The Duke of Daring (The Untouchables Book 2) (15 page)

“Yes, after we had an impromptu shooting exhibition at Manton’s one night.”

Aquilla lurched forward again, laughing. “You did what?”

Even Ivy grew animated, her green eyes shining. “Yes, do tell.”

Lucy related the entire story, relishing their rapt attention and joyful engagement.
 

“I wish I could’ve seen it,” Ivy said. “I think I need to start dressing up as a man.”

Lucy laughed. “The trousers are quite liberating.”

Aquilla swung her head toward Ivy, grinning. “Can you imagine what Lady Dunn would say?”

Ivy laughed. “She couldn’t know!” She looked at Lucy. “Just as your grandmother doesn’t know?”

Lucy nodded. “Yes, which is why secrecy is important.”

Ivy picked up a cake from her plate. “But how will you explain the fact that you have enough to retire with her?”

“I’ve given this plenty of thought, and I plan to tell her that I made an investment last year and that it paid well. She won’t ask for specifics.”

Ivy swallowed her bite. “That could work.”

Time to broach the reason she’d invited them today. “I find I am in need of assistance with another aspect. It’s easy for me to sneak out after Grandmama has retired for the night. However, tomorrow I am going to attend phaeton races in the park at nine o’clock. Grandmama will still be abed, but I don’t want to be seen leaving the house as a man. Furthermore, I need to have a reason for not being here should she realize my absence.”

“That last part is simple,” Aquilla said. “You’re spending the day with me. Shopping, visiting the museum, whatever you decide.”

Lucy had hoped she would offer just that. “Thank you.”

Ivy cocked her head to the side. “How elaborate is your disguise?”

“There’s the padding underneath the clothes, and my maid helps me stick sideburns along my upper jaw, here.” She indicated where the hair was affixed. Her skin was still a bit tender from wearing it two nights ago, and for that reason alone, she looked forward to not having to do it anymore.

“Ingenious,” Ivy breathed. “Could you dress inside a coach?”

Lucy pondered this idea. “It would be difficult. And what would the coachman say if I entered as a woman and left as a man?”

“If you had others with you, he may not notice, but that would require you to take an entourage.”

“I volunteer!” Aquilla offered cheerily.

Lucy contemplated donning the necessary padding and trying to pull on the breeches in the confines of a coach and decided it would be more trouble than she wanted to bear, if possible. This gave her another idea—she’d be donning a new costume for a daytime excursion and perhaps Judith could stitch the padding into the coat. She’d discuss it with her. “I think it would be far easier if I went somewhere and dressed, then left from there.”

“Actually, I believe you’re overthinking this,” Ivy said. “You aren’t going to be doing this regularly. You simply need to leave the house when there is no one on the street—have your maid look out for you.”

Aquilla nodded. “I agree. Just walk to the corner where I’ll have Lady Satterfield’s coach waiting for you. Your maid can let the rest of the staff know that you are out—with me.”
 

Lucy was hesitant. She looked from Aquilla to Ivy and back to Aquilla again. “You think it will work?”

“It should,” Aquilla said.

Ivy shrugged. “The key is to keep an eye out before you leave, and not to do this overly much. How long do you plan to keep up this charade?”

“A couple more weeks should do it. Maybe less. On Saturday, I need to find my way to Kent, where I could potentially win enough money to put an end to this.”

Aquilla’s eyes grew wide. “Kent? What’s going on there?”

“Dartford is ascending in a balloon from Burlington House and plans to descend at his house in Kent. His friends are going to surprise him there—you must keep this part secret.”

Ivy interrupted her with a wry look. “Every bit of this must be kept secret.”

Lucy grinned. “Well, yes. Anyway, they’re going to surprise him and there will be extensive wagering on where he lands. Whoever comes closest to the actual location will win the pot.”

“That sounds like such fun.” Aquilla mock-pouted. “Are you sure you can’t just persuade them to invite women?”

Lucy laughed. “Even if I could, you wouldn’t be among them. That would be rather unseemly, wouldn’t it?”

Ivy picked a crumb from her skirt. “That settles things. I
am
dressing up as a man.”

They all laughed for a moment. Smiling, Lucy drew them back to the issue at hand. “Any suggestions on how I shall travel to and from Kent?” She looked mostly at Aquilla, who had more access to vehicles than Ivy.

Aquilla tapped her finger against her cheek. “It’s one thing to borrow Lady Satterfield’s coach at nine o’clock in the morning. How shall I explain the need for a coach for most of the day?” She dropped her hand to her lap. “Do you know who has more vehicles than she knows what to do with?”

Lucy shook her head. “Who?”

“Nora.”

Lucy wasn’t sure she wanted to involve a duchess in her scheme. “I’m not sure it would be wise to ask her.” She glanced at Ivy to gauge her reaction.

Aquilla looked between Lucy and Ivy. “Nora will be delighted to help. She’s rather championed us, if you haven’t noticed.”

Lucy
had
noticed. She and her grandmother had received more invitations over the last few days, and she was fairly certain Nora and Lady Satterfield were responsible. “You’re certain she won’t be scandalized by what I’m doing?”

Aquilla arched a brow at her. “Don’t forget she survived her very own scandal.”

“Which is why she likely wouldn’t appreciate my activities.”

“On the contrary, she will understand what you’re trying to do and why you’re doing it—even if I don’t.” Aquilla fixed her attention on the tea tray.

“What do you mean?” Lucy asked.

Aquilla gave a light shrug as she glanced toward Edgecombe’s flowers. “I still think marriage is a viable option.”

Ivy gently touched Aquilla’s arm. “Leave it.”

