Read Online Never Love a Scoundrel by Darcy Burke - Free Book Online Page B

tamp down her anxiety. It had been a fruitful promenade in that she’d learned he’d argued with his brother and probably pushed him out of a window, which had scarred his face. This was undoubtedly new information since Lydia hadn’t heard it yet, which would thrill Aunt Margaret, who’d demanded Lydia get to the heart of Lockwood’s declaration that Locke had given him his scar. She scanned the ballroom for her aunt, but she was hard to find, being so petite. Failing in that search, she looked instead for Audrey. As expected, she was against the wall near where Lydia had left her.
    Halfway to Audrey, Lydia was stopped by Lady Trevett. “Lady Lydia, I saw you strolling with Mr. Locke.”
    Lydia gave her a patient smile. “Yes, we discussed Lord Lockwood’s visit to Mrs. Lloyd-Jones’s yesterday.”
    Lady Trevett’s eyes widened. “Did you? Did he admit they’re brothers?”
    “Why would he? Because we discussed Lockwood’s shocking reappearance? Everyone is talking about that,” Lydia said with a touch of impatience. It was dreadfully difficult to shed one’s image as a gossipmonger when people continued to approach her for gossip. “Please excuse me, I see Miss Cheswick and wish to speak with her.” Lydia gave her an apologetic, graceful smile and took herself off.
    However, Audrey was no longer by the wall. Fortunately, a moment’s scan revealed her in an alcove. She was turned away from Lydia talking to a gentleman. A very tall, massively-built gentleman . . . Lydia’s steps slowed as she neared them. Tucked into the alcove they were practically invisible to anyone else, but Lydia had been looking for her friend.
    Lydia came to a stop behind them. Her gaze settled on the scar disfiguring Lockwood’s beauty—and goodness, was he beautiful in his evening attire. She’d never seen a man fill out a suit of clothing better.
    He peered around Audrey. “Lady Lydia.”
    Audrey stepped back, allowing Lydia into their little circle. “Look who I’ve just met, Lydia, it’s your Lord Lockwood.”
    “He’s not mine,” Lydia said quickly, an inexplicable shiver running through her frame. She focused on Lockwood. “Did you sneak in unannounced? I didn’t hear your name, and surely you’d be mobbed by now.” She glanced back over her shoulder. Everyone seemed oblivious to his presence.
    “I was allowed to enter through a side door. Miss Cheswick was the first person I encountered, and she seemed . . . approachable.” He threw her a commiserative smile, and Lydia marveled at Audrey’s aplomb.
    “You see,” Lydia said to Audrey with a wink, “I said you wouldn’t faint if you met him.”
    Audrey’s cheeks pinked, and she cast Lockwood an apologetic smile. “Please don’t take offense. I’m intimidated by many people.”
    Thankfully he didn’t look the least offended. “But not by me, I hope.”
    “Oddly, no,” she said with a tiny head shake.
    “I’m delighted, Miss Cheswick.” He slid his gaze to Lydia. She stared at his eyes—they were the same shape as Locke’s, but the gray was actually slightly different. Lockwood’s were darker, stormier. Stormier? When had her thoughts turned so fanciful? When she’d met Lord Lockwood.
    “Lady Lydia, would you care to dance?” He glanced at Audrey. “My apologies, Miss Cheswick, since we haven’t been formally introduced, I can’t ask you.”
    Score one social point for the elder Lockwood brother.
    The set was finishing. If Lydia was right, a waltz was next. Did he know how? By all accounts, he hadn’t been to a ball in ages. “It’s a waltz,” Lydia said.
    “Is it?” He sounded careless. “Excellent.” His gray eyes looked into hers with an intensity that made her toes curl. What was he about this evening?
    She took his arm, and they left the alcove. With each step toward the dance floor, Lydia was aware of attention turning toward them, of heads turning, of conversation ceasing. By the time they took their places and the music