Free England's Perfect Hero by Suzanne Enoch Page B

life."
    "Maybe that's what's wrong with me," Lucinda said quietly. "I don't feel a driving ambition to do anything but see that the general is cared for, and to keep as much chaos from my life as possible."
    Evie chuckled. "It's just as well you didn't fall in love with Dare, then."
    A fleeting vision of Dare's troubled younger brother made her frown, but she shook it off before Evie could notice. For someone attempting to avoid trouble, though, she seemed to be spending an inordinate amount of time contemplating a certain pair of cobalt blue eyes. "Or with your Saint, for that matter, as much as I'm coming to like him."
    Evelyn sat back. "Just because you require something different than Georgiana or I did, doesn't mean you're cheating."
    For a long moment Lucinda sat and looked at her friend. "I have to apologize to you, Evie," she finally said.
    "For what?"
    "I always knew what a good, true, and generous friend you were," she continued, "but I didn't realize how very wise you have become."
    "Oh, what did I miss now?" Georgiana said from the doorway. "It's Tristan's fault; he insisted on—"
    "Darling, please," the viscount interrupted, leaning in behind her. "No need to go into that. Just ask them where the other gentlemen are."
    "Tristan!" Georgiana flushed bright red.
    Evelyn, though, laughed. "In the billiards room."
    "Hurray!" Edward's voice came from deeper in the hallway. "Saint's going to teach me how to cheat!"
    "Oh, good heavens," Georgiana muttered, vanishing again amid the clomping of boots. "Edward, you are not—"
    "I definitely don't envy Georgie, sometimes," Evie stated, still chuckling.
    "And with Andrew due back in London, she'll have five Carroway males to contend with." Lucinda smiled. She found herself wondering whether one particular Carroway had joined the group tonight or not, but she resolutely shook the thought away. She had other things to concentrate on—like allaying any suspicions Lord Geoffrey might have about why he'd been invited to the gathering.
    If he planned on attending, that was. "Evie, are you expecting anyone else?" she murmured.
    Gray eyes danced. "Yes. Any moment now."
    With perfect timing a tall, dark form filled the drawing-room doorway. Lucinda looked up, expecting to see Lord Geoffrey, but the deep blue gazing at her could only belong to one man. "Mister Carroway," she said, surprised by her fast intake of breath. Well, she hadn't expected to see him there, for heaven's sake.
    "Lady St. Aubyn," he said in his low voice, "Miss Barrett."
    Evie looked at least as startled. "Mister Carroway. I'm so pleased you decided to come. Won't you join us?"
    He glanced at Evie, then settled his gaze again on Lucinda. "Might I have a word with you first, Miss Barrett?"
    "Of course."
    Avoiding Evie's curious look, she rose and followed Robert back into the relative quiet of the hallway. He'd dressed all in gray but for the white of his simply tied cravat. The color and the dim light darkened his eyes to twilight, and again she felt the unsettling sensation that he could read her thoughts.
    "I planted the cuttings," he said abruptly. "And the fish."
    "You did? Good."
    "And I made you a bargain."
    Oh, my . "Mister Carroway, you don't need—"
    "Robert," he interrupted.
    "Robert, then. I appreciate your offer, but it's really—"
    Slowly he reached out a hand and touched her cheek, fingers drifting against her skin as though he expected her to evaporate. "I said I would help," he murmured, "and I will."
    A tremor ran down her spine. Whether he had accepted the roses or not, she hadn't expected him ever to mention their agreement again. And she hadn't expected to feel… excited by his touch. Lucinda gazed up into his serious blue eyes. "Rob—"
    "Good evening, Lucinda," the smooth voice of Lord Geoffrey drawled as he topped the stairs. "And Carroway. Surprised to see you here."
    Robert lowered his hand. Lucinda realized both that Geoffrey had seen the gesture, and that Robert had intended for him