Page 3 of The Viscount’s List (Heirs & Heroes #1)

Three

I didn’t plan on sitting in Parliament for another dozen or more years.” Viscount Michael Endelton unconsciously touched the spot where a black armband no longer circled his arm before sitting in the chair formerly reserved for his father when in town. It was hard to think of the study as his space now. A hint of pipe tobacco lingered about the desk his father had used for so many years. “I loathe the return to session after Easter. I do not know how to act.”

“The joys of being a second son, I plan on never attending. Although with the state of things, I believe my wife would have preferred I had chosen the law or the church.” Lieutenant Edward Godderidge sat in the chair opposite and smoothed his uniform coat.

“Then my sister could not admire you in your fine coat. I am sure it is the only reason she married you.” Michael still was not sure how the yearlong marriage to his sister affected his relationship with his best friend, but it had.

“She may not admire them so much when I am aboard ship.”

“You received new orders?” asked Richard Kenworth, Duke of Aylton. As Michael’s cousin, he was always welcome in Michael’s study, even in one of his darker moods. Which, based on his colorless gray waistcoat, was the case today.

“I have yet to hear, but Deborah is determined to pretend as if the harbor stands empty and I am to only work in the office looking at maps and planning. But I fear we will only have a few weeks for her to enjoy the Season. Our skirmish with the Americans is not going our way and then there are always the French. The admiral has yet to decide when I should return to sea now my arm is healed.” Edward’s knee bounced up and down, a sign his convalescence had kept him caged on land far too long.

“I warned you of Deborah’s willfulness long before you sought her hand.” Michael’s warm smile reflected his feelings for his elder sister.

Richard grunted as he often did when spousal matters were brought up.

Edward ignored the duke. “My friend, you are the one who should be warned. My wife has declared she will see you wed by the end of the Season. I dare say she has your entire evening planned for Richard’s ball.”

“Not my ball. It is all the duchess’s doing.” It was no secret the duke and his wife didn’t get on. “I urge caution in matrimony. And steer clear of desperate fathers. They are worse than marriage-minded mothers. When it comes to understanding people, especially women, you are more obtuse than the average gentleman.”

“Not everyone looks for dark motives in every action.” Or so he’d been told dozens of times when his sister tried to explain the differences between Richard and himself. He never understood women. Or people in general. Humans acted so inconsistent with what they said. His sisters insisted the fault wasn’t with people.

“Come now, Richard, if the new Lord Endelton would remember to smile, he’d be well enough off.”

Michael could smile, yet a grin would not solve his problem. Finding a wife meant braving the crushes of balls and talking to women at soirees. “Smiling isn’t my problem. The difficulty is choosing. There are so many women. How am I ever to know which one to court? It is worse than one of Mother’s teas when she has the cook make ten different cakes, and I can’t possibly have them all.”

Edward went to the desk and pulled out a sheet of paper. “With the Duke’s helpful insight, I am sure we can come up with a short list of women whom you might court safely. Would ten be too many?”

Ten? Far too many to choose from. “As you’ve pointed out, my sister is taking care of the matchmaking. Why not let her choose? She knows me better than anyone.”

“The last Season you attended, you were only the Honorable Michael Endelton. This Season you are Viscount Endelton. Hence, there will be more women, and their mothers, seeking you out.”

“I still startle when someone addresses me as Viscount or Lord Endelton. Every time a servant says, ‘my lord,’ I search for my father to answer.” Not that it should make any difference. He was still the same person. The title made him more awkward around others, not less.

Edward’s pen scratched on the paper. “Prepare yourself for the name of Lord Endelton to be bandied about as often as seagulls’ cries at the dock. Deborah says she has two balls, a soiree, and a night of musical entertainment lined up for you already. No doubt every debutante will hasten her fanning in your presence and call you by your title repeatedly, leaving no doubt they are not talking of your father. What do you think of the Simesson’s daughter, your grace?”

“New money. In need of a title.” Richard shook out a newspaper and muttered something in dire tones, which both men ignored.

“Adding her to the list.”

“Lady Christina?”

“Father drinks in excess. Far too jovial for me.”

“Everyone is too jovial for you.” Edward dipped the pen in the well. “There. Ten names. My list should keep you the entire Season.”

Michael raised his glass to Edward. “You should not look so smug, for you shall also have to attend those events with me and be expected to dance even more than I, and none of them with Deborah.”

“There is the rub. A man finds an agreeable dance partner, marries, and is never to dance with her in public again.” Edward sighed dramatically.

A tap came on the door. The men stood as the subject of their conversation entered the room. “Are you two discussing me again? One would think my husband and my brother could find another topic of conversation.” Deborah reached for her husband’s hand, then paused and nodded her head at the duke. “Your Grace, I didn’t realize you were here.”

“Never mind me, you know those two don’t. And don’t ‘your grace’ me. I’ve been your cousin my entire life.” Richard waited for Deborah to be seated before taking his newspaper to the other side of the room.

“I didn’t expect you back so soon.” Edward pulled his chair as close as possible to his wife’s.

“Your mother and I spent over two hours shopping with Isabel. That is not ‘soon,’ especially when the shops are full of other mothers dressing their daughters to impress the ton.”

“And my sister? How did she fare?” asked Edward.

“I’d say Isabel would be the most beautiful debutante of the Season, if we had not met with two of her childhood acquaintances who are in most respects as handsome and kind.”

“Anyone we know?” asked Michael, mostly curious if his sister had indeed started a list of prospective wives.

“Give me a moment. You know how terrible I am with names. They were sisters. Their names sounded manly.”

Edward’s brows creased together. “Alex and Phil?”

