Iris sipped her tea, and regarded her sister seriously.
“That may be true. But still… apparently, the Marquess of Westerhazy is not at all pleased. I suppose we’ll hear more of it at the Jamison Ball tomorrow. I do wonder exactly what he did, though – I am not even sure what subjects he was studying. Perhaps Lady Fotheringhampton will know more, and will be telling everyone.”
Violet nodded, and went back to her book, but found that she could not concentrate. The very idea that a man might waste the chance to study, by doing something that got them sent down, offended her deeply. At least men had a chance to study! As a woman, no matter how much she wanted to, she would not be accepted into Oxford or Cambridge, women being deemed, by most men, to be too featherbrained to be capable of deep learning. That kind of thinking maddened her, but she had come to accept that most of the ton believed it to be true.
At least her family had a very large library, and her father believed that his daughters should do unconventional things, if that made them happy. He did prefer that they not cause scandal, of course, so Violet kept her penchant for study, and her ability to read five languages, a thing discussed only amongst her close family.
She stared at the page, not seeing it, trying to remember if she had ever met the Marquess of Westerhazy’s son. After some rumination, she realised that she had – only once, last year, at a Ball, when he had been in London, close to Easter. He was Arryn Carrington, the Earl of Merryfield. He would be twenty-three, now, so in his last year at Oxford.
And, if her memory served her, he was as handsome as sin.
Which was not, in her opinion, a redeeming feature. Nothing could redeem a man who had thrown away his chance to study at Oxford.
<<<
Arryn Carrington, Earl of Merryfield, regarded his father unhappily as the Marquess paced about the room. He had dreaded this moment, from the very minute that he had been handed the notice, informing him that he was being sent down.
The Marquess turned, and fixed his son with a steely look.
“Arryn, what on earth did you say to your Professor, that so offended him?”
“I told the truth – I told him that he was wrong. I had all of the research, all of the proof, but he insisted on being a blind fool, and ignoring the last thirty years changes in law and due process. I could not simply agree with such blind, wilful ignorance!”
The Marquess groaned, shaking his head.
“Could you not have simply kept your new research to yourself, and pandered to the man long enough to receive your Degree? It wanted but another three months, and you might have been done with the place, honourably. At that point, your new research would have been most useful to me in the House of Lords, backed by the ‘evidence’ of that Degree.”
Arryn felt the frustration rise again – why could no one understand that he could not simply ignore the outright dissemination of incorrect information?
“No, I could not. It is positively criminal that a Professor should remain so ignorant of modern developments, and continue to teach students things which have ceased to be in any way correct.”
“Perhaps, my son, before the day when I am no more, and you take on my title, it would behove you to learn something far closer to diplomacy. Else you will spend your whole life arguing. And sadly, those who habitually lie tend to be far more successful in life, for they tell people what they want to hear. But for now, we must deal with the results of your actions.”
“And how do you suggest that we do that? I refuse to go back to Oxford, and that man’s classes!”
The Marquess went to the sideboard, and poured two brandies, then returned to hand one to Arryn.
“I suspected that you would be stubborn, so I have made some enquiries – and some subtly pointed suggestions. The Professor who offends you so much will develop the sudden desire to retire at the end of this year, encouraged by a generous stipend from the University, in recognition of his long service. And during the following academic year, the University will see fit to give you one last chance to finish. By then, I trust that you will have prepared yourself to swallow your pride, and simply endure that last few months, until you can pass the exams, and receive your Degree. But in the immediate term, you will set yourself to charming the ton, and giving the gossips no further material to work with.”
Arryn took a sizeable swallow of the brandy, feeling the pleasant burn of it fill him with reassuring warmth. He did not like his father’s requirement, but he accepted that it was sensible. And he did not envisage too great a difficulty in avoiding providing the gossips with material. He had little interest in society, and the simpering hordes of young women who sought husbands with merciless determination. None of them had the slightest intelligence in their heads. They rarely spoke a second language, let alone more, they did not read, beyond silly novels and the fashion magazines, and they seemed able to discuss nothing but the weather.
The very idea of spending the rest of his life tied to a woman like that, no matter how physically beautiful she might be, revolted him. He would be driven quite, quite mad.
“I see. Much as I do not wish to admit it, that is sensible. I will do my best to do as you wish.”
“Good. You can start by attending Viscount Jamison’s Ball tomorrow, and letting the gossips see that you are a sensible man, who dances politely with young women, does not drink excessively, and does not gamble. Do not, no matter what, go into the card room.”
Arryn sighed, swallowed the rest of the brandy, and gave his father a mocking, flourishing bow.
“As you command.”
<<<
Violet scanned the ballroom, assessing who was present, who she wanted to speak to, and which gentlemen she wanted to avoid. She never had any trouble filling her dance card, and found most Balls entertaining – so long as she did not expect serious conversation. At Balls, she tried very hard to forget whatever she had been studying most recently, and pretend to simply be just another vapid young woman of the ton. That way, no one remarked on how strange she was, no one gossiped about her, and no one noticed who and what she listened to.
Which meant that she often overheard some truly fascinating things. Beside her, Iris also looked around.
“Violet, do you think that any of our sisters and their husbands will be here?”
“I don’t know for certain – possibly Lily, although now that she is increasing, perhaps not. Hyacinth and Kevin are at Chester Park, and Rose and Evan are visiting them. Camellia and Damien might be here, but Primrose and Gabriel are off in France, I think. We will just have to make do with other conversation.”
“That’s a pity – Lily and Trent always seem to know everything about everyone, which can be terribly useful.”
