A Very Merry Viscount

by Jane Charles

  Was Lady Tabitha with them?

  As the question formed in his mind, she turned and looked back at the castle as if searching for something or…someone. Was she looking for him?

  Her cheeks were already rosy from being outdoors, just liked they’d been when she dismounted Epona this morning, and he’d give anything to skate with her along the ice…

  No! He argued with himself. She was not for him and Danby would never approve, let alone consent.

  But when would Andrew get the opportunity to spend time with her again outside of the stables? Though, he had avoided her at breakfast by waiting to go in, and then he’d intentionally missed luncheon. Could he not remain a full day away from her? Did he really wish to?

  Of all the ill-advised decisions, and against his better judgment, Andrew found himself bundling up to head outside to join the others.

  As he neared the foyer, His Grace stepped into the corridor.

  “Ah, Straffan, join me.”

  Andrew was torn between putting the duke off to go after Lady Tabitha and finally meeting with His Grace. Not that there was much of a decision since one did not put off the Duke of Danby. He nodded and turned to follow His Grace into the study.

  “How goes it with Lady Tabitha? I understand you got her to ride this morning.”

  Andrew bristled. “You could have told me that was the reason you chose Christmas to discuss the purchase of the estate.”

  Danby narrowed his eyes with cool calculation. “Would you have agreed?”

  “If that is part of the price I need to pay to achieve your Irish holdings, then of course I would.”

  “I did not invite you here to get my great-niece on a horse again, it simply turned out to be an unexpected benefit.”

  This time Andrew narrowed his eyes. “Then why Christmas instead of any other time of the year?”

  “It worked best with my schedule.”

  “Yet, you required that I be here on the twenty-first but won’t have time to meet until after Christmas.” However, they were meeting at this very moment, weren’t they? “Why not discuss it now and be done with it.”

  Danby slowly smiled. “What you and I need to discuss will take much longer than I have today.” Danby walked toward the door. “However, I hope you continue to work with my great-niece so that she is prepared on the twenty-sixth.”

  Boxing Day? “Prepared for what?”

  “The hunt, of course.”

  Andrew blinked at him. “Lady Tabitha mentioned no hunt.”

  “It’s an annual tradition, though I’m certain she doesn’t expect to ride.”

  “Yet, you do?” Andrew questioned.

  “Of course!” Then Danby raised his cane and pointed it at Andrew’s chest. “And you will see that she does.”

  Ordered about again! Andrew would like to tell His Grace to go hang, but as his family had wanted that land for years, Andrew wasn’t about to ruin the possibility now. “Very well.”

  “Further, do not mention it to Tabitha. She’ll learn about it that morning.”

  Not only was he to get her ready for a hunt, but he had to keep it a secret as well? “Very good, Your Grace,” Andrew ground out as he marched past the Duke of Danby.

  Chapter 14

  Viscount Straffan had not been at luncheon, just as he had hadn’t appeared at breakfast. Certainly, he must need to eat more than the evening meal. Was he taking his meals in his chamber? As Tabitha walked toward the lake with her sisters and other guests, she glanced back at the castle, hoping to see him appear.

  Where was he? Was he avoiding her? Was he inside courting someone?

  The very idea was physically painful to contemplate. Tabitha had longed to meet Straffan last spring, but now that she was coming to know him, she wanted him all the more. Why couldn’t her great-uncle see that Tabitha and Straffan could be more than riding instructor and student?

  A moment later her pulse lurched as he stepped outside.

  “Isn’t that the gentleman Mother wants you to avoid?” Deborah asked.

  Straffan was walking directly toward them and it was all she could do to control her giddy excitement.

  “He is very handsome,” Sarah admired quietly as he drew near and Tabitha nudged her sister to hopefully quiet her.

  “Good afternoon, Ladies,” Straffan said as he stopped beside Tabitha.

  “Good afternoon, Lord Straffan,” Tabitha greeted. “Have you met my sisters, Ladies Deborah and Sarah?”

