The Viscount's Bride

by Ann Elizabeth Cree

  “But…” He looked bewildered.

  “I know.” She stooped in front of him and looked into his face. “Please do it.” She feared that, if he did not, Lady Kentworth would take some sort of revenge on him. “Please, Will.” He stared at her, his mouth stubborn, and then finally looked back up at Lady Kentworth. “I am sorry that I was impertinent and ill mannered.” His voice was contrite, almost too contrite. Chloe prayed Lady Kentworth would not notice.

  The woman stared at him for a moment. “I trust that in the future you will remember to speak to your elders in a more suitable fashion.” She turned to her companion, who had stood with her eyes down cast the entire time. “I would like to join the others.” She brushed past Chloe without speaking.

  Will stared after her. “I did not want to apologise,” he said in a low voice. “She was the one who was impertinent and ill mannered and if she ever says such things to you again I will call her out!”

  “You cannot call out a lady,” Chloe said gently. “I know you did not want to apologise but sometimes it is better to do so even if you feel you are right. I did not want Lady Kentworth to become angry with you because of me.” She looked down at his bowed head. “It was very gallant of you to stand up for me. I will always remember that.”

  He looked up finally. “I always stand up for my friends.”

  “I know.” She smiled at him. “Shall we find Lion and Caroline, and play a game of catch?” She hoped that would distract him.

  He brightened a little. “All right.”

  Caroline sat on a blanket with Lion, a large gangly pup of indeterminate parentage. He bounded up, pulling Caroline with him, and nearly fell himself in his enthusiasm to greet Chloe. Caroline tugged on his lead with all her might in an effort to keep him from leaping on Chloe. “Sit!” she said.

  He sat for an instant and then leapt back up, his eyes intent on Chloe’s face. “Sit, Lion,” she told him in a stern voice. He reluctantly obeyed and she patted his head.

  Caroline sighed. “He never listens to me. I know I should tie him, but he hates it so.”

  “Chloe! Here is the ball!” Will called. “Stand back and I will throw it to you.”

  “All right.” Although she really would prefer to sit for a while. She felt tired and the encounter with Lady Kentworth had only increased her headache.

  She moved towards the wall and Will tossed the ball. She caught it.

  “Very nice.”

  She whirled around, the ball falling from her hand. Brandt stood behind her. She stared at him, suddenly breathless. “What are you doing here?”

  “This is my property.”

  “I only meant what are you doing behind me. I did not see you.”

  He stooped and picked up the ball and then straightened. “I came over with some intention of greeting you as a proper host should. As well as to inquire why you did not inform me you intended to ride rather than drive. I believe we agreed you were to drive with Belle.”

  “No, you told me I was to ride in the carriage and then walked away. I did not have a chance to agree or disagree with you. You merely assumed I agreed with you.”

  “I was mistaken. I beg your pardon. Next time I will be certain you agree with me before I walk away.”

  “But I might disagree with you.”

  “Perhaps, but I will do my utmost to persuade you.” He had a little smile on his mouth.

  She had no idea what he was talking about; it was turning into one of those conversations that made her feel out of her depth. She was relieved when Will ran up. “Uncle Brandt! Have you come to play ball with us? I have been helping Chloe learn to throw and catch. Do you want her to throw the ball to you?”

  “Once. Since I am the host, I should not be away too long from my guests.” He glanced at Chloe. “And Chloe should not overtax herself. She should be sitting, not chasing balls around.”

  “I rarely chase balls since I can now catch them quite nicely.”

  “Another one of your surprising talents?” He looked amused.

  “Yes. So if you will move back I will throw the ball to you.”

  He stepped back a few inches. “Is this too far?”

  “No. You may move back.”

  He took a few steps back.

  “More, if you please.” For some reason, the grin on his face was most annoying. Obviously, he thought she could barely toss a ball. Although her habit was fitted rather tight across the bodice and she could not pull her arm very far back, he did not need to stand so close to her that she could hand the ball to him.

  “Is this far enough?”

