Earl of Sussex (Wicked Lords of London 0.50)

“Papa.” She unhooked her hand from Luke’s arm and turned toward her father. Dread made her quake. Luke turned too, and grasping her other hand, tucked that into his elbow. The gesture was not lost on her father. His eyes narrowed as he assessed Luke. “I told you to act with decorum.”

“The terrace is sufficiently chaperoned,” Luke answered quietly.

“You refused to allow another man to dance with her,” her father fired back.

Luke’s own eyes narrowed before he responded. “He intends to win her affection.”

Her father sighed deeply. “And how likely is that without my intervention?”

“Do you intend to intervene?” Luke tensed underneath her hand.

Her father took a step closer. “He’s a marquess.”

Luke shrugged at that. “I will be as well.”

Her mind, a jumble of thoughts suddenly sharpened. Her father was considering Crummell. What he needed was a reason not to consider the other man, to favor Luke. The issue of title fell in Crummell’s favor but it occurred to her that if her father thought Luke had ruined her, he’d have no choice but to wed her and Luke and dismiss Crummell forever.

“You deliberately disobeyed me—” His eyes bore into Luke.

?

??Papa,” she interrupted. “We have feelings—”

“Don’t be foolish.” Her father’s lip curled. “One would think your intelligence endowed you with a bit more sense.”

All the dread she had been feeling bloomed into white-hot anger. Her father never gave her credit. He always expected her to act as her mother did, but she wasn’t like her mother. “You are correct. I am a terrible fool who allowed a known rake to court her. Oh wait…that was you.” Her hand tightened around Luke’s elbow.

“Tabbie, you will keep your tongue sweet and you will obey me.”

“It’s too late, Papa. I’ve allowed Luke to—”

“Tabbie—” It was Luke’s strong voice that stopped her words. “Crummell is waiting for his dance.”

She blinked in complete confusion. He turned to look at her and gave her a tiny wink on the side that her father couldn’t see. It was all the assurance she needed and with a nod, she left his side, stepped around her father and headed back toward the music. Above all odds, she trusted Luke with her heart and with her future.

Luke stared at the man in front of him. It was time to make Tabbie his and stop allowing her father to have control.

“How did you manage to have Tabbie obey you so easily?” His Grace’s eyes followed his daughter through the doors.

“She knows that I only want what is best for her.” Luke’s arms crossed in silent accusation.

“Are your public displays of impropriety best for her? I am considering Lord Crummell just to save her reputation.”

“You are considering Lord Crummell so that you may continue to exercise control over the both of them.” Luke’s hands clenched into fists against his chest.

The other man’s face tightened. “Are you trying to sway me toward him? That is a most excellent argument. Now what was Tabbie about to say?”

Luke felt a muscle tick in his jaw. He had to proceed very carefully. “She was being Tabbie. Impulsive and likely to say whatever she thought would result in our marriage.”

His Grace stepped closer. “Or you are a rogue who has compromised my daughter.”

Luke assessed the man in front of him. “I have done as you have asked.”

He gave a nod. “Excellent.” His grace gave him a cold smile. “Then there is still time to consider other suitors.”

Another man might have begged, groveled, or even thrown a fist. But Luke was not any of those men. Instead he gave his grace a small salute. “Do as you see fit.” Then he followed Tabbie back into the ball.

Because a scheme was exactly what this situation required.