Page 2 of The Viscount and the Wallflower (The Unlikely Betrothal Series #4)

Chapter 2

Norfolk, England - September 1813

“ Y ou will leave the party betrothed to Lord Knox.”

Her father’s words had played in Lily’s mind over and over since she arrived at the house party hosted by Viscount and Viscountess Ockham. Her father was quite clear in his intention to see her wed to the man, and he knew there was a slim chance that she could refuse. It wasn’t a request or a suggestion. It was a command. Lord Knox apparently expressed interest in her after a conversation with her father, and if he wished to marry her, it appeared her father would have the contracts ready.

House parties were known for sparking proposals, but typically from passionate couples, taking advantage of the opportunity to give in to their desires while being in close proximity for a fortnight. Or more accurately, being caught in the attempt to do so.

Lord and Lady Ockham had invited around thirty guests to their party, so the house was sure to be lively. Lily wasn’t certain if she would find herself announcing a betrothal, but given how her father already put it around town that she was being courted by the earl, it was another nail in her coffin, so to speak.

She wouldn’t meet Lord Knox until she joined the other guests for dinner. She hadn’t met him during the season because he rarely frequented ton events. Lily supposed that was a point in the man’s favor.

When her father told her she must marry Lord Knox, she wondered what her father might have promised the man. She’d never even seen him, nor did she know anything about his character.

The man didn’t even come to meet her when he discussed the matter with her father at his club. Would it have taken that much time to at least call on her and meet her in person? Her father said he was only in town for a couple of days, so the courtship would wait until the house party.

Lord Knox was an earl, which would at least equal her father’s rank. She had heard neither concerning nor good about him as the man didn’t spend much time out in society. Which was a point in his favor, but it meant she had nothing to go on. Rosina hadn’t even met him to have a measure of what kind of man he was.

It wouldn’t matter if she wished to marry the man or not. If he asked, her father would accept on her behalf. He already said as much. That was another point in the earl’s favor, that he didn’t just make the arrangement with her father and the matter of business settled without meeting her. Her father agreed to her request to attend the party with her maid and Rosina as chaperone, with the understanding that the man would court her while there.

Lily had agreed to what she must in order to attend, but she hadn’t actually been certain whether she would entertain the notion of a courtship with the earl or not. Although there was still the chance that once he met her and realized she wasn’t a darling of the ton that he would lose interest, and her problem would go away. Then she could go on about her business and enjoy the house party.

Although, what if he was a total beast? She wasn’t shallow enough to expect him to make her heart stop when she met him, but she wondered what he might look like. What if he had a horrible personality or was the type of man who would be cruel to his wife? She wasn’t certain any of those things would sway her father from the match, which was the sad state of things for women in society .

She sighed at the notion, hating to admit that she was more nervous than she expected to meet him. Glancing at the clock on the mantel, it was almost six, and her hostess wanted everyone downstairs at six sharp. She knew enough about the fierce Lady Ockham to know she didn’t wish to be on the woman’s bad side.

Lily departed her chamber and made her way downstairs and joined the guests who had already gathered. She found Rosina and joined her side.

“Have you figured out which one he is yet?” Lily asked.

“Not yet, but once our hosts greet us, we shall ask for an introduction.”

A handsome man strode into the room, and Lily couldn’t help but take notice. She hadn’t looked twice at most of the gentlemen during the season because their pompous, arrogant attitudes made them wholly unattractive, whereas the other debutantes only waved their fans faster in their presence.

Although, a fan might have been helpful at present to cool flushed cheeks. Perhaps the fans made more sense after her reaction to whoever the gentleman was. He had dark, chestnut hair that was a bit longer than was acceptable for gentlemen. Almost rakish in his looks, but he didn’t carry himself like a rake. She couldn’t see his eyes, much to her disappointment, but she took notice of how finely his clothing was cut to fit his taut form. His shoulders were broad and, for the first time in her life, she noticed a man’s thighs. How had she not looked there before? Because on that man, they were beyond enticing.

It wasn’t just this man’s looks, which were indeed quite attractive, but there was something else about him. She couldn’t quite place her finger on it, but she found him intriguing. What if he could be Lord Knox? That would just be too perfect. A girl had seen a boy across the crowded room and the boy turned out to be the very one supposed to be courting her. Sounded just like something Stormy Wells would write, only he would add a bit more flair.

“Rosina, do you know who that is? Perhaps it’s Lord Knox.”

Rosina looked at the man and frowned. “Sorry, but I know that gentleman. That’s Viscount Callan.”

Lily should have known better to think things would work out in such a fantastical way. If a play were to be made about that encounter, it would be a tragedy. One where her character was the ironic, witty spinster, and the handsome gentleman married some other young lady who batted her lashes and drove him to distraction. The story wrote itself.

