The Reluctant Viscount

by Emma Evans

  The baron chuckled, his expression now something of a fatherly one. “And I am sure you will care for my daughter remarkably well, but you must not fail to enjoy yourself also. After all, I know that you have never really had a Season and so I insist that you look to yourself at times, when you can. I am sure Sophia will be glad to accompany you to the theatre or the like, even if it is not a play or musicale she wishes to see.”

  “Oh, but of course,” Sophia exclaimed at once, her hand on Clara’s arm.

  “And no expense is to be spared for you both,” the baron finished, with a look in his eye that told Clara she need not even consider arguing with him. “Someone in this world needs to treat you with some kindness, Miss Dynes, and after all you have done and will do for my daughter, it is the very least I can do.”

  The lump in Clara’s throat almost prevented her from speaking, but with an effort, she managed to whisper a ‘thank you’ to the baron and his daughter. The baron excused them both and, with a broad smile, ushered his daughter out of the room in order to look through her dresses, with Clara following behind her.

  Clara’s father had always spoken well of Baron Musgrove, and now Clara knew why. The man was kindness and compassion itself, showing her more consideration than her brothers had done for a long time. Her gratitude pervaded every part of her, making her grateful for even the time she would spend travelling back down to London.

  Of course, it was rather unusual to be a chaperone when she was only a few years older than Miss Sophia, but by society’s standards, she was well on the shelf. As kind as the baron was, Clara knew that the gentlemen of London society would not care tuppence about her and certainly would not look in her direction, particularly when Miss Sophia was around.

  Not that she thought of that as a problem, for she certainly did not. She wanted Miss Newton to find a suitable beau, one that would please her father, so that she could have the happiness she longed for. The loss of a parent was a difficult one and she could still see the grief in Miss Newton’s eyes whenever her mother was mentioned. The mourning year was a very difficult one.

  “Now,” Miss Newton began, clapping her hands together in delight as they walked into the bedchamber. “You must help me choose my very best dresses to take with me and, of course, I shall have to have new ones when I go to London.”

  “Of course, Miss Newton,” Clara replied, walking towards the wardrobe and opening the doors. “I would be glad to assist you.”

  “Oh, please,” Miss Newton said hastily, coming over towards her. “Might you just call me Sophia? I feel as though I need a friend and I do very much hope that we might become the very best of friends.”

  Clara smiled at once, her expression softening. “Oh, Miss Newton—I mean, Sophia. I would very much like that also.” The loneliness she had felt for so long evaporated as Sophia hugged her tightly, her eyes bright as she stepped back.

  “I am so glad,” Sophia said, her voice a little hoarse. “Thank you, Clara, for everything. I know our trip to London is going to be just wonderful.”

  Chapter Three

  Simon commended himself on how well he had arranged his townhouse. He had practically sectioned it off into two separate living areas, which, he was sure, would make things much easier for himself and for Miss Newton. Her chaperone had her own quarters with a door adjoining her bedchamber to Miss Newton’s and, despite the fact that it was a warm summer’s day, Simon had asked his staff to light a fire in the companion’s room, aware that those of a certain, increased age often felt the cold despite the heat of the day.

  Miss Newton and her companion would also have a drawing room of their own and a smaller parlor for them to take tea in and do whatever else it was they intended. He, for the most part, would remain downstairs in his own drawing room and study, only going to the top part of the house when it came time for him to sleep, or if he wanted a book from the library. Unfortunately for Simon, he was not the best at falling asleep, nor at remaining asleep, which meant that he often found himself in the library in the middle of the night, trying his best to find something so dull that he would have no choice but to sleep.

  Not that his presence would matter to the two ladies, for they would be so tired out from the various social occasions they attended that he was quite sure he would not disturb them.

  Wandering to the window, Simon looked out onto the busy London street and, right on cue, a carriage drew up alongside his house. Catching sight of the Musgrove crest, he hurried to the front door, trying to ignore the way his heart sank into his boots as he came to greet Miss Newton.

