But she knew. “Lady Selena is nineteen.”
He grinned. “Not too young, then.”
“Lovely, is she not?” his mother pressed, crossing her feet at the ankle. “A true wallflower though. She isn’t actually a member of the Ladies of Theatre. I believe she only comes for the wine.”
“The wine was very good, but I was only inquiring about her for Emily’s sake,” he said, but he allowed his expression to show he was lying.
“No, you were not.” His mother’s smile grew. Marley did not usually share such intimate details about his personal life or pursuits when it came to women and definitely not with his mother, but it seemed worth it if it would put a smile on her face.
“Oh,” his mother gushed. “It would be wonderful if you two wed. Then Louisa and I would have something else that connects us. Louisa is a wonderful woman, truly. She’s helped me make so many friends. She introduced me to everyone and never made me feel as though I didn’t belong.”
“You’re the Duchess of Astlen; you belong wherever you please.” He’d nearly hissed the words and regretted doing so when he saw the sadness in his mother’s eyes. Marley’s frustration was not with his mother but his father. Friends were yet another thing the old duke had forbidden his wife from having.
His father had died three years ago, but it was only in the last year that his mother had started to bloom. Meeting the unconventional Lady Dorshea had helped immensely.
His mother looked down. “It is not always that easy, Marley.”
He reached out and covered her hands with his own. “I know. Truly, Mother. I’m happy for you.”
She looked up at him. “If your pursuit of Lady Selena is not honorable then please leave her alone, Marley. Do not risk my friendship for some… passing fancy.”
His heart shook. He patted his mother’s hand. In truth, he could not promise his mother that he would leave Lady Selena alone. He wasn’t entirely sure he could. There was simply something about her, and whatever it was, it was enough to stop him from telling his mother no.
And Marley never liked telling his mother no anyway.
∫ ∫ ∫
CHAPTER 04
“You’ve messed up your transition.”
“No, I didn’t.”
“It’s was broken,” Mr. Cason Hayhurst said. “The transition should be smooth.”
Selena glared up at him, even as she continued to play. “It was smooth.” She looked back down and stared at her fingers as they glided through the keys, Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro.
Cason sighed heavily. “The song should make one feel as though they can fly when they hear it, not wish to run away.”
She stopped, and her mouth gaped.
He leaned over the top board, a very confused look in his green eyes. He was the grandson of the Viscount of Livingstone. His father, John Hayhurst, had been called one of the best piano makers in London and a fine pianist. Along with the Hayhurst pianos becoming a necessity for a proper home, taking lessons from the man himself made any daughter the perfect wife for genteel Society.
Cason, his son, was very good as well and had taken over Selena’s lessons after his father had died five years ago.
Cason was thirty-two, very fair and very handsome, and though he didn’t need the money her family gave him for her lessons, he came once every fortnight, because Selena had meant something to his father. He’d called her one of his greatest pupils.
Yet at the moment, Cason didn’t seem at all impressed.
“Selena, you’re better than this,” Cason said. “Where is your head?”
She looked away, not wishing for him to see how close he was to the truth. She was distracted, had been since a certain duke walked into her life.
He moved and sat at her side.
She moved over but kept her gaze lowered.
His fingers came up under her chin, forcing her to meet his eyes. She was startled by the touch, though it wasn’t the first time he’d crossed boundaries. Neither was it the first time she’d allowed it.
“You don’t believe I would actually run from you, do you?” he asked. “Do you know why I come here and give you lessons?”
“Because, your father enjoyed my playing,” she said.
“I enjoy your playing.” He clearly saw the doubt in her eyes because he went on, “I do enjoy it but also because I know no better female pianist in the world.”
She laughed and looked away, taking her chin from his grasp.
“The ton is an odd group I’ll never understand.” Cason closed the fallboard, shutting the keys away, and leaned closer to her. “They say the piano a woman’s domain, yet then tell her she can’t be a professional musician.” It was not common for boys to study piano, yet they were the ones who could make a career of it. In that, Cason was correct.
“You’re the only one in this room who wishes to be a professional musician.” She looked at him. “I simply play because it brings me and those who listen joy.”
“Except for right now,” he said. “Your heart is not in it. We shouldn’t be practicing if you are not mentally ready.”
Her chest ached at his harsh words, but he was right. She was wasting his time. “I’m sorry. I hate that I am wasting your day. I’ve made you come all this way.”
He shook his head. His expression gentled. “I said we shouldn’t be practicing. I didn’t say I did not wish to be here. With you.”
Selena closed her eyes.
Perhaps, there was another reason Cason came. The attraction, from what she knew, had only begun this year. Selena wasn’t sure when the air between them had changed, becoming heavy and nearly combustible, but they were different now.
He was not the first man to try and court her, but he was the only man she’d ever considered seriously, and not just recently.
Selena knew girls who’d married younger than herself. There were ladies who’d married men far older than Cason as well. She’d been attracted to him for years, though she was certain he’d never realized it.
But now there was a difference in the way he looked at her. She’d noticed it since her return to London this year. It was a quiet and calm sort of attraction. Something sweet about his touch and his eyes. Neither of them spoke about it though.