  “I’ve not had the pleasure,” he offered a slight bow.

  “It’s an honor, Lord Straffan,” Deborah murmured.

  “Mine as well,” Sarah added.

  “Do you skate, Lord Straffan, or is your interest limited to the equestrian?” Lady Tabitha asked with a teasing girn.

  “I’ve skated, Lady Tabitha,” he assured her. “However, I did not have the foresight to bring any blades.”

  “Not to worry. There are a number of pairs by the lake,” Lady Sarah offered. “One of the servants can help you find a pair.”

  Andrew raised an eyebrow and offered his arm to Tabitha. “Only if you agree to be my partner.”

  Her pulse skipped and she slipped her gloved hand into the crook of his arm. “I’d be delighted.” And so much more.

  “And I promise not to take you down with me if I land on my bum,” he assured her as he led her away from her sisters.

  Tabitha laughed. “And I promise not to do the same to you.”

  “Ah, but if you start to slip, I can easily keep you upright. I would not expect someone as delicate as you to do the same for me.”

  Goodness, she’d not been called delicate since she was a child. Nobody in her family considered her as such and it warmed her a bit that Straffan may view her as such. “I’m not so delicate,” she whispered as if making a confession.

  “Then I’ll expect you to hold me upright as well,” he teased with a wink. “But let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.”

  Thank God they were among dozens of people or Andrew might have given into the temptation to kiss Lady Tabitha again. She looked absolutely lovely in her dark green coat with white fur and dark curls framing her lovely face.

  The two chose blades and then settled onto a bench and strapped them on with the help of some of Danby’s servants. Once they were secured, Andrew stood and got his footing before assisting Lady Tabitha to her feet and then they made their way to the ice. There were already several people skating about, and a number of them falling. Andrew just prayed he wasn’t among them. It had been years since he’d skated and he didn’t want to make a fool of himself.

  As Lady Tabitha pushed off, he joined her and soon they were skating, side by side, evenly matched as if they’d partnered each several times before. It was a slow skate, very slow, almost as if they were strolling, but just because they were on blades did not mean they needed to hurry.

  “You never did tell me about your family,” Andrew said and glanced around. “How many are relations and how many are guests?”

  Lady Tabitha scanned the groups and pairs. “Out here, today, I’m related to probably seventy-percent either by blood or marriage.”

  Andrew blinked, though he shouldn’t be surprised. He and Patrick had poured over Debretts, and the Whitton relations extended for pages, all leading back to the Duke of Danby. In fact, if one was to consider the various titles connected to the duke, there was a good deal of power at this one castle.

  “What of your family? Do you have siblings?”

  I have a brother who sees ghosts, but Andrew would not tell her that. “I have a younger brother, Patrick, who is married and three younger sisters, Brianna, Caitlin and Rowena.”

  “Do they come to London?” Lady Tabitha asked excitedly.

  “Brianna and Caitlin have enjoyed a few Seasons, but Rowena has not as of yet, though I suspect Mother and Father will bring them to London in the spring.”

  “I do hope I get to meet them.”

  It was unlikely, unless
they happened to attend the same functions. As Lady Tabitha hadn’t met them yet, Andrew doubted she ever would. Being the great-niece of the Duke of Danby opened many doors. Few of the same were opened to the Irish, even those with titles.

  The familiar ache that Lady Tabitha would never be his began deep in Andrew’s belly. He’d like nothing better than to take her home, to Ireland, and introduce her to his family. But, as it was not to be, Andrew wouldn’t spend any more thought of what couldn’t be and instead enjoy what time he had at Danby Castle with Lady Tabitha.

  Chapter 15

  Lord Straffan had wanted to skate with her, and nobody else, almost as if they were a couple. Oh, if only it could be so.

  In an instant, Tabitha was jerked from her hopeful thoughts as something struck her squarely in the back and she nearly lost her footing. Straffan stiffened and turned just as she did.

