Surrender (25 page)

 
There is no great rush, Vicky. I can

wait to collect."

She bit her lip.
 
But you do intend to

collect?"

Lucas opened his eyes and looked at

Victoria.
 
Oh yes, my dear," he said,
 
you

may be certain of that."

Lucas plucked a glass of champagne

off a passing tray and turned to greet

Jessica Atherton, who was making her

way determinedly toward him through the

glittering crowd. She looked as lovely as

always in her ball gown of blush rose, and

her hair was fashionably ornamented with

two combs studded with rubies.

But the expression on Jessica's face was

that of a woman on a holy mission. It

occurred to Lucas that more and more he

was beginning to notice a certain pinched

look about the woman he had once loved

and lost.

What he had once interpreted as an

expression of becoming modesty now

seemed to border on perpetual disapproval.

And there was something about her eyes

that bothered him, something eternally

distant and sadly aloof, as if she had

looked out at the world and found that

it did not live up to her high standards

and never would.

Lucas contemplated his problem with

the look in Jessica's eyes for the three or

four minutes it took her to reach him. Just

as she arrived at his side he finally realized

exactly what it was about her that bothered

him now. There was no fire in her, he

thought suddenly, only the uncomfortable

chill of angelic righteousness and a touch

of female martyrdom. Thank God he

did not have to look forward to getting

into bed beside this untouchable, ethereal

creature tonight or any other night.

It occurred to Lucas that during the

brief time he had been engaged in

the unconventional wooing of Victoria

Huntington, he had become addicted

to fire.

Dearest Lucas, I have been anxiously

waiting for you to arrive." Jessica smiled

achingly up at him as if she had been afraid

he had dropped off the earth sometime

during the past few days.
 
Is everything

going well with you?"

 
Very well, thank you, Jessica." Lucas

took the smallest of sips from his champagne

and scanned the crowd for Victoria.

Jessica lowered her voice in a melodramatic

fashion.
 
I have been extremely

concerned to know if our plans were

proceeding smoothly. There has been

some gossip, nothing substantial, you

understand."

Lucas did not like the way she said our

plans, as if Jessica were somehow intimately

involved in this courtship. But he could

hardly deny that she had set the entire

business in motion. If it had not been for

Jessica, he might never have met Victoria.

 
What sort of gossip are you talking about

Jessica?"

 
Simply that you are seen frequently with

Miss Huntington at parties and soirees and

that you have ridden together more than

once in the park. It is one thing to attend

lectures and such events with her in the

company of her aunt, but quite another

to meet Miss Huntington in the park. I

must ask if all this is leading up to our

desired goal, Lucas."

Lucas set his back teeth at the way

Jessica had used the word
 
our" again.

 
Kindly refrain from worrying about me.

I am quite satisfied with the status of my

association with Miss Huntington."

 
Really, Lucas, you needn't act so

churlish. I am only concerned for your

success in this important matter of marry

ing an heiress. I know it is required of you

and I am doing my best to assist you. There

is still Miss Pilkington, you know."

Lucas stifled an oath and tried to appear

properly grateful.
 
Thank you, Jessica. I

appreciate your efforts. You have been

most helpful."

She was somewhat mollified.
 
It is the

least I could do in view of our past

connection. I do hope you realize that I

shall always think fondly of you, Lucas."

Fondness was about the limit of whatever

affection Jessica Atherton would ever feel

for anyone, Lucas decided. No heat in her

at all.

He smiled to himself as he finally caught

sight of Victoria on the far side of the room.

She was in animated conversation with

her friend Annabella Lyndwood. When

Victoria fell in love, she was going to

burn like wildfire, he decided.

As if she sensed his gaze on her,

Victoria looked up and saw him. She

said something to Annabella and started

through the crowd.

