Page 48 of Saving a Scoundrel
“Didn’t peg Martin as a gossip.”
“He sits in my kitchen some days.” She shrugged. “Everybody talks to Mama Viola. Spill it handsome, who’s the lady? I thought you turned away that rich mort you was servicing.”
Lucius winced, but she wasn’t wrong. That’s precisely what his arrangement with Rosemary had been. What had started as a fling at Hart’s summer house had become him just being her whore. He ran a hand through his hair. How far he’d fallen. Was fucking the only thing he could do? Could he strive for more? Ellie’s words had gotten stuck inside him, wedged between his ribs. She thought he had potential, always had.
He sucked in another drag. “Ellie is no rich Mayfair lady. She is a friend from home, the vicar’s daughter.” He chuckled at Viola’s raised eyebrows. “She’s become rather saucy of late. I should keep away from her. I know I should. She has a nice young man waiting for her back in Marbury.”
Viola stepped forward and grabbed his chin. Startled, he stood still while she studied his face. “But you won’t, will you? She’s under your skin already.” Viola let go. “What’s wrong with marrying a nice girl?”
“What?!” He shook his head. “Viola, I can’t marry anyone. I’ve got no way to support a wife and family. I got no prospects except maybe to marry Mac’s daughter and live off her dowry.”
“Not a bad plan, but not one that will make you happy. If you want this Ellie, you’ll have to figure out a way. You’re a smart, handsome fella. I hate to lose you, Lord of Sin.” She patted his cheek. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some shopping to do.” She turned and walked out of the alley into the late afternoon sunshine.
Lucius leaned back against the wall. Did he want Ellie? Certainly, he wanted her in his bed, soft and writhing with pleasure. He wanted her hands and lips on his body. He wanted her in his arms, her head on his chest, her hair tickling his nose. He wanted to see her every day. He wanted that sharp tongue of hers to beret him for forgetting his umbrella or his gloves. He wanted to make her laugh and have big family dinners and…what was he doing? He shook his head. Stupid. He threw down his cheroot and stomped on the end, grinding the stub into the dirt. Then he turned and headed inside. What he wanted was a stiff drink.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Ellie couldn’t believethe pomp and circumstance at Ascot. She leaned forward against the railing to capture a glimpse of the king and queen as the royal carriage drove down the straight stretch of track. Queen Caroline’s hat was a magnificent piece of millinery. The brim on the sunny-yellow creation had to be twenty inches. Gorgeous silk lilies covered the crown.
Susanna gripped her hand in a death grip. She pointed at the gates at the far end. “Look, here come the horses!”
Ellie laughed and exchanged a look with Lady Dearborn behind Susanna’s back. Of course, Susanna wouldn’t care at all about seeing the king and queen promenade, but a bunch of thoroughbreds had her bouncing with joy. Lady Dearborn leaned toward Ellie. “Like father like daughter.” She nodded her head at Lord Dearborn, who stood at the railing next to his daughter, clapping enthusiastically as the racers walked their horses around the track for a cheering audience.
Ellie was pleased the day was not overly warm as could happen in June. She gave her pretty lilac parasol a twirl and watched the lace trim swish out as it turned. It had been three days since she had seen Lucius, and he had not sent so much as a note. Their afternoon together was all she could think about. She hoped to see him here today and execute the next step of her plan for seduction. How she would find him amongst the crowds, she didn’t know. They stood on a newly constructed grandstand next to the royal enclosure. Behind them was a great lawn where a slew of carriages was parked. Well-dressed people strolled through the green space, stopping to chat with each other. Down below the grandstand, more people, primarily men, packed in close to the track.
“I can’t believe I’m here,” Susanna said. “Father placed some bets for me. But don’t tell Mother.” She glanced over her shoulder at her mother, who had turned away to talk with an older lady.
“Oh, perhaps I should place a bet, too. Except I have no idea which horse I would choose.”
“I am betting that Highflyer will win in race three. And Forrester will win in this first race.”
Ellie studied the horses as they lined up. One black horse with a smattering of white markings on its rump seemed to be dancing in its spot. It was as though it couldn’t wait for the race to start. “What’s that one named?” She pointed.
“That one is Starlight. He’s a bit green for my taste, but it’s said he is swift.”
“Starlight. That’s who I will cheer for then. I like his name.” Ellie smiled.
Susanna turned to Lord Dearborn. “Father, Ellie wants to place a bet on Starlight.”
Lord Dearborn raised a hand, and a young man materialized from the back of the booth. He wore green livery and carried a pencil and paper. “Yes, my lord?”
“What are the odds on Starlight?”
“Thirty to one, sir.”
“He’s a long shot, dear. You still want to do it?”
Ellie bit her lip, then she nodded. She would take a chance. “Yes. Can I bet ten guinea?”
“All right.” He turned to the boy. “Ten on Starlight.”
“Yes, sir.”
“You’re going to lose on that one. He’s no match for Regulus.”
Ellie turned to see who would be so rude. Lord Danvers stood behind them a broad smile across his handsome face. “Well, thank you for your opinion, but I will choose as I like, thank you.”
Danvers tipped the brim of his hat. “Of course. You must make your own decisions.” He gave her a cheeky wink. “Good day, Miss Spencer.”
