***
Lucy knew Chastity wasn't pleased. Despite her displeasure, she’d obeyed their father and helped them prepare for the evening’s ball. Lucy’s pale green gown flattered her light brown hair, which Chastity had arranged into curls that framed her face. Lucy scarcely recognized the young woman who stared back at her in the mirror.
On the way to the ball, Chastity told her a dozen times how beautiful she was, and even Jessica had cooed over the ribbons in her hair. Now, however, with Chastity on her left, their father on her right, and her two sisters beside him as they entered the ballroom, she felt more like a little girl playing dress-up than a woman about to meet the man she was supposed to marry.
They paused at the top of the four steps leading down to the ballroom. Four huge chandeliers lit the expansive room, their glitter reflected in mirrors, while their flickering candlelight sent prismatic colors whirling across the gleaming marble floor. The effect was so dazzling, Lucy almost felt dizzy.
"Remember, Chastity," their father said, "you are to chaperone Lucy. Mrs. Abercrombie will look after your other two sisters.”
Chastity sighed. "You have told me a dozen times, and a dozen times I have assured you that I will do nothing less, no matter the situation."
"Try to trick me in any way, and I will marry you to Lord Hathaway on the morrow," he said.
Lucy worried at the dark look Chastity shot him. He gave no reply, but took Jessica and Olivia in search of Mrs. Abercrombie. Lucy accompanied Chastity. Chastity appeared nonchalant, but Lucy saw her gaze sweep the room. She had to be searching for Sir Stirling. Even in such a crowd, he would stand out. Lucy was also anxious to find Stirling. Was the man he’d matched her with already here? What was he like? Surely, he wouldn’t be as old and chubby as Lord Hathaway. She’d slept little last night, imaging what kind of man he might be. Was he someone they already knew? Anticipation mixed with apprehension caused a tremor to ripple through her midsection. The orchestra played a country dance. Lucy matched her pace to Chastity’s slow stride as they paralleled the left wall. They reached a small alcove with a couch.
“I suppose we can rest here until we see Sir Stirling,” Chastity said.
Lucy hesitated. It would be difficult for him to see them over the heads of the guests if they were sitting. Chastity sat. Lucy scanned the guests nearest the open balcony doors, but found no sign of Sir Stirling. She did catch sight of her father’s closest friend’s son, Robert Hamilton, and wondered if Robert’s three brothers had accompanied him. She hadn’t seen them since the youngest of the clan, Liam, had wed, three months past.
“Please, sit down.” Chastity patted the cushion beside her.
Lucy looked at her. “We only just arrived. I don’t mind stretching my legs after the carriage ride.”
“You are worried that he will not see us,” Chastity said.
Lucy frowned. “You seem ill at ease. What is wrong?”
“What is wrong?” she repeated. “How can you ask that when we are here to meet a stranger chosen to be your husband?”
“Have a little faith in Papa, Chastity. He has cared for us all these years. He will not willingly hand us over to disreputable men.”
“Father—”
"Good evening, ladies."
Chastity’s eyes snapped to Sir Stirling as he joined Lucy. A tall, dark- haired man halted at his right.
"Lady Chastity." Eyes on her face, Sir Stirling grasped her gloved right hand and brought it to his lips.
Her eyes narrowed but, thankfully, she didn't snatch her hand back, as Lucy expected.
He released her and faced Lucy. "Lady Lucy, may I introduce Baron Delny.”
Shock reverberated through Lucy. Baron Delny—the Devil of Delny?
Chastity shot to her feet as the baron reached for Lucy’s hand. "The Devil of Delny?"
The handsome rogue, his eyes on Lucy, lifted her hand to his mouth and brushed his lips against her gloved fingers. Lucy flushed and dropped her gaze.
He released her and turned to Chastity, his lips quirking. "Aye, my lady, I have been called that." His deep voice sent another tremor rippling through Lucy.
Chastity turned blazing eyes onto Stirling. "Certainly, this gentleman is not who you have in mind to marry Lucy?"
"Indeed, he is," he replied, unruffled.
Chastity scoffed. "My God, you have bollocks trying to match a rake with my sister."
“Chastity,” Lucy whispered, “please lower your voice. We are at a ball.”
A wicked glint appeared in Sir Stirling’s eyes. "We were all rogues at one time, my lady."
She lifted her chin. "That is not a recommendation."
"She has you there, Stirling," the baron said.
Sir Stirling smiled. "That she does. The orchestra is playing a waltz. Why don't you two dance while I fetch my betrothed some champagne?"
"I am not your betrothed," Chastity hissed.
“Not your betrothed?” The baron cast a confused look at him. “Stirling told me you two were to wed June first.”
“Indeed?” Chastity clasped her hands as if she were trying to keep from boxing Sir Stirling’s ears.
“Chastity, please,” Lucy begged. “You are drawing attention to us.”
But she seemed to have eyes only for the baron. “Sir Stirling is to marry me only if he marries my three sisters to reputable men by the end of this month.”
Two older women walking past glanced their way.
“Chastity, you do not want the terms of your agreement to become common knowledge,” Lucy said. “We should not be talking about this here.”
The baron laughed. “By God, Stirling, you have outdone yourself this time.” He looked at Chastity. “I am afraid Stirling has misled you. I am not a reputable man.”
Chastity snorted. “That we know.” She looked at Sir Stirling “The game is up, sir. With your first efforts, you have breached our agreement.”
“I am surprised at you, Lady Chastity,” he said. “As a rational woman, I expected you to know better than to put so much stock in gossip.”
“Don’t be too hard on her, Stirling,” the baron said. “After all, I am—” He broke off when Sir Stirling turned cold eyes on him.
“I believe you were about to dance with Lady Lucy,” Stirling said in a quiet voice that sent a chill down Lucy’s arms.
Baron Delny hesitated, then turned to Lucy. “If you will, my lady.” He winged an arm.
"I will not allow the Devil of Delny to dance with my sister," Chastity bristled.
“You know Papa would want me to dance with him,” Lucy whispered.
“They are playing a waltz,” she said. “Such a dance is indecent, and Papa would not allow it.”
A group of men strolled past.
“Chastity—” Lucy began.
“It is my responsibility to keep you from harm,” her sister cut in.
“Quinn will not harm Lady Lucy,” Sir Stirling said. “He knows how to be a gentleman.”
“Not according to the papers,” Chastity said, and Sir Stirling lifted a brow that said, ‘Only silly females believe everything they read in gossip columns.’
Tears burned the corners of Lucy’s eyes. Things were not going at all as she’d hoped. She looked from Chastity to the baron. “Oh, Chastity.” Lucy turned and fled.
“Damn,” Stirling cursed.
Chastity started after her, but he seized her arm.
“Let me go,” she ordered.
“Not just yet, my lady.” He looked at the baron. “Quinn, go after her. Get her some champagne—” Chastity opened her mouth to object, but he said, “One glass only, and do not leave the party. Do you understand?”
Quinn angled his head, then addressed Chastity, “I may be a rake, ma’am, but I do not seduce maidens.” He slanted his gaze onto Stirling. “She is very young, is she not?”
“As are you, lad. Now go after her.”
“I will go,” Chastity growled. “Release me.” She tried to pull free, but he held tight.
The baron hurried after Lucy and Stirling turned hard eyes onto her.