  He’d moved way back now. Too far back. However, she had no intention of standing here all day, directing him to the perfect spot. She drew her arm back and then threw the ball with all her might. As she did so she heard an ominous rip. Brandt ducked as the ball narrowly missed his head and then it fell to the ground and rolled towards the assembled company. Suddenly Lion burst across the grass, his lead trailing behind him. There was a shriek as the ball rolled past Lady Kentworth’s feet and Lion scrambled after it. Then Lady Kentworth fell.

  Chloe froze, her mouth open in dismayed horror as Lion bounded over to Lady Kentworth and licked her face. The lady shrieked again, this time a much more bloodcurdling scream. Giles grabbed Lion’s collar and pulled him away.

  Will was jumping up and down. “That was splendid!”

  “But Lion knocked Lady Kentworth down,” Caroline said. She looked as sick as Chloe felt.

  “That’s why it was splendid!”

  “No, it wasn’t,” Chloe said. As much as she wanted to run in the opposite direction, Chloe had no choice. She started forward.

  “I’d best go fetch Lion. Come with me, Will.” Brandt strode towards the group and Chloe followed.

  By this time Lady Kentworth was sitting up and she waved away the vinaigrette Marguerite held under her nose. Giles thrust the lead at Brandt and then turned to Will. “You will first apologise to Lady Kentworth and then you will come with me.”

  Will turned pale. “I…”

  Lady Kentworth stared first at Chloe and then at Will, her eyes narrowed, her face a frightening purplish-red. “You…!”

  “William,” Giles said.

  “It was my fault.” Chloe stepped forward and forced herself to meet Lady Kentworth’s eyes. “I threw the ball. I…I am so very sorry. I did not think it would go so far. Will did nothing wrong.” She was quite aware that everyone looked at her and she felt mortified and foolish beyond belief.

  Caroline came up beside Chloe. She bit her lip, but managed to look at Lady Kentworth. “I was holding Lion. He pulled away from me. I should have tied him but I…I did not. I am very sorry.”

  Lady Kentworth stared at them, her mouth thinning. “Well!”

  Brandt moved next to Chloe. “And I am to blame as well. I stood too far from Lady Chloe so she was obliged to execute a rather forceful throw which undoubtedly accounted for the great distance the ball travelled. In addition, I did not assist in securing Lion and should have known he would most naturally go after a ball. So I must apologise as well.”

  Lady Kentworth looked from one to the other, her mouth tight as if she suspected some sort of conspiracy. “I quite see.”

  Giles looked at them, his expression impassive, and then turned to Will. “I see I erred in judging you without hearing the entire story. However, in the future I expect you to exert more control over your dog otherwise he will be banished from such excursions.”

  Will hung his head. “Yes, sir.”

  “And, Caroline, if you cannot control Lion, then you will give him to someone who can.”

  “Yes, Papa.” Caroline still looked mortified.

  “Perhaps we should secure Lion now,” Brandt said. “Come with me.”

  The two children went with him, undoubtedly happy to get away. Sir Preston helped his mother to her feet while Chloe made herself move forward. “There are some chairs. Shall I have—?”

  “You hav
e done enough!” Lady Kentworth snapped. “Do not come near me!”

  There was a shocked silence. Chloe dared not meet Sir Preston’s eyes, or anyone else’s. Her head seemed to spin for a moment. “If you will pardon me, I will go and see if I am needed…” She started to walk away before she humiliated herself further by bursting into tears.

  Chloe found herself in the overgrown garden of the old chapel where she sat on a broken stone bench and prayed she would not weep. She had managed to humiliate herself again in front of most of the neighbourhood.

  She had always considered herself practical and never prone to impulsiveness, but since she’d been at Falconcliff she had been nothing but foolish. Everything she did resulted in more disaster. And today appeared to be growing worse. If she had not set out to prove to Brandt that he could not dictate to her, then she would not be on his property with a stupid headache. She probably would not have met Lady Kentworth when she was with Will, so that Will was forced to defend her, thus incurring Lady Kentworth’s wrath as well. If she hadn’t been so stupidly determined to show Brandt she could throw a ball, Lady Kentworth would not have gone sprawling on the ground. And if she had not been so idiotic to begin with, then she would not be betrothed to Brandt after…

  Someone stood in front of her. She slowly looked up into Brandt’s face and, to her chagrin, tears pricked her lids.

