“I beg your pardon?—”
“I apologize, Mama.” She swallowed thickly. “What I meant was… I understand. I haven’t forgotten my objective.”
Lady Suttington’s expression was stern for a moment then she sighed.
“That is good. It matters not what must be done to keep him happy and in our good graces—just do it. As long as he is happy and satisfied, we will overcome this storm.”
Nancy nodded, ignoring the ache of loneliness in her chest. “Yes, Mama.”
* * *
“You have a lovely home, Your Grace.”
Richard’s jaw hurt with how much he had to smile, but he kept his smile fixed in place, nodding at the Baroness’ compliment, barely expressing his gratitude over her words before she began talking again.
“Many had their doubts about you, but I was not one of them, Your Grace. Where they saw a mistake, I saw endless possibilities. You are a whirlpool of opportunities, all of which could be unlocked if you were to invest in my husband’s business.”
It was almost pathetic how there was no longer any originality in their approach anymore. They were all the same—these opportunistic people, each of them repeating what the others had done before, showering him with compliments before they stated their true intentions.
“I apologize, but I am not interested in exploring any ventures as of now. I have my hands full with other duties already.”
The Baroness frowned as though she had not imagined he would refuse her. “But, Your Grace, this is a rare opportunity! One I guarantee you will not find elsewhere!”
Richard had lost the ability to feel offended because he was barely listening to them anyway. He had stopped half an hour ago when his wife appeared into his line of sight.
“Still, I am not interested. Enjoy the rest of your night,” he told the woman and then walked away, his mind already wiping away the image of her face and painting the picture of his wife over every nook and cranny.
Nancy looked… stunning tonight, glittering from head to toe. She looked just like a star, burning far too brightly to be in a room filled with unworthy people, himself included.
And yet, he wanted her. Richard desired to be by her side, to have her hang on his arm, so he could make it apparent just who she belonged to.
It terrified him how deeply rooted his desires were, how much he ached to pick up where they had left off last time, practically rendered hopeless with the need to have her writhing beneath him, with nothing but his name on her lips.
She was not the first woman he had been intimate with, yet he had never felt so strongly about anyone else before. And that was what scared him.
So, even though he wanted nothing more than to bask in her beauty, he stayed away, sticking to the primary goal that he had set for the evening: to find her father’s cousin and settle the matter of securing funds for her family.
The new Lord Suttington was definitely in attendance—Richard had heard the master of ceremonies announce his arrival. Additionally, thanks to Nancy’s planning skills, their ball had turned out to betheevent of the Season with only the crème de la crème of high society present. The issue the Duke seemed to be facing was tracking the slippery bastard.
He wasn’t particularly looking forward to their pending conversation, still able to recall how eager the man had been to marry Nancy off after her father’s death—clearly trying to be rid of anyone who might pose a threat to his new title and fortune.
Just as he was about to resume his search once more, an earl approached him, already grinning as though they were long-time friends, even though Richard had never seen the man before.
“Ah, Your Grace!”
“Pardon me, Your Grace.”
Richard frowned as someone else called for him, surprised to find none other than his mother-in-law walking towards him.
Immediately, he turned his back on the Earl, walking towards the Dowager Marchioness, who had an expression of relief etched on her features—features, he realized, his wife also possessed.
Nancy definitely had her mother’s looks, clearly a younger version of her. Georgiana Lockhart’s eyes were a warm brown as they regarded him, telling him that Nancy must have gotten her father’s eyes.
“I am so happy to have found you,” the Dowager Marchioness sighed, momentarily distracted by the retreating form of someone behind him. “I’m sorry. Did I interrupt you?”
Richard quickly shook his head. “No, Lady Suttington. He wasn’t important. No one here is more important than you.”
“Oh my.” She grinned, flustered. “Nancy did not tell me her husband was such a charmer. I am honored that you view me as important, Your Grace.”
