She couldn't. Mustn't.

She a.s.sembled herself out of chaos. Lowered an aching leg until both feet were on the step. Stuffed her breast back behind bodice and stays. Wriggled to get everything in place, awareness of her swollen nipple fixed in her mind, along with hollow yearnings that could make her howl. She reached up to check her hair by feel.

He took over that task. "A good thing you don't have it in a complicated arrangement." His tone was light, his voice husky.

"And that yours is cropped," she said, touching it, though there was no need. "One of your shirt points is crumpled."

He touched her neck. "It sc.r.a.ped you. d.a.m.ned starch. Behind the ear. I think your hair will cover it."

Lucy had closed her eyes at the sweetness of that touch, but then jumped when bells rang, summoning everyone back to their seats.

"We must go."

"If you're ready."

Would she ever be ready to leave this magical place? Was she ready to face the world when what they'd done should be branded on them?

She turned in the narrow s.p.a.ce and made her way up the steps and then back into the world, blinking in the bright candlelight. The corridor was empty, but people had seen them go behind that curtain, and some would have noted how long they'd been there. Had they heard things?

She looked at him, astonished to find that he looked unmarked. Was it possible she looked the same? As they linked arms and strolled back toward her box, she could only hope so. Weak though it was, she still didn't want to be notorious.

"Another magical circle," she said.

"Or one of the circles of h.e.l.l."

"h.e.l.l?"

"We did go down."

"And rose back to the light." She studied his face. "What is it, David? What's the matter?"

"I didn't mean that to happen. I still worry that I can't make you happy."

It was hard not to laugh with joy. It was as close to an offer of marriage as he could make here.

She gave him as close to an acceptance as she could. "You can. You will."

She slipped her arm from his slowly, wishing they didn't have to part, and returned to the box, trying to pretend that nothing of importance had happened.

Again the play pa.s.sed un.o.bserved as she relished the thoughts of all future delights.

Chapter 20.

The next day David left the house early, not for the park, but to deal with some necessary business regarding the estate's debts. When he returned in the afternoon, Susan steered him into the drawing room and shut the door.

"What's happening?" she demanded.

"In what respect?"

"You and Miss Potter!"

"Is it any of your business?"

"Of course it is. I can't be completely happy until you are, too."

"Don't place that burden on me."

She bit her lip. "I'm sorry. I won't. But how can I not care? You used to be so carefree."

"Boyishly irresponsible."

"We certainly corrected that, all of us. Miss Potter?" she asked gently.

"I as good as committed myself to her last night."

"And she?"

"Replied in kind."

"Why is this not good news?"

"She may be mistaking her heart."

"She doesn't strike me as weak-minded."

He laughed drily. "No, she's certainly not. She dreamed of being her father's partner and heir."

"In business?"

"Et tu Brute? I would have expected you to be more sympathetic."

"Having fought the way things are, I know the pain more clearly." True enough. When younger she'd fought against the restrictions put upon girls and women.

"Why did she imagine such a thing?" she asked.

"I should have pieced together the clues for myself. She told me she was her father's daughter, trained by him. She negotiated a bargain with calm expertise. She was his only child and clearly he involved her. Why shouldn't she expect that to continue?"

"But then her mother died," Susan said, "and now he's to remarry."

"And can expect to have a son. She's been suddenly cast adrift and she's seeking a new harbor, but she's not fit to make a decision that will affect her whole life. Not so quickly."

"So you want to wait."

"I intend to return to Devon."

"Why, for heaven's sake?"

"So she can think clearly, and can't tempt me to take all decision away."

"As bad as that?"

"Every bit."

"If you leave, some other man might s.n.a.t.c.h her."

"If she's willingly s.n.a.t.c.hed, it will be better for her. A normal gentleman with a pleasant country estate within easy traveling distance of London, her family, and friends."

"Love matters. You can make her happy."

"She'll come to her senses."

"Why are you being so disastrously n.o.ble?"

"You made me an earl, remember?"

"Oh, I wish Mel were here! He'd knock some sense into you!"

"Sense? Mel led a risky run because the Horde lost patience with being confined by the navy, which is why he's in Botany Bay."

"I give up!"

"Good."

"Very well, be stupidly n.o.ble, but when you're miserable, don't come to me for comfort!"

David watched his sister storm out, smiling wryly. She'd always been more fiery than he, and far less cautious, which is why she'd fallen into sinful pa.s.sion with Con when they were both fifteen. When she'd told him last year he'd been shocked by the insanity of it, but now he could understand.

He wouldn't let Lucy fall into the same trap. Susan's madness could have been disastrous, just as their mother's would have been if not for Mel and the kindness of Uncle Nathaniel and Aunt Miriam. Luck had to run out at some point.

He went to his room to ring for a servant to pack for him, but a footman arrived first.

"A visitor for you, milord." The man presented the card.

Daniel Potter, Esq.

Had Lucy's father heard rumors and come to demand his intentions? d.a.m.nable if true, but he couldn't avoid seeing the man.

"In the reception room?"

"Yes, milord."

David went down.

Daniel Potter was not a big man, but he stood tall and had presence. Here was a man used to command in his world. His features were rough, but full of character, his hair a nondescript brown, but very well barbered. His build was slim and set off by fine, fashionable tailoring of the more subdued sort. A man to respect, but also to be wary of.

"Mr. Potter. How may I help you?"

"My lord," Potter said, with a nicely judged bow. "I've come to speak to you about my daughter."

Alas. "Please be seated," David said, taking a chair himself, adding nothing. Let the other man make the play.

"I understand that you've been favoring her with particular attentions, my lord."

"We have enjoyed each other's company a time or two, sir. She's a charming young lady."

"Not that much younger than you, my lord."

"Of age."

"As I believe I pointed out to you in response to an enquiry."

David thought of denying it, but that could only make him look foolish. "You did, sir."

"So you intend to wed her."

"Perhaps."

"Why only aperhaps,' my lord?"

David raised a hand. "I mean no insult, sir. These matters take time."

"Yet you tried to cut them short."

"And you wisely pointed out a better way. I admire your daughter in many ways, but I'm not sure we would suit."

"Good, for I've come to tell you it won't do."

David stared, fighting an urge to blast the man with n.o.ble arrogance. Of course, he should agree with Potter's judgment, but instead fury ignited inside him. "May I ask why?"

His anger had no effect on the other man. "Selfishly, I'd not want her so far away as Devon, but I'd not put that in the way of her happiness. I don't believe you could make her happy."

"Again, may I ask why?"

"I've made enquiries."

What did he mean by that? David thought of one thing. "You object to the madness in the blood of the earls of Wyvern?"

"I see no reason to."

Ah. A nicely judged phrase. This was not a man to underestimate in any way. "You object to my muddled parentage? Permit me to point out that yours is rather more dubious."