Lucy drew in a long breath and tried to smile as the door opened and Lord Caldwell was announced. Deep within her heart, she wondered whether he had changed his mind over their engagement, having had the night to think on it. Not that much could be done about it now without causing a severe scandal.

“Lord Caldwell,” she murmured, curtsying gracefully before lifting her head to look at him. “How are you this afternoon?”

His smile was warm, alleviating her nerves almost at once. “I am all the better for seeing you, my dear,” he said, taking her hand before bowing to her mother, who was gushing with sentiment. Lucy gave him something of a wry smile before sitting down, allowing her mother to witter on for a few moments before delicately clearing her throat.

“Shall I ring for tea, Mama?”

“Oh, yes, yes, do,” her mother replied, her face more animated than Lucy had seen in a long time. “You shall stay for tea, shall you not, Lord Caldwell?”

“It would be my pleasure,” Lord Caldwell answered, his eyes twinkling as he glanced towards Lucy, apparently entirely at ease with her mother’s overly enthusiastic manner.

Lucy smiled back and allowed her mother to continue her discussion with Lord Caldwell, noting that something warm was settling in her stomach. Was it because she was glad to see her mother so happy? Or was it because Lord Caldwell appeared to be such a kind gentleman to be so willing to entertain her mother’s enthusiasm?

“And, my dear Lady Lucy, how are you today?” Lord Caldwell asked the moment her mother paused for breath. “I am sure after last night’s commotion, you must be exhausted!”

Heat rippled up into her cheeks as she remembered how he had found her in the garden arbor, and her ridiculous exclamation about how handsome he was. “I am quite well; I thank you,” she mumbled, dropping her eyes for a moment. “I am glad your mama thinks me acceptable.”

“More than acceptable, I assure you,” he replied, his smile widening. “In fact, she has requested that we throw an engagement ball, but I insisted that I ask you first before she begins making any plans.”

Lucy opened her mouth to answer, only for her mother to interrupt with a gasp and a clap of her hands.

“A ball! How wonderful! Yes, of course we should have an engagement ball. It is very kind of your mother to think of such a thing. Lucy would be delighted with such an event, is that not true, Lucy?” Her mother turned to her for a moment but gave her no time to answer before turning back to Lord Caldwell. “You must allow me to help in some way.”

Lord Caldwell reached for one of her hands and patted it gently. “My dear lady, my mama has requested that you call upon her at your earliest convenience. I believe she hopes you might organize the ball together, as it will give you the opportunity to get to know one another a little more. In addition, with my father currently out of the country on diplomatic business, I believe she could do with some company.”

Watching her mother with amusement, Lucy saw the way her eyes widened and her mouth formed a perfect circle as she was robbed of speech for a moment.

“What say you, Mama?” Lucy asked drily. “Shall you write to her this very moment?”

She had not expected her mother to take to her suggestion immediately, but to her surprise, Lady Withington stood up in a flurry of skirts and practically rushed from the room, saying something about how it was an excellent notion and she would press her note into Lord Caldwell’s hand before he left.

Clearly, her mother had not realized that she had left Lucy and Lord Caldwell completely alone. Even as a betrothed couple, this was not entirely seemly.

“Well,” Lucy murmured, suddenly unsure as to where to look. “I think you have my mother in the palm of your hand, Lord Caldwell.”

“She appears to be quite delightful,” he replied, leaning forward in his chair. “But I am not sorry that she has left the room, for it gives us some time to speak freely.”

Lucy’s stomach swirled with sudden nerves. “I do hope you are not regretting our scheme, my lord.”

His surprise was evident. “No, not in the least!” he exclaimed, his dark eyes searching hers. “Are you?”

“Not at all,” she responded, aware of just how quickly her heart was beating. “My mother has never been so delighted, as you can see!”

His eyes lit with humor. “Neither mine,” he said, his lips quirking into a smile. “It appears you have done what so many other ladies could not, according to Mama. She is utterly besotted with you, even more than I am!”

