asked, "Do you think he'd consider it?"

Charlotte's smile was instantaneous. "Oh, he'll definitely be interested. But it remains to be seen if he's willing to risk the wrath of the Duke of Clarington."

Relief flooded through Lucy. "I'll have to see what I can do to tempt him."

They both stood, and Charlotte drew her into a hug. "Please let me help you."

And with that, the plan was set in motion.