Aquilla nodded and gave Lucy an apologetic look. “I only want you to be happy.”

“And I shall be,” Lucy said. But for some strange and disconcerting reason, she thought of Dartford and not a quiet cottage with her grandmother. The more she thought about it, the more she needed this ruse to end soon.

“I want to understand this ballooning scheme,” Ivy said, her tone somewhat dark. “You said Dartford’s friends are going to surprise him. This means he isn’t aware of what you’re doing? You’ll be venturing to Kent alone, without his protection?”

Lucy had considered this, but she wouldn’t be alone. She’d be with Dartford’s friends, whom she almost thought of as her friends. She didn’t feel intimidated by any of them. “I won’t ride to Kent with them, and I daresay Dartford will arrive shortly after we do.” At least that was what she hoped happened.

Ivy looked at her intently. “He won’t be angry? In my experience, men hate it when women act independently.”

Would he be angry? He’d repeatedly threatened to expose her scheme to Grandmama. She worried for a moment but decided his ire was worth the risk of what she could earn. “He’ll accept it. We’re both eager to be finished.” Especially after what had happened the other night. She only hoped things wouldn’t be terribly awkward when she saw him tomorrow morning.

“Dartford is an odd fellow, isn’t he?” Aquilla asked. “He’s attractive, possessed of an excellent title and more than adequate wealth, even if his holdings aren’t vast. He’s of a perfectly marriageable age, and yet he shows no inclination.”

“Because he doesn’t wish to marry.” Lucy belatedly wondered if she ought to have kept that to herself.
 

Aquilla’s attention perked. “He said that? That is the general consensus about him, but I’m not sure if he’s ever come out and made that clear. He’s quite adept at avoiding gossip and lingering on the periphery of Society while still being a favorite.”

Ivy gave her a pointed look. “An Untouchable, you mean.”

Aquilla laughed. “Yes. His desire to remain unmarried makes him even more of an Untouchable.”

Lucy had to agree, and it was perhaps the primary reason she trusted him. They were of a like mind, and she found that most pleasing.

“It’s too bad, though,” Aquilla said. “He’d be excellent husband material—if you wanted that.” She looked at Lucy, who stared at her for a moment.
 

“You’re incorrigible.”

“I know!” Aquilla waved her hand as if she were swatting at a fly. “I’m sorry. It’s just that he’s quite marvelous, really. He’s doing you a rather spectacular favor, one that most men wouldn’t.”

“She’s right,” Ivy said. “I find it suspicious. You’re certain he doesn’t want anything from you? Do we have any cause at all to be concerned? He hasn’t tried to…compromise you, has he?” Her lip curled as she asked the last.

Lucy immediately thought of him kissing her. And then of her kissing him. He might have initiated it, but it had been a thoroughly mutual act. “No. He’s simply doing me a favor—exactly as Aquilla said. I know it’s difficult to believe.” He’d said that helping her was just another adventure. It was for her too, and so far, she was having the best time of her life.

Lucy looked at Aquilla. “Lady Satterfield’s coach will be waiting for me a bit before nine tomorrow?”

Aquilla nodded. “I can’t promise I won’t be inside…”

“You mustn’t,” Lucy said more sternly than she probably needed to, especially when she realized Aquilla had only been joking. “I didn’t mean to snap at you. I just can’t risk anyone learning that I’m a woman.”

“And what would my being in your coach have to do with it?” Aquilla asked.

“Indeed,” Ivy agreed. “But Aquilla, dear, your reputation would be in shreds once people realized you were the mistress of London’s newest gentleman gambler.” This provoked laughter from Lucy and Aquilla. Ivy looked at Lucy. “What do you go by?”

“Davis Smith, though Dartford has taken to calling me Smitty.”

Aquilla and Ivy exchanged looks and smiled, nodding. “I rather like that,” Aquilla said. “Don’t be surprised if we call you that—in private, of course.”

Lucy could see that her friends were enjoying this. They’d been supportive and helpful and altogether wonderful. She regretted not telling them sooner.

Aquilla drew her gloves on. “I’ll let you know as soon as I’ve organized your transportation for Saturday. And we’ll use the same explanation for your absence. We’ll say you’re attending an all-day picnic with us. Oh, that sounds lovely. Perhaps I’ll convince Lady Satterfield to journey to Kent…”

This elicited a bark of laughter from Ivy and a giggle from Lucy, who now
knew
her friend was jesting.

“Thank you.” Lucy reached over and patted her friend’s knee and gave Ivy an appreciative nod. “I have the best friends ever.”

“We do, don’t we?” Aquilla stood, and Ivy joined her. They said their good-byes, and Lucy felt good about sharing everything with her friends.

Well, not
everything
.

Why hadn’t she told them about the kissing? Because Aquilla would’ve tried to play matchmaker, and Lucy didn’t want that. Plus, Lucy was trying very hard to forget it had ever happened. Discussing it with her friends would ensure it lived forever.

Only, she was certain it would anyway, despite her best efforts to the contrary.

Chapter Eight

A
ndrew paced beside his phaeton in Hyde Park the following morning. It was just past nine and Miss Parnell had not yet arrived. She’d sent him a note yesterday afternoon indicating that she’d arranged transportation to meet him here, but didn’t disclose what it would be. He hoped she hadn’t run into trouble.

The first race was due to begin soon. If she didn’t arrive presently, she wouldn’t be able to place a wager.

At last he heard the sound of a coach. He craned his neck as the vehicle drew to a halt and wasn’t disappointed when Miss Parnell alighted. She wore a different costume, one that was more suitable for this time of day. She came toward him quickly.

“I was beginning to worry,” he murmured.