“Those are the names your sister used, but your mother called the one Miss Lightfoot, no Lightwood, and the other Miss Philippa.” Deborah turned to her brother. “I intended to introduce you to them at the duke’s ball.”

“It is not my ball.” Richard’s protests fell on deaf ears. A ball at his Mayfair residence was his ball, despite his grumblings.

“You’re sure you met Alexandra Lightwood?” asked Edward.

Deborah’s eyes narrowed. “Is this yet another of your past loves I am to learn about?”

Edward tilted his head and looked at his wife so longingly, Michael coughed. “I’m still here.”

The newspaper ruffled. “So am I.”

“Why don’t you leave?” asked Edward.

“Because this is my house,” answered Michael. The duke grunted.

Edward grinned. His amiable nature was in complete contrast to the duke’s. “You should both stay. My wife and I can leave as soon as she takes a turn at matchmaking.”

Deborah beamed at her husband. Michael was puzzled at how easily she forgave him. Or was she teasing? “Dearest, tell him about the Lightwoods. You know them better than I do.”

Edward leaned away from Deborah. “Our families associated often when we were children. The Lightwoods lived near to Leadon Hill. Alex, Phil, and I had our first dancing lessons together, along with my siblings. The last time I saw Phil was the week her mother and brother passed. I haven’t seen Alex for longer. I cannot envision either girl grown.”

“Hard to picture them as women with such names,” said Michael.

Deborah laughed her high, tinkling laugh. “I assure you, they are women. And I consider myself fortunate that my husband has not seen them for so long. I don’t know that I would have caught his eye.” She smiled at Edward. “Do you think one of them would suit my brother?”

“They are both far too good for him. But there is a chance they could settle for his title.” Edward pulled his wife closer. Next, they would ask for a couch to be brought in. Michael pushed aside the thought to focus on the conversation.

“Any woman who wants a viscount for his title is desperate.” Richard muttered quietly enough for everyone to ignore.

“Your sister seemed most fond of the Lightwoods. Perhaps we can introduce them before the ball.” Deborah tapped her chin. “Would your mother host a small dinner for old friends?”

Edward shrugged. “She may. Lady Lightwood was one of mother’s fondest friends.”

Finally, Michael placed the name. “Lightwood? Any relation to Sir Felton Lightwood?”

Edward sighed before answering. A sure sign he knew Sir Lightwood’s reputation. “He is their father.”

Richard lowered his paper. “Too bad for the daughters. What man would want to align himself with such a family? No need to introduce Michael.”

Deborah sat forward on the settee. “What do you mean?”

“Sir Lightwood is not a gentleman of discretion.” Edward could hardly tell his wife the man flaunted his mistress in public. “They barred him from Whites. He gambles to excess.”

“I didn’t think one could get barred from Whites for gambling. I’ve heard men bet on the speed of raindrops on a windowpane.”

Richard set down his paper. “If one does not pay their debts, that is a different matter. Hence, his daughters would be liabilities as marriage partners.”

Edward glared at the duke. “Last I knew them, the daughters took after their mother.”

Michael tilted his head. Few things upset Edward.

“I have heard their grandfather, the Earl of Whitstone, is much involved in their lives,” Edward continued his campaign for the women.

“Even so, Richard says it’s not a suitable connection.” Michael would not be the one to bring down the family name after all his father’s hard work. He trusted his cousin’s opinion to keep him from misstepping in his new role.

Deborah’s face fell. “Then you don’t even want to be introduced?”

“I don’t think that is wise,” muttered Richard.

“We can hardly avoid the acquaintance with my family connections,” said Edward.

“Can you avoid throwing me into their path?” asked Michael.

“Don’t be so snobbish, Brother. You are only a viscount of moderate means. If you get a reputation for being prejudiced in your choices, you will never find a wife. As much as I love you, you are not the catch of the Season regardless of what my husband has told you.” Deborah crossed the room and pointed to the center of Michael’s chest. “True, you cut a fine figure on the dance floor, but marriage-minded mothers will look beyond your charms. And don’t you dare let His Grace poison you on marriage either.”

As Deborah had taught him, Michael mimicked removing an arrow from his chest. “Sister, you wound me with your praise.”

“I don’t think you should remove any prospect from your list too soon. Especially before you meet,” said Deborah.

“You are determined to make an introduction to the Miss Lightwoods?” asked Richard.

Deborah looked at Edward before answering. “I think you should meet them, if only for the practice. You need a reminder of how to conduct yourself in polite society.”

“I have been nothing but affable,” said Michael.

Edward rose and wrote on the paper. “Yet even now, you wear a look of horror on your face, therefore, I always win at cards. Your every thought shows as clear as words on a page.”

Throwing up his hands, Michael paced to the far side of the room. “I can hide my emotions as well as any man when I put a mind to it. I don’t see any reason to pretend among family.”

“Excellent, it’s settled. I will speak with Lady Godderidge about planning a small dinner as soon as possible.” Deborah smiled triumphantly.

Richard peered over his paper. “Please don’t invite me.”

“I said party, your Grace , not inquisition. Be sure the Lightwoods receive an invitation to your wife’s ball.”

“If their grandfather is the Earl of Whitstone, I assume the duchess has already invited them. Titles mean far too much to some people.” No doubt he included his wife in that number.

Deborah clapped her hands. “Wonderful. I have a few other names for your list. The sooner Michael can meet all these women, the sooner he can choose his bride.”

The list grew from ten to more than a score. Richard stalked over and struck two names from the list.

Michael bowed his head in defeat. It was official, his sister had joined the ranks who believed a single man of means should relinquish his bachelor title as soon as possible. It would be a very long Season.