Page 19 of The Viscount's Seduction
Chapter 6
Bakeley seta quick pace away from the Shaldon townhouse.
“You are frowning most prodigiously,” Perry said as they trod the several streets to Lady Sirena’s lodgings. A rare sun had come out in force, and Perry had insisted they both needed a brisk jaunt in the fresh air. “Are you not glad I tore you away from Father? He was most displeased I insisted you accompany me instead of a footman. That should make you happy.”
A muscle in his jaw ticked. Father, as it turned out, had decided this morning to stay at home, preventing a search of his private study. For the first time in months, Father had wanted to discuss some aspect of the estate operations, not to obtain Bakeley’s opinion but to inform him of the instructions he’d already issued to their land steward.
It was all a ruse, of course, just like most of Shaldon’s other doings. Staying a step ahead of him was difficult.
He should have gone ahead with a move into the house he’d quietly taken when Father had returned, but the man’s ill health—or alleged ill health—had kept him tied to the family’s grand London townhouse.
Perry nudged his arm. “Bakeley. Do you not appreciate your liberation this day?”
“Yes, Perry.” He patted her hand. “You were very clever. And naughty, telling Father we were visiting the book shop.”
“Oh, we will, after we visit Lady Jane and Lady Sirena.” A smug smile played on her lips. His little sister was finally coming out of the shell she’d entered when Mother had died. He’d never thought to say it, but he was glad to see the mischievous girl reappearing. A beauty she might never be, with her square jaw and Everly nose, but hers was a kind face, and her children would appreciate it even if her husband—whoever Father picked for her—didn’t.
“I’ve done something else Father will not approve.”
“What? You’ve sneaked off to a gaming hell? You’ve published a scientific article anonymously? You’ve—”
“No, Bakeley. I’ve invited Lady Arbrough to our musicale.”
No. He stiffened. He had ordered a bouquet delivered that day, along with a note of apology.
“I...I thought you would be happy, since you and she are—”
“You are not supposed to know anything about that.” He squelched the urge to chastise more. “But it’s fine. You’ve invited all the fashionable world. It would have been odd to leave her out.”
“Good. Thank you. Father and Charley argued about it, but Charley said the same thing, that it would be noticed if I left her out.”
His brother was up to mischief.
“Did Charley also suggest you invite Lady Jane?”
A smile lit her face. “That was my own idea. I thought Lady Jane’s presence would be good for Father.”
“Matchmaking are you?”
Her laugh was merry. “He was terribly rude to both ladies, don’t you think? He won’t be so again to Lady Jane, but we must look after Lady Sirena.”
“I’ll let you look after her.”
“Oh. Yes, I forgot. Lady Arbrough.” She inhaled sharply. “And Lord Denholm’s daughter.” She waved a hand dismissively. “Pah. When you marry, she’ll have to get used to you having a mistress.”
“Lady Perpetua.”
“This is not my first season, Bakeley. I understand how marriage in our class usually works.”
She had steadfastly turned down at least one offer each year from bounders who were after her dowry. His sister was holding out for a love match, and good luck to her with that.
“You must beget the heir. And of course you won’t flaunt a mistress in front of your wife. But Denholm’s daughter hasn’t even met you and I’ll warrant she’s too innocent to know of your arrangement. I’ll have to think on this, but in the meantime we’ve diverted from what we were discussing, which was protecting Lady Sirena from Father, who’ll no doubt be horribly rude to her. I’ll be too busy to look after her. Perhaps I’ll leave her to Charley.”
Not Charley. “You’ve persuaded me. I’ll make the sacrifice and protect Lady Sirena from Father.” It would allow him to dodge both Lady Arbrough and Denholm’s daughter.
’Twas the Hackwellsconveying Sirena and Lady Jane to Shaldon House the night of the musicale. Sirena followed the other ladies out of the town coach aided by the handsome Lord Hackwell himself. His military background had apparently not soured him on all things Irish. He’d been quite kind to her.
She’d made a half-hearted attempt to decline this invitation and allow Lady Jane to go alone, pleading a headache she really felt, and then she’d chastised herself for her cowardice. Soldiers carried on, notwithstanding an ache in the head, and so must she.
