“Because I am furious with you for your efforts to entrap my friend, and I would like to know if there are any other schemes afoot.” Wesley answered her honestly but tried to control the fury that was creeping into his voice.
He couldn’t believe it when a tinkle of laughter escaped his companion. He didn’t want to draw undue attention to them, but he couldn’t help stopping dead in his tracks. “How can you find this amusing?” he demanded.
“I apologize, my lord, you are quite correct. There is nothing amusing about this situation, aside from the fact that my aunt was quite convinced that you were displaying a marked interest in me and was delighted at the prospect. I laughed when I thought about how sadly mistaken she was. I had tried to convince her that she could not be accurate in her assumptions, but she was steadfast in her thoughts. It is always gratifying to know that one was right, even if it is an uncomfortable topic.”
Wesley couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “Your aunt thought I was trying to court you?” he was incredulous.
Anne shrugged. “You did invite me to go for a drive in the Park during the fashionable hour. It is a common practice when a gentleman is trying to fix a lady’s interest, my lord.”
Wesley felt heat gathering in his cheeks. “You are right. I apologize, my lady. But why did you not follow along with your aunt’s line of thought?”
Anne pierced him with her perceptive gaze. “While you have been making every attempt to be civilized about it, my lord, it is obvious that you are angry with me. In fact, you have even told me so. It is not the usual frame of mind for a courting gentleman.”
He had to grin over her words. “I am sure you are correct, my lady.” Now he was curious. “Have you had many men courting you this Season?”
Again the lady shrugged. “No.” There was a pause while she avoided any eye contact. “My dowry is negligible, my father is a known spendthrift, and my family connections are not stellar. It was doubtful that I would make a brilliant match when we first arrived. Now, if my share in my father’s scheme becomes known, no match will be likely.”
“You don’t seem overly troubled by this.” Wesley was perplexed over the lady’s reaction. And he was beginning to find her repeated negligent shrugs to be irritating. He was surprised when she finally met his gaze with her own bright blue one.
“I am personally rather confused with how I feel on the entire subject, my lord. And unfortunately, I have no one to discuss the matter with.”
Wesley blanched over her words. He was so conflicted about this young woman. As a gentleman, he could not leave a lady in distress; it was just one more layer to the awkward situation. He surprised himself with his next words.
“Since I am already involved in the situation, perhaps you could discuss it with me.”
He fully understood the shock reflected in her gaze. “But you are angry with me, my lord. I doubt you will be the most objective listener on the subject.”
“Actually, if we talk about it, it might help me be less angry as I come to understand your perspective on the matter.”
There was a moment of taut silence while she appeared to mull the matter over. The viscount was taken aback by the sensation of relief that swept through him when she nodded.
~~~
Anne could hardly believe she was going to take the viscount up on his unorthodox offer. But she had no one to turn to and was feeling desperate to talk to someone. She took a deep breath and plunged in.
“I don’t even know where to start, my lord. I was furious with my father when I found out what was behind his encouraging me to set my cap at the duke. Whether you believe me or not, I had no intention of trying to help Sir Broderick. I find that odious man to be repulsive.”
“Why, Lady Anne, that is the most vehement statement I have ever heard you make.”
Anne was surprised by the viscount’s teasing tone. Bashful, she answered him. “Do you not agree with my sentiments, though, my lord? I do not understand how the man is accepted everywhere! He puts me in mind of something one might find under a rock.”
Wesley chuckled. “Very well, my lady, I find that I am becoming convinced that you were not complicit in Broderick’s scheme. But then, why would you agree to your father’s suggestion that you try to entrap the duke into making you an offer?”
Anne was swept with a wave of mortification. She suddenly realized how awkward this conversation was going to become. Grimly, she acknowledged that she strongly doubted the viscount would divulge the details of their conversation. And since he was not actually interested in her for matrimony, she had little to lose by telling him the truth. And it would be such a relief to discuss the matter with someone.
She looked the viscount in the eye, somewhat exasperated by the dense question. “Really, my lord? Do you have to ask? Look at me. My chances of getting married this Season are slim. I am not a great beauty, I have no wealth or family to recommend me. It seemed like an expedient way to make a brilliant match. I allowed myself to be swept up in the idea that being a duchess would be lovely.” She paused her words for a moment as they continued walking slowly. Then she turned to Lord Dunbar. “To be honest, I didn’t give it a whole lot of thought. I was in the habit of following the direction given to me without questioning it. I have not been in the habit of having independent thoughts. When my father suggested what he thought was a brilliant idea, I went along with it. It wasn’t until Lady Elizabeth and Miss Smythe discussed it with me that I even considered an alternative. And then when I finally found out what my father’s intentions had been, I was finally motivated to try to think things through for myself.”
“Have you come to any conclusions?” the viscount asked quietly.
Anne could hear that her small laugh was tinged with bitterness. “Not really, regretfully.” She sighed before continuing. “If I had any means of achieving it, I would wish to establish my own home and never need to be dependent on a man ever again. But my father is depending on me to marry someone with the financial ability to save us from penury. I am beginning to feel that the idea is repugnant.”