Besides, why would a handsome man like him need to arrange a courtship through her father instead of attending the season and selecting a bride for himself? A troubling thought crossed her mind.

“Has he been one of your…engagements?” Lily asked. It would be quite awkward if she had contemplated a man that her friend had bedded.

“No, he’s not my type.”

Lily laughed. “Handsome and titled isn’t your type? I beg to differ.”

Rosina nudged her friend. “My type is men who don’t wish to marry. And I haven’t heard him declare as much.”

“So he is seeking a wife?” Lily wasn’t certain why she was asking, but she couldn’t stop herself.

“I suppose I don’t know, actually.” Rosina smirked at her. “Are you trying to suggest him for me?”

“No, not at all,” Lily said, much faster and more intently than she should have.

Rosina arched her brows and patted Lily’s arm. “I see. This might be an interesting party, indeed.”

“It’s not that. Oh, never mind.” Lily huffed. Perhaps it was that. Not that it mattered. With the viscount’s obviously handsome masculine features, he would be the type to chase after Rosina or one of the other ladies, but not her. The sooner she met Lord Knox, the better.

Lily noticed her friend was watching another gentleman she didn’t know. He was also quite handsome. Was it a rule that only handsome men were invited to this party?

“And who are you staring at?” Lily asked.

“That is the Duke of St. Albans,” Rosina replied, not taking her eyes off the man.

Rosina only had a couple of men with whom she had “engagements” as Lily always referred to them, but the ton found out when her last gentleman told others about their involvement. Rosina shattered his poor heart when she refused to marry him, and he set out to ruin her. Which only proved why Rosina was right to reject the man’s proposal.

But since society was quick to believe a man’s word, the gossip mongers made it out as if she took a different man to her bed every night. It wasn’t as scandalous as all that, and Lily commended Rosina’s resolve not to marry when she didn’t wish to do so again. Rosina was three-and-twenty and a wealthy widow, so she had the freedom to do as she wished.

“You seem taken with him,” Lily said, eyeing her friend.

Rosina waved her off. “This is his first event in society, other than casual appearances, where his attendance was required. He would make an intriguing friend.”

“Intriguing, indeed.”

Rosina glanced at her that time and opened her mouth to offer a retort but closed it again when their hostess approached them .

“Are you both having a pleasant time so far? Dinner should be announced soon,” Lady Ockham said.

“We are, my lady,” Rosina said. “We hoped you might introduce us to Lord Knox as we aren’t certain who he is.”

Their hostess nodded in understanding. “I believe I heard something about him courting Lady Lily,” she said, giving Lily a kind smile.

“At least that is what my father’s intentions are,” Lily replied, fighting an eye roll.

“Well, come with me. I think I see him among some of the other guests. You probably couldn’t see him from here.”

The ladies followed behind Lady Ockham, moving through a group of guests until they reached a gentleman standing near the sideboard.

“Lord Knox,” their hostess started, “please allow me to introduce Lady Lily and Lady Preston.”

“My ladies,” he said, bowing to them. “Pleased to meet you both.”

His appearance surprised Lily as she found him quite handsome. Not so much as Viscount Callan, in her opinion, but that was of no matter. He had brown hair, but some strands almost appeared gold. A gentle kindness shone through his eyes, which were a deep blue. He had a perfect aristocratic nose and broad shoulders. She dared to glance at his thighs, and they didn’t appeal to her the same way that Viscount Callan’s had.

He took Lady Lily’s hand in his. “I hope you might allow me to spend some time in your presence over the next fortnight.”

“We shall let you two get acquainted,” Lady Ockham said, looping her arm in Rosina’s as they moved on to another group of guests.

“I should like that, my lord,” Lily said, replying to his earlier request.

“Tell me some things you enjoy.”

She grinned at him, pleased that he asked about her before telling her all about himself. “Well, I enjoy reading, maths, museums, art, and the theatre.”

“The theatre?” he asked. “Have you been to see a play yet?”

“Oh, yes! Rosina, Lady Preston, she has a private box, and I have gone several times with her during the season. The first show we went to was Duke About Town . It was so witty, with such a romantic ending. There is nothing better than attending the theatre. Don’t you agree, my lord?”

He appeared distracted, and she wasn’t certain if he had heard her.

“Um…yes. ”

She almost questioned him about it, but Lady Ockham appeared again.

“My lord, my lady. Please allow me to make my friend, Lord Demming, known to you both. Marquess of Demming, this is Lord Knox and Lady Lily.”

