Winning the Wallflower: A Novella Read Free Page A

it’s not as if I will have the choice of those men, any more than you did,” Lucy retorted. “My parents care only for a man’s title, not his measurement. They’re talking about the Duke of Pole; everyone knows he needs a fortune, given his gambling. Surname notwithstanding, he’s shorter than I am, and besides, I don’t like him. If I had my choice, I would marry Ravensthorpe even if he had no money.” She brushed away a tear rolling down her cheek. “He’s so handsome . . . so . . . so . . .”
    An arm wound around her. “Then you should marry him,” Olivia said into her ear. “Listen to me, Lucy. You’re right to say that I don’t have a choice. I was promised to Rupert before either of us was born. If I don’t marry him, not only would my parents expire from shame, but my sister would never have a dowry. I’m making my father write Georgiana’s dowry into the marriage settlements.”
    Lucy sniffed inelegantly. “Surely your parents would understand . . . I mean, Rupert . . .”
    “Rupert will be a duke someday. And it’s not as if he’s violent, or truly mad. My point is that you don’t have the reasons I do, Lucy. Your parents did agree to the match with Ravensthorpe. Tell them that you refuse to be so unethical as to break it off.”
    Lucy couldn’t help but smile at the very idea of her mother’s reaction to that argument. “You are assuming that ethical behavior ranks above a title. Not so, at least not to my mother.”
    “Then threaten to take your inheritance and move to Scotland. You should marry whom you wish. It doesn’t seem fair that neither of us is able to choose a spouse.”
    Lucy squeezed Olivia’s hand. “We could run off to Europe. This island isn’t large enough to contain myself and my mother if I disobeyed her.”
    “Go to Europe—and leave Mr. Ravensthorpe behind?”
    The idea sent a little arrow through Lucy’s chest.
    Olivia laughed. “If I felt that way about someone, I’d hand Rupert off to my sister.”
    “I’m not sure he cares for me in the least, Olivia. He only danced me once before he asked for my hand.”
    “I’m not saying he didn’t regret it after you trounced him at backgammon all those times,” Olivia said, giving Lucy a little poke. “May I point out that if you and your fiancé were found in a compromising situation this evening, your parents would not be able to fish for a title. The betrothal would stand.”
    Lucy gasped. “Olivia!”
    “It’s merely a matter of being caught kissing your own fiancé. I’m not suggesting that you throw your virtue to the wind. Although,” she added thoughtfully, “if I had a penchant for Ravensthorpe, I might well. He has the most wonderful shoulders; have you noticed?”
    Lucy had noticed. “His shoulders are irrelevant, given that he has never kissed me, even once. In fact, he’s never asked to speak to me alone, or even invited me onto a balcony.” She paused and then added bluntly, “I don’t think he wants to kiss me, Olivia.”
    “Then he’s a fool. I would definitely want to kiss you, were I a man.”
    Lucy gave her a wobbly smile.
    “How much do you want him?” Olivia demanded. “If I had a practical alternative to Rupert, I would throw myself at him, whether the man welcomed it or no. I’d strip off my own gown in the garden if—well, that’s neither here nor there. You needn’t act like a hoyden. Just arrange to be seen kissing the man, and the Duke of Pole will be out of the question. By the way, isn’t Pole related to Ravensthorpe somehow?”
    Lucy nodded. “They’re first cousins, but apparently they don’t speak. Pole is as superior in his attitudes as my mother. I’m sure he doesn’t approve of Ravensthorpe’s father having a profession. And while I can’t say I know my fiancé well, I can’t imagine that he would ever gamble away a fortune, the way the duke has.”
    “Well, that settles it,” Olivia said. “Do you want to marry the penniless and