“But it is a common enough motivation behind many of the marriages of the ton,” the viscount pointed out reasonably.
“Perhaps so, but who is going to want me? As I stated before, there is very little to recommend a match with me.” Anne wasn’t fishing for compliments. She genuinely felt hopeless on the subject.
Chapter Three
Wesley was again swept with a strong desire to protect the young woman at his side. His anger towards her was sufficiently squelched. He could see how she might have gotten entangled in the scheme without realizing what was involved, and so he determined to help her.
“My friends and I could help you.”
“How, my lord? Are you planning to offer for me after all?”
Wesley could tell from her tone of voice that she thought the idea was ridiculous. Shockingly, he didn’t fully agree with her. But he had no interest in giving up his unwedded state any time soon. He appreciated her being honest with him, so he gave her the same courtesy.
“I have no desire to get leg shackled at this time, my lady, but I do believe the duke would expect me to help you out, despite your involvement with his enemies. He is very happy with how things have worked out after all and is feeling decidedly magnanimous. I know he would consider it his obligation as a gentleman to ensure that no scandal attaches itself to you. Since he is not here to see to that himself, I will do so in his stead.”
“What exactly do you have in mind, my lord? I am uncertain if I am comfortable with you trying to sort out my life for me.”
“I promise you I shan’t do anything you do not agree to. I was merely thinking that my friends and I could pay you some attention. This would draw other gentlemen’s attention. Before you know it, you will have to pick between multiple offers.”
Wesley felt a warm tendril unfurl within his chest when he heard her rich chuckle. “You, my lord, are a devious one, aren’t you?
Do you really think you have that much influence over other members of the ton?”
“I hate to sound like an arrogant dunce, but yes, I do believe it would be easy enough to do. Most people are followers. If it was just me paying attention to you, some might dismiss it. But if I get my friends involved, it will surely take effect.”
“I thought you hate schemes.” Wesley heard the suspicion in her voice.
“When they are designed to hurt someone I care about, I do. But in this case, it’s for a good cause. Do you intend to be a good and faithful wife if and when we get you matched up with someone?”
“Of course,” she stammered, still seeming confused. “But why would your friends agree to such a plan?”
“For any number of reasons, my lady, you need not trouble yourself about that. They will consider it to be a lark, I am sure.”
There was a moment of silence while Lady Anne stared straight ahead, deep in thought. “I mean no offense, my lord, but I have to tell you that I feel quite questionable about your motives. But if you really do manage to set such a plan in motion, I can see that it just might work.” She gave a helpless sounding laugh that plucked at Wesley’s sympathies. “Unfortunately, my wish for a life of independence is highly impractical. If you could manage to find me an appropriate gentleman to wed, I would be most grateful.”
Wesley ignored the impulse he felt to withdraw his offer. His word as a gentleman was his bond. The sooner he could get the chit attached to someone, the better it would be for his peace of mind. She was nothing but trouble.
“Do you know which entertainments your aunt is planning to take you to this evening?”
“Not entirely, my lord. I must admit that I haven’t been paying very close attention to these matters over the past couple of days. She did mention, as we were leaving, that we didn’t have to be anywhere too early, so I would think that means we are not attending any dinner parties. I am fairly certain we accepted an invitation to a ball at Clairhurst for this evening. I’m sorry. I am not very helpful, am I?”
“Don’t go backsliding into mousy behaviour now, my dear. You have been shoring up your gumption for a couple of days. Pay it no mind for now. Find out what you can about your future engagements. We will track you down this evening and set our plans in motion.”
He felt his protective urges stirring once more as Lady Anne grabbed his arm and turned her luminous eyes toward him. He could feel it as though it were a tangible thing as she chose to put her trust in him. “Thank you, my lord. I know I don’t deserve your assistance in this matter, but I am deeply grateful for it none the less. I will do my best to be cooperative.
Patting her hand and feeling uncomfortable with her gratitude, Wesley strove for a change of topic as he turned and headed back with her toward his carriage. “I didn’t notice your father at the ball last night nor again today when I arrived at your aunt’s house. Previously it seemed as though he was always hovering around you protectively.”
Again, her eyes slid nervously away from his gaze, and Wesley felt his suspicions rising. But then she quickly turned her eyes to meet his, and he could see tears welling in them.
“Oh, my lord, I do not know what has become of him. He hasn’t been seen for a couple of days, ever since he told me why he wanted me to set my cap for the duke. I was incensed with him for the first time in my life, and I said a couple things I probably shouldn’t have. He stormed out and, as far as I know, he hasn’t come back. It is another thing I am worrying about, to be honest. My aunt thinks he has probably just taken off in order not to spoil my chances, but I really don’t think he would have gone back home without saying goodbye to me.”
Wesley found himself rubbing her hand as it lay on his arm, trying to offer what little comfort he could. He fought an irrational desire to put his arm around her and still the trembling he could feel from her. “What do you think could have happened to him? Is it really that far out of his character?”
Anne shook her head. “I have no idea where he might be. Until my mother died, he was the steadiest character you would ever encounter. Since then, I keep telling myself that nothing he does should surprise me. But I know he cares about me and would not want me to fret. I worry that his unsavoury companions have done him harm.”