Another handsome man, Lily thought. Surely it had to be a requirement when Lady Ockham made the guest list. She might believe so if their hosts weren’t famously a love match and prone to displaying their affection in front of their guests.

“It is a pleasure to meet you both,” Lord Demming said, bowing over her hand and then nodding to Lord Knox.

“You as well, my lord,” Lord Knox said.

“Hopefully,” Demming started again, “I shall get to know both of you better during the house party as I am sure we will partake in many of our hostess’ activities together.”

Lord Demming seemed like a kind man, and Lily found she already liked him very much. He wasn’t as stuffy as some of the other gentlemen she met during her season.

“I look forward to it, my lord,” she replied.

Dinner was announced, and Lord Knox extended his arm to her. She accepted it and allowed him to lead her to the dining room. He seated her and then took his own seat at the other end of the table.

The meal was served, and dinner passed with casual conversation all around her. She mostly listened, and no one asked anything of her. She wished Rosina had been seated nearby so she would have had someone to speak with.

Once the meal ended, the ladies returned to the salon while the gentlemen enjoyed their port and she rejoined Rosina.

“What do you think of Lord Knox?” Rosina asked. “I’ve been dying to find out. He is very handsome.”

“He is,” Lily replied. “And he seems nice enough, but I know nothing about him yet.”

“You shall have many days to learn about him. Just be yourself and remember what I said the night we met.”

Lily had thought about her friend’s words many times. She just wasn’t convinced that it would happen for her.

“And what about you and Lord St. Albans? I saw you speak with him.”

She thought she might have seen a bit of blush on her friend’s cheeks. “There is perhaps a chance we might get to know each other better as well.”

“Do I get to hear all about it?” Lily asked.

“But of course,” Rosina replied, looping her arm in Lily’s. “I can’t believe your mama lets you be my friend with my scandalous influence. ”

Lily laughed. “You are well connected and are the Dowager Marchioness Preston. That is all my mother needed to know.”

A couple of other ladies joined their group, and they spoke of many varied topics until the gentlemen joined them in the salon.

“Are you enjoying the company of the other ladies?” Lord Knox asked, catching her attention.

“I am, my lord,” she replied. “It seems none of the gossips and more discerning members of the ton are in attendance.”

He patted his chest with a dramatic flair made for the theatre. “Well, that is quite a relief.”

She couldn’t help but laugh. “You jest, but it is. I might even get to have an intellectual conversation without being called a bluestocking.”

“What is it you are most interested in discussing?” he asked, seemingly interested in her response.

“I mentioned earlier how I love reading and the theatre. So I always enjoy the opportunity to discuss those things.”

Rosina always tired quickly from her speaking at length about such things.

“And do you have a favorite play?” he asked.

“I can recite most of Shakespeare’s plays by heart. I’m not certain I could select a favorite. I enjoy both tragedies and comedies, so that doesn’t help me narrow down my choice. I also relish the plays by Stormy Wells. The way he evokes such emotion in the dialogue draws a person in.”

“If you will excuse me,” Lord Knox said suddenly. “I am going to take in a bit of the night air.”

He had done the same thing again. The man asked her a question and it appeared that he wished to hear her response. Then it was as if he forgot he was engaged in a conversation.

“Did I hear that you enjoy the theatre?” a rich baritone asked, pulling her from her irritation at Lord Knox.

She turned to see who it was, and Viscount Callan stood beside her. Her breath caught for a moment, but she recovered and turned to face him. “Indeed, my lord.”

“I do as well. Very much so, in fact,” he said, offering her a wide smile. “I don’t believe we have been introduced.”

She schooled her features, hoping he didn’t notice the inevitable blush of her cheeks. “We haven’t, but I won’t tell anyone if you won’t.”

He laughed, and the sound of it was almost enough to make her flutter her lashes, which was ridiculous.

“I’m Viscount Callan, my lady.” He gave her a small bow and winked when he stood .

The man was an obvious flirt, but given that no man had ever deigned to flirt with her, she could see how it was indeed effective.

“Lady Lily,” she responded.

Realization washed over his face. “Ah, you are being courted by Lord Knox, I hear.”

She wasn’t sure why his words irked her as much as they did. He wasn’t wrong, she supposed, but she didn’t like him viewing her as attached to another man. Not that she would ever be anything to Lord Callan, so it didn’t matter, but it ground at her nerves, regardless.

“We’re getting to know each other. I just met him tonight,” she replied. It was the truth, and for some reason, she didn’t wish to speak the words of courtship.

“Surely he won’t mind if I ask you about the plays you have seen? I’d love to hear your perspective.”

If a man could grow even more attractive before a woman’s eyes, Viscount Callan had just done so, and knowing he would never see her the same way may just be the greatest tragedy she could imagine for her life.