Rescued by the Viscount Read online

  ‘I should think not,’ Julia agreed instantly. ‘They are neither of them pleasant gentlemen. Mama would not invite either to one of her parties and I have been warned to have nothing to do with Lord Harding. He asked me to dance once, but I refused and he did not ask again.’

  ‘He introduced my brother to a gambling hell and poor Matt lost a considerable sum to him, but at least he learned his lesson. He will not gamble with him again.’

  ‘I do not see what gentlemen get from gambling large sums, for it causes so much misery and pain when they lose.’ Julia frowned. ‘One of Mama’s uncles got into debt that way and was nearly ruined. He only recovered when he married an heiress. I never gamble more than a guinea at loo and I do not really care for it at all. Mama will only play cards for points at her parties. I do not see why it is not always so. It is just as much fun to win merely for the pleasure of showing one’s skill—but of course, men do not see it that way. Jack gambles thousands, but then, he always wins.’

  ‘I thought perhaps he was not a gambler?’ Charlotte frowned over it, because he had told her that Matt would not get into trouble in his company.

  Julia laughed and shook her head. ‘He is not reckless but he plays for high stakes quite often and always wins. Oh, I suppose he must lose sometimes, but if he does he can afford it and he seems to win most of the time, at whatever he does.’

  ‘What do you mean?’

  Julia shrugged her shoulders and wrinkled her brow as she answered, ‘I’m not sure what I mean, except that if Jack sets out to get something or somebody, he always has his way. If he takes a bet that he’ll win a horse race he does, and he won a duel last year—and there was that girl, seemingly so beautiful and cold, and all the men wanted her, but she threw herself at Jack and he could have had her for the asking, but he didn’t want her.’

  ‘What happened to her?’

  ‘Oh, in the end she married an earl, but he was old enough to be her grandfather and he had bad breath...’ Julia hesitated, looking a little strange. ‘Someone said Mariette had to marry quickly because she was having a baby, but she only looked at Jack.’ Charlotte gasped and Julia shook her head. ‘No, I’m sure it was just a nasty rumour because she upset so many girls who were jealous of her success. Jack wouldn’t seduce an innocent girl. I know he wouldn’t.’

  ‘I’m sure he wouldn’t,’ Charlotte agreed, but she remembered the way she’d felt as they danced their first waltz and knew that she for one might surrender to the handsome viscount if he set out to seduce her. When a man’s touch could make you feel that way, how was it possible to remember your mama’s warnings?

  ‘I really am certain he wouldn’t. I don’t know why I told you—please do not hold it against him, Charlie. I think Jack likes you a lot and we all want him to settle down. He’s been on the town for ages and all the matchmaking mamas have tried to catch him, but he never gets caught. He has a mistress, I know, but it isn’t like having a wife, is it? He ought to have a settled home with a wife and children... He’s wonderful with children. I’ve seen him with cousins and the children of his friends.’

  ‘I dare say he will make up his mind when he’s ready.’

  ‘Yes, I expect so. Mama has hinted that we might suit, but Jack and I agree that we shouldn’t—and she is only thinking of the fortune that will be added to his own when the old marquis dies.’

  ‘Captain Delsey is the heir?’

  ‘Oh, yes, he’ll be the Marquis of Ellington one day. Did you not know?’

  ‘I knew he was a viscount, but I didn’t know he was the heir to another title and a fortune.’ Charlotte’s heart sank, for the charming captain was even less likely to be interested in a girl like her than she’d thought. ‘Is his father dead?’

  ‘Oh, years ago. There was a dreadful accident when Jack was seventeen. His father had been up north to their estates in Yorkshire and the carriage was crossing a mountain road when a wheel came off the carriage and it went over the side of a ravine. He was instantly killed, the coachman and groom, too. The servants following in the baggage coach several miles behind retrieved the bodies later and took them home.’

  ‘How tragic,’ Charlotte said. ‘What caused the wheel to come loose?’

  ‘No one has ever been sure, but they think that there may have been an obstacle in the road and the coachman pulled up sharp, which caused the carriage to lurch and then the broken wheel tipped the whole thing over the edge.’

