Page 24 of Saving a Scoundrel
“Then you have most likely drunk my father’s brew. He supplies beer to every pub in London and most of southern England.” Miss Macdougal flashed a toothy smile.
The gleam in Danvers’s eye became more appreciative as his gaze ran over Miss Macdougal’s fine clothing and pretty face. “Welcome aboard my humble ship. I hope you enjoy our sail to Richmond today.”
“Thank you, Lord Danvers.”
Lucius guided her toward the aft of the ship with one hand at her elbow. Humble ship…hardly. The wide gleaming wooden deck had several deck chairs set out so that guests could enjoy the view of the water and converse easily with each other. Two servants hurried from below with trays laden with a cold repast. Another servant poured lemonade and wine. Danvers never skimped on the luxury.
Lady Dearborn sat in one of the deck chairs, sipping a glass of lemonade. Lucius chuckled softly as they approached the lady. “Good afternoon, Lady Dearborn. I didn’t know you would be cruising with us.”
“Good afternoon Mr. Grisham. Didn’t you know? I love to sail.” She gave Lucius a broad wink.
“Indeed.” He cleared his throat to cover up another laugh. “Have I introduced Miss Macdougal to you? Or perhaps you met at Hawksridge’s dinner party.”
“Yes, we have been introduced. Come sit, my dear.” She patted the seat next to her. “Tell me about your family. Are you an only child?”
Katy sat next to Lady Dearborn and enthusiastically began telling her how she was an only child and how her mother had almost died in childbirth. Thank goodness for Lady Dearborn and her need to know everything about everyone. Katy should be well occupied for a bit. Not that he wanted to be rid of her, she was perfectly pleasant. Somewhat obsessed with her wardrobe and quizzing him about his friends but still a good-natured girl.
The steward came over to offer them refreshments, and Lucius quickly responded with “Two lemonades” before Miss Macdougal could decide she wanted to try the wine. He spotted Lord Haverty standing near the large wooden wheel speaking with Lady Clarkson and another young lady, perhaps her sister who loved to sail? He caught sight of a head of golden hair, and he stepped over to the railing where Ellie and Susanna stood gazing out at the riverboats.
“I see I was not needed today after all.”
They swung around to greet him, and he cocked his head at Susanna’s mother.
Susanna rolled her eyes. “As if my mother would let me out unchaperoned.”
Ellie smirked. “I told you we don’t need you to watch out for us. Lady Dearborn has things well in hand.”
“I thought Ellie was supposed to be your companion.”
“Hardly, that was just a ruse to get her father to agree to let her come to town. My mother is just as determined to get Ellie paired with some swain as she is with me.”
“What happened to Mr. Evans?” he asked Ellie.
“I will not see her shackled to someone that boring. She has all season to find an alternative,” Susanna answered for Ellie, who just shrugged.
“I’ve been given a reprieve. But my father said I must decide this summer.”
Lucius took a sip of his lemonade and immediately wished it was whiskey. Why the thought of Ellie married to some suitable toff was so offensive, he didn’t know. If she was married, her husband would probably frown on her being friends with a scoundrel like him.
“We are just ready to set sail.” Danvers crossed toward them, a broad smile in place. “Miss Spencer, allow me to show you to a comfortable seat. The weather is beautiful, and I want you to have the best spot to enjoy our voyage.”
Lucius leaned against the railing next to Susanna as the crew unfurled the two large sails. The cutter had four sails in total, but the two mainsails would catch enough wind to cruise along the river. The trip to Richmond would take two hours. They could disembark and stretch their legs as they strolled in the public gardens at Kew before the return trip back to Knightsbridge.
“Have you been sailing before, Lady Susanna?”
“Twice. Both times with my uncle and cousins in Brighton.”
They began to pick up wind, and the six-man crew worked seamlessly to direct the boat upriver. Ellie sat next to Danvers, their chairs too close together, in his opinion. Danvers called over the steward with a wave of his hand and offered a plate of pastries to Ellie. She peered carefully at the selection. Ellie was never one for sweets. Instead, she had a weakness for fresh fruit.
He remembered her biting into a ripe peach from his father’s orchard, her eyes closed in rapture, the juice dripping from her chin as she smiled. That memory from ten years ago took on an entirely new aspect as he envisioned it with Ellie at twenty-four instead of Ellie at fourteen. Except this time, instead of turning away, uncomfortable at his first jolt of pure lust, he would walk over to her and lick every drop of peach juice from her chin, her lips. Lucius tipped his glass back and drained the rest of the lemonade. What was he doing? He had no business thinking about kissing Ellie.
“So, Lucius.” Susanna slid her gaze over to him. “I see you have brought Miss Macdougal along today. What exactly is the situation between the two of you?”
He glanced across to Katy Macdougal. She still chatted animatedly with Lady Dearborn, but she glanced up and met his gaze briefly. He gave her a wink. “I guess I would say that I am formally courting Miss Macdougal. I respect her father quite a bit, and he is keen for us to get to know each other better.”
“So, you are fond of Miss Macdougal?”
“Of course, I am,” he replied. “Why else would I be courting her?”
