A Very Merry Viscount

by Jane Charles

  “I believe it was Kemp, not myself.”

  “Kemp was nowhere in sight when I rode up this afternoon. Only you, my sister and the gelding.”

  “I just happened to be present,” Andrew answered, not letting on that he had offered to meet Lady Tabitha in the stables. “Kemp told me of the accident, how the horse bolted and she’d been knocked to the ground. She’s lucky she wasn’t injured.”

  Peter Storm pulled back. “But she was.”

  Alarm shot through Andrew. Neither Kemp nor Lady Tabitha had mentioned an injury. “I thought it was guilt that kept Lady Tabitha from riding, though she is hardly to blame.”

  “When my sister fell from the horse, she fractured her arm and suffered a head injury when she struck the stable,” Peter explained. “Her guilt is because at any other time, she would have been able to control the mare.”

  Andrew studied him. “What made that day any different?”

  “You need to understand that before—” Mr. Storm started before he paused to take a sip of his cognac “—Tabitha practically lived in the stables and rode every day, much to our mother’s chagrin. Where my other sisters wanted a kitten or a puppy, Tabitha wanted a pony for herself, and Danby was going to see that she got one as soon as she learned to ride like a proper lady.” A smile pulled at Peter’s lips. “She’d read about flat and jumping races sometimes held for women and Tabitha vowed that she’d one day race and she would win.”

  Lady Tabitha rode astride? Then again, many girls did, if they lived out in the country and when few would see. It wasn’t until they were older that most transitioned to the side saddle.

  “As my sister wanted a horse from Danby more than anything else, she set her mind to learn to ride side-saddle. We were in the second day but she still struggled with holding her balance and getting used to one leg being bent and the other over the side.”

  “You were with her?” Andrew asked in surprise. Then why hadn’t Storm stepped in and assisted?

  “Yes, as well as my brother, Kinley.” Peter took another sip as if the topic was uncomfortable, or a nightmare he really didn’t wish to relive. “It was as we were nearing a training paddock that the thoroughbred broke loose. In her rush to grab onto the pummel to balance when the horse reared, Tabitha lost the reins and had no control over the mare. We took off after Guinevere, calling her to halt but she was much faster than our steeds. I knew that if I could have just caught up, I could have pulled Tabitha from Guinevere and nobody would have been injured.” Storm shook his head. “When Tabitha woke from her fall and learned what had happened to Guinevere, she cried for days and then the longer she was forced to remain in bed to recover, the stronger her fear built until Tabitha vowed she’d never go near a horse or ride again.”

  It was because she’d been left too long with her fear.

  “We tried everything we could to get her to step inside the stables again. Danby even ordered her, and she refused.”

  Andrew drew back. Someone refused an order issued by the Duke of Danby? She had more bullocks than any gentleman of Andrew’s acquaintance.

  Storm tossed back the remains of his drink. “When you arrived, I had assumed that Danby had decided to match you with one of his female relations, but I don’t think that’s it.”

  No, it was so Andrew could purchase the neighboring estate, but nobody knew that was his purpose for being here.

  “If anyone can convince Tabitha to ride again, it’s you.”

  With that Storm pushed from his seat, leaving Andrew to ponder Storm’s words. Was that why he was really here? Would Danby continue to dangle the estate until Lady Tabitha learned to ride again?

  Chapter 10

  “What did you and Mr. Lymington discuss over dinner?” her mother asked as she pulled Tabitha away from the others who gathered for tea.

  Tabitha merely blinked at her because she recalled nothing specific other than Lymington droning on and on about something to do with farming, and she’d blocked his voice, only offering a nod when appropriate, like when he looked at her as if waiting for a response.

  “Tabitha, you really must attempt to be more engaging. He is the perfect gentleman for you,” her mother insisted.

  No, he was the perfect gentleman for her mother because whichever daughter married him wouldn’t live so far away that their mother could visit any time she wished, which was why Barbados began to hold more and more appeal. Or Ireland, Tabitha thought with a smile.

