Surrender by Amanda Quick

not, however, take a lifetime’s winnings to keep up appearances here in London. If a man was very clever and watched his expenditures, he could survive from one night’s winnings until the next. Polite Society might speculate upon, but it never openly inquired into, a man’s financial situation as long as he had the appearance of wealth. Having the title and access to Jessica Atherton’s social connections also helped.
    Lucas glanced over his shoulder at the expensive black curricle and the beautifully matched grays he had driven here this morning. His tiger was at the horses’ heads, calming the high-spirited creatures and preparing to walk them until the master had finished his morning call.
    The entire rig had cost far more than Lucas had wanted to spend, but he had reluctantly laid out the necessary just as he had done at his tailor’s. When a man went hunting for an heiress, he had to camouflage himself well; especially when said heiress was given to hiring Bow Street runners.
    Lady Nettleship’s front door opened just as Lucas was mentally running through the day’s strategy one last time. Lucas handed the butler his card.
    “The Earl of Stonevale to see Lady Nettleship and her niece.”
    The butler peered down a very long nose. “I will see if Lady Nettleship is receiving this morning.”
    For one grim moment Lucas wondered what he would do if Victoria had changed her mind about allowing him to pay a call this morning. It was entirely possible that in the clear light of day she had sensed danger.
    He should have resisted the hot urge that had driven him to kiss her last night. He had never intended to do so, not this early in the game. But for a short, periloustime there in the dark garden he had broken his own cardinal rule and allowed his emotions to dominate his actions. Lucas vowed he would be more cautious in the future.
    The butler returned, and a moment later Lucas experienced relief which melted into triumph when he was shown into the stately drawing room. With the discipline of long practice, he made certain neither emotion was visible in his expression, but reminded himself that the first hurdle was behind him; he had been admitted into the home of his quarry.
    An instant later his triumph turned to irritation when he did not immediately spot Victoria in the sunny room. He realized he had not expected her to lose her nerve this morning. But the lady who had followed him fearlessly into that alley last night had apparently had a few second thoughts about meeting him in the light of day. Lucas forced himself to give his full attention to the striking middle-aged woman seated on the elegant sofa.
    “Your servant, Lady Nettleship,” he murmured as he bowed over the beringed hand. “I see now that Victoria’s fine eyes are a family trademark.”
    “Very charming, my lord. Do sit down. We’ve been expecting you. Victoria, do put down those beetles, my dear, and come greet your guest.” Victoria’s aunt turned her head slightly in the direction of her niece and smiled.
    Satisfaction soared in him. The little baggage had not changed her mind after all. Lucas straightened with a smile and turned to see Victoria standing quietly near the window at the far end of the room. No wonder he hadn’t spotted her at once. She was dressed in a yellow and white dress that tended to blend with the gold drapery behind her.
    Her very motionlessness told him that she had deliberately chosen her position so that she would be able to study him unobserved for a few minutes as he entered the room. Lucas’s brows rose faintly in amused acknowledgment of her tactics. There was no substitute for getting a close look at one’s opponent before facinghim. It was clear he was not the only one who knew something about strategy.
    “Good morning, Miss Huntington. For a moment I feared you had discovered you had a conflicting social engagement today.”
    She came forward smoothly, her soft slippers making no noise on the