  Drawing himself up to his full height, he took in one long breath and tried to convince himself that all would be well. It was three months and, with the companion by Miss Newton’s side, he would not have too much to do. It would be a matter of accompanying them to various balls and the like before disappearing into the card room. Of course, he might dance a few times with various young ladies, but he had no intention of seeking out any kind of suitable companions for himself, not this Season at least. He was quite happy on his own for the time being.

  The door opened and a young lady with bright blue eyes stepped inside, her bonnet already in her hand. Her hair was fair, with some tendrils escaping and brushing against her heart-shaped face. Her figure was slender, her manner graceful as she immediately dropped into a crusty.

  “Lord Thackery?”

  “Just ‘Thackery’ will do, Miss Newton,” he replied with a bow. “We are family, are we not?”

  “Then ‘Sophia’, of course,” she replied with a quick smile. “I must thank you for your kindness towards me, Lord Thackery. I am so very appreciative of your willingness to aid me in this matter. I would have been stuck in the wilds of Scotland had you not agreed to my father’s request. I am truly very grateful.”

  Simon smiled and nodded, a surprising sense of relief filling him. The girl was well spoken and polite, and, with such a beautiful face as hers, he was quite sure she would find herself a husband without too much trouble. It might only be a month or so that he would have to endure her presence!

  “And where is your companion?” he asked, as she walked into the house a little more. “Does she require help to climb the steps? My footmen should be on hand.”

  Miss Newton frowned, looking quite confused. “No, she is quite able, Lord Thackery,” she said slowly. “I think Miss Dynes was just ensuring that my trunk was being unloaded with the greatest care. It has my finery in it, you see, so she was most anxious that they took care with it.”

  “I see,” Simon murmured, wondering whether this companion of Miss Newton’s was something of a witch, cackling orders at his footmen and demanding that they do exactly as she said. “Then please, step into the drawing room while you wait. There should be a tea tray arriving for you and for Miss Dynes very soon.”

  “Oh, thank you,” Sophia replied, following the butler along the hallway towards the drawing room. “I am sure she will be here in a moment.”

  Simon waited impatiently for the companion to come into the house, growing more and more irritated with every second that passed. Whatever Miss Dynes was doing, it was taken her a very long time, and yet again, Simon wondered if he ought to ensure that she had all the assistance she required to climb the steps.

  He was just about to step outside when the sound of footsteps met his ears. Clearing his throat, he put his shoulders back and stood tall, ready to greet the old lady.

  But an old lady did not step through the door. Instead, there appeared a young lady, with bright blue eyes and pink cheeks who glanced over at him as she entered and immediately dropped into a perfectly graceful curtsy.

  “Miss… Dynes?” Simon asked, his astonishment rendering his voice a little hoarse. This was not who he had been expecting, and as he saw her smile, wondered if this was, in fact, the companion Miss Newton had been talking about. Had the Baron hoisted another daughter onto him without Simon knowing?

  “Yes, indeed,” came the repl
y, as the lady took her bonnet from her head and handed it, with a grateful smile, to the waiting butler. “You must be Miss Newton’s relative, Lord Thackery.”

  “Indeed, I am,” Simon said, only just stopping himself from bowing again. “I—I was not expecting you.”

  The smile faded from her face at once. “You were not expecting her companion?” she asked, sounding a little confused. “But I thought—”

  “No, that is not what I meant,” Simon interrupted, embarrassment bringing a heat to his face that he had not expected. “Please, come this way, Miss Dynes. Your charge has already settled herself in the drawing room and a tea tray will be brought very soon.”

  The look of confusion on her face melted away as she smiled and nodded, before following after the butler who led her to the drawing room.

  “I will be along in just a moment,” Simon called, seeing her turn and smile at him again before continuing towards the drawing room.