  At the edge of the pond Tabitha spied a grinning Sarah, who held a snowball in her hand and was ready to take aim.

  “Don’t you dare,” Tabitha yelled in warning as she pulled her body tight and lowered her head. “You’d better duck. Sarah can throw far and with deadly accuracy.”

  “Is your sister about to start a snowball fight?” he asked in disbelief.

  “Someone usually does,” Tabitha explained, surprised that she hadn’t anticipated this turn of events with so many of her younger cousins outside enjoying the day.

  A moment later snowballs began to fly and several of the girls let out squeals. Those who were skating quickly moved to the shore so that they were not targets out on the ice. “We’d best find cover, or at least begin fashioning snowballs.” Straffan laughed and put himself between Tabitha and the throwers as he pulled her to the edge of the pond.

  The two of them fell onto a bench and kept their heads low as they quickly unstrapped their skates.

  Right before he was about to stand, Straffan gathered a handful of snow and began molding it in to a ball and Tabitha did the same.

  “Head to the tree line for cover,” his tone hushed as he glanced behind them.

  Tabitha eyed the distance. It wasn’t so far, but they’d be left open and in the line of fire as they ran.

  “Are ye ready, lass?” Delight twinkled in his blue eyes.

  “Yes!”

  An instant later Straffan grabbed her gloved hand and the two of them took off running for the trees. As one of the assailant’s took aim at them, Straffan threw his ball, catching her younger cousin in the chest. Tabitha quickly handed him hers. Though she’d thrown a number of snowballs in her life, she didn’t have near the distance or accuracy as Straffan or her sister.

  He turned and aimed at a second attacker, hitting his mark as the two of them continued to run, Straffan’s hand never let go of hers even though they were pelted with snowballs until they found a break in the tall bushes and safety beneath an ancient tree.

  Laughing, Tabitha collapsed against the oak. She hadn’t felt this invigorated in quite some time. Straffan braced his hand against the tree, right above her head, laughing as well as they both tried to catch their breath.

  “Do we engage in war?” Tabitha asked.

  Straffan stared down at her, his smile softening. “I have a better idea.” Then he placed his lips against hers.

  Tabitha nearly sighed as her blood heated.

  “This is unwise,” he said, breaking away.

  It wasn’t as if anyone could see them, and she did have so little time with Straffan before he’d be gone again. “I don’t care,” she muttered before pulling his head back down to hers. Oh, she was far too bold for a miss, but Tabitha didn’t care.

  “You are a temptation, Lady Tabitha. One that I’m not allowed to indulge in.”

  “It’s only a kiss,” she insisted.

  “Which could lead to more kisses.”

  “But I enjoy them.”

  “Aye, as do I,” he nearly groaned.

  “Then kiss me.”

  He stared down at her, his blue eyes darkening. “Normally. I make wise decisions, but with ye, lass…” He didn’t finish his sentence and instead placed his lips against hers again and this time he also wrapped his arms about her, pulling Tabitha close. She clung to his shoulders as Straffan deepened the kiss, warming her inside and out. Goodness, this was even better than before. Did kisses get better each time? And he didn’t stop, kissing her deeper as if he couldn’t get enough. Tabitha grew nearly as breathless as she’d been after running. Behind them, the shouts, cries and laughter of the snowball fight all but faded away.

  “Tabitha! What are you doing?”

  Andrew jerked away from Lady Tabitha and turned to find her sister, Lady Deborah, staring at them, eyes wide with shock. She was covered in snow as if she hadn’t escaped the battle soon enough.

  Bloody hell! This put Andrew in one hell of a position. How long had she been standing there? What had she seen? Andrew had shut out the world when he kissed Lady Tabitha a second time and continued to indulge himself, wishing that he could have so much more—a lifetime.

  “You aren’t going to tell Uncle Danby, are you?” Lady Tabitha asked in panic. “Or worse, Mother?”

  “That depends.” Lady Deborah’s lips quirked in amusement.

  His gut tightened.

