“I was out for a drive,” Wesley replied, grasping his friend’s outstretched hand in a firm handshake. “It is partially that which I would like to discuss with the two of you, if you would be so good as to accompany me where we could have a bit of privacy.”
The earl rose slowly to his feet, very much the more sardonic of the trio. “What kind of trouble are you about to get us into Dunbar?” His drawl was belied by the twinkle Wesley could see shining in his eye. James Grant Spencer, the Fifth Earl of Sutton, was always ready to jump in when his friends needed him.
The two friends must have noticed how serious Wesley appeared because they quit their good-natured teasing and followed where the viscount led. The footman ushered them into a small book room, set down a bottle of brandy and some glasses, and then left them, silently closing the door on his way out.
As soon as the door closed behind the servant, Lord Grey burst out, “What is going on, Dunbar? It’s unusual for you to be able to contain yourself with a secret. Is this more of Wrentham’s mess? The two of you left us out in the cold up until now.” The nobleman scoffed. “What happened? Did you realize you cannot do it on your own?”
“In a manner of speaking, yes,” Wesley replied softly, bringing the sharp gazes of his friends swiftly to meet his own. All the teasing went out of their faces, and the atmosphere in the room became quite serious.
“Out with it, Dunbar, you know we are at your service,” the earl stated with quiet dignity.
Wesley broke the stiff silence by grinning at his friends. “I am absolutely confident that I can rely on you. That is why we are here. And yes, it is somewhat related to that other matter. Have you been drinking all afternoon? I need to fortify myself before I launch into the tale.”
They each held out their glass for Wesley to fill. Once they had all tossed back their drinks, Wesley started in on his explanation.
“Remember how I told you that a young lady was planning to entrap Alex into marriage in order for that swine Broderick to gain access to his influence?”
“I remember thinking it was a daft plan, but yes, it was just last week, so we definitely recall your story. Go on.”
Wesley didn’t bother disputing with the earl over it. It was old news now, so he got to his point. “Well, I need your assistance in helping that young lady.”
“Helping her with what?” Sebastian demanded. “And why in the name of all that’s holy would we offer her any sort of assistance? Do you not recall that you just told us she was trying to entrap our brother?”
“She appears to have seen the error of her ways. In fact, I no longer believe she ever meant him harm. She wasn’t in league with Broderick’s schemes. She merely sought a well-healed husband, a normal enough pursuit amongst ladies of the ton. Besides, you know Wrentham would want us to help her.”
“But he’s soft as a kitten most of the time,” Sebastian scoffed. “And more to the point, he’s not here.”
“Exactly. He’s not here, so he would expect us to do this for him in his absence.”
The earl had been watching this exchange with cold perception. “Have you gone soft on us now, too, Dunbar? Or did the wench turn you up sweet?”
Wesley knew his cheeks were growing warm but chose to ignore it and brazened it out. “Neither,” he declared with resolution. “It was my idea. If word gets out about her involvement, she’ll be ruined.”
“And well she should be,” Sebastian spluttered, still disbelieving their friend would want them to help someone he clearly viewed as an enemy.
Always the steadier of the crew, the earl continued to watch Wesley. “What exactly did you have in mind? I danced with her last night. She seems to be reasonable enough, for a female, but I really doubt you are going to expect one of us to make an offer for the chit, so how can we help her out?”
“If all three of us start to show an interest in her, it will cause a stir and get other gentlemen interested. Before too long she’ll have a couple offers to choose from, and she will be off our hands.”
Sutton continued to watch Wesley, and the viscount held his gaze. “Very well, it sounds like a reasonably simple plan. When did you want to start?”
Wesley could barely believe it had been that easy. Sebastian blustered a little longer but within moments the three had agreed to meet at the Clairhurst ball that evening in order to put their plan into action.
“Is she a complete dowd?” Sebastian thought to ask, just before they took leave of one another.
“Why would you ask that?” Wesley asked, puzzled.