  Stepping outside for a moment, Simon drew in a long breath, trying to settle his racing pulse. He had not expected Miss Dynes to be so… youthful. Companions were usually an old, nondescript aunt who had never married or had children of her own. Miss Dynes was much too young to be a chaperone, surely? His mind scrambled to make sense of it as he passed a hand through his hair, shaking his head to himself. It made very little sense to him as to why Miss Dynes was a companion and not seeking a husband of her own. Of course, he did not know of her background nor of her family, and Simon found his interest piqued. Why had she come here? By her curtsy, Simon guessed that she was from a good family, for no commoner could curtsy with such grace and elegance. Had she never had her own come out? Had there been some kind of scandal in her past that had prevented her from doing so?

  “Why am I so troubled over her presence?” Simon muttered aloud, staring at the ground. “Get a hold of yourself!”

  There was no need for him to be so distressed over Miss Dynes’ presence. Of course, she was not the age he had expected but that did not mean that things should not continue just as he had planned. The house would be divided as he had intended, balls and recitals would be attended, and they would be gone in a few months. The surprise he felt over Miss Dynes being both youthful and beautiful would fade by the end of the day, he was quite sure of it.

  Drawing in a deep breath, Simon set his shoulders and turned on his heel to go back into the house, quickly telling the butler to put out the fire in Miss Dynes’ room. He did not want to embarrass himself in that regard.

  “Well, Sophia,” he said with a broad smile that he plastered across his face. “How was your journey? I know it can be arduous having to travel for so many miles.”

  “It went very well, I thank you,” Sophia replied, pouring the tea for herself and Miss Dynes. “Do you care for a cup?”

  “No, thank you,” Simon replied, sitting down opposite the two ladies. “And Miss Dynes, how did you find your journey?”

  She looked up, surprised, as though she had not expected him to speak to her. “Much the same, Lord Thackery.”

  “You are here now, that is the main thing,” Simon replied, trying not to be affected by the way her blue eyes lit up as she smiled at him.

  “Miss Dynes’ father, Viscount Crawford, was a very dear friend of my father’s,” Sophia explained as she handed Miss Dynes her tea. “I am truly blessed to have her as my companion. I know my father trusts her impeccably.”

  Miss Dynes blushed and looked away. “You are very kind, Sophia.”

  It was on the tip of Simon’s tongue to ask Miss Dynes more about her family, but after a moment’s hesitation, he dismissed the idea. “I thought to let you know that I have procured some invitations for us all.”

  Sophia gasped with delight, her eyes widening. “Already?”

  “Of course,” he replied with a smile. “Our first outing is tomorrow evening, to Lord Hartley’s ball.”

  Sophia gave another exclamation of delight, turning to ask Miss Dynes whether or not she would be ready in time, only for Miss Dynes to promise that they would take a trip to the shops first thing tomorrow morning.

  Simon watched their interaction closely, aware of how familiarly they spoke with one another. Neither of them used their given titles when addressing each other, but rather their Christian names, which spoke of an intimacy between them—even a friendship.

  “I must be honest with you, Miss Dynes,” he interrupted, his words coming from his mouth before he had even had a chance to stop himself. His sentence stopped abruptly as he realized that he was not quite sure what he wanted to say, far too aware of the two pairs of eyes looking over at him.

  “Yes, Lord Thackery?” Miss Dynes asked, the happiness fading from her features. “Is something the matter?”

  He cleared his throat and tried to smile. “No, of course not,” he said at once with a tiny shrug. “I was just going to say that I need to be honest with you in that I do not know a jot about the fashion these days and so I will need to rely on your skills to ensure that Sophia is adequately turned out.”

  Miss Dynes frowned, her eyes puzzled. “Of course, my lord,” she murmured, glancing from him to Sophia and back again. “The Baron has given us more than enough funds to ensure Sophia has all that she requires.”

  Simon nodded, aware that he was making a mess of things. “Yes, of course.” He got to his feet and smiled tightly, hating that his heart was quickening all the more as she rose to stand with him.