  His face changed. “You aren’t going to cry, are you? Chloe, it wasn’t that bad,” he said roughly.

  She gulped. “Y…yes, it was. I knocked Lady Kentworth down and nearly got Will into trouble again. And made a complete fool of myself.”

  He sat down next to her. “I have no doubt everyone knew it was an accident.”

  “I nearly hit you.”

  His eyes danced. “I’m not certain that was an accident.”

  “It was. I would never want to hit anyone, not even you.”

  This time he laughed. “I am gratified to hear that. Next time I will show you how to throw a ball properly.”

  “I do not think there will be a next time.” She looked away.

  “No? Why not?”

  “Because it is a completely unladylike thing to do.”

  “So?”

  “So, I will not do it. I am too old for such things.”

  “You will disappoint Will.”

  “At least I will not create more trouble for him. He has already incurred Lady Kentworth’s wrath twice today because of me.”

  “He told me.” His eyes lost their amusement. “At least come back to the picnic, Chloe.”

  She bit her lip. “I’ve torn my sleeve as well.”

  “It does not matter. Nothing improper shows. And if it worries you I can have my housekeeper repair it for you.”

  “Perhaps I should return to Falconcliff.”

  “You cannot always run away.”

  He undoubtedly referred to the night of the ball. “Sometimes it is preferable.”

  “Sometimes, but most of the time it only puts off what one has to face eventually. You cannot hide away from the neighbourhood. And as much as you might wish to…” his gaze held hers “…you cannot avoid me. We are betrothed.”

  The denial she was about to make died on her lips. “I am sorry,” she whispered.

  “You don’t need to apologise. I cannot make you like me, but if we hope to convince Lady Kentworth as well as your cousin that we are truly betrothed, it would be best if you could at least hold your dislike in check. And occasionally attempt to appear as if you take some pleasure in my company.”

  “Brandt…” she began. “I am sorry.”

  “Don’t be.” He rose. “I think we should return to the others before we cause even more speculation. Belle has probably arrived and will worry if she does not find you.” He held out his hand.

  She placed hers in his and stood. His hand, around hers, was warm and strong. She glanced at his face, finding no anger or censure there, something she might have expected after such a conversation. Her actions only seemed more childish.

  Marguerite met them as they left the garden. “There you are! Oh, Chloe, I meant to speak to you immediately but when I turned around you had disappeared. Emily thought you might be here and said she thought Brandt had followed you. Then Lady Kentworth began to fuss about the chair and the lemonade so I was quite occupied trying to mollify her before she ruined everything for everyone else.” She peered at Chloe’s face. “Oh, sweet child, there is no need to look so distraught. You must pay no heed to Lady Kentworth. She is the most unpleasant person and is always exceedingly rude when people displease her and the only reason we put up with her is because everyone is so fond of Sir Preston. I dare say more than one person present wanted to cheer when Lion knocked her down.”

  Chloe was mortified all over again. “I did not mean to do such a thing.”

  “No one thinks that at all,” Marguerite said. “Belle is here and wants to see you. Will gave her a rather confused and quite dramatic version of the event and Belle is now worried. So you must come with me and reassure her.” Her gaze fell to where Brandt still held Chloe’s hand. “Although I can see that perhaps she does not need to worry very much at all.”

  Chloe pulled her hand away, self-conscious at the speculative look in Marguerite’s eye. Brandt seemed not to notice. “Then I will send Chloe with you,” he said easily. “I will see both of you shortly.”

  He strode off towards the others while Marguerite turned to her with a little smile. “Well! I never thought to see you and Brandt walking hand in hand. You must be careful or everyone will start to speculate when the announcement will be made.”

