A Viscount's Proposal

by Melanie Dickerson

  “Leorah, stop. This is serious. The sheriff, Mr. Yarbrough, found witnesses who saw a man matching Mr. Hastings’s description loitering near the carriage house when Lord Withinghall was changing horses at the Red Hart Inn.”

  “A man matching his description? Do you mean a man who has brown hair, dresses well, is of medium height and build, and is handsome? There are thousands of men who would fit that description.”

  “Very well.” Nicholas threw up his hands. “Don’t believe it if you wish. But Mr. Hastings is closely allied with Mr. Pinegar. His family has been dependent on Mr. Pinegar for many years, and if the man does intend to make the army his profession, he will have Pinegar to thank for his commission. His family is poor, and I do not know where he gets the means to dress as he does and make himself look the part of a gentleman.” He leaned closer, looking Leorah in the eye. “It is not wise for you to form any kind of attachment to the man. He has no fortune and should have already entered into some profession by now. As it is, he is idle, and I do not trust him.”

  Nicholas may have been right, but it vexed her too much to admit it. Besides, she enjoyed flirting with a handsome man like Mr. Hastings. Anyone would. But even Felicity had said something the night before about the imprudence of becoming attached to him when he was not in possession of a fortune and had no profession.

  “What right has Lord Withinghall to warn me about Mr. Hastings? He probably just hates to see me enjoying myself, since he is too cold and unfeeling to enjoy anything.”

  “Don’t be peevish, Leorah. You know you are being unjust. Lord Withinghall would not want me to warn you if he were not genuinely concerned for you.”

  “And why should he be concerned for me? He’s marrying Miss Norbury, not me.” She really did sound peevish. But why did Lord Withinghall always have to ruin her fun? “Very well. I will not compromise myself with Mr. Hastings. Do not worry. But I don’t see what business it is of Lord Withinghall. He needs to stop trying to take care of me.”

  Nicholas let out a deep sigh. “If I can find a reasonable excuse, I will send Hastings away. All I ask is that you be sensible and prudent in the meantime.”

  “Sensible and prudent.” Leorah sighed. “When am I not the soul of sensibility and prudence?” She smiled and sailed out of the room.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  Annoying. She had been enjoying herself so much, and now that Lord Withinghall had taken it upon himself to say such things about Mr. Hastings to her brother, nothing was quite the same. She felt slightly uncomfortable around the man and now had no one to flirt with.

  Why did it bother her so much? She’d never been much of a flirt.

  The long house party was nearly over. Leorah sat before her mirror as Becky fixed her hair for the ball, which was to start soon. Felicity was ready, so she sat keeping Leorah company.

  “I shall miss you so much, Felicity, when you return to London.”

  “Why don’t you come with me? I know our house is always so full, but if you can bear the crush, I would love to have you, and I know Mother would too.”

  Leorah smiled at her friend. “I would like that, but I know Mother would not wish me to leave before Christmas. Perhaps I could come and stay with you a month before she comes back to town for the Season.”

  “Oh yes! That will be lovely.”

  Then they went downstairs to join the rest of the guests.

  As they made their way down the steps, Lord Withinghall glanced up and his eyes met Leorah’s. Her heart fluttered at the intense look, so warm. But then he looked away as Mr. Hastings ascended the steps to greet the ladies.

  “Miss Langdon. Miss Mayson. You both are looking very lovely this evening. I would be honored if you would dance the first two dances with me, Miss Langdon, and if Miss Mayson would dance the third.”

  “I would be delighted to dance with you, Mr. Hastings,” Leorah replied. But she was careful not to smile too widely or too long at him, even as she hated the doubts that had been planted in her mind as to his character.

  As the first dance began and she lined up facing Mr. Hastings, he gave her a somber look, staring into her eyes. Was he trying to make her pity him?

  “Are you enjoying yourself, Mr. Hastings?”

  “How could I not, Miss Langdon? Your hospitality and kindness have greatly encouraged me.” He gave her a pointed look.

  She almost inquired what he meant, but she assumed that had been his intent—to induce her to ask him—so she did not indulge him.

