Page 86 of To Hunt the Hunter

“Perfect.” He nodded, holding her gaze. “Yes.”

“So, now we have to see the Duchess of Bedwin.”

He groaned and put his head in his hands. “Well, it was your idea,” she retorted.

“I know,” he muttered.

“She’s still with Matilda at the moment, so that means you have time to take me to Gunter’s.”

Lucian snorted. “Oh, is that right?”

“I’ve earned it, don’t you think?” She grinned as he laughed at her smug expression.

“I do. You may have enough chocolate ice to make yourself ill, with my blessing.”

“Excellent. And then we shall go see the duchess.”

Her uncle sighed. “Let us hope the duke is not at home when we do. Bedwin will be unbearable.”

Phoebe shrugged. “You’re far more unbearable when you want to be. You’ll win any contest of that nature, you always do.”

He grinned at her, an expression she had seen so rarely of late that her heart leapt. “Thank you, Bee. It’s nice to know you have such faith in me.”

“Of course,” she said, hiding her smile, and beside herself with anticipation.

Chapter 23

Oh, I’m so excited I could burst!

―Excerpt of an entry by Miss Phoebe Barrington to her diary.

19th May 1815. Montagu House, St James’s, London.

Lucian paced up and down the length of the library. Everyone was here, awaiting him, awaiting his announcement. Phoebe sat in the chair behind his desk in a pretty pink dress, satin slippers swinging back and forth, watching him placidly.

“Anyone would think you were nervous.”

Lucian shot her a narrow-eyed glare, and she just grinned at him.

“Dreadful creature,” he muttered. “You’re supposed to be giving me words of encouragement.”

“Pfft. You don’t need those. Do you?”

He laughed a little and shook his head. “No, though I must confess to being somewhat—”

“Afraid?”

Lucian nodded and Phoebe jumped down from the chair, walking towards him.

“She loves you.”

He let out a breath. “Yes.”

“And you love her.”

“I do.”

“Well, then.”