Now the hatred she felt for him was based on the humiliation she had felt upon overhearing that conversation he’d had with his brothers.
A knock on the door heralding the arrival of the girls’ shared abigail distracted Louisa from her dour musings, but whilst Ellie set about dressing her hair with a pink ribbon to match the long sleeved, pale pink muslin she wore, Louisa couldn’t help but worry about Hugh’s words the previous night.
Could it really be that Meredith and Lucas could come to care for each other?
Impossible. Meredith despised the handsome earl just as much as she despised his bothersome brothers. She would never allow herself to become embroiled in anything less than warfare with one of them.
It wasn’t long before Ellie had pulled Louisa’s hair into a creation of twists and curls that Louisa had paid no attention to. Good or bad, it would do. She hadn’t time to be worrying about such things, in any case. She needed to ascertain whether or not Meredith was in danger.
There was no one in Meredith’s room when Louisa rushed in there however, so she could only assume that Meredith had already gone to break her fast.
Stepping back into the hallway, Louisa collided with the Mayford’s long serving butler.
“My apologies, Miss Bright,” the old butler wheezed, the silver tray in his hands wobbling alarmingly.
“No apology necessary, Sterling, it was my mistake,” Louisa answered with a smile, reaching out and steadying the tray.
“Her Grace has decided to host a party in the maze this evening, Miss, and asked that I deliver invitations to you all.”
Louisa took the proffered envelope from Sterling with her thanks then dashed off in the direction of the breakfast room.
How wonderful.
She would ask Meredith to partner her this evening so Lucas Mayford would be unable to get his paws on her, and she would be able to determine if Hugh’s concerns were legitimate or just another way for the man to cause trouble.
Bursting into the breakfast room, Louisa found Meredith sitting at the table, as she had assumed.
“Meredith, have you heard?” she asked excitedly, glancing around for Sara.
Her eyes and excitement came to a screeching halt as they landed on Lord Ashbury, sitting right beside her sister.
“You,” she snarled automatically, and her temper was immediately ignited by the man’s answering smile.
“Heard what?” asked Meredith, and Louisa brought her attention back to her sister, walking over to her and studying her face intently.
Was that a blush?
Louisa felt a little as though the wind had been taken out of her sails, and she certainly couldn’t be as open with Meredith as she would have liked, with Lord Arrogant sitting there listening.
“Tonight we are going to have a party in the maze! The Duchess of Ashbury will have a frost-themed dinner and the maze will the lit with torches! Do you remember the last time she did that? It was so diverting! I simply cannot wait! Will you be my partner?” she rushed out, determined to leave Lucas Mayford out of the conversation.
“Partner?”
“Yes, we need partners for the game!” Louisa reached over and took her sister’s hand, in an effort to further isolate Lucas.
“I’m afraid your sister cannot be your partner, Miss Bright.” Lucas interrupted, setting her teeth on edge.”It’s true. My mother has all the teams set up as couples. Already she informed me that my brothers and I will be teaming up with you and your sisters. I do hope you are able to control yourselves for one evening. My mother has assured me that you’ve… matured since our last encounter. So you’ll see, Miss Meredith is my partner for the challenge.”
He smiled his devastating smile, and Louisa wanted to land a facer on his pretty face.
“I heard nothing of the sort when I was speaking with your mother.” Louisa snapped back. He wasn’t to know she hadn’t actually spoken to his mother.
“Nor I,” Meredith added.
“She informed me, I’m informing you. Simple as that.” His expression looked a little too innocent for Louisa’s liking.
“I don’t believe you.”
“You don’t need to. Simply ask my mother once she is up and about this lovely morning. Now. If you two ladies will excuse me.”
Louisa kept her mouth firmly shut as she watched him leave the room.
Risking a glance at Meredith, she was more than a little concerned at the way her sister watched him; there was none of the heat of anger in Meredith’s stare. More like — more like intrigue and interest.
Louisa lifted the cup of coffee that had been poured for her when she’d entered the room. Though she was loathe to admit it, Hugh was right. Something needed to be done.
“ARE YOU OUT OF your mind?” Hugh asked, making sure his tone reflected his outrage.
Lucas merely grinned and shrugged his shoulders in response.
“What do you think you’re playing at?”
“I’m not playing at anything. Not yet anyway,” Lucas grinned, every inch the rake.
“Please, spare me the details of what you do when you’re alone with a woman.”
“Why should I? You could pick up some tips.”