by Emma Evans
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Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
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A Viscount in Love
Lords of London
Book 4
By Emma Evans
Chapter One
Viscount Stephen Larchmont clapped wildly as the assembled guests waved off the new Lady Guthrie, seated next to her husband in their carriage as it began to drive away. He was truly happy for his friend, even though he felt a deep sense of guilt over his lack of presence in London these last few years when Guthrie could have done with his help.
“It doesn’t matter now,” he muttered to himself as the carriage turned the corner and the guests began to talk amongst themselves. “You’re here now.”
The fact that Lord Guthrie was now happy and settled with his new wife was the only reprieve to Stephen’s feelings of guilt. His friend had managed to come back to London, found himself a wonderful new bride, and now his future was to be a happy one. Stephen was delighted for him.
“Lord Larchmont, isn’t it?”
Turning, Stephen saw a young lady looking up at him, her blue eyes bright and a wide smile on her face.
“Ah yes, Miss Stevenson,” he murmured, bowing over her hand. “How good to see you again. Did you enjoy the wedding breakfast?”
“Very much,” she replied, batting her eyelashes. “One does hope that, someday, one can find a similarly joyous situation… Lady Guthrie did look remarkably happy, did she not?”
Stephen felt himself stiffen. “Indeed. I am sure she is, just as I am sure that Lord Guthrie is also. Do excuse me, Miss Stevenson.”
“But—Lord Larchmont…”
Stephen did not listen to the shocked cry of Miss Stevenson, finding himself eagerly desiring to extricate himself from the young lady who was, it seemed, eager to put him into matrimony’s hold.
It was not something he had any intention of willingly pursuing, for two reasons. One was the simple fact that he had his brother to deal with, and two was a desire to find the young lady he’d once fallen in love with when he’d last been in London some years ago—a Miss Sarah Kingston.
Biting his lip, Stephen tried to prevent his frustration from mounting as he wondered whether or not George had arrived in London on time. George was, in fact, a fool who Stephen did not care for in the least, but as his mother had so firmly put it, family came first and he was obligated to assist George in whatever way he could.
His cane tapped along the ground as Stephen walked quickly back to his townhouse, his heart slowly sinking as he thought of his wayward younger brother who was to be foisted upon him here in London. George was the very reason he’d been forced to leave London on short notice all those years ago and even though he’d put time and effort into trying to extricate George from the troubles he’d found himself in, his brother had never seemed to care. He was still the same wayward, philandering young man that Stephen had been required to rescue all those years ago. And now his mother, the Dowager Larchmont, had insisted that Stephen ‘do something’ with George as though Stephen could force the man to settle down.
Shaking his head, Stephen climbed the stone steps that led to his front door, seeing it open at once for him by his ever-faithful butler.
“Thank you, Jones,” Stephen murmured, pulling off his gloves and handing them to the butler, along with his hat and cane. “Is my brother arrived yet?”
The butler cleared his throat and nodded. “Yes, my lord.”
Seeing the way that the butler’s eyebrow lifted slightly—the only reaction on an otherwise impassive face—Stephen bit back a sigh. Clearly George was creating a rather poor first impression. “Where is he?”
“I thought it best to put them in the drawing room, my lord.”
“Thank you, I—”
Stammering to a stop, Stephen turned around and pinned the butler with his gaze. “I’m sorry, did you say ‘they’?”
The butler nodded. “I did. I’m afraid I was a little taken aback at the company your brother has brought with him, my lord, so I have not yet put their bags in their bedchambers since I have had to use different rooms than the ones we had intended. I do apologize for the delay.”
Stephen blinked furiously for a moment, his anger beginning to burn. His brother was here to enjoy Stephen’s hospitality and now, for whatever reason, he was taking advantage of it by inviting someone Stephen had never met nor agreed to allow to stay? It was just as Stephen should have expected, but still there came a deep cut of anger in his heart.
“Can I bring you something to eat or drink, my lord?” the butler continued mildly, as though he had not just turned Stephen’s world on its head for a moment. “There is whisky and brandy already in the drawing room.”
Stephen shook his head, mute.
“Thank you, my lord.”
Stephen excused the butler with a wave of his hand, trying his best to calm himself down as he walked towards the drawing room. He was going to have to try to be calm and not let any of his anger or frustration show, for that would simply make George laugh. It sometimes felt as though they were still children, with George doing his best to rile Stephen in any way he could.
His hand on the door handle, Stephen drew in a long breath, set his shoulders and pasted a smile on his face. Opening the door, he let his eyes settle on the scene in front of him, the smile fading from his face as he saw his brother, his mother and a young lady he did not recognize rising to their feet. To his surprise, George was not dressed in his usual gaudy outfit but was, in fact, dressed smartly and without even a single flaw. His dark hair, so similar in color to Stephen’s, was neatly styled and there was a warm smile on his face that seemed to welcome Stephen in.
