Free Surrender of Trust (First Volume of the Surrender Series) by Mariel Grey

unease grew rather than diminished and
she dawdled along the path, her stomach becoming queasy. Reaching
the kitchen, Cook informed her Monique was taking breakfast in the
dining room. Monique's cheeks were full when Lucy walked into the
dining room.
    "You look like a chipmunk!"
    Monique swallowed hard and said, "You look
like something the cat drug up! You must have gone riding. Pity you
didn't wait, I'd love to go."
    "All right, then. Why don't we pack for the
trip into Town. Then we'll plan to ride together in the afternoon." Anything to take my mind off signing the documents and
Perdan .
    "Alistair told me about Lucien waking. That's
wonderful! Maybe he'll be better soon and can begin to take control
of things again."
    "I would like to believe that is true, but,
realistically, I think it will be some time before he is hale and
hearty again. I also don't want him to worry about anything until
he fully recovers. It could be detrimental to him until he is
stronger."
    After a moment of thoughtful silence, Monique
said, "Let's talk about what you need to do when we get to Town.
You know you need to try and keep from alienating Lord Perdan if
you can. The old adage about catching more flies with honey rather
than vinegar and all that. From what you told me, you had him
thoroughly confused after I left the room the other day. It worked
to your advantage Lord Chalifour arrived when he did. However, you
can't count on such a distraction this time when you see him."
    "I've thought about that. You're right, it
was fortuitous that Lord Chalifour arrived in time to thwart Lord
Perdan, though I was in a panic at the time for fear Lord Perdan
would make a comment about Lucien's real state of health."
    "I think it would be best if you could flirt
with Perdan a little and keep him guessing. Since he has a hold
over your brother, better to keep him off-balance if you can rather
than antagonize him. Remember, honey for flies. I think he counts
as a fly."
    Lucy couldn't help but laugh. Then her
stomach protested and she swallowed hard. "Being nice to him may be
easier said than done, though I understand your meaning. Should I
let him think I am actually considering his preposterous proposal?
I fear it could lead him to trying to take liberties."
    "I agree it could be risky. I think you will
have to judge how you handle things as they occur. Your only goal
right now is to appease him."
    They both went to their rooms to ready
themselves for a ride. Lucy was thankful for Monique's presence.
Monique was her only real friend, and the only woman she could
confide in. When she finished choosing the wardrobe she would take,
Lucy asked Millie to pack it for her and went downstairs. Lucy sat
at Lucien's desk and stared at it. She couldn't put this off any
longer.
    She smoothed the pages of the contract and
dipped the nib of the quill into the ink. Holding her breath, she
committed herself. Hands shaking, Lucy signed the document in
Lucien's name.
    Lucy then took out one of the printed cheque
papers drawn on their, or more accurately, Lucien's account at the
Bank of England. With trembling fingers she wrote out The Right
Honble. Perdan into the payee portion of the cheque. Pondering the
amount, she pulled Lucien's ledgers from the shelf and reviewed
them again. The previous payments had ranged between five hundred
and one thousand pounds.
    Taking a deep breath, she made the cheque
payable in the amount of one thousand pounds. Leaning back in the
chair, Lucy stared up at the ceiling. Monique would soon join her
for their afternoon ride. At least they wouldn’t be disgraced for
not paying a debt. Though Lucy might face prison if anyone
discovered the forgery. She honestly wasn’t sure which threat was
worse.
     
     

Chapter Ten

     
    Chalifour greeted his sister, Lady Elizabeth,
in the dining room. He plopped into a chair at the dining room
table. Eyeing his sister, he watched her slather marmalade on a
thick slice of toast before she lifted it