Lucy hummed to herself as she wandered along the hallway, her mind filled with thoughts of the prior evening. She had managed to get very little sleep last night, as she had so much to think about.

Lord Caldwell would be calling today, and already there was talk of an engagement ball. Thankfully for her, his mother had been delighted, just as he had said she would be. She had grasped Lucy’s hand as though she would never let her go, apparently exclaiming that she had never believed her son, Edward, would actually find himself a bride. Lucy introduced her mother to the lady and had left the two of them in deep discussion, apparently both as thrilled as the other.

The same could not be said of her father. He was pleased, of course, for having a potential marquess as a son-in-law was nothing to be disappointed about, but his plans for a partnership with Lord Hutton had been broken to pieces.

Lucy had not even been introduced to Lord Hutton, what with all the excitement of the evening, but she had caught the displeasure on his round face as he glared at her. A shudder ran through her as she remembered how he grasped her father by the arm and spoke to him in rapid, hushed tones, gesticulating wildly at one point. His face had been bright red, beads of sweat trickling down his face, and his crooked teeth more than evident as he grimaced and growled.

Lucy had to admit that she was more than delighted with the outcome, meaning that she would not have to even entertain the idea of being engaged to Lord Hutton any longer. Lord Caldwell, however, was entirely another matter. Lucy could not deny that she found him handsome and believed him to be of a warm disposition and kind character.

Would another gentleman of her acquaintance do what he had? He had taken pity on her and helped her in the most admirable way. She found herself enjoying being on his arm, relishing the warm congratulations that had come from all parties. No longer the wallflower, she was the talk of the town, although there had been a great deal of amazement that she had managed to capture the heart and the hand of the earl.

She rolled her eyes, knowing that it was almost unbelievable. No earl would truly want someone like her for a bride. It was just as well, then, that their engagement was nothing more than a façade.

“This is utterly ridiculous!”

Her mother’s voice echoed from her father’s study, evidently having a heated exchange with her father.

“She is engaged to an earl, who will one day become a marquess!” Lady Withington exclaimed. “Lord Hutton has nothing on that. Besides, Lord Caldwell seems to make her happy.”

“Lord Hutton still wants her for his wife,” her father said heavily. “He wants this partnership as much as I do.”

“Then work out a partnership without Lucy being part of the bargain,” her mother answered firmly. “You cannot wish her to end her engagement with Lord Caldwell, surely!”

There was a brief pause. “No, of course I do not,” came the eventual reply. “Lord Hutton is angry, however, because I promised him our daughter’s hand.”

Lucy caught her breath, leaning against the wall for support. Her mother’s shrieks began soon after, echoing down towards her. Apparently, she was furious that her husband wanted their daughter to still consider Lord Hutton. Lucy’s engagement to Lord Caldwell was much more advantageous.

“I will sort the matter out, I assure you,” her father pleaded, apparently quailing under his wife’s fury. “Lord Hutton will have nothing to complain of soon, I promise.”

“He had better not ruin this engagement!” her mother screeched, slamming something down heavily. “I will not have our daughter’s new position ruined simply because of some old man’s fancy.”

Lucy’s stomach rolled at her mother’s words, but, on hearing footsteps, she rushed along the corridor and into the silence of the library.

Sagging against the door, she let out her breath, unease rippling through her. Her father had promised her to Lord Hutton, which meant that Lord Hutton had every right to be angry, for her father did not give his word without fully intending to fulfill it. Would he demand some kind of recompense? And, if so, in what form?

More than ever, Lucy was grateful for Lord Caldwell. Had he not stepped in when she had needed him the most, she might be awakening this morning to find herself betrothed to the repugnant Lord Hutton, who clearly wanted her to be his wife in all senses of the word.

Lucy knew very little of the intimacies between husband and wife, but the thought of him extracted another shudder from her. Lord Hutton was a leech, and she would not allow him to even touch her, not once. Should he ask for a dance, she would refuse him. Now that she knew his intentions, as well as what her father had promised, Lucy swore to herself she would not go near the man.

A short rap on the door startled her, and she opened it to find the surprised face of the maid looking at her.

“I beg your pardon, miss, but your mother wishes to see you.”

“And you were sent in search of me, were you?” Lucy replied with a wry smile. “Where is she?”

“The drawing room, miss,” the maid answered, bobbing a curtsy before Lucy dismissed her.

Wondering what it was her mother could want, Lucy made her way to the drawing room, only to find her mother waiting for her with a tea tray on the table. Apparently, they were to have a discussion.

“Yes, Mama?”

