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dainty toes just peeking from under the hem of her dress.
    The last portrait showed her laying on a robe in the grass, her eyes languorous and her mouth in a sweet smile. She was nude, pink nipples peeking out from between long chestnut curls. One arm trailed over her hip, her dainty hand covering the chestnut curls at the juncture of her thighs. Aubrey squatted in front of it, studying the face that had haunted his dreams, sleeping and waking. He reached out and gently caressed the cheek as if he could feel her soft skin under his finger tip once again.
    He stood back up and wandered over to his easel. His latest portrait was half-finished and was of Lucilla as she stood in the ballroom the evening when he had first seen her again. Her peach dress glowed in the candlelight and she had her hair piled up regally on her head. He wished that she was here standing before him. Aside from one miniature that he had done for her, he had painted all the portraits from memory. But it would be glorious to have her sit for him again, the easy banter between them while he painted until he had to go over and kiss her plump lips, so soft and sweet.
    Aubrey scratched at the scruff on his face as he suddenly realized the truth. There was no impediment between him and Lucy. Instead of lamenting the lost five years, he would create a new future for them. She might hate him now, but he would win her back. Whistling, he turned and left the room, ready for a bath and clean clothes. He had things to do.

Chapter Six
     
     
    Lucy nervously smoothed the green silk of the evening gown that she had chosen for this evening. It had a cream tulle overskirt and was one of her favorites. She was going to need all the encouragement that she could get this evening.
    Harriet sat beside her, pretty in a bright yellow dress that contrasted with her dark hair. Harriet was the type of woman who would become more striking as she aged. George sat across from them, smiling at his fiancée. They were so happy together in spite of the troubles that had preceded their engagement.
    George’s family thought George could do so much better than Harriet. They had been disdainful of Harriet’s status as the poor daughter of the dissolute Earl of Brandwine. Harriet’s father had gambled his estate away and caroused through London with nary a care for the hopes of his young daughter. An aunt had brought Harriet out for her Season and Harriet and George had met and fallen in love almost instantly. George’s mother kept throwing other young ladies at him and had finally colluded in a scheme to compromise her son so that he would not be able to marry Harriet. But luck had intervened and George had finally stood up to his mother and claimed Harriet for his own.
    Harriet reached over and clasped Lucy’s nervous fingers. “Be calm, my dear. This will all work out. My dear George has spoken to Lovell and our plan is in place.”
    Lucy smiled apprehensively at her friend. She would do anything for Harriet, but she had argued against her plan quite strenuously. Only the thought that she would need to face society for the next few weeks made her finally capitulate. The rumors were already flying about, making the incident even more exaggerated. George had heard someone say that she had knocked Lovell out with a fist to his jaw. The rumors needed to be squelched at once.
    She wished that Carlisle had not had to leave to take care of an estate matter. She would have liked to have him at her side tonight. There would be no titters in the ballroom if he were there. And then perhaps she would not have to face Aubrey or be part of Harriet’s scheme.
    The carriage jolted to a halt and Lucy straightened her spine, already girding for battle. Harriet gave her hand a quick squeeze and then they prepared to follow George out of the carriage. He handed each of them down in front of the Roth’s stairway. This was going to be a crush. People were already streaming up the stairs, past the huge