  When the dance was over and the other partners were bowing to each other, he grasped her hand and leaned in close enough to whisper, “Tell me what I have done to offend you.”

  “You have done nothing, as you well know.” Leorah smiled and tried to laugh.

  He did not let go of her hand. “I must know why your behavior has cooled toward me.”

  “I don’t believe I owe you any sort of explanation.” Leorah looked him in the eye and straightened her shoulders.

  Mr. Hastings bowed his head and muttered a humble, “Please forgive me.” He let go of her hand, offered her his arm, and she walked with him around the room until the next dance was set to begin. They lined up opposite each other again, with him looking more serious than ever.

  Leorah took a deep breath. How dare the man make her feel uncomfortable? It was not very gentlemanly of him.

  They went through the motions of the dance, and she began to glance about the room instead of at her partner, as he seemed unable to meet her eye but looked mostly at the floor. Lord Withinghall was leaning on his cane as he stood near the wall, while Miss Norbury was dancing with one of the young men who had come specifically for the ball, Sir William Ridgely, a baronet from a neighboring county. But instead of watching Miss Norbury, the viscount seemed to be watching Leorah and Mr. Hastings.

  Wasn’t it enough that he had ruined her flirtation with Mr. Hastings? Was he observing his handiwork?

  When the dance was over, Mr. Hastings leaned toward her again. “Please allow me to apologize again. I am heartily sorry if I made you uncomfortable. Do you forgive me?”

  “Yes, of course.” Leorah gave him a tiny smile.

  “Let me bring you some negus.”

  “I would prefer lemonade, if you please.”

  “I shall bring it directly.” And Mr. Hastings hurried away toward the refreshment table.

  “Miss Langdon.” Lord Withinghall approached her, leaning on his cane. “I trust you are well.”

  “Yes, of course. How is your leg mending?”

  “Very well, I believe.”

  “I am happy to hear it. My wrist is mending well too, as far as I know.” She anticipated that he was about to ask.

  “Very glad to hear.” There was a moment’s pause, then, “Mr. Hastings . . . he is not troubling you, is he?”

  “No. Why would you think that?”

  “I seemed to notice a change in your countenance when you were dancing with him. Forgive me if I am prying.”

  “I thank you for your concern, Lord Withinghall, but all is well. Should you not be concerned about Miss Norbury? She is dancing with Sir William Ridgely again, I believe.”

  He raised his brows at her, then bowed. “Forgive me if I have offended you.” He turned and walked away, barely touching the floor with his cane.

  Mr. Hastings handed her a cup of lemonade. “What did the viscount want?”

  “Nothing. I was asking after his broken leg.”

  “Miss Langdon.” Mr. Hastings leaned a bit closer, keeping his expression lax, as though purposely trying not to look too intense. “I have never felt so much for any woman as I feel for you. The thought that I may have offended you has kept me from sleeping these three nights. Please relieve my suffering—”

  “Mr. Hastings, please. Anyone might overhear you.”

  “What do I care? I must speak. My feelings are too strong to be held at bay any longer. I love you, Miss Langdon, and I wish to marry you.”

  “I am very sor
ry, Mr. Hastings.” Leorah smiled, though it hurt her face. “I am flattered and honored by your proposal, but my feelings do not permit me to accept your offer. Please accept my wishes for your every happiness.”

  “Has someone told you something amiss? Have I done something wrong?”

  “No, of course not.”

  “You led me to believe that your feelings were as strong as mine, that you would not say no to my proposals.”

  “I never said anything of the kind, nor did I lead you to believe such a thing. We were friends getting to know one another. I am heartily sorry for causing pain, but it was not intentional.”

  He stood staring silently at the wall, his face turning red.

  “The music is starting,” she said as gently as she could. “You promised this dance to Miss Mayson.”

  He turned on his heel, found Felicity, and held out his hand to her.

  They joined the dance, but his movements were stiff and not characterized by his usual grace.

