The Reluctant Viscount

by Lara Temple

  She shook her head, feeling slightly dazed.

  ‘I don’t know whether to be grateful or outraged,’ she said finally and realised immediately she had said the wrong thing. He was still smiling, but there was no longer any warmth in his eyes.

  ‘I don’t need your gratitude or your approbation, Miss Drake,’ he said and there was a hard bite to his voice that reminded her again that this was no longer the young man she had once known. ‘Ten years ago you tried to do me a favour and, however many my faults, I take my debts seriously. Ginnie is how I see fit to repay that favour. If you don’t like my methods, do your own dirty work. Or better yet, stop interfering in other people’s lives and let your brother assume responsibility for his. If he is really so serious about your cousin, he should do something about her himself. But frankly, I think at nineteen the last thing he needs is to commit himself to a silly ninnyhammer like your cousin, no matter how wealthy. And as for you, you would probably do well to forgo your tendency to worry about all and sundry and put all that energy to use somewhere more enjoyable.’

  Alyssa listened with a growing anger fuelled by the unwelcome recognition that there was truth in what he said.

  ‘As you do,’ she said contemptuously.

  ‘Certainly as I do. I can show you how to enjoy yourself if you like.’

  His tone shifted so abruptly, the anger in his eyes replaced by the taunting amusement again, that she was caught off guard and responded before she even registered the nature of the offer.

  ‘Show me how to what?’

  ‘How to…enjoy. Yourself. It’s a very useful skill.’

  She stared up at him, amazed that he had actually said what she thought he had said. She might not have much experience with men herself, but between her sister Minerva’s revelations about the marvels of married life and the confidences of her brother Terry’s charming wife, who had shared with her a few discreet and quite revealing books, she had learned a great deal about the relations between men and women. She had a fairly good idea what Adam was referring to, but no man had ever dared say anything as direct to her in the past.

  Alyssa felt the need to step back, to mark a sharp line between them that there would be no mistaking. She could tell by the watchful, sardonic look in his grey eyes that Adam was enjoying her confusion. He was toying with her, but ultimately unconcerned whether she rose to the bait or swam away. She hated that part of her wanted to follow where he offered to lead.

  ‘Having experience does not make you a good teacher,’ she said dismissively.

  His hands shifted slightly, his thumb moving to brush lightly over the inside of her wrist through the thin fabric of her long glove and a tingling surged up her arm before settling into an urgent thrum, like the quivering of a violin string after being plucked.

  ‘True. Why don’t you judge for yourself?’ His voice had deepened again and she could not tell whether the urgency she heard there was anything but a clever tool, a well-honed instrument. With every encounter between them she felt something shift further and further from her memory of the Adam of ten years ago. Perhaps it was not really a memory, just a fabrication of her young, romantic and foolish mind.

  This was Adam, she told herself. Charming, seductive, mocking, insincere. It was all a game for him. Even Percy was more sincere in his own way. She felt once again a surge of protest, almost of loss. She shrugged and twisted her hand so that he was forced to hold her more properly.

  ‘I don’t think I want to learn anything from you,’ she said, looking away towards the other couples around them, wishing her voice had not sounded so morose.

  His grasp tightened so sharply she gave a gasp of surprise and glanced up, but his face was expressionless, as he had looked in his study. The withdrawal lasted only a moment and then the mocking look returned, but his eyes had lost the warmth that had disturbed her.

  ‘That is probably wise, Miss Drake. Unfortunate, though. I, at least, would have enjoyed myself.’

  She shook her head, not able to hold back a smile at his determined destruction.

  ‘Did you know you have only one dimple?’ he asked curiously.

  Heat flowed up and stained her cheeks, but before she could reply or even understand why of all the things he had said such an innocuous remark affected her most strongly, the band gave the final flourish and the dance ended. Adam guided her back towards where her aunt Adele was watching them with some trepidation. Alyssa shot a quick glance up at him, hoping he didn’t succumb to the urge to say something outrageous in front of her very sober aunt.

