Page 10 of Avoiding the Merry Viscount
The sooner they got the whole holiday behind them, the better. His contented bachelor life could return to normal. Well, perhaps it wasn’t always a life of contentment, as it had its lonely moments, but a life of merriment was far better than the devastation that came from allowing one to succumb to the misery of love.
*
The next day,Diana was busy ordering them all about the house. Elias knew to pick his battles with his sister. He typically maintained the upper hand as an older brother and lord were rife to do, but there were times when it was in all of their best interest to take orders, and this was one of them.
Matt, Hudson, and Hannah had arrived the previous day as planned, which made for an entertaining dinner with all the banter and jabs at each other. He wasn’t certain he’d seen his father laugh as hard or smile as much as he’d done in his place at the head of the table of chaos. It warmed Elias’s heart to see more of the man his father used to be returned to them. He hoped that man would stay.
“Elias, there are carriages arriving,” Diana called, pulling him from his thoughts. “We must line up to greet them.”
They all donned their coats, and then Elias escorted Jenny and Grace on each arm, while their father escorted Diana to await the carriages.
“Your cravat doesn’t look mussed,” Grace said, giving him an approving smile.
He bit back his laughter, and they took their places.
They greeted their first guests, Lord Duncan and his mother. Diana sent them along with Miller to be shown to their chambers.
Another carriage wheeled up behind that one, and Elias did a double take, and then groaned when he saw who was being handed down. His father eyed him curiously, and Elias shook his head, willing his father not to call attention to his reaction.
Lady Billings caught his gaze as she made her way to where the family waited. Diana stepped forward, making the necessary introductions to everyone in the family.
“I believe we are already acquainted, my lord,” Lady Billings said in a not-so-subtle way to Elias after Diana introduced them.
“Indeed. I hope you have been well, my lady,” Elias replied, not lacking sincerity. He hoped the lady had been well. He would just have preferred not to be trapped in his family’s home with her for a sennight.
Miller had returned and went to escort the widow to her chamber.
“Brother,” Diana sighed, once Lady Billings was inside.
“Don’t start, Diana.” They didn’t need to discuss such matters infront of their younger sisters. Hell, not with Diana either. “Why did you invite the woman, anyway? I’m not aware that the two of you are friends?”
Diana folded her arms across her chest. “She was kind to me during the season, and I thought she might make for pleasant company.”
“I’m certain her kindness toward you was well intentioned,” Elias said, not bothering to hide the sarcasm and disdain in his tone.
He glanced to his father for support and found the man’s eyes crinkled at the edges where he fought his laughter.
“Father,” Elias ground out.
“Come on, son. It’s indeed quite funny.”
He couldn’t disagree more.
“Perhaps you should have warned me,” Diana said, looking toward the other carriage making its way to their home.
“Perhaps you should have run your guest list by me,” Elias challenged.
“Do we even want to know?” Jenny asked, watching them all with amusement.
Grace chimed in next. “Isn’t it obvious, sister?” she asked, raising her chin as if she were a haughty debutante on the Marriage Mart. “The lady takes issue with our brother’s cravats. Yours still looks perfect, brother. Pay the lady no heed.” She paused as if she were contemplating something, then started again. “I don’t think I like her at all.”
They all fought their laughter, even Elias, as the next carriage arrived.
An older gentleman stepped out of the carriage, then turned to hand down a woman of similar age, although still quite pretty. Elias assumed the woman was his wife, as he hadn’t met them before. The man reached back up toward the carriage opening and handed down another lady.
Something struck Elias when he saw her, causing him to steadyhimself. She had dark brown hair that he would have almost thought was black if he hadn’t seen her in the daylight. Her skin was a creamy alabaster shade, and her perfect heart-shaped face was made even more beautiful with her light eyes. He couldn’t quite tell the shade from where she stood, but just that they were a light color, which contrasted perfectly with her dark hair. She carried herself with a confidence that intrigued him, since she didn’t appear to be much older than Diana.
His father cleared his throat, and Elias glanced at him to find him smirking.