“Sit, my dear,” her mother beamed, her face wreathed in smiles. “We have so much to discuss and I had hoped we might start this very day!”

“What could you mean, Mama?” Lucy asked, blankly.

Her mother let out a loud trill of laughter. “Oh, my dear! You are engaged now, so of course we have a great deal to discuss. There is your trousseau, and of course, your wedding gown as well. I think we should also go to the modiste and purchase a few more.” She ran a critical eye over Lucy’s dress. “We must fit you in the best gowns now. After all, you are the talk of the town.”

Lucy swallowed the sudden ache in her throat and attempted to smile. She had not truly considered what might happen when she told her mother about her supposed engagement. In truth, she had never before seen her mother as delighted and as happy as she was now. What would happen when it all came to an end? Would her mother be heartbroken?

“I do not think I need new gowns, Mama,” she replied quickly. “Lord Caldwell has proposed to me already, so it is not as though I need to catch his eye.”

“Nonsense,” her mother declared, pouring the tea. “You are to be seen all over town, my dear. In fact, I have arranged for the carriage in around one hour.”

“The carriage?”

“Yes, yes,” her mother answered, almost impatiently. “To the modiste, of course!”

Lucy hated the thought of being swathed in fabric, of being pinched and prodded. “Mama, Lord Caldwell is coming to call this afternoon.”

Her mother waved a hand. “We shall be back before he arrives, of course. You need not worry, Lucy.” Her face softened as she handed Lucy a cup of tea. “You have done very well, my dear. I never imagined you would capture such a man. To think that you will be a marchioness one day…” She trailed off, regarding her daughter with something like wonder in her eyes. “I hope you know just how proud I am of you, Lucy.”

The ache in Lucy’s throat reappeared almost at once, and she managed a wobbly smile. Her mother had not often spoken to her so, and she still remembered what Lady Withington had said about her only the day before, but still, the words hit her heart with a great deal of force.

“Thank you, Mama,” she murmured, furiously blinking so that no tears would slip down her cheeks. “I do hope you like Lord Caldwell.”

“Of course I do!” her mother exclaimed. “He is handsome and titled. What is there not to like?”

Those words haunted Lucy all through her fittings, allowing her mother to dictate the color and cut of the gowns whilst she stared at herself in the mirror. Was that all there was to Lord Caldwell—his title and handsome features? She did not want to admit it, but she knew almost as little about him as her mother did. It did not seem quite right to know so little about one’s betrothed, even though it would not last all the way to matrimony. He was of a kind heart, having taken her out of her miserable predicament and promising that he would bear the burden of the broken engagement when the time came.

Did Lucy want to know more about him? Would that not put her into dangerous territory? She stared at herself in the mirror, noting the slight blush in her cheeks. Her mother was right; Lord Caldwell was a wonderfully handsome man. She could not pretend that she was not attracted to him, for even the memory of his smile sent a shiver through her.

She would have to spend a lot more time in his company over the next few weeks, until their betrothal came to an end. She would have plenty of time to get to know him, but Lucy reminded herself that she would have to ensure her heart was not in the least engaged by that time. It would not be a good thing to fall completely head over heels for Lord Caldwell, only for their acquaintance to come to an end. She certainly did not want to add a truly broken heart into their already complicated relationship.

“Ah, yes!” her mother exclaimed, her voice intruding on Lucy’s thoughts. “This is lovely. I believe you can keep this on for the time being, Lucy. Lord Caldwell will simply adore it, I am sure.”

Lucy lifted her eyes to the mirror and found herself clad in a beautiful day dress. Its warm red tones highlighted her brown eyes, whilst also illuminating her golden hair. It was one of the loveliest dresses she had ever owned.

“What do you think, Lucy?” her mother asked, grasping her hand in an unexpected gesture of affection. “Will your betrothed like it?”

“I am sure he will, Mama,” Lucy whispered, unable to take her eyes from her reflection. “In fact, I am not sure he will recognize me!”

“Wonderful,” her mother sighed happily. “Then we will purchase it, and then we must return home at once. It would not to do keep Lord Caldwell waiting.”

Lucy stepped down onto the floor, brushing her hands over her skirts in an attempt to calm her jangling nerves. She had not expected to feel this way, not after only just meeting the man the day before!

Control your heart, Lucy, she warned herself, following her mother out to the front of the shop. There is no use in falling in love with the man, especially when it is all a sham. Remember that it is all a pretense.

Stepping out into the cold, Lucy lifted her chin and tried to smile, pretending she did not feel the sinking of her heart.