  By the look he shot her as he bowed very properly over her aunt’s hand Alyssa could tell he was very tempted and she gritted her teeth as she made the necessary introductions. All the other matrons seated on the sofas in their direct vicinity were suspiciously silent, but Adam merely made some comment about the clement weather and strode off towards where his friend stood in conversation with Sir James Muncy, the local squire and Justice of the Peace. His departure was followed by another rush of whispering and Alyssa felt like picking up one of the very nice flower arrangements on the table next to the sofa, vase and all, and dropping it loudly on the floor.

  She tensed even more as she saw Percy head in their direction. She knew that Mary’s heart, though bruised, would probably forgive that he flirted with a dozen beautiful widows if he would only smile at her as well. She herself could not imagine how anyone would find that boyish dandy attractive. It was hard to imagine that Percy was merely a year younger than Adam.

  Percy stopped by the sofa and grinned endearingly down at Mrs Aldridge.

  ‘I know I shouldn’t be greedy, Mrs Aldridge, but may I beg for just one more dance with Miss Aldridge? I promise to content myself with that, at least for this evening.’

  ‘Oh, please, Mother, may I?’ Mary asked, pressing her hands together anxiously. Alyssa felt like kicking her.

  Mrs Aldridge returned Percy’s smile indolently.

  ‘Well, I don’t see why not. But that will be all for tonight, young man!’

  Mary bounced to her feet and followed Percy to the dance floor while Mrs Aldridge watched them with a softened expression. Alyssa sighed and sat down.

  ‘Aren’t they so handsome together?’ her aunt asked and Alyssa bit down on the range of answers she was considering. It wasn’t her aunt’s fault. She meant well. Another subtle groundswell of talk rumbled round the room and Alyssa wondered if Adam was doing something outrageous again.

  ‘Have you heard about the new widow?’ her aunt whispered, her eyes alight with interest. ‘Almeria heard all about her from Mr Figgs. Apparently she is a Mrs Eckley, from Ireland. They say she is fabulously wealthy and has come here for the waters. But I think she has come here for a new husband. Apparently Mr Eckley was both extremely wealthy and extremely old. My goodness, just look at that dress!’

  Despite herself, Alyssa looked. The dress was magnificent, as was the body it encased. This woman—Ginnie, Adam had called her—was absolutely stunning. She might have been anywhere between twenty-five and thirty-five, but her age was unimportant compared to the voluptuous body wrapped lovingly in deep red, almost burgundy-coloured silk and lace, and her neck and ears glittering with an almost indecent display of diamonds. Her auburn hair was dressed high, while one thick lock rested suggestively against her very white, very low décolletage.

  Alyssa felt quite gauche and immature all of a sudden. She was probably not much younger than the widow, but she felt a vast gulf of experience lay between them. It seemed amazing to her that Adam had brought this woman to Mowbray because she had asked him for help. For a moment she felt a surge of something hopeful, a kind of yearning. But she pushed it down mercilessly. This was as much a game for him as his idle flirtation with her. It was just the kind of gesture he might make to please himself and his own sense of what was right. Trust him to come up with su
ch an outrageous scheme.

  ‘Quite shocking!’ her aunt continued. ‘Speaking of which, my dear, I know you think you are past the age of attracting gossip, but I assure you, my dear, that it is not so. It was really quite improvident to waltz with Lord Delacort. A country dance, perhaps, but a waltz…? What will Lady Nesbit say?’

  Alyssa stood up impatiently.

  ‘She will say a great deal of disapproving nonsense as usual. Pray forgive me, Aunt Adele, but I just remembered I am promised to someone for this dance.’

  ‘Alyssa, my dear, I don’t know what has come over you. You know you should wait for your partner to come to you…’

  Alyssa did not stay to hear the rest. There was no point in staying anyway. Mary had already danced with Percy twice, which was hopefully all the damage he would do that night. And Alyssa had taken all she could bear at the moment. She felt raw and exposed and angry at herself.