  Oh, she wished her mother would leave her side because Tabitha really wished to find Lily and ask after her intentions with regard to Straffan, but Mother would not budge and kept making suggestions of how Tabitha might better impress Mr. Lymington.

  “Mother, I do not want to marry Lymington,” she hissed under her breath.

  “Yes, you do,” her mother argued. “He will make a perfect husband for any one of my girls.”

  “Then pick one of them, and not me.”

  “A mother knows what is best for her daughters. You’ll be happy in the end. That I promise.”

  If happiness meant running away to Barbados before any vows could be spoken, then her mother was quite correct.

  As the gentlemen began to filter in from the dining room to join the women, Tabitha looked for Viscount Straffan and prayed he didn’t go directly to Lily’s side. However, much to her disappointment, Straffan never joined the gathering for tea. If only Lymington had been of the same mind, but as he entered, one of the last gentlemen to do so, he paused to glance about the room, before taking a step in their direction.

  Tabitha didn’t even attempt to hide her groan and glanced about for a quick exit.

  “Lady Tabitha,” Danby announced as he came to a halt just inside the threshold. “Attend me in the study.” He didn’t wait for a response, but exited the room.

  “Wonderful!” Mother practically clapped her hands together. “Danby will see this done. I am so happy for you, Tabitha.”

  Her stomach knotted as Tabitha hurried after her great-uncle. She must somehow change his mind. Certainly, he’d understand and wouldn’t force her to marry a gentleman she couldn’t even stand to be near.

  “Close the door,” Danby barked as she stepped inside his domain.

  Tabitha had rarely been in here before, but knew that this was where His Grace pronounced many of his dictates.

  “Well, out with it. You tried to get my attention all through dinner. You now have it.”

  Tabitha blinked at him. She could have sworn her great-uncle hadn’t looked at her once during the grueling affair no matter how many times she tried to catch his notice. “Don’t make me marry Lymington,” she blurted out, knowing one should never blurt anything at His Grace, but Tabitha was too worried to care about niceties at the moment.

  “I’m to understand from your mother that you wished to be matched with Lymington,” he replied, watching Tabitha with his all-too perceptive gaze.

  “No!” Tabitha cried and rushed toward the ducal desk where her great-uncle had taken a seat. “Please, please, don’t make me marry him.”

  Danby leaned back and studied her. “Are you claiming that your mother is wrong?”

  “Mother wants me living close and doesn’t care who the man is as long as I’m in York.”

  He nodded. “And you have no desire for Lymington?”

  “None.”

  “Your sisters?”

  “None of us wish to be his wife,” she insisted.

  He studied her for a moment. “Normally, I do not allow my relations a choice in these matters.”

  Tabitha swallowed against the tightening of her throat.

  “However, as the request came from your mother, I decided to invite Lymington to see for myself if you were meant for him. If you had truly wished to settle so poorly, I would have considered the option.”

  “I promise you, Your Grace, the last person I wish to marry is Mr. Lymington.” Thank God Danby hadn’t taken Mother’s word on the matter.

  “I see you
have more sense than your mother,” he said with some relief. “If Lymington approaches me, I will deny him your hand.”

  “Oh, thank you.” Then Tabitha recalled who Lymington truly wished to marry. “He told me that he’d prefer Hannah but she doesn’t want him anymore than I do, Your Grace.”

  “Don’t worry about Hannah. I already know who she will wed,” Danby dismissed Tabitha’s concern with a wave of his hand.

  It was on the tip of her tongue to ask who the intended gentleman was so that she might warn her older sister, but also knew that Danby would never confide such an important matter to her.

  “Besides you have more important matters to attend to than being courted.”

  She blinked at him. “I do?”

  “Yes. You need to get your arse back on a horse, and I’m glad you are finally working in that direction.”

  He knew?

  Of course Danby knew. He knew everything.