  Chloe’s cheeks heated. She should say something, but Marguerite was already speaking again. “I am only teasing you! I know very well Brandt provokes you terribly and is possibly the last man you would ever consider for a husband. However, I hope you will own he is not quite the ogre you thought him to be.”

  “I really do not think he is an ogre at all.” She could only imagine the look on Marguerite’s face when the betrothal was announced. “In fact—”

  “Chloe! The Duchess is here!” Will dashed up to them. “Julian has just spat up all over the Duke! Just like Emma does to Papa. And to me,” he added with disgust.

  “Oh, dear,” Marguerite said. She met Chloe’s eyes over his head, her mouth twitching. “I fear all babies do that. At least when they are your age, they stop.”

  Will made a disbelieving sound. “I’ve never spat up on anyone.”

  “It is only that you do not remember,” Marguerite said with maternal fondness. “Perhaps you can escort Chloe to the Duchess while I see to the food. I am worried some of the hampers have not arrived.”

  “Yes, Mama.” He took Chloe’s hand. “Don’t worry, I will make sure nothing happens before we reach the Duchess.”

  “Thank you.” Chloe hardly knew whether she wanted to laugh or cry at this touching show of male protectiveness. She smiled down at him, a little misty-eyed. “I will need all the protection you can give me today.”

  —

  “Really, Brandt, I do not think you’ve attended to a word I’ve said for the last five minutes. If it weren’t so impossible, I could almost believe you have developed a tendre for Chloe. Particularly after I saw you holding her hand earlier.”

  Brandt forced his attention away from where Chloe sat on the quilt with Belle, Julian and Lydia Sutton. He was out of earshot, but it had not prevented him from noticing that her face had grown increasingly paler and her smiles had a strained quality to them. “What did you say?” he asked Marguerite, who stood next to him.

  Her brow arched. “I said if it were not so impossible, I could think you have developed a tendre for Chloe.”

  “What makes you say that?”

  “You have been watching her for the past quarter of an hour. Although you have been frowning. Did you cross swords again?”

  “I meant why would you find my having a tendre for her impossible?”

  She star
ed at him. “Are you saying you do? I cannot think of anyone I would rather have you marry, but I very much doubt Chloe would…that is, I am certain you could persuade her.”

  “I merely asked why it seemed impossible.”

  “Because…well, it is just that you usually do not like any woman under the age of five and twenty who is not either widowed or married, and you either tease her in a way that sets her back up dreadfully or else seem to be dictating to her in your overbearing fashion.”

  His temper was not improved. “I had no idea you had such a poor opinion of me.”

  She laid a hand on his arm. “Of course I do not. If I weren’t so happily married to Giles and far too old for you, I might consider you for myself. You are kind and decent, something you could never quite hide even when you were attempting to be one of London’s most notorious rakes. I never thought your heart was quite in it.” She smiled up at him. “If it is Chloe you want, then I will do everything in my power to help you. However, you had best waste no time for she is to leave tomorrow.”

  “Marguerite.” He hesitated. “There is something you should know.”

  Then he bit back a curse when Justin rose from the quilt where he sat with Chloe, Belle and the baby. He held out his hand to Belle and helped her rise. As if sensing something of importance was about to happen, everyone quieted.

  Justin still held Belle’s hand. “I am certain all of you were delighted to discover that Waverly, which has stood empty for so long, once again has a master. I’ve no doubt you will be equally delighted to learn that Waverly will soon have a new mistress as well.”

  “Brandt?” Marguerite gasped.

  Everyone seemed to be staring at him. He crossed his arms, not daring to look at Chloe.

  “Well, Duke, planning to tell us her name or must we guess?” Squire Heyburn boomed.

  “That will not be necessary. Lady Chloe Daventry has done Lord Salcombe the honour of accepting his hand in marriage.”

  “Chloe?” Lydia Sutton exclaimed.

  Marguerite gaped at him. “When I suggested you waste no time I had not expected…my goodness! Brandt, did you not tell Chloe? She looks as if she is about to swoon.”

  Chloe’s face was drained of colour. Brandt strode forward and reached her side just in time to catch her before she fainted.