Page 5 of The Viscount's Daring Cinderella
Theodore sighed heavily, scrubbing a hand over his face. “I do not wish to wed.”
Merton’s gaze bored into him, and he waved a hand in dismissal. “What nonsense! It would be best if you had an heir. Who will inherit the estate if you do not wed, and you were to unfortunately die.”
His uncle had legitimate concerns, but this would not sway Theodore. His nieces would not inherit, and he supposed the law was such because if ladies inherited an estate, the family name associated with the land and house would die, being replaced by her husband’s. The aristocrats could not countenance losing it all because their daughter married a stranger.
Regardless, Theodore was not inclined to change his mind. He had been the spare to a viscountcy all his life, and he hated the restrictions imposed on his elder brother as he was groomed to be the heir. Tragically, William’s life ended too soon, and though his brother seemed happy with his domesticity, he never got to truly live.
Being the heir had never appealed to Theodore, and he did not want the burden that came with a title. Now that he had it, he would damn well still live as how he pleased. Theodore needed to say something to appease his uncle and end this undesirable conversation. “You will be pleased to know I will attend the social events this season,” Theodore said.
The corner of his uncle’s lips lifted into a smile. “Bloody marvelous!”
Theodore gazed into Merton’s eyes. “I will not commit further.”
“Who knows? You may meet a young lady worthy of your attention,” Merton said with a smile, nodding his approval.
Theodore’s mind was instantly filled with images of the young lady he met earlier. He was certain she was a lady because of how she spoke and her self-possession. She was certainly worthy of his attention. Just not in the way that his uncle imagined. Theodore wondered if she frequented the lake. It was likely because she looked comfortable there and did not seem concerned about anyone approaching her. He smiled, that curious sensation thumping through his chest once more.
“I am rather undecided if I should appreciate your smile. It seems rather … devilish.”
“It was not meant for you,” Theodore said coolly. “If you will excuse me, Uncle, I have some matters that need my urgent attention.”
He stood and walked away, almost bemused by the anticipation filling his chest. There was no reason for her to enjoy the lake alone now, was there?
CHAPTER 3
Chalfont House, Buckinghamshire
Beryl was relieved that her cousins were still abed. She quickly ascended the stairs to her bedchamber, where one of the maids assisted her in changing.
“Thank you, Mary,” she said, smiling at the young girl. “You may go now, quickly.”
She knew her cousins would berate the kind maid should they ever discover that at times she assisted Beryl. Mary nodded and scampered from the bedchamber. Beryl proceeded to the dining room, where she enjoyed breakfast. She was alone with her meal and thoughts, which kept wandering back to the handsome rogue.
Beryl was breaking the rules again. She could hear her governess, Miss Marsh, telling her,pride yourself in modesty.You cannot be too circumspect in matters of love and marriage and remember that whereas the character of a young lady is considered angelic, any blemish to it would withdraw the respect men have for you.
She had taken an unnecessary risk by swimming in the lake. If her cousins had been discovered in the rogue’s presence in that state of undress … Beryl did not want to think about the potential disaster. Her reputation would be in tatters because her cousins would have seen to it. They were malicious and spiteful, and they would not have been able to resist.
The rogue was dashing and he knew it. Overly arrogant and confident. Beryl’s skin tingled and she had a premonition … he was dangerous.
Danger, as in stay away, Beryl.
She would probably ignore her own advice. She wanted to drive him from her thoughts, but she was curious at the same time. There was not much to break up the monotony and despair of her existence. She was upset that he had seen her barely clad and that he did not walk away. He watched her, but for how long? When their gazes had clashed, she felt the heat on her cheeks, and she was sure they were stained bright red. Perhaps she would have gotten to know him if he was not a rake and had they met under different circumstances.
Beryl sighed heavily when she thought of her circumstances. It weighed on her because she could not escape them. As if on cue, her cousins entered the dining room. Lady Edith Ellsworth, Estelle, and Grace. Estelle and Grace were both thin and pale. Neither of her cousins was a great beauty but they were attractive. Grace was the elder sister, and Beryl thought she was particularly spiteful. Beryl had been nothing but kind to them. They told her she would be a companion, but sometimes, she felt like little more than a servant. She had no control over her life and detested the feeling.
How different things could have been if she’d had her season. She was sure she would have received offers, and by now, she would have been married and running her own household.
“You look a bit worse for wear this morning, Beryl,” Grace announced as they all took their seats around the dining table.
“I am feeling quite fine, Grace,” Beryl replied quietly, wondering what would come next.
“I was not commenting on how you feel but rather on how you look,” Grace replied with condescension.
Beryl determinedly kept her hurt and frustration hidden inside. Lady Ellsworth and Estelle stared on, yet neither said a word. They could be equally as rude and patronizing as Grace. Beryl did not think she looked any different from any other day. She knew the source of some of their discontent. They were jealous of her because of her beauty. There was no doubt that when they compared themselves to her, they felt that they had fallen short. Her cousins appreciated physical beauty much more than Beryl did. She was not overly concerned with outer beauty because being kind and compassionate was much more important. It was not that Estelle and Grace were unattractive; they could even be described as remarkably pretty, but envy and spite had made them ugly.
“Perhaps it is her threadbare clothes,” Estelle replied as she gave Beryl a dismissive glance.
Beryl’s clothes were hardly threadbare. Although they were not the latest fashion, she ensured they were maintained as best she could.