  “Viscount Straffan has a way with horses, and ladies.” He leaned forward and pushed up with both palms flat on the desk. “Had you not gone to the stables on your own, I would have ordered you to do so. And this time, I would have dragged you there myself if necessary.”

  Tabitha gulped. Goodness. He was serious.

  “I am certain that under Straffan’s guidance you will overcome your fear.”

  Was Danby more concerned with her riding than finding a husband? Was it possible that she’d be free of his meddling at least this holiday?

  The relief was so great her knees nearly gave way and it was the first time Tabitha realized how deeply worried she’d been about being married off this Christmas.

  “Now, go take a walk or something, before your ridiculous mother starts clinging to your side again.”

  “Thank you, Your Grace.”

  “Don’t thank me yet,” he grumbled.

  The more he thought about his discussion with Peter Storm, the stronger Andrew believed the same conclusion as to why Danby wanted him at the castle at this particular time. However, had His Grace simply asked, Andrew would have assisted with regard to Lady Tabitha. Then again, Andrew doubted that Danby ever asked for anything but simply manipulated people about as one would chess pieces, and it galled him to no end.

  It was a shame he was only to be her guide and nothing more, but Andrew would enjoy their time and then he’d return home, deed in hand and happy for having enjoyed a pleasant and unexpected interlude.

  As the gentlemen began to leave the dining room, Andrew realized he wasn’t in the mood to join the others in the drawing room, billiard’s room or other the entertainments that had been discussed. Nor did he wish to retire to his chambers so early in the evening so he chose to walk outside and enjoy the gentle snowfall.

  Once he drew away from the castle, only silence surrounded him. Peace, quiet, almost as if he were all alone in the world, and Andrew turned his mind to Lady Tabitha and how he could further help her overcome her fears. However, horses did not remain his only concern. Did Danby truly want to match Lady Tabitha with Lymington? Andrew wouldn’t wish that egotistical ass on anyone, and those two would never suit. No, Lady Tabitha would be much better suited for Andrew.

  He stopped and tried to push the very idea from his mind because he knew that even if he wished to court her, Andrew’s only purpose was to get her to ride and nothing else.

  As he turned back toward the castle, Andrew was brought up short to see the very lady he’d been thinking about walking toward him, quite alone and more importantly, Lymington wasn’t anywhere in sight. She had her head tilted back as she caught snowflakes on her tongue, and he couldn’t help but be mesmerized by the sight.

  Unbidden, a smile came to his lips. Such sweet innocence captured in the body of a siren. Most definitely a siren because Lady Tabitha drew him toward her unlike any lady he’d ever encountered and he’d yet to determine why.

  A moment later, she threw out her arms and twirled a circle as if she couldn’t be happier. Her joy was infectious and Andrew found himself grinning like an infatuated lad first discovering that girls could be quite marvelous.

  As she stopped, Lady Tabitha dropped her arms and her chin, a most pleased expression upon her lovely face and glided toward him, only to slow as she realized he was there. The smile slipped as the merriment dimmed in her emerald eyes.

  “Lord Straffan. I had no idea you were out here.” Then she glanced around him and frowned. “You are alone?”

  Who else would he be with?

  “I thought perhaps Lady Lily might be with you…”

  Why would she think such a thing? Andrew had simply escorted Lady Lily into dinner as he’d been speaking with her brother when dinner was announced. “I’ve not seen her since we dined. Were you looking for her?”

  “No. I was simply out to enjoy this glorious evening.” She sighed, as if suddenly relieved. Could it be that Lady Tabitha was worried about his feelings toward Lady Lily?

  In an instant, Andrew banished the thought. It wasn’t jealousy. If anything, Lady Tabitha might be concerned that her cousin would wish to be courted by an Irishman.

  “Do you have plans to visit the stables again tomorrow?”

  Her smile slipped. “I know why you’re here.”

  “Why is that?” Had someone told her about the estate he wished to purchase?

  “My great-uncle said that under your guidance I’d be able to overcome my fear.”

