Wicked And Wild: Spencers in Love Book Two by Abigail Graves Page A

just as
obvious as she was!” Lady Gasden said as she pointed at Mirabelle. “In fact, I
think you fell in love first, Lucien.” He raised a brow and looked at her
dubiously. “I remember when you were children. You must have been eight or
nine, Alastair pushed her and you were furious!” Her eyes misted over and she
looked at them warmly.
    “Alastair pushed me?” Mirabelle was
shocked. He had always been so protective and even as a child he wasn't prone
to emotional outbursts.
    “Oh, yes!” Lady Gasden laughed.
“You beat him in a foot race and he said something inappropriate in French.
Except he mispronounced something or used the wrong tense or gender and you
corrected him.” Lucien snorted.
    “That sounds about right. She’s remarkably
proficient at cursing.” Mirabelle elbowed him. Lady Gasden snickered.
    “Alastair didn't take it well. He
pushed her and she landed on her little bottom and was set to bring the wrath
of hell upon him but you stepped between them and called him out!” Mirabelle
gasped and covered her mouth. Lucien's eyes widened and he smirked. He
remembered. “You told him that a gentleman would not stand by and see a lady
treated so scandalously. Mirabelle jumped up and stomped her little feet and wailed
that she was most certainly not a lady. You told her to hush and that you were
defending her honor!” Lady Gasden laughed for several moments until she was
wheezing. When Lucien looked at Mirabelle, his eyes were warm and a smile
tugged at his lips. There was nothing she wanted more than to lean close and
press her lips to his and thank him for defending her. She felt herself sway
and was saved when Lady Gasden sighed and continued. Mirabelle gave her attention
once more. “Being the little gentleman that he was, Lucien allowed Alastair to
pick the weapon. Alastair being Alastair picked chess.” Lucien groaned.
    “Couldn't we just leave it there? I
like that I'm the hero of this story.” Mirabelle rolled her eyes.
    “What happened next?” She asked.
Lady Gasden looked at a Mirabelle fondly.
    “Lucien didn't stand a chance!
Alastair picked his weapon well. As soon as the game was over, you sat in front
of the board and told Lucien you'd avenge his honor and you beat
Alastair! You were nearly five and you were already too smart for your own
good.” Lady Gasden patted her knee. Mirabelle sat there with her mouth hanging
open for several moments before she gasped.
    “I remember! It was the first time
I defeated him, he wouldn't play with me for weeks!”
    “I'm so glad you two are finally
getting on with it. We don't have to worry about your children being idiots.”
Lady Gasden declared. “I wish I could say the same for more young people.”
Mirabelle nodded emphatically. “How are your brother and his clever little wife
getting along? I'm certain we won't have to worry about their offspring
either.”
    The rest of the visit passed
pleasantly. Mirabelle and Lucien stayed until Lady Gasden became docile and
yawned. Lucien helped her into her bed and Mirabelle pulled the blankets up to
her chin.
    “See. That wasn't so bad!”
Mirabelle announced just before Lucien handed her back up to the seat of his
phaeton. He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it.
    “No. It wasn't. Thank you for
making me come.” He lifted her and started around to the other side.
    “So you’ll come with me the next
time?” Mirabelle hoped.
    “Not a chance.” Lucien replied as
he sat next to her and flicked the reins.

Chapter 12
     
    It was his last night as a
bachelor. Lucien had spent the evening settling his debts at various clubs and
gaming halls. Along they way, he'd shared drinks with friends but hadn't lingered
at any establishment for long. He was symbolically saying goodbye to his old
life. While he could still see himself at White’s and Brooks’s with Gilles and
Alastair, he expected he would have no need to frequent Boodle’s and Watier’s.
    Having had more to drink than was his