The Pursuit of Lucy Banning by Olivia Newport Read Free Book Online

resisted the impulse to reach up and press a stray curl on Will’s forehead into place, wondering nevertheless what his skin felt like. Where did that come from? Stop it!
    “Likewise, Miss Banning.”
    Refusing to blush, Lucy turned to Leo and gave him the sort of look a little sister gives her brother.
    Leo grinned. “You said Daniel was not coming for dinner. I thought it was foolish to let the extra table setting go to waste.”
    Lucy nodded at Will. “Of course I’m delighted you could come to share our meal, Mr. Edwards. I hope Leo has given you fair warning about the eccentricities of the family.”
    “If his sister is any indication, I am sure to be in for a treat.” His cheek dimpled when he smiled.
    Lucy wished she had rung for help with her hair after all. Her gown swished as she crossed the room and sat on the settee.
    “I look forward to our dinner conversation,” Lucy said. “It’s time we had a fresh voice at our table.”
    Leo jumped in. “Will has some entertaining stories, but I’ve paid him well to rearrange his memory to remove me from them.”
    Both Will and Lucy laughed.
    “I would imagine your sister has some Leo stories of her own,” Will said. “As I recall, you were already an accomplished prankster when you arrived in Princeton.”
    “Ask me sometime about the lake house and the summer Leo was twelve.” Lucy smiled slyly.
    “No!” Leo said, laughing himself now. “You will not tell that story.”
    “We shall have to find a moment alone,” Will said, “so you can fill me in on the details of the lake house and the summer Leo was twelve.”
    Now the blush overcame Lucy’s willpower, and Will too seemed to retreat momentarily. But in a few seconds Lucy was laughing again.
    “What’s so funny?” said a voice from the arched doorway.
    Lucy looked up to see her parents entering the room. She glanced at Will.
    “Oh, nothing,” she said. “Mother, Father, I wonder if you’ve met Leo’s friend, Mr. Will Edwards.”
    Flora Banning glided across the room and shook Will’s hand, simultaneously giving Leo a questioning look.
    “Will is a friend of mine from Princeton,” Leo said.
    “We’re always delighted to meet a Princeton man,” Flora said.
    “I’m pleased to meet you also, Mrs. Banning,” Will said. “Actually, I—”
    Leo cut him off, which made Lucy chuckle again. “Oh, Mother, let’s not go picking at all the Princeton connections,” Leo said.
    “Will is new to Chicago and Leo thought he could use a good meal,” Lucy added.
    “Of course, Leo’s friends are always welcome.” Flora’s eyes continued to inspect her unexpected guest.
    Samuel Banning failed to take the hint. “Did you graduate with Leo?” he asked.
    Will took in a breath as if to answer, but it was Leo who spoke. “Will wasn’t in my class. I imagine dinner must be ready. I wonder where Oliver is.”
    “I’m right here.” Oliver, the tallest of the Banning sons by several inches, stood in the doorway with fourteen-year-old Richard right behind him.
    The grandfather clock in the foyer began the sonorous process of striking eight as Leo introduced Will to his brothers. Momentarily, Penard appeared, bowed slightly, and announced dinner was served. Samuel indicated that his wife and daughter should lead the procession to the dining room, and Flora put her arm through Lucy’s.
    In the hall, Flora leaned in and whispered, “Lucy, dear, I’m not entirely sure who this friend of Leo’s is, but it seems unseemly that you should be laughing with him.”
    “What are you talking about, Mother?”
    “You might think me an old biddy, but I saw the way you looked at Mr. Edwards.”
    Heat rose in Lucy’s neck. “We were merely teasing Leo. I’ve done nothing untoward.”
    “I can’t help but think you would behave differently if Daniel were here tonight.”
    Laughter escaped Lucy’s lips. “I assure you, Daniel knows all the old stories about Leo. He features prominently in most of