Page 54 of Saving a Scoundrel
A warm hand covered hers. “Ellie, life is complicated, and sometimes the paths we must take are not the ones we would choose. Maybe he didn’t have a choice.”
“Maybe this wasn’t the end. Maybe they found a way to be together?”
Lucius chuckled. “I see you won’t be deterred from your happy ending.” He squeezed her hand.
Ellie nodded. She wouldn’t believe this letter was the last one. You didn’t just give up on love. “At least we now know her name. Diana is a pretty name.”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Lucius rode upbehind the Macdougal’s townhome Friday evening. The weather was miserable again. A fine drizzle covered his jacket and dampened his face. All the way to Marylebone he had thought through what he would say to Katy. No promises had been made, but he knew that she had expectations in regard to their relationship. He felt bad that he would have to hurt her feelings in order to free himself to be with Ellie. He was even more nervous about speaking with Mr. Macdougal. The man had all but offered his daughter to Lucius. How would he explain that she was not what he wanted?
Lucius pulled the collar of his coat up to prevent the precipitation from rolling down his neck. Would Mac keep him on? Probably not. He shook off the pang of disappointment. Doesn’t matter. Lucius would just have to figure out a new plan. He brought his horse to a halt in front of the mews and dismounted. As he led his horse into the long narrow stable a distinctly female laugh rang out.
“Don’t tease. I absolutely need all three of these trunks.”
“Darling, I guarantee you won’t need so many clothes on our honeymoon,” a deep voice replied.
Another giggle rang out. “Shhh, not in front of the servants.”
Lucius turned toward the voices and shock had him taking a step back. A couple embraced in front of a large black carriage. Lanterns hung from the hooks mounted at each corner, illuminating Katy Macdougal’s pretty face. “Miss Macdougal?” he sputtered.
Both the man and the woman spun to face him. Lord Haverty dropped Katy’s hands. “Grisham? What are you doing here?”
Haverty!The bloody bastard had somehow slithered in to steal away with poor Miss Macdougal. Lucius stepped forward. “I could ask the same of you. I’ve been invited to dinner.” He glared at Haverty.
“Yes, well.” Haverty cleared his throat and glanced at Miss Macdougal.
She laid a hand on Haverty’s arm. “It’s fine. Mr. Grisham is a friend. Can you excuse us for a moment?” Then she stepped forward and took Lucius’s arm. “Can we speak outside?”
Lucius nodded. What in the hell was going on? “Are you all right, Miss Macdougal? Is he trying to take advantage of you?”
The drizzle had intensified and they kept under the eaves to keep dry. Miss Macdougal’s eyes widened. “Oh, no. It’s not like that. We are eloping. You see he’s is quite in love with me.” Her smile lit up the gloomy evening.
“Pardon?” Lucius couldn’t believe what he was hearing.
“Now, I know my father would like a pairing between the two of us. And there was a time when I wanted that, too. But Lord Haverty is so attentive, and titled. And I want a husband who adores me.” She raised her nose in the air and sniffed. “I aspire to be more than just the wife of a brew master.”
Lucius blew out a long breath. And here he thought he might hurt Miss Macdougal’s feelings this evening, thinking she had a tendre for him. He should feel relieved, but damn if her comments didn’t slice sharply. He shook his head. “If he is such a perfect catch, why are you eloping?”
“Please don’t tell Father. We have to go marry in Gretna Green. Haverty’s father doesn’t know about our relationship. This way he won’t be able to interfere.”
“Do you really want to marry a man who is too embarrassed to present you to his family?”
Katy crossed her arms in front of her chest. “He’s going to be an earl one day!”
Lucius winced. Ellie’s instincts had been spot-on about Miss Macdougal. This is what women wanted: a title and loads of money. Except his Ellie, she didn’t seem impressed by material things. He frowned as he stared out into the increasingly heavy rain. Lucius thought about her delight over her new wardrobe, and the outings they had taken to Vauxhall and the opera. He could not afford to give her those things. Ellie didn’t really know the reality of his circumstances. What had he been thinking? That loving her would be enough?
His chest felt tight and he tipped his hat to Miss Macdougal. “Good luck to you, Katy Macdougal. I’m going home.” He turned to go back inside to fetch his horse.
“But you must go in to dinner!” she called out. “You need to be there to distract my father.”
Lucius let out a mirthless chuckle. He didn’t bother to respond. Instead, he grabbed his horse’s reins and led him outside, letting the wet damp night sink right down into his bones.
*
“You’re in rareform tonight,” Hartwick said as he passed Lucius his flask.
Lucius accepted the flask and took a long drink from it, letting the brandy burn down his throat and spread through his chest. “Yes, well, that’s what happens when you discover your life is a total loss.”