“My dear brother!” George exclaimed as Stephen closed the door behind him. “How good to see you. I do apologize for being a little early, but we made exceptionally good time this morning.”
“I see,” Stephen murmured, as he came over towards his mother. “Mama, it is good to see you again, if not a little unexpected.”
His mother, who was fairly tall with glittering green eyes that always seemed to hold the smallest hint of worry, embraced him, which wrapped Stephen into even more astonishment. His mother was rarely this affectionate and certainly never in front of anyone other than family. Her grey curls bounced as she let him go, still smiling, although Stephen soon realized it was not directed at him but rather at his brother.
How very strange.
“And this is Miss Charlotte Pratt who has, only yesterday, become my wife,” George said grandly, as the lady curtsied carefully in front of Stephen. “We are not stopping for long here in London. We are on our way to France. Honeymoon, you know.”
Stephen could barely breathe, looking at the beautiful young lady in front of him and seei
ng her send a warm smile towards George.
“Married?” he repeated, his voice suddenly hoarse. “You are married?”
George chuckled. “Sorry we didn’t send you an invitation, old chap, but it was all kept rather quiet. Just a couple of witnesses. Didn’t want to make a big show of it all.”
Stephen closed his eyes for a moment, wondering who this man speaking could be. It certainly could not be George, for his brother had never been this way before. He had never shown any interest in finding himself a bride, in choosing to settle down and become devoted to a lady, but yet, as he opened his eyes to look at his brother, by all appearances George seemed to be more than happy with his new wife.
“My congratulations,” he murmured, taking Charlotte’s hand and bowing over it. “How unexpected and wonderful.” He looked at the lady again and saw her blushing, her gaze skittering away from him.
“I do hope my brother will prove himself to be a stalwart and supportive husband,” Stephen continued, dropping the lady’s hand and wandering to stand by the mantlepiece. “After all, he is not exactly known for his devotion.”
To his surprise, George laughed aloud, waving one hand as though what Stephen had just said did not matter a jot. “Indeed, brother, you need have no concern in that regard. I care for Charlotte very deeply—after all, I would not have married her otherwise! I cannot tell you the joy that fills me knowing that I am to spend every day of my life with this lady. She is beauty itself and I am a better man for knowing her.”
Stephen looked from his brother to his mother and back again, seeing nothing but smiles wreathed on everyone’s faces. He felt his mind cloud over, his thoughts growing confused as he tried to make sense of what he saw between his brother and Charlotte.
“Married, by Jove,” he muttered aloud, shaking his head. “Well, Pratt, may I wish you the best of life. Happiness, devotion and love to fill all of your days.” He poured himself a small brandy from the table and lifted it up to his brother, toasting him. “My hearty congratulations.”
It was not until the evening that Stephen finally managed to get his mother alone, lifting one eyebrow as she took a long sip from her glass of wine. George and Charlotte had already retired, leaving the two of them to sit quietly together in the drawing room.
“Mama,” Stephen began carefully. “When I first returned to London to make preparations for George’s arrival, I left you at the manor house with a promise that it would only be a few short weeks before I sent for you. You were tired of George, growing angry with his behavior and lack of consideration, and yet now I discover that he is married and that you told me nothing of it!”
His mother’s eyes dimmed. “Oh, Larchmont, have you not guessed?”
Stephen frowned, seeing the pain in his mother’s expression and trying to work out what she was saying. “No, Mama. I don’t understand. From what it appears, George is very happy and Charlotte even more so. I just find his dramatic change in behavior to be very sudden. I am worried that it will not be long standing.”
“It will be of long standing, have no concern over that,” his mother replied darkly. “I did not know whether I ought to recall you from London but George insisted that I did not. He told me that he had to stand on his own two feet, or some nonsense like that, but he did come through, in the end.”
Growing a little frustrated, Stephen leaned forward in his chair. “What happened, Mama?”
His mother closed her eyes for a moment before looking at him steadily, her voice thin and tired. “He got her with child, Larchmont.”
A red mist immediately began to descend as Stephen saw the truth in his mother’s eyes, his heart stopping for a moment before slamming into his chest, hard.
“She is the daughter of a nobleman, which means she is entirely suitable for your brother’s station, but I believe he paid her a great deal of attention at some country ball or the like.” She sighed heavily, her shoulders slumping. “He seemed to like her a great deal, although I had no idea what kind of attentions he was paying her. Neither did you, it seems, for this was all going on when you were living in the manor house.”
Surprised, Stephen sat back in his chair. He had forced George to live at Stephen’s country estate for the best part of a year so that he could keep an eye on him, but, perhaps in the melee of his plans of returning to London, as well as his mother’s reappearance at his home with her request that George be taken to London to find him a respectable wife, he had been somewhat lax in watching his brother’s movements.
