My Duke's Seduction (Wicked Lords of London 1)

Tabbie gave her a long look before she answered. “You don’t have to be a spinster to make a difference, Tricia.”

“True,” Tricia replied slowly. “But not every lady meets a man as openminded as Luke. I fully expect I won’t.”

Tabbie pressed her lips together, looking as though she were hiding a grin. “And what kind of husband do you expect Ryker to be?”

Tricia let out a huff of breath. “What does that matter?” While a little piece of her heart had latched onto that dream, she knew he would never want her. Hadn’t he said that very thing the first night he’d met her?

Tabbie’s eyebrows rose. “He escorted you to a public event.”

“In disguise,” she returned.

“He’s been alone with you—”

Tricia cut her off. “When he made me swear to keep his identity secret.”

“Hasn’t he said anything that made you think he might be considering you?” Tabbie’s eyebrows were raised near to her hairline and she looked as though Tricia were being silly.

“Of course not.” But then their earlier conversation began playing back in her mind. Details she skipped over because he’d been wreaking havoc on her senses. “Except that he wanted me to see his country estate and…” She gasped. “You don’t think he’ll propose?”

“Don’t be thick. Of course he will.” Tabbie leaned over, her eyes sparkling. “But darling, make him work for it.”

Happiness filled her, making her feel warm and light. A future she’d never let herse

lf want played out in her mind. Ryker holding her close, a baby in her arms. Her baby. She still wanted to help people, of course. But Ryker might understand that. Hadn’t he mentioned her starting an orphanage?

Tricia was about to respond when a shadow cast over her. She looked up suddenly expecting to see Ryker, but it was Lord Longly who gazed down at her.

Drat. She hadn’t spoken to him since that night outside of Almacks. She’d led him to believe she’d consider his suit, which was not the truth. She swallowed a lump as she stood to greet him.

“Lord Longly.” A forced smile pried her lips open as he bowed to her.

“Lady Tricia.” His eyes were intent upon her, as they normally were, but there was something different about him tonight. It was the hint of disapproval in his tone, the downturned lips, the tension in his stance. “I’d hoped to ask for the next set.”

Tricia took a breath. “I must confess to being a bit overset this evening.”

“You did not look overset when you were dancing earlier. Nor did you look overset when you allowed whomever that man was to lead you outside.” Herman’s voice rose with each word.

Tricia blinked several times, recognizing that he was jealous. Several sets of eyes had turned toward them. “I didn’t feel well, which is why we stepped onto the veranda for air. I had a bout of dizziness.” She stepped closer hoping to draw him into a more private conversation then the one they were currently having.

“Is that why he escorted you here?” Herman’s arm reached out then, grasping hers just above the elbow.

“Herman,” she hissed. “He is the guest of my brother-in-law.”

He gave a rough tug to her arm, oblivious to the crowd of onlookers he was attracting. “Was he who were you meeting when you were outside Almacks unattended?” Everyone around them had ceased talking, but all at once whispers began swirling around them. Her heart stopped beating for a moment. She’d known she faced being ruined but somehow she hadn’t pictured it exactly like this. Turning to the side, she saw the stares of twenty people. Some were filled with disgust, others a sick delight, still others just curiosity.

A hand at her back made her jerk away from Herman, but it was only Tabbie.

“I don’t know what you are referring to, Lord Longly,” Tricia said as loudly as she could muster while still sounding natural.

He snorted but his gaze never left hers, and his eyes were filled with hurt. “I wanted to marry you.”

A stab of guilt rent her chest. She blinked several times, pushing that feeling away. Was this how a man who wanted her to be his wife should act? Calling her out in front of a crowd of people? No matter what Ryker thought of her actions he would never treat her this way. “Lord Longly,” she stood straighter. “I would never marry a man who would sully my reputation in such a way as you have done tonight.”

He leaned down until his nose was nearly touching hers but Tabbie stepped next to her pushing her own face into his. “I think you’ve said enough,” Tabbie wrapped an arm around Tricia.

“She made promises to me,” Herman spit as he spoke. “Now you’re making me out as though I’ve done something wrong. She’s the one who went out unattended—”

Tabbie stepped so close to him she bumped into him, pushing him back. “My sister would never marry a man like you. Goodnight, Lord Longly.”