  “I must go to look over some business matters,” he said quickly, feeling an urge to leave her presence. “The butler will show you to your rooms when you are ready. Tomorrow evening I have a few friends arriving for dinner, so that I might introduce Sophia to them.”

  “How very thoughtful, Lord Thackery,” Miss Dynes murmured, smiling at Sophia who was, at this moment, clapping her hands in delight. “I am sure Sophia will make quite the impression.”

  “Thank you, Simon,” Sophia said at once, prompted by Miss Dynes’ words of thanks. “I am already looking forward to it. You are very kind to take me in like this and I promise that I will do all I can to be an amicable and easy house guest.”

  “But of course,” Simon replied, inclining his head. “We are family, are we not? I shall see you this evening.”

  He excused himself and left the room, closing the door firmly behind him before leaning back against it for a moment. Sophia would be no trouble at all, he was quite sure, but Miss Dynes was another matter entirely. She was beautiful and quiet, her gentle and caring spirit already showing through. Why did he feel himself so affected by her presence when he had only been in her company for less than an hour? It was quite ridiculous, of course, and Simon berated himself sternly as he fought the urge to go right back into the drawing room and ask Miss Dynes question upon question about herself. He wanted to know why she was here as a companion and not as a lady in her own right, especially now that he knew she came from a good family! He hoped to goodness that she had not been treated poorly, or that there was some terrible scandal that had driven her away from town.

  “Surely not,” he muttered to himself, pushing away from the door and striding towards his study. “The baron would not seek her to be Sophia’s companion if she had scandal attached to her name.”

  He had to put her from his mind, ought not to be questioning whether or not she was a suitable companion for the lady. All he had to do was continue with what he had planned and, in a few months, he would be back to his happy life of solitude once more.

  Chapter Four

  Clara could not help but believe that Lord Thackery had not been expecting her, given that he continued to regard her with something like thinly veiled surprise almost every time they met during the first few days. He studied her with a quiet apprehension, as though afraid she might do something terribly untoward. Clara could not help but wonder what it was he thought her to be, as though she was not worthy of being Sophia’s companion.

  The moment she had stepped into his home, however,
Clara had to admit that she was almost overwhelmed with the beauty of the place. There were beautiful tapestries on the walls, wonderful portraits and the loveliest pieces adorning the rooms in decoration. In addition, aside from Lord Thackery’s clear befuddlement over her presence, Clara had to admit that he was a very generous and particularly handsome gentleman. He had given almost half his house towards Clara and Sophia’s stay, only coming up the staircase when he retired to bed. She had not seen him above stairs on any other occasion. It certainly gave her a feeling of security and safety, although he did not appear to be in any way nefarious or leeching. The only time she felt uncomfortable was when she caught his dark green eyes lingering on her which, over the last few days, had been quite often. Setting her book down, Clara let out a long sigh and stared into the flames, aware that she had not been reading any of the last few pages.

  “Clara?”

  The knock at the door was soon followed by Sophia’s golden head poking through the door, her eyes a little sad as she stepped inside.

  “Sophia! How wonderful you look,” Clara exclaimed, getting up from her chair and setting her novel aside. “Are you quite prepared for this evening?”

  “I do wish you were coming,” Sophia replied at once, her expression a little mulish. “I do not want to sit alone.”

  “Nonsense,” Clara said firmly with a wave of her hand. “It is not I that is the guest of honor, but you. Besides, Lord Thackery will be an excellent host, I am quite sure of it, and you do not need me to chaperone you when there are both gentlemen and ladies present, as well as your cousin himself!”

  Sophia frowned, her eyes dimming. “But I wish you to be present.”

  Clara smiled softly, her heart lifting. “That is very generous of you, Sophia, but I am a companion and therefore, not required to join you at the dinner table. I assure you, I am more than content to take a tray in my room or, mayhap, in the library.” She glanced back at her book before setting her shoulders. “Yes, the library, I think. You know how easy it is for me to while away the hours when I have a good novel in my hand!”