“You are not to blame yourself, Stephen, for he is a grown man and does not require his brother to watch him at all times,” his mother continued, as though she’d been able to see the guilt that landed squarely on his shoulders. “Now, regardless of all that, this young thing appeared at the door one day with tears streaming down her cheeks and her father by her side.” She shrugged, shaking her head. “The wedding took place less than a fortnight later. How George managed it all, I will never understand, but it seems he did. It was not love, I think, that pushed him to do so but rather a fear that he would not be able to extricate himself from this particular situation. After all, one cannot run from one’s own child now, can they?”
A long groan escaped him as Stephen sat forward, putting his head in his hands.
“It has all worked out in the end, Larchmont, as you can see,” his mother finished heavily. “They are to go on honeymoon and then return to George’s manor house. He intends to take up the law, I believe.”
“The law,” Stephen repeated dully. “Well, that is better than the clergy, I suppose.” He shook his head, feeling the burden of responsibility settle on his shoulders once more. “You should have sent for me, Mama.”
Shaking her head, the Dowager got to her feet, her face lined with weariness. “He insisted I did not and, despite what he did to that girl in the first place, I am glad that he has done the right thing in the end. He does appear to be devoted to her and her to him.”
“But I suspect that the girl’s father will make things rather difficult for George if he does not show this loyalty,” Stephen muttered, seeing the answer in his mother’s expression. “As he has every right to, of course. In fact, I think I may do the same.”
His mother gave him a small smile. “Perhaps a conversation with your brother would be a good thing, Larchmont, although I would beg you not to lecture him. He will not take well to it.”
Stephen was about to retort that he certainly did not lecture, only to see the knowing look in his mother’s eye. Closing his mouth again, he gave her a jerky nod, sitting back in his chair to think.
“Might I stay with you for a few weeks, Larchmont?”
Looking up at his mother, Stephen smiled at her. “Of course, Mama. You need not ask. You know you are welcome here for as long as you wish.”
A look of relief flashed across her expression and, for the first time, Stephen realized just how heavy a burden his mother had been carrying. “Perhaps it would do you good to enjoy society for a time, Mama.”
She drew in a long breath and smiled at him. “I think it would, yes. And perhaps, since one of my sons is now married, I might be able to assist you in your search for a bride.” A small laugh escaped her at Stephen’s horrified expression, waving his concerns away. “You need not look so fearful, Larchmont. My judgment is not known for being particularly bad.”
It was on the tip of Stephen’s tongue to say that he did not require her help, did not want her help, but after all she had revealed to him and after all the pain and grief he’d seen in her expression, he found he could not disagree. Perhaps this was what she required to feel a little happier now that things were settled with George.
“I do have an invitation to a recital tomorrow, Mama, which you are welcome to come to with me. I can inform Lord and Lady Lockton in the morning that you will be coming with me. I know they will not mind in the least.”
His mother paused, one hand on the door handle. “Thank you, Larchmont. That wo
uld be wonderful.”
Glad to see her looking a good deal happier than she had been before, Stephen smiled and inclined his head. “Goodnight, Mama. I hope you sleep well.”
“Goodnight, Larchmont. And thank you.”
Chapter Two
The following evening found Stephen standing in Lord and Lady Lockton’s home with a sense of profound excitement. Whilst he had been in town for a few weeks, he had not spent much time at society events, since he had a great deal to prepare for in expecting his brother’s company. Now, however, he was free of that burden and with that freedom came a sense of anticipation. Finally, he would be able to set his sights on the one young lady who had escaped him so many years ago.
“Larchmont?”
Looking down at his mother, Stephen patted her hand as she looped it through his arm.
“You look wonderful, Mama. I am sure you will see many of your acquaintances here this evening and that they, in turn, will be glad to see you.”
His mother laughed. “I do hope so.”
Stephen was about to say something more, only for an older lady with a large peacock feather stuck in her hair to come towards them, her eyes fixed on his mother.
“Viscountess Larchmont!” the lady exclaimed, taking hold of the Dowager’s hands. “How wonderful to see you! I did not expect to see you in London this Season! How unexpectedly delightful!”
Stephen, not wishing to be introduced and then forced to make polite conversation with a lady he did not know, quickly stepped away and began his own search, moving through the assembled guests with ease. Moving into the shadowy parts of the room, he lingered there for a few minutes, his eyes desperate to see the one lady he was in search of.
Miss Sarah Kingston.
He could still remember the first time he had laid eyes on the lady, almost three years ago now. She was quite beautiful, with the biggest blue eyes he had ever seen and long curls of golden hair that gave her an almost angelic appearance. He had been captured by her beauty the very moment he saw her, desperate to be introduced to her, but it seemed that most of London society wished to be in her company. Finally, he had secured the introduction, and from that moment on had been determined to marry her.