  ‘That is so tragic,’ Charlotte said, her throat catching with pity. ‘Your cousin must have been devastated—to lose his father in such a way when he was still very young.’

  ‘Yes, I think it was a shock to him, though he is devoted to his grandfather—and they say—’ Julia broke off, shaking her head. ‘Well, I suppose you will not repeat this, but I’ve heard his father was a selfish man and not always to be relied on.’

  ‘Oh, I see,’ Charlotte nodded. ‘But Lady Delsey—she is still alive?’

  ‘Yes. She lives with the marquis most of the time— though she has her own house in Bath—but she is a little...well, silly is an unkind word, but she is delicate and faints if something distresses her...that kind of thing.’

  ‘Ah, I see.’ Charlotte smiled. ‘The fluttery kind of lady who needs looking after whenever a gentleman is around, but is perfectly capable when in the company of other ladies.’

  ‘Yes, exactly.’ Julia beamed at her. ‘I knew you and I would understand each other, Charlie. I think she plays on Jack, tries to make him feel sorry for her—and Mama says in truth she is as fit as you or me.’

  Charlotte laughed. ‘Mama has no patience with women of that kind, but I suppose they must need attention or they would not play up to their family in that manner.’

  ‘Well, I call it unfair,’ Julia said. ‘It is no wonder to me that Jack cannot contemplate marriage, for he must imagine that all ladies are likely to become prone to a fit of vapours in their later years.’

  ‘Oh, surely not?’ Charlotte laughed as Julia pouted at her. She had realised that her new friend was outspoken with strong opinions of her own, and though she might not agree with all of them she could understand Julia’s point of view. ‘We do not know what she may have suffered in the past—if her husband was inclined to be selfish...’

  ‘Indeed, I had not taken that into account, but I suppose it may be the reason that she clings to Jack so much.’

  ‘I dare say he may be fond of his mother and, if he is kind to her, as he should be, no doubt she finds comfort in his attentions.’

  ‘You are more considerate than I.’ Julia laughed and let the subject drop. ‘I wish I were going to this picnic with you on Friday.’

  ‘I do not see why you should not come along,’ Charlotte said. ‘Matt would be delighted to accompany you and you could take your own picnic and sit close to us so that we may talk.’

  ‘Yes, why not? Will you ask your brother for me—and if you could let Jack know...? I am not sure whether I shall see him before then...and I believe he is engaged to dine with you soon?’

  ‘He is dining with us tomorrow evening,’ Charlotte said. ‘I shall tell him that you wish to join our party and I’m sure he will speak to his cousin so that you may join us on the day.’

  ‘Yes, of course—that will be perfect.’

  * * *

  In complete accordance, the girls had walked on until they reached the house. When they entered, it was to find that several people had called and were taking tea in the drawing room with Lady Sybil and Sir Mordred Stevens. Seeing that Sir Percival was one of them, Charlotte went up to him, extending her hand and apologising that she was not at home to greet him.

  ‘No matter, I have but this minute arrived,’ he said and kissed her hand. ‘Your walk in the park has been enjoyable? You have a glow of the fresh air about you, Miss Stevens.’

  ‘Than
k you,’ Charlotte said and dimpled up at him. ‘It was very pleasant out. There were many others enjoying the afternoon. We met my brother and Captain Delsey.’

  ‘Ah, I wish I had known, I should have liked to stroll through the park with you, but perhaps you will permit me to take you for a drive tomorrow?’

  ‘That would be delightful,’ Charlotte said politely. ‘You are good to think of it, sir. Julia and I have been talking of the balloon ascension in Richmond on Friday, to which I am invited and she is determined to come.’

  ‘Ah, yes, I am committed to my sister and her friends for that,’ Sir Percival said and brightened. ‘We may see you there—it will be an opportunity for you to meet Lady Peters. I came today to deliver an invitation to her soirée next week, which your mama says will fit with her plans.’

  ‘Your sister is kind to invite us, sir.’

