Free The Cinderella Debutante by Elizabeth Hanbury Page B

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    The letter ‘S’ was scrawled at the bottom. Sir Oswald handed it back with a hand that shook.
    “Don’t look like a startled rabbit,” muttered his companion. “I’ll soon be out of his clutches. Let us order a new coat for my wedding – my tailor won’t worry about extending credit on the strength of my impending marriage.”
     
    ***
     
    Lucy sat alone in the morning room. A book lay open in her lap while she stared through the window. It was sunny, but a blustery wind tugged at the trees and chased clouds across the sky.
    Sleep had proved elusive and she had risen early. Sifting through her thoughts and feelings, she had examined them with weary resignation. There was no hope. Lord Devlyn’s feelings for Belinda were no longer in question; it was only a matter of time before he declared himself.
    She wished with all her heart that matters were different, but one could not choose who one fell in love with, any more than one could make someone love them. It had been a forlorn, brief hope that a man like Devlyn could prefer her over her sister’s beauty and fortune. At least now there was no need to subdue the thrill she felt whenever she saw him.
    Her heart gave a jolt at the thought of having Devlyn as a brother-in-law. How would she bear it? Perhaps the pain would diminish over time but in this she was not hopeful. Her father had always teased her about her enduring passion on lesser matters. She loved Devlyn and that would not change, but it must remain her secret. She couldn’t confide in anyone else and besides, it wouldn’t make her feel any better. She didn’t need to be told how stupid it was to pine for a man she could never have.
    Her stepmother would be happy for her to remain a spinster after Belinda had tied the knot. Lucy could not contemplate this but nor could she envisage marriage without love. She would take up Lady Gainsford’s offer to live at Gainsford House, at least until she could make other arrangements.
    In spite of her misery Lucy smiled at the thought of Lady Gainsford coercing her stepmother into agreeing with this plan. She was still smiling when the door opened.
    “And what do you find so amusing?” asked Lady Sinclair. “Goodness knows why you must keep country hours! It must have been 2 o’clock in the morning when we returned home, yet still you insist on rising early. Your complexion will suffer, my girl, have no doubt. You may use some of my rosewater lotion.”
    “A kind offer,” said Lucy evenly, “but I see keeping late hours has not affected Belinda’s looks.”
    Her step-sister did indeed look beautiful in her primrose coloured gown. Belinda’s success the previous evening had ensured her good mood this morning and she responded graciously for once.
    “Mama, you are exaggerating. Anyone would think Lucy looked haggard and that is not so at all. She just looks a little dark around the eyes.”
    “La, never mind about that!” said Lady Sinclair airily. “What of Belinda’s triumph, Lucy? Several posies of flowers have arrived and she has so many gentlemen waiting on her, she may choose any one of twenty or more. Arthur Baillie has already asked for her hand in marriage twice, although she would never throw herself away on such a man as he. And last night, Lord Sneyd confided that his attachment to your sister grows stronger every day.” She clapped her hands together in delight. “Belinda, you should expect his offer at any time - it is just as I hoped!”
    “I am aware of Lord Sneyd’s regard, but Lord Devlyn also danced with me twice and he is a far grander person. You said so yourself when he visited Hampshire.” Belinda’s lips curved into a provocative smile. “I have been thinking…Viscountess Devlyn sounds very well and as his wife, I would be an important figure. He is rich, famous and has a great deal of influence. The rest of his figure is handsome and I daresay I’d grow used to that horrible scar eventually. In any event,