Page 46 of A Devious Secret

It hadn’t been a moment after Lord and Lady Hawthorne had walked off when a blonde-haired woman approached him. The neckline on her gown was far too revealing and she had a look of determination on her face.

She kept her gaze focused on the large crowd as she asked, “Is your income truly twenty thousand pounds a year on your shipyard?”

“I beg your pardon?”

The woman turned to face him with an unimpressed look on her face. “It really is a simple question. I do not think I need to simplify it even more.”

“I do apologize, but we have not been properly introduced.” He bowed. “If you will excuse me, I—”

She cut him off. “I hadn’t taken you for a stickler of propriety, but if you insist.” She took a breath. “I am Lady Susanna, daughter of Lord Audubon.” The way she said her words made him believe that she expected him to be impressed. But he wasn’t.

Stephen took a step back. “I’m afraid I am needed elsewhere. Excuse me.”

Before he could take a step, Lady Susanna said, “I am in need of a husband, and I suppose you will do. I am willing to overlook your lack of connections and low social status in favor of your generous income.”

Stephen was stunned by Lady Susanna’s brazenness and she mistakenly mistook it for acceptance.

Lady Susanna smiled coyly. “I see that you are considering my offer.”

“You are mistaken,” Stephen said. “You may be in need of a husband, but I do not have need of a wife.”

Lady Susanna’s smile disappeared. “Surely you are not in earnest. Just think of the doors that will be opened for you if we are married.”

He bowed. “I wish you luck on your search for a husband, but I am not interested.”

“You are an arrogant man,” Lady Susanna said, her voice rising. “If you even took a moment to consider—”

Her words came to a stop when Lady Hawkinge appeared at his side. “I do apologize for interrupting,” she paused, “whatever this is, but I need to speak to Mr. Wycomb,” she said, placing her hand on his arm. “Please excuse us.”

As Stephen led Lady Hawkinge away, he said, “Thank you.”

Lady Hawkinge patted his arm. “When I saw Lady Susanna speaking to you, I assumed you needed to be rescued.”

“You were correct in your assumption, but why was that?”

“Lady Susanna is my husband’s cousin,” Lady Hawkinge explained. “She is in her ninth Season, and I have heard that she is getting desperate.”

Stephen glanced over his shoulder and saw that Lady Susanna was watching them with narrowed eyes. “She offered for me.”

Lady Hawkinge’s mouth dropped but she quickly recovered. “She offered for you?” she repeated. “My, that was bold.”

“I thought so, as well.” Stephen stepped out onto the veranda and welcomed the cool night air on his skin.

Lady Hawkinge removed her hand and created more distance between them. “I would not concern yourself with Susanna.”

“I do not intend to.” Stephen tipped his head at a couple sitting on a bench. “Lady Susanna was willing to overlook my lack of connections in favor of my income.”

“How generous of her,” Lady Hawkinge teased.

Stephen came to a stop next to an iron railing that ran the length of the veranda. “I don’t belong here,” he sighed.

Lady Hawkinge looked up at the night sky as she said, “You are right. You don’t belong with these people.”

Stephen knew she spoke the truth, but it still stung, nonetheless.

She brought her gaze to meet his. “You are a good, honest man, and members of high Society do not care for anyone that is genuine.”

Feeling bold, he asked, “Do you belong here, then?”