A Woman’s Hopes part 2 July 25, 2007

The Greyson Family

“Well, Lucien. Is she the woman I hired you to find?” Andrew Debbington asked, his thin lips curling into a sneer.

 

Lucien nodded, maintaining a stony facade, refusing to let the rigid mask slip. “Yes. Lucy Greyson. She has Rutherford’s facial features, and she hasn’t changed much since childhood.” He gazed down at the small portraiture he held between his fingers. It depicted a girl of around seven or eight with distant, forlorn eyes. He would never forget those eyes.

 

“I suppose I’ll no longer be needing your services, then,” Debbington replied, a grin slithering into place. “You’ll receive your compensation after I marry the chit.”

 

Lucien felt the blood drain from his face, and his eyes widened only a fraction, before he nonchalantly inquired, “You intend to marry her? Isn’t she illegitimate?”

 

Debbington raised an eyebrow, “Not that it’s any of your business, but yes. I intend to escort her to the king’s ball. She’ll fall for my charm, and we’ll be married within the month. My coffers are depleted and I need a new source of income. Rutherford’s brat, no matter her legitimacy or gender, is receiving all of his wealth, as stipulated by his will. So we will marry, and you, of course, wouldn’t tell a soul about this little conversation, or you will find yourself without the much-needed 10,000 pounds I’m paying you.”

 

Lucien nodded his acquiescence and removed himself from the room. He took a hackney to his two-story townhouse and walked through the front door, muttering to himself, “I’d never planned to get married.”

 

“To whom may I send my congratulations?” Lucien’s butler, Curruthers, questioned with the glimmer of a smile hiding beneath his stoic features.

 

Lucien looked in shock to his butler, but his expression quickly changed to one of delight. “Curruthers, would you care to meet me in the study?” he asked.

 

Curruthers inclined his head in affirmation. “Of course, my lord. And I’ll send Roger in to bring you some brandy.”

 

“Make that two, my friend. You’ll need some, as well, before we’re finished,” Lucien called over his shoulder with a grin.

 

Curruthers entered the study and took a seat beside Lucien. “So who is this woman who has stolen my masters’ heart?” he asked.

 

Lucien shook his head and replied, “Not my heart. My honor. Her name is Mrs. Lucy Greyson. She’s a widow who owns a bakery, and the illegitimate daughter and only child of Lord Horace Rutherford. She is to receive all of his estates and wealth.”

 

“Well, that’s wonderful, my lord!” Curruthers interrupted. “I know how hard you’ve been working to replenish the funds, but marrying her will just speed up the process.”

 

Lucien laughed bitterly and replied, “You’ve not let me finish. I’m not marrying her for her money. But that is what Lord Debbington intends to do. He learned about Mrs. Greyson from his dying father, whose last wish was that his dear friend Rutherford’s daughter would be found and receive her inheritance. Debbington hired me to find her, and I did. But I didn’t know he was going to marry her. I know him well. He belongs to my club. He’s a cheat and cards and cruel with women. Mrs. Greyson is a decent woman. So I’m going to get to her first, and marry her before Debbington can.”

 

All happiness drained from the butler’s face and he cleared his throat awkwardly. “Well, sir,” he began. “What are you waiting for? If Debbington is half as cruel as you say he is, he’ll already have set his plan in motion. I suggest you begin wooing the woman immediately.”

 

An hour later, Lucien nonchalantly sauntered into the bakery, an aloof grin plastered on his face. “Are those cookies ready?” he asked Lucy who found it impossible to hide her surprise.

 

“I thought I scared you away earlier,” she said, trying to keep her voice even while she haughtily raised an eyebrow.

 

Lucien put a hand over his heart, feigning hurt, “My lady, do you think me such a coward that a few words could scare me away from a beautiful woman?”

 

Lucy felt the heat seeping into her cheeks as they flushed red, but she managed to maintain enough composure to ask, “My Lord. What is the meaning behind your flattery?”

 

Lucien’s throaty chuckle reverberated through the room, causing Lucy’s heart to beat erratically. “I have no hidden agenda. I was merely captivated and bespelled this morning. I was compelled to return ask to escort you to the king’s ball.”

 

The blood drained from Lucy’s face. She didn’t know how to dance, and she would surely make a fool of herself in front of this dangerous and enchanting nobleman. “I – I – I don’t have anyone to look after my children,” she stammered.

 

“Don’t be silly, child,” Claire called from the bottom of the stairs, her hands on her hips. “I’ll look after the little ones. It’s about time you start enjoying yourself.”

 

“Then it’s settled,” Lucien said winking. “I’ll be here for you around eight.” And as quickly as he arrived he was gone, leaving Lucy to worry about how she would ever survive that night.

 

The following morning Lucien received a summons to the Debbington estate. He strolled into the lavish manor, completely at ease, and was sent to await Lord Debbington in the study.

 

“What do you think you’re about?” Debbington growled as he stomped into the room ten minutes later.

 

“What are you referring to?” Lucien responded with a smirk.

 

“You know exactly what I’m referring to. Greyson and her money will be mine. I don’t know what you were thinking asking her to the ball, but I will charm her away from you. And after we’re married, I’ll see to it that you’re never heard from again!” Andrew shouted, his usually aesthetically pleasing features twisting and distorting into a monster-like countenance.

 

Lucien sighed petulantly, “So I suppose that means I won’t be receiving my 10,000 pounds? I really rather needed that money. I guess that means I’ll just have to marry Mrs. Greyson myself.”

Debbington turned red with anger. “Get. Out.” he managed to force between his gritted teeth. Lucien just laughed as he walked away. This was proving to be an interesting week.