  How had this happened? This was what came of flirting. She would be foolish indeed to entertain the thought of marrying him, especially when she had known him so short a time. Had he truly asked her to marry him, right there at the ball, where anyone walking by might have heard him? She would not have thought him capable of such a thing. And the way his face had turned so red, the anger and hurt in his eyes . . .

  “Oh dear.” She watched the dancers on the floor, glad to be able to stand alone with her thoughts. But poor Felicity. Mr. Hastings’s mind was obviously not on the dance. He barely looked at her, and his face was set in an angry scowl, while a blush stained his cheeks.

  If only this night could end now.

  Edward watched as Miss Norbury danced with the baronet, then with a wealthy middle-aged widower. No doubt she had expected him to propose marriage to her by now and was wondering if he had changed his mind. And it was time. He owed her an explanation, so he would request a private audience with both Miss Norbury and her guardian, Mrs. Culpepper, in the morning.

  He couldn’t help glancing in Miss Langdon’s direction. She stood in a shadowy spot near the wall, sipping her lemonade. Some words had been exchanged between her and Mr. Hastings that had made her look even more uncomfortable than she had before Edward had spoken to her. And as red as his face was, Hastings was either embarrassed or angry—or both.

  He couldn’t help taking in Miss Langdon’s profile. She looked so pretty descending the staircase earlier, his breath had actually caught in his throat. Her hair was elegant and tamed into large curls with a few wispy tendrils dangling just above her shoulders. Her skin glowed in her pale-blue-and-yellow dress, and she looked so sweet, the way she walked arm in arm with her friend Miss Mayson. His chest ached just remembering it.

  But he should not be thinking such thoughts. Miss Langdon had never cared for him, and though he’d thought they had become friends, she did not seem inclined to think well of him anymore, which no doubt had something to do with Mr. Hastings.

  Miss Felicity Mayson stood near Miss Langdon now. Miss Langdon’s carefree smile was already returning as she spoke with her friend.

  Edward moved a bit closer to them, trying not to be noticed. Then two other men, Sir William Ridgely and Mr. Tobias Kingsley, came to stand between him and the two ladies.

  “Sir William, why aren’t you dancing?” Mr. Kingsley asked.

  “I should like to dance again with Miss Norbury, but she is practically engaged to be married to the viscount, I understand.”

  “Yes, so the rumor says. But there is a pretty young lady just on the other side of you. Why not dance with her?”

  “The brunette with the yellow dress?”

  “No, the other one. The pretty green-eyed girl with the red-blond hair. She is not engaged.”

  Miss Langdon and Miss Felicity had stopped talking and were obviously listening.

  “Oh, I inquired about her earlier,” Sir William said, pointing his long, sharp nose in Mr. Kingsley’s direction. “She is one of thirteen children of a shopkeeper in London.” His voice curled distastefully in the same manner as his lower lip.

  Mr. Kingsley raised his brows. “Oh.”

  Miss Mayson’s face had turned pale as she looked down at the floor. Miss Langdon pursed her lips and stared hard at the two gentlemen—if indeed they could be called gentlemen. At any moment she would step in their direction and unleash her ire.

  Edward brushed past Sir William and Mr. Kingsley and bowed to the two ladies. “Miss Mayson, would you do me the honor of dancing the next dance with me?”

  “Oh. Lord Withinghall. But what about your leg?”

  “It is nothing, and I have a special wish, just now, to dance with you. Would you indulge me?” He held out his cane, and Miss Langdon took it, while he held out his hand to Miss Mayson.

  She smiled and nodded, placing her hand in his, and they walked out to the dance floor.

  His leg felt as sound as ever as he led her out on the floor. And it was gratifying to see her demure but grateful smile. Most gratifying of all, however, was the pale look of discomfiture on Sir William’s face—and the smile on Miss Langdon’s.

  Leorah could barely breathe as she smiled gratefully at Lord Withinghall. Had he truly asked to dance with Felicity, right in front of that pompous Sir William? She couldn’t help a triumphant smile in that man’s direction. To think, he deemed himself too good to dance with Felicity.