  The temptation to flirt with Adam, perhaps to prove she was not the callow, insignificant girl she had been ten years ago, was not worth the cost. She surely could not be enough of a fool to believe she could make any real impact upon him? In a few days he would be gone again. And she absolutely refused to find herself in the same dark place of loss and need she had wallowed in all those years ago. Before she was even ten years old she had removed her father from the position of being able to disappoint and hurt her. A decade ago Adam had breached her defences and left her in tatters without even realising what he had done. No one would ever, ever have that power over her again.

  She manoeuvred through the crowd and out through the little colonnade of Ionic pillars leading to a courtyard that separated the Assembly Room from the Grand Pump Room. An ornamental fountain pumped out the curative waters in the centre of the courtyard and hooks held pewter cups for those patrons who wished to imbibe the foul-tasting liquid. There was no one there at this late hour and Alyssa sat down on one of the benches lining the wall and closed her eyes. The noise from the dance merged with the uneven sputtering of the fountain.

  ‘Hallo, are you hiding?’ an unfamiliar voice said very close to her and her eyes flew open in alarm. A tall man with dark hair and eyes was standing by one of the columns and watching her, brows raised. ‘I didn’t know young women were allowed to wander around here alone. Or perhaps you don’t intend to be alone for long? Shall I leave?’

  ‘If you are going to dispense any more opinions about what young women should or shouldn’t do, then, yes, you should leave.’

  After a surprised moment he gave a crack of laughter.

  ‘Good lord, I see what he meant. No more opinions, I promise. You’re escaping, then? So am I. This is my first social event outside of London in almost ten years. I had forgotten how terrifying they are.’

  ‘Who is “he”? And meant what?’ she asked suspiciously and somewhat incoherently, trying not to smile and failing.

  Before he could answer a third figure entered the gloomy courtyard from the ballroom.

  ‘What the devil are you doing out here, Nick?’ Adam bit out and the other man turned to him, his face registering surprise at Adam’s tones.

  ‘We are escaping, Miss Drake and I. What are you doing here? If you came to play chaperon, I have to point out it is not only unnecessary, but probably counterproductive. Remember you’re the bête noire around here, not I.’

  Adam’s face remained stony. He did not look at all like the man she had danced with just a few moments ago.

  ‘We should all return to the Assembly Room,’ he replied in the same flat voice.

  Alyssa ignored him and addressed the other man. ‘Are you Lord Delacort’s guest?’

  Nicholas gave a bow with a flourish.

  ‘For my sins, I am. Until he ejects me, which by the look of it, might be sooner rather than later. And since he is apparently not going to introduce me, I must do so myself. Nicholas Beauvoir, at your service.’

  Alyssa extended her hand promptly.

  ‘It is a pleasure to meet you, Mr Beauvoir, I am Miss Drake.’

  ‘So I gather. I heard you were a witness to Adam’s unfortunate encounter with the forest floor. You will be pleased to hear Thunder is mending well.’

  ‘I am very pleased to hear that. He is a beautiful horse. I hope there have been no further accidents,’ she said, curious despite herself, and knowing it was much more likely this man would satisfy her curiosity than Adam. To her surprise Mr Beauvoir’s gaze shifted to his friend and back to her before he answered.

  ‘Was it an accident? I recollect a stretch of rope was involved, which rather defies the definition. In contrast, the collapse of the scaffolding on the east wing yesterday while we were inspecting the renovations might be deemed an accident, I suppose,’ he said and Alyssa looked quickly at Adam, whose jaw tightened. His grey eyes narrowed ominously at his friend. But he did not respond, nor did he bother insisting they return to the ballroom again. He was clearly well acquainted with Mr Beauvoir and it was obvious even to Alyssa that this handsome and rather amusing man could be just as stubborn as Adam.

  ‘Was anyone hurt?’ she asked in concern.

  ‘No one,’ Adam interrupted. ‘And it was an accident. My friend is just finding country life a bit boring and has decided to introduce some drama.’