  ‘Henrietta is very fond of me, she always wishes to oblige me,’ Sir Percival said in a low voice meant for her ears alone.

  Charlotte could not mistake his meaning. She breathed deeply, keeping her expression of mild interest in place, but underneath her heart was jumping all over the place. Sir Percival was pleasant company and undeniably a presentable gentleman, being neither old nor overweight nor yet pompous, nor even the father of several hopeful children. If he were to come to the point and was prepared to ease the worst of Papa’s debts, she ought to take him for the sake of her family.

  The thought settled like a hard lump in her chest that became an ache as the ritual of tea progressed and Sir Percival’s attentions were marked. She could not have hoped for more when they first came to town, but now...now her heart had a mind of its own and all she could think of was a pair of challenging eyes and a mouth that made her long to feel it pressed close to hers.

  Oh, she was such a fool! The viscount might offer her his services, he might take her driving or on a picnic with his cousin, but he would never offer her marriage. If she set her heart on him, she would be doomed to disappointment.

  Charlotte knew her duty. Mama was relying on her to marry a gentleman of independent means who would be prepared to assist her father with his difficulties. She was being offered a chance and it would be foolish of her not to respond...even though the thought of wedding anyone but a certain viscount was a little painful.

  With a pang of regret, Charlotte realised that it was already too late. Somehow in the last couple of days she’d given her heart to a man who would never give her his in return.

  Chapter Five

  Jack spent a pleasant evening in the company of his friends, reserving the right to play piquet with his new protégé, after a lavish dinner of lobster soup, baked sea bass, braised kidneys in wine, capon, lamb cutlets and side dishes of peas, creamed potatoes and asparagus, followed by cheese tarts, apples and dates. All of it washed down with quantities of fine wine, the vintage brandy and cigars that kept them lingering, leaving everyone in a mellow mood.

  There were four others besides Matt and Jack in the company that evening, all of them close friends, and not one of them had complained when he suggested that they keep the stakes to a maximum of five guineas. Harry Brockley—known as Brock to his friends—had raised his brows, but seeing Jack’s warning look made no protest. He suggested that the winners of each individual game threw dice for it at the end of the evening, and the eventual winner should treat all the others to a day at Newmarket races with dinner at an inn on the way home.

  ‘Just to add a touch of spice to the game,’ he said, raising his right eyebrow. A murmur of agreement and shared laughter greeted his suggestion, and they split into three pairs.

  Quantities of wine were consumed during the evening and Jack noted with approval that Charlotte’s brother drank no more than was sensible, playing his cards with skill and some flair and eventually winning two of the five hands. Honours were almost even and Jack was the eventual winner of fifteen guineas, which his young friend had no hesitation in handing over. Phipps had won his games four to one and Harry the third pairing. They threw the dice for it and Phipps won, declaring good-naturedly that he would be delighted to arrange a trip to Newmarket for the big meeting the next month. An arrangement was made and the company dispersed, Phipps offering to share a cab with two others and Matt departing to walk across the square. Brock lingered for a last brandy with his friend.

  ‘Why the limits this evening? Been badly dipped at the races?’

  ‘It was for the benefit of my young neighbour. He has had rough treatment at Harding’s hand so I promised his sister I would see he came to no harm. Did it irk you to play for such paltry stakes? I will make it up to you another time, Brock.’

  ‘Damn you, Jack. I am not such a fool.’ Brock glared at him. ‘I’ll keep an eye out for him, a pleasant enough young fellow. If he was burned at Harding’s hand I dare say he has learned his lesson...’ His eyebrows arched. ‘But tell me more of the sister, if you please. What made you take an interest in the girl—or is it the whole family?’

  Seeing the mockery in the other’s eyes, Jack laughed. ‘Do not go marrying me off, Brock. I find the girl intriguing, that’s all.’

  Brock made a wry face. ‘Intriguing! That is worse than if you found her a diamond of the first water or an angel. Rather too serious for me, old fellow. Please do not join the rest of them in their headlong flight into matrimonial chains.’

