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He could not help but chuckle to himself.

He was just being led to the drawing room when the Viscount himself came out, all smiles.

“Your Grace,” Lord Notley greeted earnestly. “It is an honor to have you here. I hope you will find today’s meeting satisfactory.”

Edwin nodded. “I can only hope.”

Considering the flash of dark brown hair he had just glimpsed, he was certain the meeting would be memorable, at the very least.

“Let me show you to the drawing room,” the Viscount offered as he led the way.

Edwin was not impressed by the Viscount’s enthusiasm. In fact, he was used to seeing men quiver in his presence, partly because of his title and partly because of his mysterious demeanor.

“I shall go and check on Stella. She’ll only be a moment, I promise,” the Viscount added as soon as they entered the drawing room, before scurrying out, leaving him all alone.

Instead of sitting down, however, Edwin took that moment to look around the room. He was there on a mission, after all.

The room, while rather small, was quaint and quite charming, and he could immediately tell that a woman of refined taste had decorated it. The ottoman and sofas were elegant and of matching colors, giving off a homely atmosphere.

He spotted a family portrait on the mantelpiece and moved closer to observe it.

There the family was. The father smiled politely, while the youngest daughter wore a deep frown. The second daughter, who was now his friend’s wife, wore a polite smile. The eldest daughter kept a stoic face, her plum-red lips pressed tightly together.

Edwin could not help but chuckle as he remembered the events of the last ball. How those tight lips had been open and inviting only for a moment in that passageway.

He then spotted a stack of books that were neatly arranged below the portrait, and he picked the top one. It was a romance novel.

He wondered briefly which daughter had been reading the book. He assumed it was the youngest sister, since the eldest one seemed too severe and serious to indulge in such.

Suddenly, he heard footsteps, and the next moment, the sisters entered the drawing room, their father hot on their heels.

The younger sister looked rather unhappy, her eyes trained on the floor, while the eldest wore a defiant look on her face. He was not quite certain if that was because of him.

Their eyes met for a moment before she promptly looked away.

“Your Grace, I apologize for the delay,” the Viscount said. He seemed even more flustered than he had been earlier, and he almost tripped over himself in a bid to step in front of him.“What refreshments would you like, Your Grace? I can have the butler serve whisky or…”

Edwin simply shook his head.

“Oh! Anything you want, Your Grace. Just name it and it shall be provided,” the Viscount insisted, eager to please.

His eyes suddenly widened as he spotted the book in Edwin’s hands.

“I apologize for this, Your Grace.” He scampered towards him. “If you would be so kind as to give me the book—I will ensure that these foolish books are banished from the house so Stella doesn’t corrupt herself with them. I can assure you, though, that Stella’s mind is still quite pristine and innocent.”

His rambling amused Edwin.

“That is too bad because I happen to enjoy ladies who read such books,” he said.

The Viscount’s mouth dropped open in surprise, and his eyes bulged as though he had choked on something. He was, however, quick to compose himself.

“Your Grace, I only meant that ladies who read are far wittier. And I am certain you will enjoy Stella’s wit, since she always has her nose buried in one book or the other,” he quickly said.

His reaction was simply priceless, and Edwin barely stopped himself from doubling over in laughter. He almost asked him why he had been lying earlier, but that would probably give the poor man a heart attack.

“Then I suppose you would not mind if I speak to the ladies alone?” he asked.

“Of course, of course,” the Viscount stammered. “But if there is anything you need, just tell me.”