Page 20 of Saving a Scoundrel
“Mr. Grisham,” Miss Macdougal said in a tone that told him this hadn’t been the first time she’d said his name.
“Pardon?” He tore his gaze from Eleanor.
“I said, tell me who else is here. Any of your rakish friends?” She giggled and took another large swallow of wine.
He wondered if maybe the wine had been a bad idea. “How do you know I have rakish friends?” he teased.
“I read the scandal sheets, same as everyone else.”
“Don’t believe everything you read. I don’t have the stamina for half the things they say about me.”
Katy walked her fingers down the front of his jacket as she looked up at him through her eyelashes. “Oh, I think you must have marvelous stamina.”
Lucius broke away from her sultry gaze with an uncomfortable cough. Across the room, he caught Eleanor frowning at him, and he took a step back from Miss Macdougal. “Well, Lord Hawksridge’s friends tend toward the serious and earnest, so I don’t expect there is anyone scandalous here tonight.” He took her empty wine glass and his and set it on the table. “Let’s go mingle.”
Chapter Twelve
Ellie frowned. Blastit all, who was that woman? The lady couldn’t be more than eighteen or nineteen and far too wide-eyed to be one of Lucius’s usual lady friends. Ellie’s excitement had known no bounds when she heard that Lucius was invited tonight. She took extra care with her appearance. She should have known he would arrive with a woman on his arm.
Miss Macdougal’s hand trailed across Lucius’s chest as she looked up at him with cow eyes. Ellie sucked in a sharp breath. Jealousy poked at her, a familiar prick to her heart. Rather forward for polite company. Not that it was any of her business. She turned her attention back to the conversation.
“Oh, there is Lady Throsby. I must say hello. Please excuse me,” said Lady Wells.
They were left alone with Hawksridge. Susanna turned to him. “My lord, who is that lady with Lucius?”
Ellie had never been happier about her friend’s forthright manner as in this moment.
“I haven’t any idea.” Miles clasped his hands behind his back. His gaze darted around the room.
Ellie studied him closely. He would not meet her gaze. “Charlotte was right when she said you are a terrible liar.”
“Out with it, Hawksridge. What do you know?” Susanna demanded.
“Nothing. I’ve never met the lady.” He sighed as Ellie and Susanna continued to stare at him. “I recognize her name. Lucius has been doing the accounting for a Macdougal Brewery.”
“He is doing the accounting for a brewery? Why?” Ellie asked.
“He takes care of the books for several businesses, including the gaming hell where he lives, the Termage I believe it’s called since his father cut him off last June.”
“What?”
Susanna’s loud exclamation mirrored the one in Ellie’s head. Lucius cut off? Lucius working? Ellie’s mind reeled at all the new information. Lucius was a layabout rake. He drank too much and gambled and…was his reputation all a façade? She shook her head in disbelief.
Hawksridge stepped forward and took hold of each of their elbows. He guided them farther away from the rest of the guests. “I shouldn’t have said anything. I don’t think he wants people to know. Including Charlotte.” He gave them a stern look.
Ellie held up a hand. “Wait, did you say he is living at a gaming hell? Do people do that?”
“Hawksridge, if he is in financial straits, why haven’t you helped him?” Susanna poked at his chest with one finger. “You are rich as Croesus. How could you let a friend flounder?”
“I offered my help, but he refused.” Hawksridge crossed his arms in front of his broad chest. “A man has his pride.”
“Pride, hmmph.” Susanna snorted. “Perhaps I should marry him, and then we could live off my dowry.”
Ellie felt her mouth fall open in shock. Hawksridge had a similar expression. But Susanna just laughed. “I’m teasing! You should see the two of your faces.” Her expression sobered as she looked over at Ellie. “I would never do that to you, love.”
Hawksridge glanced over his shoulder at Lucius and Miss Macdougal. “Perhaps he’s had a similar idea. Macdougal’s brewery supplies beer to half of London and southern England. I’ve invested a bit of money with it, and it makes me a pretty profit each quarter.” He arched one eyebrow. “Who do you think told Macdougal about Lucius’s talent with numbers? His daughter most likely has a sizable dowry.”
Ellie’s heart sank. It all made more sense. She glanced across to where Lucius stood, chatting with an older gentleman and his wife. Miss Macdougal said something, and Lucius laughed, his eyes shining with good humor as he looked down at her.
