Page 4 of The Viscount's Daring Cinderella
Lord Theodore Godwin, Viscount Bowden, had a smile fixed on his lips as he rode toward Bowden Park. He wondered who the chit was. The young lady who had carelessly discarded her dress to wade unabashed in the lake. Well, unabashed until she discovered he was watching. If looks had the power to kill, he would most certainly be dead. He chuckled. She was fiery, that one. The thought of the shift clinging to her wet body stirred his blood.
Theodore spurred his horse forward. He had just returned from another jaunt in Italy, and the weather had been fantastic. Now that he was back at Bowden House, he picked up his old habit of an early morning ride. He had not expected to see anyone, much less a lady, at this early hour. Usually, he would not encounter anyone except the odd villager here and there.
When he sat by the lake, he always felt blessed to behold its beauty. He was hopeful for his future yet rebellious against what was expected of him. The lake was his peaceful place, and he had not thought to share it with anyone. He was more keenly aware of nature when he was there. The aromas of nature were somehow intoxicating when its depths surrounded him. Hecould hear the birds chirping happily, and when he took the air in his nostrils, it always seemed so fresh.
The cool breeze caressed Theodore’s cheeks as he spurred his horse from a canter to a gallop. Even the quick dash was not enough to make him forget the young lady. How could he forget her? If he were asked to describe her in one word, it would be stunning.
She was exceptionally beautiful with blonde hair, a pert nose, full lips, and doe eyes that could not mask her innocence. Somehow, he sensed she was not prideful about her beauty, yet she exuded an air of confidence. When she turned over to float, he saw the outline of her firm breasts as the fabric was molded to her body. His cock had stirred, and he wondered what it would feel like if he could only just …
Theodore’s thoughts were disrupted because that was when she caught him. Truth be told, he was a bit embarrassed to be caught gawking like an untried lad. He should have remained behind the tree line, but he had felt mesmerized by her daring. He wanted to get a closer look.
It was not just her beauty. Beautiful ladies were a dime a dozen. She stimulated his curiosity with her boldness in swimming in the lake and challenging him without hesitation. Most of the ladies he met were nothing but polite and agreed with everything he said. It could be dreadfully boring. Others were downright disagreeable for no reason he could discern, but not this chit. She seemed a bit more interesting. He wondered what she would have done if he had refused to leave or, better yet, if he had stolen her clothes. Theodore grinned wickedly as he rode out from among the trees into the clearing.
Theodore was approaching Bowden Park, and as he rode closer, he could see that a carriage awaited him. When he moved closer, he was finally able to recognize the insignia.
Damn it to hell!What was his uncle, Lord Amos Merton, doing here?
His uncle could hardly know that he was back from his sojourn. It was impossible for the news to travel that fast. Theodore would not have to wait long to find out what he wanted. He dismounted, handed over his horse to the stable lad and walked to the main entrance. Theodore entered the house where his valet was waiting with a basin and towel for him to wash his hands. Afterward, he went directly to the drawing room, pushing the door open to find his uncle having a cup of tea. Merton had certainly made himself comfortable.
“Merton, it is kind of you to visit,” Theodore said politely.
It was anything but. Theodore had to keep up the farce because he did not want to alienate his uncle. He had spoken with more kindness than he felt. It was not that he disliked his uncle. He just found him irritating and interfering.
“Bowden, there you are. I was beginning to wonder if you had gone on another jaunt to Europe,” Merton quipped as he pinned Theodore with his gaze.
One would think his uncle had a dry sense of humor, but Theodore knew better. His uncle did not have a humorous bone in his body, dry or otherwise. Merton hid his barbs as he tried to be subtle and clever. He had failed. Miserably. Theodore would ignore the barb as he always did. He was usually happy and cheerful. Cheerfully irresponsible, some may say.
Theodore gazed at his uncle. “What brings you to Bowden?” He had to ask since Merton volunteered no information.
“I thought that since you abandoned your nieces, I should at least check upon them. After all, I amconcernedabout their wellbeing,” Merton responded matter-of-factly.
Here we go again, Theodore thought with frustration. How dare he imply Theodore was not concerned about his nieces’ welfare. Worse, he sensed the proverbial lecture aboutresponsibility coming. Theodore had heard it all before, and he was sure by now Merton knew that he was wasting his time. Theodore did not know why his uncle bothered at all. Perhaps he was mad because he gave Theodore the same lecture each time they met, although there was no change in Theodore’s attitude.
“I hardly abandoned them, Merton,” Theodore said politely. “All their needs are met, and they are well cared for here at Bowden Park.”
“So, you believe if they are housed and fed,thatis the extent of your duty. You are then free to traipse around Europe and live a life of debauchery. You should be ashamed of yourself,” Merton said with a hint of moral superiority.
“I am not doing anything out of the ordinary. I am doing exactly what any other young gentleman of my age is doing. Nothing more, nothing less,” Theodore replied firmly as he tried to hide his irritation.
Theodore would rather not have this conversation, not now or ever. He realized that he was famished as he had not had any sustenance before going for the ride. He poured himself a cup of tea and selected one of the pastries. He took a bite, chewed, and savored the taste before his uncle spoke again and ruined his appetite.
Merton huffed. “Your brother must be turning in his grave. Those children have lost both their father and their mother. Did you not promise your bother that you would care for them as if they were your own? Is this how you do it?” Merton demanded.
The mention of his brother, William, and the promise he made was like a punch in the gut. William was older than Theodore’s five and twenty, and he was the favored son. It was not just that he had been the firstborn; William was everything Theodore was not. William was responsible, caring, and considerate. When they were young, they constantly competed, or should Theodore say that he competed with William. Williamhad been the best at everything he tried and always came out on top. He married young and had a beautiful wife and two daughters.
Although Theodore had been a little jealous of William, he loved his brother unquestioningly. Somehow, William understood him. The good and the bad. William never judged him for any of his conduct. Theodore knew that he wanted to be a free agent from a very young age. He wanted to liberate himself from societal strictures and act outside them, and he had done just that. Being free to do as he pleased was entrenched in him, and he did not fight it but rather embraced all the pleasure.
William had made him promise that if anything should ever happen, Theodore was to take care of his nieces. He had felt compelled to agree because he was the closest relative and the most likely option. There were no other siblings. He did not particularly like children, but he remembered the look on William’s face when he had asked him. Back then, Theodore could not imagine his brother, who was so full of life, would be taken from him. Now, his nieces were in his charge, and he felt quite ill-prepared for the undertaking. Theodore had always thought that William’s burden was a lot to bear, although he, too, was the son of a nobleman.
Theodore could feel his temper rising. He was not totally without honor. “Did you come here to scold me, Merton?” he demanded.
His uncle sighed heavily. “I came here to check on the children. I was not expecting to see you. So, scold you, no. Remind you of your duty, absolutely.”
“The estate is well managed, and there is nothing that concerns me,” Theodore replied tersely.
Merton gave him a level gaze and persisted, “Your place ishere, Bowden. I am not opposed to a young gentleman havingsome distraction, but decadent parties cannot be your focus. You should be thinking about taking a wife.”
Did Merton say that he was not opposed? Theodore thought he must have misheard. He was way beyond needing his uncle’s approval or validation.
