Yet as he searched the guests, he realized he was looking for dark hair. More specifically, the dark hair of Miss Gray. With a muttered oath, he reminded himself of his need for a wealthy wife if he wished to pursue his dream of raising horses. He could admire Lucy all he wanted, but marriage was a serious business. His future was at stake.
He and his brothers were doing what they could to pay off the debts their father had left and refill the family coffers. Thomas, his younger brother, was doing a fine job at the publishing house with the help of his wife, Annabelle, and her successful books.
Graham, the eldest and the Earl of Carlington, was working to make their entailed properties more efficient as well as bettering their tenants’ lives.
Now it was Hugh’s turn. Unfortunately, the one idea he felt he’d be good at and would eventually provide an income required significant funds.
With renewed determination, he searched for Miss Waverly and turned in time to see her entering the room with Miss Gray and their aunt at her side. He hadn’t seen Mrs. Penrose since her arrival when she’d mistaken him for a servant.
He moved forward to greet them before his competitors could do so. “Good evening, ladies.”
“Mr. Raybourne,” Miss Waverly returned his smile. “I hope the evening finds you well.”
“It does now,” he said as he held each of their gazes in turn. Why was it that his chest tightened when his gaze reached Lucy?
Mrs. Penrose narrowed her eyes as if suspecting he was up to no good. “And why would that be?”
“Because I have the pleasure of speaking with the three most beautiful ladies in the room.”
“Few others have arrived, so your attempt to compliment us has failed,” Mrs. Penrose announced. She turned to Lucy. “Let us find a seat.”
“May I fetch you glasses of sherry?” Hugh offered, deciding to ignore Mrs. Penrose’s comment. One had to assume she was always in a grim mood.
“That would be lovely,” Miss Waverly said. “So kind of you.”
“Quite nice,” Miss Gray agreed with a stern look at her aunt. “Isn’t it, Aunt Edith?”
“Yes. An effort worthy of praise, I’m sure.” Mrs. Penrose gestured toward the settee. “Now I’d like to sit if we’ve all decided how kind Mr. Raybourne is.”
Miss Gray’s look of apology made Hugh long to tell her all was well. She need not worry that her aunt would offend him. Besides, he had no doubt he’d eventually win over the woman. With a bow, he stepped away to pour the sherry.
In short order, he returned with three glasses, pleased to see that none of the other gentlemen had arrived to steal Miss Waverly’s attention. “Here we are.” He handed each of them a glass.
“Thank you.” Lucy looked at him from under her lashes. That simple glance sent awareness prickling under his skin.
“Did you have an enjoyable day, Mr. Raybourne?” Emma asked with a secretive smile.
Did she think their brief time together had made it so? Her confidence was annoying at times. “I did indeed.” He glanced at Lucy. “From the very start, it was enjoyable.”
Her dark eyes, the color of coffee beans, widened, and a delicate blush stole up her cheeks. She truly was beautiful.
Emma glanced at her cousin then at him, obviously puzzled by the silent exchange.
“A delightful day all around.” He forced himself to meet Emma’s eyes and offered a charming smile, hoping she’d ignore his remark. What was wrong with him that he’d risk annoying the woman he hoped to court? Nor did he want Lucy to become a target of her cousin’s ire because of him.
Emma smiled then sipped her sherry. “Tomorrow will be great fun as well. We have an afternoon of games planned.”
“Games?” Viscount Jameson joined them with a drink in hand. “What sort of games?”
“Good evening, my lord,” the ladies said in unison.
“All sorts of games, but I refuse to share details now,” Emma continued after greetings were exchanged. “I want them to be a surprise.”
Lucy glanced away, and Hugh realized at once the reason. She would no doubt again be spending the afternoon with her aunt and not participate in the fun. Didn’t Emma realize this? Why had they bothered to invite Lucy if she couldn’t join the festivities? It seemed a cruel gesture in his opinion.
He intended to do what little he could to make certain Lucy enjoyed her free time. Someone needed to assist her, especially if her family wasn’t going to. He told himself it was the unfairness of the situation that bothered him, but that didn’t ring completely true.
Chapter Four
Lucy descended the stairs early the next morning, excited at the prospect of skating again. To her surprise, Hugh already stood in the entranceway wearing his greatcoat. She hadn’t been certain if he would rise early again to skate when he’d skated the previous afternoon, but here he was, prepared to brave the cold.
“Good morning.” His warm smile sent awareness tingling along her skin as she joined him.
“And to you.” A tiny part of her longed for this moment—to have a handsome man waiting, eager to spend a few minutes with her no matter the time of day. But in reality, she knew Hugh was simply being polite. His true focus was on Emma, and she couldn’t forget that.
“Good morning.” Emma descended the stairs a moment later, wearing a fur-lined cloak, matching muff, and looking lovely despite the early hour.
If Lucy hadn’t been watching, she would’ve missed the brief frown marring his brow.
“My cousin decided to join us,” Lucy said to explain Emma’s presence.
When Emma had demanded an explanation for his remark in the drawing room, Lucy told her about their brief meeting at the ice-skating area earlier and their plan to skate again. Of course Emma wanted to join them. While Lucy knew it wouldn’t have been appropriate for them to be alone, she now felt like the chaperone. But the outing wasn’t to be wasted, and she set her mind to enjoy it, regardless of the details.
Warmly bundled with skates in hand, they left the house. Low clouds hung in the sky, making the air feel even colder.
“Do you think it might snow?” Emma asked from the depths of her hooded cloak. “Christmas would be perfect if it did.”
Lucy sniffed the air, trying to detect the hint of moisture that often accompanied snow. “It might.”
Hugh chuckled. “We rarely have snow for the holiday, but I have no doubt if both of you ladies wished it so, the weather will cooperate.”
“If only we had that power.” Lucy shared a smile with Emma. There were many things she’d wish for if she could. To spend one more holiday with her parents. To have a family of her own. To find love. But such wishes were both impractical and impossible. For now, she hoped for a pleasurable morning of skating.
If there was one lesson she’d learned over the past few years, it was to appreciate the small moments. This promised to be a particularly fine one, and she wanted to enjoy it fully then tuck it away to pull out on a lonely night yet to come.
They reached the ice-skating pond and excitement filled her. Not that she’d have the chance to glide across the ice on Hugh’s arm. His escort would be for Emma to enjoy. But just the image of skating with him made her smile.