  Despite her worry and her annoyance at herself, she could not help smiling.

  ‘Unlike you and the false widow?’

  His stern expression faded, his grey eyes lightening with amusement.

  ‘That is quite another matter. I told you, I consider that a repayment of a debt.’

  She shook her head.

  ‘And I told you, there is no debt. Which must mean I owe you now. Still, if it works and Mary sees Percy for what he is, it will be worth it.’

  ‘It might work, but that still doesn’t mean you should force your brother and her together. Do you mean to interfere every time that silly little girl fancies herself in love?’

  She didn’t answer right away. She had not thought beyond the moment. She knew she must appear hopelessly naïve and there was no way she could explain to him what drove her. With his jaded view of the world and probably no concept of love but the broken memory of his infatuation with Rowena or the multitude of relations he’d had with women over the years, she did not think he would understand her sense of commitment to her brother. She would never force Charlie to do anything he did not want to do, but she could at least try to prevent the girl he cared for making a mistake based on youth and inexperience.

  The weight of these two men watching her from the height of their greater experience and their jaundiced view of the world made her feel futile and foolish.

  ‘I appreciate what you are trying to do about Percy, but excuse me if I don’t accept that you are an authority on the topic, Lord Delacort.’

  Mr Beauvoir grinned.

  ‘That’s right. Put him in his place, Miss Drake. You’re quite right not to take any advice from him on affairs of the heart, because quite frankly he doesn’t have one, as many a damsel around the world could attest.’

  Alyssa wondered if Mr Beauvoir was warning her or just taunting his friend. They did seem to have an unusual relationship, but though Adam’s expression did not change, Alyssa could tell he was annoyed.

  ‘Said the pot…’ Adam replied caustically. ‘You are hardly an authority on the topic either, Nick.’

  ‘Never said I was, but you take the palm when it comes to antipathy to commitment of any kind. What was it you said once? That it was clear humanity was becoming steadily more stupid, since only idiots would willingly choose to marry and procreate.’

  ‘I’m flattered. I had no idea you paid such attention to everything I said.’

  Mr Beauvoir shrugged and winked at Alyssa. She could no longer doubt he was, in his light-hearted way, warning her to develop no expe
ctations about Adam. He need not have bothered. She knew full well Adam’s flirtation with her was no different from innumerable similar acts on his part. The fact that it stood out in the restricted landscape of her emotional life did not mean she should give it any particular weight. In fact, it meant she should be doubly careful to give it no weight at all. But though she knew all that, still his words left a bitter sting that mocked her. She looked up at Adam’s strong face. Cut across with shadows in the dim courtyard he looked more unapproachable than ever.

  You don’t know him, she reminded herself. Don’t delude yourself into thinking you do.

  She extended her hand to Mr Beauvoir.

  ‘Well, I should return before my poor aunt thinks I have abandoned her. I hope that if you are permitted to remain in Mowbray the rest of your stay is both pleasant and safe, Mr Beauvoir. Goodnight, Lord Delacort.’

  Mr Beauvoir raised her hand audaciously and not quite properly to his lips. Adam crossed his arms.

  ‘All right, Nick. You’ve had your fun…’

  ‘Alyssa!’ The three of them turned at her aunt’s outraged exclamation. Alyssa snatched back her hand like a guilty child, then felt furious with herself for acting so gauchely. It was no business of her aunt, or of anyone else for that matter, if she wished to flirt with an attractive man. She was about to say something cutting, but she took in her aunt’s kind, anxious face and relented. It was obviously not proper to be alone in the courtyard with two bachelors, one of whom was known to be a dangerous rake and the other who seemed to be little better.

  She smiled, shaking her head at herself. If she had an ounce of sense, she should milk this opportunity for all it was worth. She took her aunt’s arm and guided her back into the Assembly Room.

  * * *

  The two men watched them leave the courtyard. Nicholas turned to Adam, the mischief in his smile pronounced.