Sebastian eyed the viscount, obviously perplexed that he would question the obvious. “She would not need our help finding a husband otherwise, would she?”
Wesley chuckled over his friend’s comment. “I can see why you would say so, but no. While she is a trifle mousy, I would not say she is a dowd.” He paused in thought and then shrugged. “You shall see for yourself this evening,” he finally concluded.
Sutton’s amused gaze watching him irritated Wesley. He recalled Anne’s words about the earl. Wesley wondered what the other man was thinking but decided he didn’t really want to know. They had agreed to a course of action, it wasn’t the time for second guessing.
Within minutes the decanter was empty and the three gentlemen took their leave of one another after finalizing their arrangements to meet at the Clairhurst ball.
Chapter Four
Anne felt as though a swarm of butterflies had taken up residence in her inward parts. She was so nervous about the upcoming evening she could barely sit still while the maid arranged her hair.
“What has gotten into you, milady?” Sally demanded, clearly impatient with her mistress’s uncharacteristic behaviour.
“Oh, do hurry, Sally, please. I am ever so anxious to get going.”
“Well, I don’t see no sense in hurrying since your aunt won’t be ready any faster than usual, milady. Now sit still or your hair will be crooked, and then it’ll be me that gets the sack, not you.”
Anne subsided. She probably ought not to allow the servant to speak so disrespectfully to her, but she didn’t have the heart to reprimand her. She was trying to save all her bravery and gumption for the evening ahead. She wondered if the viscount would really follow through with his offer to help her. It still struck her as odd that he would make any effort to go out of his way to help her when he had been so obviously furious with her before. But she wasn’t about to look a gift horse in the mouth. If he did help her, she would be eternally grateful. And for the first time since she had come to London, she was genuinely looking forward to the ball that evening.
She watched as Sally’s skilled hands twisted her hair into an intriguing style, transforming her usually nondescript strands into an elegant arrangement. Anne couldn’t help admiring her reflection. Her excitement put extra colour into her cheeks, so she was less pale than usual. While she would never be a diamond of the first water, she wasn’t going to be the mousiest girl in the room that evening at least.
Finally, the maid finished her ministrations and pronounced her ready for the night. Anne bounded to her feet, thanking the servant swiftly as she ran from the room. She was ready and waiting at the bottom of the stairs before her aunt and uncle made their appearance.
When Lady Sophie saw her niece waiting in the foyer, she exclaimed, “Why, Anne, this is a surprise! You have never seemed so eager to go out before.” She smiled coyly at her niece. “Is there something you wish to tell me?”
“Not at all, my lady,” Anne answered truthfully, as she had absolutely no desire for her aunt to know what the viscount had offered. “Sally merely managed to get me ready faster than usual, is all.”
Anne was a little nervous about how unconvinced Lady Sophie appeared to be, but her uncle quickly changed the subject by clearing his throat. “Never mind about why we’re ready when we are, my dear. Should we not just be grateful that we haven’t been kept waiting by the girl? I would be just as glad to get on the way. You know
how congested the streets are going to be.”
“Oh, hush now, husband, do not be disagreeable. Very well, let us be off. I know you though, my lord. You just want to get there so you can get in a few hands of whist before everyone is in their cups.”
“Nothing wrong with that, is there?”
The three had a chuckle over this familiar argument as they were handed up into the carriage for the short drive to the Clairhurst ball.
When their carriage finally reached the end of the long line and it was their turn to alight, Anne was struck with an attack of nerves so intense she doubted if she would be able to exit. She took herself sternly to task. Her and her father’s future depended on her getting this right. She squared her shoulders, accepted the footman’s outstretched hand, stepped down from the carriage, and followed in her aunt and uncle’s wake, all the while praying that her fear was not written all over her features.