Lucy managed a smile, her breath catching as she took in the warmth in his eyes, the easy smile on his lips. Had he meant such a sentiment, truthfully? Or was he simply playing the part?

“I must confess I was a little surprised to hear that Mama wished to throw an engagement ball for us both, but given the circumstances, I was unable to do anything but agree.” Lord Caldwell’s hand reached for hers, his fingers brushing her skin. “I do hope you are not upset.”

Jolted by his touch, Lucy felt tension ripple through her body, making her more than aware of just how close he was to her, despite being in an entirely separate seat.

“You believe I might be upset over a ball, my lord?” she asked, hating that she was a little breathless. “It is quite the contrary, I assure you.” She gave him a tight smile, relieved when his fingers left her hand and he sat back in his chair.

“I am glad to hear it,” he replied quietly.

Lucy, deciding to be honest, lifted her chin. “In truth, my lord, I have had very little attentions from my parents who, as you were aware, practically wrote me off. Since yesterday evening, that has changed entirely! My mother is insisting on a trousseau and even a few new gowns for our betrothal period.” She shook her head as a slightly sad smile crossed her lips. “I cannot remember the last time mother was so willing to spend both time and money on me.”

Her words trailed off, her eyes leaving his only to land across the room, focusing on nothing in particular. Her mother’s attentions would die away again the moment Lucy’s engagement came to an end, and Lucy knew she would feel the loss keenly. For the first time in many years, she felt as though there was nothing of ill-feeling or frustration between herself and her mother. It was a feeling Lucy realized she truly appreciated.

“You must make the most of this then, my dear,” Lord Caldwell said gently, his words intruding on her thoughts. “Your mother may give her sympathies towards you for some time after our engagement comes to an end. Now that she knows you have the ability to catch the eye of a man who is, one day, to become a marquess, she will not push you towards Lord Hutton again.”

Lucy frowned, remembering the strange conversation she had heard taking place between her parents only earlier that afternoon.

“I do not believe Lord Hutton is entirely thrilled with our betrothal,” she said wryly. “I heard my father talking earlier.”

Lord Caldwell snorted. “I care very little for what Lord Hutton thinks,” he muttered darkly. “And whilst I will admit that the man is not used to being refused what he wants, I am delighted that I have saved you from his clutches.”

At that very moment, the tea tray arrived, preventing further discourse on the matter. As Lucy prepared to pour the tea, her thoughts would not leave the discussion she had heard previously. She knew very little of Lord Hutton, but if what Lord Caldwell said was true, then they would have to take care around the man. Not that she intended on seeing him again, but if he was going into partnership with her father—even without her hand as part of the deal—then there was a chance she might be introduced to him at some point in time.

Lord Caldwell cleared his throat and accepted a cup from her gratefully. “Perhaps we ought to get to know one another a little more,” he suggested, smiling at her. “After all, when someone asks me about my betrothed, I think it would be best if I knew the answer to their questions. Otherwise, I do not give the impression that I am a man in love!”

Laughing softly, Lucy felt her cheeks warm as he grinned at her, the butterflies not entirely gone from her belly. If only he were not quite so handsome, then she might not feel such unsettling things. “I think that would be a welcome idea, my lord,” she said before delicately taking a sip of her steaming tea. “Although I must warn you that you may find some of my answers unconventional.”

To her surprise, he let out a loud laugh, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he chuckled.

“Lady Lucy,” he said, “that is precisely why I think you are so well suited to me, even if this is all a sham. I have never had any interest in the run of the mill, finely dressed, and slightly vacuous young ladies of the ton. Instead, I have sought to find someone who is, by all intents and purposes, a little less ‘run of the mill.’ In short, my dear, I find your unconventionality a truly desirable trait.”

“Oh,” Lucy murmured, wondering why she struggled to find words to form any kind of reply. “Then I am relieved, Lord Caldwell.”

“Shall I begin?” he asked, settling back in his chair. “Why don’t we start with your favorite novel of late?”