Page 23 of Saving a Scoundrel
“Yes, it will be a whole sailing party. Lucius is coming as well.” She nodded at Miss Macdougal. “With his friend.”
“Hmmm. Well, that’s all very interesting. I look forward to it.”
“Let’s go talk with her; Lucius asked me not to let her have any more wine. He’s concerned what her father will think if she imbibes too much.”
“All right. I’m eager to find out more about Miss Macdougal.”
They crossed the room. “Miss Macdougal, may we join you?”
She glanced up in surprise. “Of course.”
“How did you enjoy dinner, Miss Macdougal?” Eleanor asked.
“Oh, fine, thank you. Although I was surprised there were no oysters. You would think in the house of a marquess they would serve oysters. My mother and I adore them. She would never have a dinner party without including them on the menu.”
Ellie turned her head to see where Lady Wells sat. Probably too far to have overheard, but Miss Macdougal seemed to have no control over the volume of her voice. Insulting the menu was quite rude.
“I also love oysters,” Susanna murmured. “Tell me about yourself, Miss Macdougal. How do you know Mr. Grisham?”
A waiter came by with a tray filled with tiny sherry glasses. He bent to offer them. Miss Macdougal grabbed one up before Ellie could say anything. It was a very small glass; it probably couldn’t do too much harm. She shook her head when the tray was offered to her. Susanna likewise did not take a glass. Lady Dearborn would disapprove.
“I’m not supposed to say, silly rules of society.” Miss Macdougal lowered her voice. “Mr. Grisham works for my father at Macdougal Brewing. Mr. Grisham is so smart and hardworking. He handles all the accounting, and my father is happy to have it off his plate. Especially now that the business has grown so much.”
“Oh, I see.” That may be the first time anyone had ever described Lucius in quite that way. Oh, she always knew how clever he was, but hardworking that was a new one.
“And he is the son of a baron. Although, he is just the second son. But look at all the fancy people he knows. He’s quite a catch. Don’t you think so?” She drained her glass of sherry in one gulp.
Susanna glanced over at Ellie. Her look said volumes, but Ellie just gave a slight shake of her head.
Susanna turned back to the other lady. “Yes, we are quite fond of him.”
Ellie fumed silently. This woman wasn’t even trying to be coy. She thought Lucius was a “good catch” because of his connections. Lucius made a good catch because of his boundless good humor and his sharp mind. Life would never be boring with him as a husband. She couldn’t help but wonder what he had been up to this past year. He’d seemed enthusiastic about the brewery. Had he finally found something to which to apply himself? Lucius had been at loose ends for a number of years, seeming to revel in being a rakehell. Ellie knew that it would be hard for anyone to believe in themselves if their parents had constantly told them they were worthless. Lord Markham was at best entirely careless with his children, and Lady Markham was constantly verbally abusive. Nothing and no one reached her expectations.
Ellie turned her attention back to the conversation. Perhaps Miss Macdougal wasn’t all that bad. She would give her the benefit of the doubt for Lucius.
Miss Macdougal smoothed her blue satin skirts. Then she looked up straight into Ellie’s eyes. “I’m fond of him as well. And my father will fix it so Lucius will marry me. He always gets me what I want.”
Chapter Fourteen
Lucius tugged atMiss Macdougal’s hand. They were running late, and it was his fault. Castell had him chained to the desk redoing numbers from the week’s take. Someone was stealing from Castell, but whoever was smart about it. Lucius could point out the discrepancies in the numbers, but Castell and Mercer would have to figure out who was skimming.
“Do you think they will leave without us?” Katy’s eyes were wide, and her breath fast as she tried to keep up with the fast pace he’d set.
“I’m sure he will wait for us,” Lucius assured her. But in fact, the only thing he was sure of was that Danvers would take any advantage in the bet to seduce Eleanor, including leaving Lucius and Miss Macdougal behind.
They had reached the wooden docks, and Lucius turned right. He picked up the pace as he spotted Danvers’s yacht. The sails were raised on the forty-five-foot cutter. The ship’s narrow hull was built for speed. Lucius had been aboard a couple of times as Danvers had raced the boat around the Isle of Wight, slicing through the water at top speed with the wind in his face. Of course, today, they would be cruising at a much slower clip up the Thames to Richmond.
“Ahoy!” Danvers waved at them as they hit the top of the gangplank.
Lucius brought Katy’s hand to rest on his forearm and led them down the wooden walkway at a more sedate pace. He leaned close to her ear. “Are you ready to socialize with the sharks?”
Katy nodded. “Yes, I’ll be fine. Don’t you worry.”
“I’m glad you could make it.” Danvers eyed Miss Macdougal. “And you’ve brought a very lovely guest.”
“Thanks for waiting for us.” Lucius gave Danvers a smirk as two servants pulled up the gangplank behind them. “You met Miss Macdougal at Hawksridge’s dinner party. Her father owns Macdougal Brewing.”
“Yes, of course. It’s a pleasure, Miss Macdougal. I enjoy a good beer now and then.”
