Page 2 of The Truth about the Viscount
Daniel looked into Lord Newforth’s eyes, gritting his teeth as shock poured into the Earl’s expression.
“I – I beg your pardon?”
“No,” Daniel repeated, a good deal more firmly this time. “No, Lord Newforth, I will not permit you to court my sister.”
Lord Newforth blinked furiously, then pushed one hand through his hair. Clearly, this had not been the answer he was expecting from Daniel but, in the last fortnight, Daniel had found out a good deal more about Lord Newforth and his character, and he certainly wasnotabout to let him court Isabella.
“I thought that we were well acquainted!” Lord Newforth flung up both hands as though he expected this to mean something to Daniel. “We have played cards together, have we not? Last evening, for example, we played for many an hour and–”
“And you owe me a great deal of money and instead, only gave me a vowel.” Daniel lifted an eyebrow and waited for Lord Newforth to say something in response to this, to perhaps confirm that he intended to pay the debt very soon but, instead, the man only ignored Daniel’s remark.
“You must know that my fervency regarding Isabella is genuine. In asking to court her, I have nothing on my mind but the intention to offer her my hand in marriage.” Lord Newforth began to frown now, his jaw tightening as Daniel looked away.“Is there some reason that you refuse to let me court her? It is most unusual for there to be such a direct answer.”
Daniel’s lip curled. This in itself was an impertinence, for Lord Newforth ought not to be asking Daniel such a question. This was a matter entirely between Daniel and his family and, thus, for Lord Newforth to demand such a thing was more than rude.Nor am I about to tell you the truth,Daniel thought to himself, sniffing and then lifting his chin.
“Lord Newforth, I have decided that my sister shall not even consider matrimony this Season.”
“Oh?” Lord Newforth’s eyes sharpened. “Why would a gentleman do such a thing?”
Anger shot through Daniel’s frame.
“Lord Newforth, it is not proper for you to ask me such a thing. Isabella is my sister and therefore, I have decided what is best for her, and I need not share my reasoning with you! All I am here to tell you is that your request to court her is not going to be accepted.”
“Then next Season?” Lord Newforth put both hands behind his back, a smile on his face that brought no light into his eyes. “You will let me court her next Season?”
All the more frustrated, Daniel shook his head.
“No, Lord Newforth. I will not.” The truth began to burn in his heart and threw itself up into his throat. “Lord Newforth, I have heard of, and now know of, your character and it is not one that would bring my sister any joy. In addition, I have been warned about your lack of consideration for others, your inclination towards gambling and, to be blunt, your desire to call upon ladies of the night with great frequency. That is not the sort of gentleman I would ever consider suitable for my sister.”
He watched as Lord Newforth’s chin began to lift, his eyes narrowing, a red flush beginning to spread up into his face.
“How dare you?” Lord Newforth took a step closer to Daniel, scarlet in his cheeks now. “There is more to my character than what you have stated!”
“But what I have said of you is true, all the same.” Unmoved, Daniel fought to keep his voice level, refusing to respond to Lord Newforth’s anger. “Now, if you will excuse me, Lord Newforth, this conversation is at an end.”
“No!” Lord Newforth shook one finger in Daniel’s face, his eyes like fire. “You cannot deny me!”
A little astonished at this statement, Daniel reared back, wondering if this was the first time that anyone had ever denied Lord Newforth something that he desired.
“I believe that I can,” he said, ringing the bell quickly so that the butler might open the door. “And I have. As I have said, Lord Newforth, it is time for you to take your leave. Good afternoon.”
What came as Lord Newforth’s answer was some furious breaths, a glaring of his eyes into Daniel’s, and a jaw which was gritted tight but, much to Daniel’s relief, he finally swung around and made his way to the now open door. The butler closed it quickly after him and Daniel, once more left alone, finally let himself slump down into a chair.
That was most unexpected.
Letting out a low whistle of surprise, Daniel blinked quickly, then rubbed one hand over his jaw. It was clear to him that he had made the right decision when it came to Lord Newforth’s intentions towards Isabella, and that was a great relief.
All Daniel could do now was pray that come the following Season, Lord Newforth would know not to try again, for Daniel had every intention of refusing him should he so much as glance in Isabella’s direction – and perhaps, next time, with even greater force than had been required today.
“You shall not have her,” he muttered aloud, as though Lord Newforth could hear him. “I promise you that, Newforth. You shall never succeed in your attempt to wed my sister.”
Chapter One
“And so we now come to the Season.”
Daniel grinned and took the glass of brandy from his friend Samuel, the Viscount of Milthorpe.
“We do indeed!”