  Jack frowned over his friend’s warning. Yet even if he had toyed with the idea of making an offer for Charlotte, it would be merely a marriage of convenience. He was determined never to give his heart to a woman, because he had seen the consequences of love and the pain it could cause. Jack’s father had met an early death and he believed the underlying reasons for that tragedy to be laid at a woman’s door. He looked intently at his friend, arching his right brow.

  ‘No hope of you making a match yet, then?’

  ‘None whatsoever.’ Brock was decisive. ‘However, I am curious to see this intriguing young lady—will you introduce me?’

  ‘Why not come to my sister’s picnic on Friday? Charlotte will be there and Matt, too, he told me, though not as my sister’s guest. He has been roped into bringing Julia.’

  ‘Ah, the irresistible force,’ Brock said and smiled. ‘I have felt that myself and it takes a man of steel to resist.’

  ‘Our wager still stands?’ Jack asked, a gleam in his eyes. Six months earlier they had made a wager that neither of them would be wed before Christmas and the loser would pay the other a fine of five thousand guineas.

  ‘Of course,’ Brock murmured silkily. ‘I believe I shall win after all.’

  Jack yawned, as if the subject bored him. ‘Do you have a home to go to, old fellow, or are you planning to sleep on my sofa?’

  ‘I think I shall visit my mistress,’ Brock said. ‘You keep early hours these days, Jack.’

  His gibe went wide, Jack merely grinning as his friend took his leave. However, although he was more than ready for his bed, he did not immediately retire, but sat nursing his brandy glass for half an hour or so before making a move.

  Brock seemed a confirmed bachelor, the only one of his friends who truly was not interested in marriage and content to go on as he had for the past ten years or more. Jack was no longer entirely sure of his own mind. Marriage might be bearable with the right companion, but he would hate to make a mistake and then be trapped, as his father had been, in a loveless marriage.

  Jack was fond of his mama, but knew that he would hate to be married to a woman who wept so easily and clung at every opportunity. His father had told him once that it was the worst mistake of his life.

  ‘She doesn’t deserve the treatment I hand out,’ he’d said when in his cups one evening, shortly before his death. ‘I married on the rebound and it was stupid. Lillian was so different. Her temper was like quicksilver and when she was angry...she was magnificent. I
fell in love with her the first time I saw her.’

  ‘Why didn’t you marry her, then?’

  ‘Because she wouldn’t have me,’ his father admitted. ‘Told me to my face that I was a selfish brute and she wouldn’t have me if I were the last man on earth. But she didn’t mean it...’ A sobbing laugh broke from him. ‘She loved me, Jack, and she had more passion in her little finger than your mother has in her whole body. I shouldn’t tell you such things...but don’t make my mistake. Never marry a milk-and-water miss—you’re too much like me. You need a woman that can match you, in bed and out of it.’

  ‘What did you do that made Lillian so angry?’

  ‘I ruined a man at cards. It wasn’t intentional, but he was drunk and kept throwing IOUs into the pot. How was I supposed to know that he was pledging money he didn’t have? He lost his estate to me that night—and then the poor fellow blew his brains out before I could speak to him. I would have let him keep, it Jack—but he didn’t wait for me to get in touch.’

  ‘Why did Lillian turn against you for that?’

  ‘Because her younger sister was engaged to marry the fellow and the foolish girl went into a decline...’

  ‘Ah, I see. So Lillian turned against you—and you married my mother.’

  ‘She was lovely, then, and her father gave her an excellent dowry—but I regretted it the minute my ring was on her finger. I never stopped loving Lillian and she always loved me. Though she married a marquis— he was a cousin of Lord Harding. Rockingham, his name was...Alistair Rockingham.’

  ‘How do you know she still loved you?’

  ‘We had an affair years later—just a brief one—and then she died, in a riding accident. I wasn’t told until days later, through an insertion in the newspapers. It broke my heart.’

  ‘And when was this?’

  ‘Just a few months ago.’

  The seventeen-year-old Jack had found it difficult to comprehend that the man who seemed to be advancing in years to him could still be so passionately in love with a woman he had lost at least eighteen years earlier. Although, it seemed that they had found each other again...