Free Abandon by Jerusha Moors Page A

could do about it at present. There were people all around watching them curiously. Carlisle smirked at him as if the same realization had occurred to him also. Then he lost the grin as another thought presented itself.
    “Five years? You left England five years ago?” His eyes narrowed as he waited for Aubrey’s reply.
    Aubrey looked him in the eye. “Yes, Your Grace, I left England five years ago. I was under a misapprehension that caused me to leave mistakenly and I am now here to rectify that error.”
    Carlisle tapped a long elegant finger against his lips while he pondered this admission. “I believe that I see.” He gave Aubrey a hard stare. “Aversley tells me that you are a good an. And if you have a reason for the hurt you did her...,” he paused as Aubrey stiffened. “Yes, I can tell it was you. Her odd manner alone would have given it away. Anyway, I expect that you will redeem yourself and treat her well if she will have you. But if you hurt her in any way I will hunt you down and see you dead in a most unpleasant manner.”
    Aubrey gave a low bow, then faced the Duke. “Your Grace, I will never stop trying to make up for the damage I caused Lady Lucilla. I would be the luckiest man on earth if she would have me. And I do intend that to be our future - together.”
    Carlisle winced just a little and Aubrey remembered that the man had asked for Lucy’s hand not that long before.
    He said in a low voice, “I love her and I have always loved her. I will not hurt her again.”
    Carlisle gave a sharp nod. “Would you please relay my regrets to Lady Lucilla? Another estate emergency has called me away and I will not be returning anytime soon. I will leave her in your capable hands.”
    “Thank you, Your Grace. You need not worry. I will convey your apologies.” Carlisle spun around and headed for the door, ignoring the mamas and their daughters trying to gain his attention. Aversley arrived bearing two glasses of ratafia in time to see his back going through the doorway.
    “Is Carlisle leaving?” he asked. “I thought he had just arrived. Is he taking Lady Lucilla with him?
    “No, I assured him that we would bring her home in our carriage. He had an estate emergency.”
    “Estate emergency? Now?”
    Aubrey raised an eyebrow and George pursed his lips.
    “I see.”
    “See what, my dear?” Harriet and Lucy were back and Lucy did not look happy. She was turning her head furiously, seeking out her errant escort.
    “What did you do with Carlisle?” she angrily asked Aubrey. “Where is he?”
    Aubrey put his hands out in a conciliatory manner. “I did nothing. He asked me to tell you that another estate emergency called him away again."
    George was bobbing his head. “Yes, yes, Lady Lucilla, and we are to take you home in our carriage after the musicale.”
    “Which is starting now.” Harriet took George’s arm and proceeded to find seats. Aubrey laid Lucy’s arm onto his own and followed.
     

    Lucy's chest was heaving as she tried to contain her anger, but she was not sure whom to unleash it on. She might suspect that Aubrey was the main culprit, but how could he have got rid of Carlisle? Jamie knew that she needed him here tonight. She had been most explicit with him while trying not to tell him too much. She sat next to Harriet and Aubrey took the chair on her other side.
    He casually turned to look over his shoulder and his thigh pressed against her leg. Lucy gave a little gasp as heat flared in her belly, but then he turned back leaving his leg touching hers. She tried to inch away but Harriet frowned at her as the music was about to start. A thin man, Monsieur something or other, stood at the front of the room with a violin. Lucy gave up and waited for the musicale to begin. Somehow Aubrey had acquired a program and she surreptitiously tried to read what music was being performed this evening. Aubrey did not look up, but he moved the program over and held it up so she could see what it