  Leorah turned to face the two men. “Sir William, do you not think Lord Withinghall and Felicity Mayson make a very handsome couple, dancing there?” She couldn’t help smirking into his disdainful face as she held on to Lord Withinghall’s cane.

  Sir William cleared his throat. “Oh, why, yes.” He looked uncomfortable and did not meet her eye.

  But was Lord Withinghall truly ready to dance on his broken leg? She watched him carefully. He danced just as gracefully as ever, though thankfully it was not a strenuous dance. He kept his attention on his partner and even smiled at her. A viscount dancing with a business owner’s daughter. Leorah’s heart swelled inside her chest, forcing her to take a deep breath.

  Perhaps you just learned a lesson in manners, Sir William—you who are only a baronet.

  When the dance was over, Lord Withinghall escorted Felicity back to her place beside Leorah. He bowed to her with great dignity, and Leorah handed him his cane.

  “Thank you,” he said.

  “My pleasure.”

  Just as he was turning to leave, Leorah caught a glimpse of Miss Augusta Norbury glaring at Lord Withinghall. No doubt she was wondering why he was dancing at all, since it was the first time since breaking his leg, and with Felicity instead of with her.

  Felicity squeezed her arm. “I think we misjudged Lord Withinghall,” she said quietly.

  “Yes. So it would seem.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  Edward immediately went to Miss Norbury and asked her to dance. She was glaring at him but immediately changed her glare to a smile.

  “Your leg seems to have made a miraculous recovery.”

  “It has been much better for some time, but my physician insisted I use the cane. I am now disobeying his orders, but as long as I don’t do anything to misplace the bone, I should be well.”

  “I see.” But her tone was cold. Her expression was cold. Every word she said, every movement she made, was predictable and cold.

  The contrast between Miss Norbury and Miss Langdon assailed his thoughts for the hundredth time. These contrasts had plagued him, had tormented him, but now he knew how to act.

  When he finished the dance, he escorted Miss Norbury to her aunt. He begged Mrs. Culpepper and Miss Norbury to meet with him in the morning in the east drawing room, where he had something important to share with them.

  Mrs. Culpepper smiled and touched his arm with her fan. “Of course, my dear Lord Withinghall. We shall be delighted.”

  No. You won’t.

  The next evening Lord Withinghall was not at dinner. Leora
h leaned over to her brother.

  “Nicholas. Where is Lord Withinghall? He is not sick, is he?” She hoped he had not injured his leg again.

  “He went home. He took his leave of Father and me at noon today.”

  “Why?”

  “He confided in me,” her brother said in a quiet enough voice so as to not be heard by anyone else, “that he had offered recompense to Miss Norbury in the event that she felt he had broken faith with her, but he would not be asking her to marry him.”

  Leorah stared openmouthed at her brother. “He isn’t? Are you certain?” She could hardly believe it. What had changed Lord Withinghall’s mind? Perhaps he realized what a bore Miss Norbury was.

  “He also asked us to come to dinner next week at Grimswood Castle, to thank us for our hospitality.”

  “Have we ever received such an invitation from him before?”

  “No. Even Father said he had not been at Grimswood above twice in his life.”

  “Will Father stay away from London long enough to go?”

  “He says he will. And Lord Withinghall extended the invitation to include Felicity and Elizabeth Mayson.”

  Leorah and her family were invited to Grimswood Castle. It had always seemed a rather forbidding place, situated as it was on the rocky coastline. She rather relished getting to explore it with Felicity and Elizabeth.

  When the ladies retired to the drawing room and left the men to their after-dinner conversation in the dining room, Felicity whispered to Leorah, “Everyone is saying that Lord Withinghall threw Miss Norbury over.”

  “So I heard. I wonder what made him change his mind.”

  “Do you?”

  “What do you mean?”

  Felicity turned up one side of her mouth. “I think perhaps he fell in love with the girl who refused his offer of marriage.”

  “No, Felicity. You know he was opposed to marrying me.”

  “I know no such thing. How could he have been, when he asked you to marry him?”

  “Yes, but I know he did not care for me. He was only doing the right thing. He always does the right thing.”