Relief spread over her when not a single head turned when they were announced. Previously, her anonymity had caused her great consternation. Now it was a relief. If no one noticed her, it meant no one was talking about her, which meant that scandal had not yet attached itself to her name, and if the viscount stayed true to his promise then she might actually stand a chance of having a decent future. Those were a lot of ifs, she acknowledged, but she wasn’t ready to back down just yet.
“Good evening, my lady,” Lord Dunbar’s voice at her side nearly made her squeak with surprise, as though her thoughts had conjured him. “You are looking lovely.”
She almost snorted but just managed not to. It would not do to allow herself to form an exaggerated opinion of herself. That would just be the final straw to make the bad situation worse. But despite those thoughts, she could not help the pink that stained her cheeks or prevent her lashes from sweeping down bashfully. She compressed her lips to prevent them from turning up flirtatiously.
Anne bobbed a curtsy to the viscount but ignored his words. “It is pleasant to see you this evening, my lord.” She knew her reply was weak, but she was not yet ready to be effusive. It had only been a day ago that he had been full of fury toward her. She wasn’t ready to trust him fully just yet.
The viscount must have been able to read some of the wariness in her bearing because she could see his eyes turn shrewd and assessing before he asked her, “Are you having second thoughts, my lady? Do you wish to call off my plan?”
Her startled gaze flew to meet his. “Not at all, my lord. Why? Are you?” She swallowed the sudden lump of disappointment. “I would understand perfectly if you did, so you needn’t be concerned on my behalf.” She knew her words were a lie, but it was politeness and self-preservation that motivated her.
“No, you wouldn’t,” he scoffed, bringing more heat to her cheeks and a reluctant laugh to her lips. “But no, I have not changed my mind. Now, come and dance with me.”
Contrarily, his rough words set her at ease, and she happily placed her hand in his as he pulled her into the country dance that was forming. They didn’t exchange many words as they moved through the steps, joining and separating, but Anne was content for the first time in what felt like an age, or at least since she and her father had arrived in London. She allowed herself to relax and enjoy the moment while it lasted. Her worries would be waiting for her when it was over.
It was a far cry from the first dance they had shared. Had that just been the night before? Anne wondered in disbelief. It felt as though they were both different people. She certainly felt as though she had changed drastically. And the viscount was definitely acting differently. She still felt a sliver of distrust, but she would allow the moment to be while she merely enjoyed it.
As the dance progressed, she began to feel a prickle of awareness. She gave up on enjoying the moment and allowed her eyes to trail around the room as she circled in the dance. They came to rest on two handsome men standing together next to the dance floor watching her attentively. She must have twitched because the viscount suddenly became alert as well.
“Is aught amiss, my lady?” he asked, his voice low, his head by her ear causing a shiver to run through her, in an attempt not to be overheard.
“Nothing is wrong, my lord, but I do believe your friends are watching us.”
Lord Dunbar’s hands tightened their hold on her reflexively. Watching his face, Anne could not detect even a flicker of reaction. His ability to remain impassive was impressive, especially when he normally seemed to be such an open book.
~~~
Wesley felt his face freeze when he saw his friends watching them. He didn’t want anyone to know they actually had a plan in place with regards to Lady Anne. It had to all look natural. He was relieved when the steps of the dance took them away from Grey and Sutton. He wished his friends were a little more capable of subtlety, but he would work with what he had.
Without a word to Anne, Wesley finished the dance with a flourish and then draped her hand through his elbow, escorting her toward his friends. It was time to follow through with his idea.
“Lady Anne, please allow me to introduce my friends. This is Lord Sebastian Grey.” Grey bowed, making her an elegant leg. “And this reprobate is Lord Spencer, the fifth Earl of Sutton.”
“I’ve already had the pleasure,” the earl drawled in reply.
Anne couldn’t help a little giggle at the look on the earl’s face in reaction to the viscount’s introduction. He raised a sardonic eyebrow, bowing his head haughtily to them both. She was just beginning to get truly nervous in his presence when she noticed the twinkle he could not quite hide shining in his eyes. With relief, she smiled widely in acknowledgement of his courteous bow.