There was an age difference between them, nearly ten years, and Selena sensed Cason was waiting for her to show without a shadow of a doubt that she wanted more from him.
The steps before courtship were always a strange dance.
Cason was only slightly an acceptable match in the eyes of Society. His grandfather had been a lord. He had some blue blood, but he wasn’t of genteel breeding himself. His father had worked. He’d gone to school like most wealthy men, but Cason didn’t belong to any clubs or participate in the Season.
For those very reasons, Selena had found herself leaning toward the suit.
She thought they suited. Cason suited her far more than Marley ever would.
Marley. Everything came back to the duke.
“Is it your mother’s play?” he asked. “Is that what you’re worried about?”
She shook her head. “Not really. I know it’s good. It’ll do well.”
“It is good,” he said, grinning. “And the music is better. You did a wonderful job with it. I could listen to you on the harp for hours at a time.”
Selena smiled. “You helped me compose it. You should be charged with overseeing the music for the play.” Once the idea came to her, she knew it was right.
Cason gave her a questioning brow. “I’m sure Lord Astlen already has his own musicians.”
“But no one know knows music more than you,” she said confidently. “And you know you wish to play at the theatre.” A part of Cason did enjoy putting on a show. She’d seen him all but glow from the inside out whenever anyone asked him to play at a party. It was decided in her head. “I’ll ask him.”
“Don’t,” Cason rushed in with a frown. “I don’t want the duke to think I put you up to
it.”
“But you didn’t. You truly are the best pianist in London. Besides, I’ve already decided I would. It’s a wonderful idea.”
He chuckled and then narrowed his eyes in a thoughtful way. “One would think you nearly docile until they got to know you. You’re a force of a woman, Selena.”
She sighed coyly. “Please, don’t tell anyone. It would ruin the reputation I barely have.”
Cason laughed. “Marry me, sweet Selena.”
Her smile fell as her heart picked up its pace.
“Or not.” He straightened. “I mean, it was only a suggestion.”
She laughed nervously, unable to help herself. “A suggestion? A suggestion is taking cream with my tea. You asked me to marry you, Cason. That is a suggestion that will change my life forever.”
“Not really,” he said, his expression a mix of apprehension and hope. “Not much would change, only where you live and with whom.”
She laughed again. “Cason! I… don’t know what to say.”
“Think about it,” he said. “I’m not getting any younger, Selena.”
“You make it sound as though you are old,” she said. “What has brought this on?”
“You know this isn’t the first time I’ve considered this.” His expression became serious. “I’ve given you many hints about my intentions for months now. You haven’t needed me here for a year. Your family only continues to pay for the lessons because it’s a conversation piece.”
“I know,” Selena sighed. “But… you’ve never actually brought it up before. Why now?”
The apprehension returned to his green eyes. “Your mother. She spoke about your little performance with the Duke of Astlen when he came over. She couldn’t help but mention how well you both got on afterward.”
“You know Mama doesn’t mean anything by it,” Selena said. “The duke… He will never ask to court me.”
“Do you want him to?” Cason asked.
“No!” The very thought made her cringe. She liked Marley, but she was certain they would not suit. “I don’t want to marry the duke and either way, it doesn’t matter. He won’t ask for my hand. He doesn’t see me that way.”
“You don’t know that. You are so beautiful, Selena. You’ve always been pretty but recently...” He took her hand. “I saw you first. I know you more. I want you more.”
She laughed again. “Cason, I’m not a watch in a window shop.”
He did not join in on her laughter. In fact, visible pain slashed across his features. “Selena, just say no, and I’ll never bring it up again.” He continued to hold her hand.
Selena shook her head. “I… don’t know what to say.”
“Does that mean you’ll consider me?”
She stared down at their hands and then met his eyes. “I’m already considering you,” she whispered.
He smiled and then stood. “On that note, I will leave.”
“Leave?”
“Yes, before I’m tempted to do something your parents would not approve of.” He turned to the door and then looked at her, as though unable to help himself. “Good day, sweet Selena.” Then he smiled and left, leaving Selena more confused than ever.
See how Marley and Selena’s story unfolds.
Get the story HERE.
Book List Order
Also by DEBORAH WILSON
∫ ∫ ∫
VALIANT LOVE SERIES
Book 1 - The Perfect Lady
Book 2 - The Perfect Gentleman
Book 3 - The Perfect Duke
Book 4 - The Last Duke
Book 5 - Mark of the Marquess
Book 6 - Dread of The Earl
Book 7 - Scar of The Duke
Book 8 - Wounds of A Viscount
∫ ∫ ∫
STANDALONE NOVELLA
The Lady's Masquerade
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Copyright and Disclaimer
Copyright © 2019 by Deborah Wilson - All rights reserved.
This book is a work of fiction. The characters and events portrayed in this book are either the product of author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, or actual events is entirely coincidental.
In no way is it legal to reproduce, duplicate, or transmit any part of this book in any form or by any electronic means without written permission from the author. Recording of this book is strictly prohibited. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
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Wounds of A Viscount: (The Valiant Love Regency Romance) (A Historical Romance Book) Page 31