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P erry saw the startled look on Lady Dru’s face.

He had determined not to bring up the brief kiss between them, but after hearing Lady Huntsberry’s stern warning to him, he wanted to make certain that Lady Dru understood there was to be nothing romantic between them.

Being young and impressionable—and most likely having never been kissed—it was imperative that he make things clear between them.

“I was not going to mention it to you, my lord,” she said, quickly regaining her composure.

“And do not think I told my sister of the kiss. Lucy was merely being overly protective of me. She likes you quite a bit, otherwise, she would not have given you leave to escort me to Lord Tilsbury’s this afternoon. ”

“I should have apologized for kissing you yesterday, my lady,” he said. “I do not want you to think I was trying to take advantage of you.”

“Oh, no, my lord!” she exclaimed. “I never thought that. I may have never been kissed before, but I realized you hold no grand passion for me. You were merely being kind and asserting your support regarding whatever decision I make regarding my future. It was... a friendly kiss.” She chuckled.

“Believe me, I know exactly what a kiss between a man and a woman can consist of.”

He frowned. “But I thought you just said you had never experienced a kiss before.”

She laughed, that rich, deep, throaty laugh that sent a sizzle of desire through him.

“I have witnessed numerous kisses since I have arrived at Huntsworth. You have seen how affectionate my sister and brother-in-law are. Why, I have come across them kissing on the stair landing. In the drawing room. Out on the terrace. They are made for one another—and apparently, that means they enjoy kissing one another quite a bit.”

“I see,” he said, a little uncomfortable hearing about all that kissing.

“Well, I wanted to clear the air between us, my lady. I have no wish to court you, much less offer marriage to you. The kiss was a mistake on my part, but you read my intentions correctly. I merely wanted to show that I do encourage you to make your own decisions.” He hesitated.

“And I hope that we might actually become friends during your stay in Surrey.”

Perry saw the relief cross her face and for a moment, he was disappointed that Lady Dru did not share the same attraction to him as he did to her. Still, he knew he could put a muzzle on it and act as a gentleman in her presence.

“Do men and women form friendships between them?” she asked. “I have told you that I am not yet out in Polite Society, so I really have no way to gauge these matters.”

He couldn’t help but chuckle. “If you are not out, then neither am I. I have never attended a single Season.”

“Why not? I thought that is what all gentlemen did.”

“Usually, that is the case, but I am a bit diffident around others. I have always preferred books to people and was a studious sort with few friends. When I left university, I came straight home to Beauville. I had grand ideas of helping to run the estate.”

“Was your father ill? Is that why you wished to assist in managing Beauville?”

“No. The opposite. Father was not interested in anything having to do with his country seat.

Both my parents remained in town a majority of the year, leading very separate lives.

I am ashamed to admit this to you, but my father was a womanizer and gambler.

Since he showed no interest in the estate, I thought I could help Mr. Rankin, our steward, run it.

There were improvements both Rankin and I wanted to see occur, and I was hoping my father would cede a bit of his authority to me so that I might help Beauville thrive.

“Alas, it was not to be.”

Understanding dawned in her eyes. “That is why you went away to war. Usually, it is a second son who serves in the army. You felt stifled, however. Lacking in purpose.”

Again, he was impressed by her insight. “Yes, you read the situation correctly, my lady. Rankin is an excellent steward, and he really did not need my help. I felt cast aside. Adrift. Not knowing what I should do with my time. I talked it over with Lord Tilsbury, who befriended me once I came home from university. Though we only knew each other for a little over a year as adults, the viscount always showed great kindness to me.”

Perry glanced out the window, seeing they were past Alderton and fast approaching Tilsbury Manor.

“I confronted my father on one of his rare occasions at home, demanding that I receive more authority since Beauville would one day be mine, or I would do my duty to king and country and leave to fight Bonaparte. Britain had declared war the previous month, and I hoped I could be of service in the fight against the Little Corporal if I could not be of any use at Beauville.” He shrugged.

“Despite the fact my father cared little for Beauville, he was not willing to give an inch. I carried through with my plans and joined the army, thanks to Lord Tilsbury.”

“What role did Lord Tilsbury play?”