Just as the musicians were striking up what sounded as though it were going to be a waltz, the earl bowed over Anne’s hand once more. “Might I have the honour of this dance, my lady?”
Anne wasn’t sure if she wanted to dance the waltz with this particular gentleman but didn’t have the fortitude to refuse. Placing her hand in his, she offered up a prayer to whoever watches over misguided debutantes and followed the earl onto the dance floor.
At first, they circled the room in silence. The earl was most definitely a skilled dancer. Anne was just beginning to relax and sink into the enjoyment of the novel experience when the earl’s rich baritone sounded near her ear.
“What are your intentions, my dear?”
“I beg your pardon?”
“You heard me, I’m quite certain, my lady.” His cold reply sent a chill through Anne. The gentleman hadn’t exactly seemed affable previously, but now she could feel the swarm of butterflies taking flight in her stomach. She made every effort to keep the panic from her face. She would hate for everyone to be able to tell that she wanted to throw up on the dance floor.
“My intentions toward what or whom, my lord?” she countered.
“Are you being intentionally daft?” he asked, annoyance evident. “Toward Dunbar. As I explained to you previously, he is my friend and like a brother to me. I will not stand by idly while some chit sinks her claws into him.”
Anne’s eyes grew wide as she tried to process what the earl was saying to her. “I can assure you, I am not trying to sink anything into the viscount. He has kindly offered to help me with a situation I face. I accepted his offer. He was of the opinion that you, as his friend, would be willing to help him.” She broke off as fear surged into her throat. She was trying so desperately not to be a ninny, but it was terribly difficult to break a lifetime of habits in the space of a week.
“Are you trying to use guilt in order to gain my cooperation?”
Anne kept her gaze fixed on his expertly tied cravat. It was much better for her nerves than looking the earl in the face. “I am not actually trying to gain your cooperation, my lord. This whole idea can be laid at Lord Dunbar’s feet. I would never have thought of such a thing on my own. He thought it would be brilliant and that you would help. It is perfectly all right if you do not wish to. I will be no further behind with or with
out your help, my lord.”
She could feel the earl’s piercing gaze searching her face, but she still could not make herself meet his eyes. Anne had no idea what he was thinking, but thankfully he did not leave her in suspense for long. “I will be keeping an eye on you, my lady, do not doubt it. But Dunbar has asked for my help, and I have promised to provide it. See that you don’t make me regret it.”
Anne didn’t have any idea how to answer these words and heaved a sigh of relief as she heard the music slowing to an end. She pasted a smile onto her face as they strolled to the edge of the dance floor. Before she had a chance to even muster up some sort of farewell for the earl, Lord Grey was there asking for her hand for the next song.
“You are a skilled dancer, my lady,” Grey complimented, making Anne’s cheeks heat up.
“Thank you, my lord, it is easy to dance when you have a skilled partner.”
“You must have had a lot of practice since you have been in London.”
Anne was beginning to suspect the nobleman’s affability was merely a ploy to get her to relax. She could feel the very opposite happening and almost stumbled as he guided her into the next turn. She stifled her sigh and decided she’d had enough of her cowardice for the evening. After taking a deep breath, she lifted her chin and looked the nobleman in the eye before stating, “His Grace, the Duke of Wrentham, and the Viscount of Bracondale are very lucky to have friends like you and the earl. And you are lucky to have them. Surely you realize that an insignificant female such as me could pose no real threat to either of them.”
“I am so sorry to have to disagree with you, my lady. A female such as you poses a very definite danger.” Lord Grey countered his assessment with a charming smile, but Anne was not side tracked. She held his gaze and returned his smile with a tight one of her own.
They moved around the room in silence while Grey looked innocent and unconcerned, and Anne battled with her anxiety. Finally, she mustered up the gumption to demand, “In what way could I be considered dangerous?”
The Viscount Deception: A Sweet Regency Romance Adventure (Mayfair Mayhem Book 3) Page 5