She returned her tear-filled gaze to his once more, and Wesley felt his chest tighten. “Do not work yourself up into a taking, my lady. I tell you what. I will set a Runner onto the case. I am sure he has just done as your aunt said. He is probably squirreled away on his estate.”
“Would you really send someone to look for him?” Wesley felt as though he were taller as the young woman looked at him so admiringly. “I hate for you to go to such an expense on my account, my lord, but oh, I would so appreciate it.”
“Never mind about the expense, my dear, it actually costs woefully little to hire a Runner. They really ought to value themselves higher. Now come along. Let me drive you through the Park as I promised and then I must see you home. If I am to set this plan in motion, I need to meet with my friends before the evening.”
~~~
Anne quickened her pace, trying to keep up with Wesley’s suddenly lengthening stride. She was feeling overwhelmed with all the sudden changes. Who would have ever thought that she would be feeling so friendly towards the Viscount of Bracondale? Or that he would appear to want to stand by her as a friend. She knew she had no real reason to trust the nobleman, but he really did inspire confidence in her. For the first time since she had arrived in London, she was feeling optimistic about her chances of making an advantageous match. And if a little piece of her heart fluttered a trifle too energetically while in the vicinity of the viscount, that was just going to be her own trial to bear. He must never know about it.
When they arrived back at the viscount’s phaeton, he lifted her into it as though she weighed a feather, which sent another thrill through Anne, one that she once more chose to ignore. Once the viscount gained his seat, they rolled out, taking their place in the slow queue of vehicles circling the Park. He was a skilled driver and made quick work of manoeuvring through the congestion. They took a turn around the Park then headed back toward Anne’s temporary dwelling.
She was grateful for the idle chatter the viscount kept up as he tooled her around in his phaeton. Anne began to relax and actually enjoy the outing. She chuckled over his wry comments about others in the Park that day, despite casting him a reproving glance.
“My lord, you really ought not to fill my head with such opinions. I cannot say for sure if I can be trusted not to blurt them out at the most inappropriate times.”
“Are you planning to change into a different person over night?” he asked, surprise evident in his voice.
“No, why?” she queried.
“It seems to me that you never speak without thinking it through rather thoroughly.”
Anne had to laugh over his words. “I wish that was the case, my lord. No, I have not been recently in the habit of thinking much at all, I am afraid. It is a painful thing to realize and acknowledge about myself. But I think I have been unforgivably foolish.”
“Not unforgivably, surely, my lady.” Wesley’s tone was back to teasing, and Anne was forced to laugh despite her discomfort.
“Well, never mind, I have every intention of changing that now. But I suppose you are correct in that I am not really a blurter. I should think your statements are safe with me. You really are terribly droll, though, I must say, my lord.”
“I do aim to please, my lady.”
“I didn’t say I was pleased, my lord, merely that I was amused.” She would rather die than let the viscount know he made her feel fluttery. It was a ridiculous situation.
“Thank you for the drive, Lord Dunbar. I appreciate the attention you are giving to my troubles. I will make every effort not to be more of a burden than necessary.” Anne said this as the viscount was lifting her down once more.
His reply, said over her shoulder just as he put her on her fe
et, sent another thrill along her nerve endings. “A lady could never be considered a burden, Lady Anne.” She knew he was merely being gallant and she ought to dismiss his words as the nonsense they were, but Anne could not help it when her heart picked up its pace within her chest. She didn’t bother replying, as she couldn’t for the life of her come up with anything to say.
After the footman opened the door to her, Anne greeted him politely and then ran up to her room. Leaning her back against the door, she gazed at the ceiling, thinking over the ups and downs the day had taken. She didn’t know if the viscount’s plan would work, but she couldn’t help feeling much more positive about her prospects for the future. With a grin, she summoned her maid to begin her preparations for the evening.
~~~
Wesley drove around to his club, not overly far from where he had dropped off Anne, certain the gentlemen he was looking for would be gathered there. It had become their custom most afternoons to meet up and have a brief visit, checking in with one another.
He pondered how best to broach the subject with his friends but realized only the truth would do. Jumping down from his phaeton, he bade his servant to take his team home. He would just as rather walk home after meeting with his friends.
Sure enough, when he stepped into the club, he was greeted cheerfully by an attentive footman. “Good afternoon, my lord, we had just about given up on you coming this afternoon. Your friends have nearly finished off their decanter without you.”
“That is excellent news. They should be in receptive spirits then.” Wesley grinned. “Are any of the private rooms available just now?”
“Of course, I can show you to one immediately.”
“Let us pass by my friends on the way. I was hoping they would join me.”
“Very well, my lord.” The footman bowed and carried on, leading the way to where Lord Grey and Lord Sutton were seated.
“Dunbar!” Sebastian Grey exclaimed, delight evident in his wide grin. “We had quite given you up for today. Where have you been hiding yourself?”
The Viscount Deception: A Sweet Regency Romance Adventure (Mayfair Mayhem Book 3) Page 4