  Even though Andrew had already surmised as much, it was a punch to the gut that his only worth, as far as Danby was concerned, was to help Lady Tabitha get back on a horse. “I have all the faith in the world that you will.”

  “Then you have much more faith than I.”

  Andrew reached out and took her hands in his. “You will ride again, Lady Tabitha. If I have it my way, you’ll even race.”

  “Race?”

  “Your brother told him how you hoped to one day participate in a lady’s competition.”

  Lady Tabitha chuckled. “I was young and perhaps a bit full of myself and my abilities.”

  Unexpected disappointment settled in his bones. “You no longer wish to race or take jumps?”

  Worry marred her lovely brow and Andrew wished to wipe it away.

  “I would, but what if I lose control? What if the horse bolts? What if…”

  He placed a finger to her lips. “I promise that one day, you will do all the things you wished before your horrible incident.”

  Lady Tabitha didn’t say anything but glanced up at him with a grateful smile.

  Andrew brushed a thumb across her silken cheek and silently vowed that he’d make certain that she accomplished each and every one of her goals.

  Her lips parted as her breath hitched. Perhaps he shouldn’t have touched her face, but Andrew hadn’t thought about his actions. Though he should give great consideration to what he wished to do next, he pushed those thoughts aside as he lowered his mouth to hers.

  Chapter 11

  Tabitha’s eyes fluttered closed as Straffan’s lips brushed against hers. So warm and firm, and all too brief because an instant later he pulled away.

  “I apologize,” he muttered, his face still close to hers.

  “For what?” She hoped it was because the kiss was too short, which it most definitely was.

  “I should not have taken such liberties.”

  Perhaps her mother or Danby might agree, but Tabitha certainly did not, so when he began to withdraw, she anchored her hands on his shoulders, went up on her toes and pressed her lips against his.

  It was bold and certainly not becoming of a lady, but that didn’t really matter to her at the moment.

  At first, he didn’t return the kiss. Perhaps she’d shocked him, but a moment later, Straffan’s arms wrapped around Tabitha’s waist as he pulled her close and deepened the kiss.

  Goodness, so this was what it was like to really be kissed by a gentleman. She nearly swooned as her head became light. Tabitha held onto him. Not so much to keep him c
lose, but to keep from falling.

  As his tongue touched hers, Tabitha attempted to return the action in the same manner, only to elicit a groan from Straffan.

  Her heart pounded and blood rushed through her veins and despite the falling snow, she was growing quite warm.

  “Tabitha, are you out here?”

  In a blink, Straffan withdrew, leaving her unsteady and uncertain if her legs would hold her upright. He placed a steadying hand at her elbow.

  “There you are,” her brother announced as he came near. “Mother grew quite worried when you didn’t return to the drawing room. She feared Danby had upset you.”

  “Upset me?” Tabitha couldn’t imagine why. Though, in hindsight, most people were upset following a meeting with His Grace.

  “Yes, all that nonsense of Mother negotiating a match between you and Lymington.”

  Straffan stiffened and completely withdrew from her person.

  “Thank goodness Danby is not in agreement,” she responded. “He has no intention of forcing me or any of our sisters to marry that…that…bore!”

  Peter laughed. “Nor would Benjamin allow it.” Then he glanced over to Straffan and back at Tabitha, a question in his eyes. “Why are the two of you out here?”

  “I came across Lady Tabitha catching snowflakes on her tongue,” Straffan answered.

  “You’re lucky you didn’t find her making snow angles as well,” Peter laughed.

  “I haven’t made angels since I was a girl,” she objected. For one, it wasn’t ladylike to do so, especially with so many men about.

  “Then I must be mistaken because I was certain I came across you doing that very thing last winter.”

  Heat scorched her face. She’d forgotten that she’d fallen in the show while walking with Sarah and decided that since she was already on the ground that she’d make a snow angel. “I’d forgotten,” she finally murmured, glancing away from Lord Straffan, praying he didn’t see her as a childish miss.

  “Well, I should get you inside before Mother has everyone looking for you.”