  “Exactly what are your intentions toward my sister?” Her tone was casual but Lady Deborah’s eyes held warning

  Blast! He’d know how to answer if it was Peter Storm standing there, but he wasn’t certain how to deal a younger sister. At least not in this circumstance. It’s not like she were likely to call him out.

  “No intentions,” Lady Tabitha insisted.

  “None?” Lady Deborah pulled back in shock.

  “Danby would be quite cross if he learned,” Lady Tabitha insisted. “We don’t want His Grace disturbed so close to Christmas, do we?”

  Lady Deborah snorted.

  Cross was an understatement. If Danby learned that he’d taken such liberties, Andrew would be lucky not to end up gelded like poor Solomon.

  “I kissed Viscount Straffan. I pulled his head down and made him kiss me.”

  Lady Deborah crossed her arms over her chest and stared at Lady Tabitha, calculation in her eyes. Oh, he knew that look well, as he’d seen it in his own sister’s eyes and it never bode well for the person on the receiving end.

  “What do you want?” Lady Tabitha demanded.

  “Oh, I don’t know…”

  “Deborah,” she warned.

  “I’m thinking,” Lady Deborah snapped. “It’s not like you’ve ever stepped out of line before. I might not get another chance to obtain something I want from you.”

  Apparently Lady Deborah didn’t know that Lady Tabitha made a habit of sneaking away during the morning hours.

  “Anything! You can have anything you want, just don’t tell anyone that you caught me kissing Lord Straffan.”

  Lady Deborah snorted. “I’m quite certain he was kissing you back.”

  It wasn’t like Andrew to get embarrassed about anything, yet his face was heating.

  “I’ve got it!” Lady Deborah announce. “Your pin money for the next three months.”

  “Three months?” Lady Tabitha cried.

  “There is a series of books I wish to purchase and I’ll be able to do so much sooner now.”

  Lady Tabitha gaped at her.

  “It’s either that or I find Peter.”

  Did Lady Tabitha just growl? Her eyes were narrowed on her younger sister as if she’d like to do bodily harm. Again, he’d seen the same looks from his sisters and decided it must be quite normal among siblings.

  “I’d be happy to contribute,” Andrew found himself offering.

  “Oh, no, we couldn’t have that.” Lady Deborah slowly began to smile, still looking at her sister. “It wouldn’t be right to accept anything from a gentleman one was not betrothed too, would it, Tabitha?”

  “No, of course not,” Lady Tabitha bit out.

  “Then we have a deal
?” Lady Deborah struck her hand out.

  “Yes.” Lady Tabitha ground out then shook her sister’s hand. “You won’t say a word?”

  “Cross my heart.” She grinned. “Though, I do think we should return inside, don’t you.” Lady Deborah pulled Lady Tabitha to her side and linked their arms then glanced back at Andrew. “Do have a lovely day.”

  After returning inside, Andrew had gone straight to his chamber where he remained for the night. He had no right to kiss Lady Tabitha as he had. She was not for him, as he well knew, and would be forever grateful that her sister hadn’t breathed a word. Had she, either Storm or Danby would have come to him last night.

  However, as much as he might have enjoyed being in Lady Tabitha’s arms and kissing her in a manner better reserved for an intimate relationship, he’d not kiss her again.

  As sleep eluded him most of the night, Andrew rose with the sun and dressed to venture to the stables. However, he hadn’t expected Lady Tabitha to arrive shortly after he had.

  And when Solomon was brought out, Lady Tabitha nearly lost all color when she realized she’d be upon Solomon alone.

  “Are you ready?” he asked quietly.

  “Would it matter if I wasn’t?” Her green eyes were wide and her breath was shallow. Perhaps it was too soon.

  “We can wait a day,” he offered.

  “I don’t believe that will make a difference.” She gulped.

  “Ye’ll do fine,” he leaned in and whispered. “I’ll not let anythin’ happen to ye. ’Tis my word I give.”

  “That’s what you said yesterday,” she reminded him.