“I had but a small quarterly allowance and could never have purchased the commission necessary to become an officer. Lord Tilsbury forbade me from merely enlisting. Instead, he gave me the funds necessary to purchase my commission, telling me to consider it as a loan that I could repay once I came into my title.”

“I may not know much about you, my lord, but I can tell you are an honorable man. I know you served England well and that you repaid Lord Tilsbury the moment you returned home.”

“As a matter of fact, I did. Even before having seen him. I only arrived home late last week, and I intended to call upon Lord Tilsbury this week. Seeing him in church, I was delighted when he invited me—and you—to tea.”

Looking earnestly at her, Perry said, “I do hope we can be friends, Lady Dru. I am in sore need of one. Lord Tilsbury is my only friend in the neighborhood. I am afraid I had little in common with the other lads at school and am no longer in touch with any of my schoolmates.”

“I would be honored to become your friend, Lord Martindale. Lord Tilsbury’s, as well, if he will have me as one.”

“We will arrive soon,” he shared, and they both fell silent, until they pulled up in front of their destination.

The butler ushered them upstairs to the drawing room, where Lord Tilsbury greeted them warmly.

Taking Lady Dru’s hand, the viscount kissed it, telling her, “Thank you for coming to see an old man, Lady Drusilla.”

“You do not seem so old to me, my lord,” she responded. “Besides, with age comes wisdom. I hope to learn not only of you, but also things from you.”

The viscount beamed at her. “You are a delight, Lady Drusilla.”

“Please call me Lady Dru, my lord. My family and friends do so.”

Lord Tilsbury kissed her hand. “Then Lady Dru it shall be,” he promised.

Releasing her hand, Tilsbury turned to Perry. Instead of shaking hands, he clasped him by the shoulders, saying, “I am both happy and relieved you have come home, Martindale.”

Tilsbury pulled him close, clapping Perry on the back.

When the viscount released him, Perry saw tears had sprung in the old man’s eyes.

He doubted his own father would have embraced him, much less cried at his return from war.

Even his own mother had yet to write to him once she had informed Perry that he was the new Martindale.

Lord Tilsbury asked, “Shall we sit? The teacart should be here any moment.”

When it arrived, the viscount asked for Lady Dru to pour out for them, and she agreed to do so. The viscount talked about the neighborhood, including various residents in the local village.

“I see that you have given up wearing your regimental colors, Martindale,” Tilsbury said. “You looked quite gallant in them at church on Sunday.”

“I went to visit Mr. Billings last week to be fitted for a new wardrobe. I had nothing to wear when I returned except for my major’s uniform. Since I had sold my commission, it was time to dress again as a civilian.”

He saw Tilsbury’s brow furrow in confusion, but the viscount only said, “Mr. Billings has made up my clothes for years. You can always expect a quality fit from him.”

“I went on Monday to try on a few completed items. They fit well, and so I left his shop with them. I will receive other pieces over the next several weeks as he completes them.” He smoothed the coat’s fabric on his forearm. “Billings did a fine job, and I am glad to cast off my uniform for good.”

Perry neglected to mention he had done as planned and burned it.

“I have talked far too long,” Lord Tilsbury told them. “Let me hear about you, Lady Dru.”

“I am the youngest of three, my lord. My brother Con, Viscount Dyer, is the oldest and only son. He spends most of his time in town.”

“Is your brother wed?” the viscount asked.

“No, my lord. Con and our cousin Val both decided to remain bachelors until they came into their titles. My uncle Charles passed away last spring, so I assume that Val will attend the next Season with the idea of finding his duchess.” She glanced to Perry.

“You would like Val. He has never met a stranger and is the type who would give you the shirt off his back.”

She looked back to Lord Tilsbury. “You have met my sister Lucy, who is now Lady Huntsberry. She told me to convey to you her best wishes. She would like you to come to Huntsworth for tea—even dinner—sometime. I hope you will agree to do so, my lord.”

“I would be happy to accept an invitation to either. Or both,” the viscount said genially.

“I would like to get to know Lord Huntsberry. He came into his title at such a young age, and then he did not return to Surrey after he left for university. I am glad to see he wed your sister and will be in the neighborhood on a more regular basis. But what of you, my lady?”