Lucas studied her as she moved toward

him. Her height as well as the egg

yolk yellow silk gown made it easy to

follow her progress. She looked vivid,

regal, and almost unbearably provocative

tonight. The gown was cut much too low

again, of course. All her gowns seemed to

be cut too low. This one made him long to

grab her, take her out into the gardens, and

pull the small bodice straight down to her

waist. Her breasts were a constant source

of delight to him; high, softly curved, and

perfectly suited to the palm of his hand.

As she moved toward him, pausing

politely to chat with friends en route, he

remembered the hot, slick feel of her on

his fingers the other night in the carriage.

His body tightened just at the thought.

Capturing his heiress was proving to be

a very taxing business.

He was getting damned tired of denying

himself what lately he had sensed Victoria

was more and more eager to offer.

But with this particular female, strategy

was everything and Lucas had plotted

very carefully even as she had shivered

in his arms with her first feminine climax.

Forcing himself to think in strategic terms

had been the only way to keep a tight

rein on his own raging desire. Lucas did

not think he could endure too many such

experiments," however.

He grinned a little when he saw Victoria

pause in the crowd to cast a critical,

assessing eye on Jessica Atherton. Then

he watched her paste a very engaging

smile on her lips and continue forward.

Beside him, Jessica continued talking in

confidential tones.

 
You know, Lucas, I have had a few

second thoughts about Victoria's suitability.

It is true that her social connections are

excellent and she does have a sizable

inheritance, but I am not at all certain

you would find her easy to manage."

 
Don't fret, Jessica. I believe I can

manage Miss Huntington." Lucas inclined

his head toward Victoria as she closed

the distance between them and continued

smoothly,
 
Good evening, Miss Huntington.

What a coincidence running into you

here at the Ridleys." Is your aunt with

you?" Beside him, he felt Jessica stiffen

and close her mouth instantly.

 
Yes, of course," said Victoria.
 
I left

her talking to Lady Ridley. Good evening,

Jessica. What a charming gown. I trust you

are well?"

Jessica turned around quickly and smiled

with a determined graciousness.
 
Very well,

thank you, and yourself?"

 
I have been slightly indisposed for the

past day or two," Victoria said with a

warning glint in her eye as she slid a

quick glance at Lucas.

 
I am so sorry to hear that," Jessica

said.

 
Oh,
 
tis nothing significant, mind you,

merely a small problem with my digestion.

I fear my appetite is often affected by my

mood and I confess I have been in a rather

ill humor lately. Do you have the same

reaction to ill humors, Jessica?"

 
As a matter of fact, I do. It is not at

all uncommon for me to lose my appetite

completely when I am in distress. I am

often a victim of the headache, too," Jessica

agreed.

 
Precisely. You are always so under

standing, Jessica. So perceptive. Unlike

some people." Victoria smiled pointedly

at Lucas.

Lucas managed to pretend he noticed

nothing amiss.
 
I hope you are feeling

better, Miss Huntington."

 
Oh, I will feel infinitely better just

as soon as I have occasion to settle a

small matter that has been plaguing me

recently."

 
I know what you mean," Jessica put

in helpfully.
 
One's digestion is often

improved when one's peace of mind is

restored."

 
How very true." Victoria's smile would

have out-shone the sun. She aimed it

straight at Lucas.
 
Lord stone vale, I was

wondering if I might have a word with

you?"

 
I am at your service, of course. Miss

Huntington." But he made no move to

escort her out of Jessica's hearing. Instead

he placidly took another minuscule sip of

champagne.
 
What is it you wished to

speak to me about?"

Victoria cleared her throat meaningfully

and glanced at Jessica.
 
A small matter,

my lord. It concerns a forthcoming lecture.

You know how interested you are in

lectures."

 
It depends. Is this lecture of a scientific

nature?"

 
Definitely. I believe it might be described as

a matter of intellectual inquiry."

 
Then I am naturally interested to learn

more." He drew his watch from his pocket.

 
Unfortunately, however, I have promised

to meet a friend at my club and I fear I

am late. Please tell your aunt that I am

always happy to receive invitations to her

society's lectures and shall look forward to

this one, whatever it is. If you will excuse

me, Miss Huntington? Lady Atherton?"