Violet nodded, her attention on the other side of the room. So far, she knew everyone she had seen – which was not unusual, but was frustrating – she had no interest in any of the men she knew, and if she did not meet any new people, then she was like as not to end as a spinster.
The crowd on the other side of the room shifted, as newcomers entered the room, and she studied them, for want of anything better to do. Her eye was caught by the Marquess of Westerhazy – or rather, by the man beside him.
The sinfully handsome man she had only met once, over a year ago. The man who must be the Earl of Merryfield, the current subject of extensive gossip.
The man who was even more breathtakingly handsome than she remembered him as being.
There were two women with them – one older, who was likely the Marchioness, and a younger one, a woman she had never met, who bore enough likeness to the Earl that it was almost certain that she was his sister. Her hair, like his, was a rich dark brown, with glints of deep red through it.
Iris had apparently noticed where she was looking.
“Oh! Look – that must be him, the Earl. He looks so… respectable… I wonder what he can have done, to offend a Professor so badly as to be sent down? We must arrange an introductio
n – surely Thorne will know him?”
“Why do you want to be introduced, Iris? Any man who gets himself sent down must be disreputable, and not worth your time.”
“Violet, are you blind? The man is unbelievably handsome. I could swoon on the spot, just looking at him. I do not care if he offended some stuffy old Professor – not when he looks like that!”
Violet forced herself not to grind her teeth – sometimes, Iris was just as vapid as most of the young women of the ton. No amount of handsome could redeem the Earl in her eyes. The opportunity to study was sacred, and not to be thrown away, for anything.
“Then you had best wait to swoon until he is close enough to catch you as you fall.”
The sarcasm in her voice was obvious, and her tone sharp. Iris blinked, almost shocked.
“Goodness, Violet, for a moment there, you sounded just like Hyacinth.”
“I do believe that I meant to.”
With that, she turned away, and went to her mother, who stood a short distance away, chatting to Lady Fotheringhampton. Even listening to gossip was better than watching her sister melt into a puddle at the sight of a handsome man. But when she reached her mother, it was just in time to hear Lady Fotheringhampton speak, in the lowered tones reserved for passing on something salacious.
“Did you hear about Merryfield? It has been suggested to me, by someone who should know the truth of it, that he offended the Professor by stealing away with the man’s mistress! I’m not surprised – a man as handsome as that, in a town with as many… lightskirts… as there are reputed to be in Oxford….”
Violet found her eyes turning to the handsome man across the room. Might what Lady Fotheringhampton said be true? She did not know, but if it was, then all the more reason for her to despise him – to throw away one’s chance to study for the sake of a lightskirt… It was too dreadful a concept to even consider.
Just as she was thinking that she should find a corner to hide in, a cheerful voice spoke from behind her.
“Violet, do come with me – I want to introduce you to someone.”
Thorne grinned at her when she turned, and she allowed her brother to lead her away.
Her relief at escaping Lady Fotheringhampton’s gossip was short-lived, however, when she realised just where Thorne was leading her. There was, it appeared, to be no avoiding a certain person.
“Violet, may I make known to you the Earl of Merryfield. Merryfield, my sister, Lady Violet Gardenbrook.”
Merryfield took her hand, and she shivered at his touch – there was something about him... He bowed.
“I am delighted to meet you, Lady Violet.”
“And I you.”
Not really, but I will be polite.
The thought slipped through her mind as years of training took over.
<<<
Arryn forced himself to smile, and to keep smiling, as it became obvious that the whole room was whispering about him. A flutter of young women drifted in his direction, but some were drawn back by parents, who obviously were paying heed to some gossip or another. He wondered what he had been described as doing – undoubtedly something far more heinous than arguing with a wilfully ignorant old man.
He stepped forward, and a movement caught his eye. A man he knew, coming towards him – but with a young woman at his side.
Her hair was a rich pale gold, a lighter version of the deeply burnished locks of the man beside her. She moved elegantly, and he found himself caught, watching, instead of looking away. She looked up, and met his eyes. Even from a distance, he could see that hers were a startling blue violet in colour.
They reached him, just as he remembered who the man was - Thorne Gardenbrook, Marquess of Wildenhall.
“Wildenhall – good evening to you.”
“Good evening Merryfield. Violet, may I make known to you the Earl of Merryfield. Merryfield, my sister, Lady Violet Gardenbrook.”
Arryn took her hand and bowed.
“I am delighted to meet you, Lady Violet.”
“And I you.”
He had the strangest feeling that her words were not sincere – which was remarkable – normally any young woman was genuinely delighted to meet an unmarried Earl. But she was beautiful, and showed every external sign of being as fluff brained as all of them were – so perhaps it was just his irritation with the whole evening making him think her words insincere. Silence extended, and he sought words, a way out of the conversation.
“Lady Violet, might I hope that you have a dance available? This one, if possible?”
What had he done! That was not what he had intended at all. She looked unsure, then gave the tiniest shrug.
“Of course, Lord Merryfield.”
I hope that you have enjoyed this preview of
‘An Enchantress for an Earl’
Make sure that you sign up to Arietta’s newsletter, at
http://www.ariettarichmond.com
to be the first to know when it is released!
Books in the His Majesty’s Hounds Series
Claiming the Heart of a Duke
Intriguing the Viscount
Giving a Heart of Lace
Being Lady Harriet’s Hero
Enchanting the Duke
Redeeming the Marquess
Finding the Duke’s Heir
Winning the Merchant Earl
Healing Lord Barton
Kissing the Duke of Hearts
Loving the Bitter Baron
Falling for the Earl
Rescuing the Countess
Betting on a Lady’s Heart
Attracting the Spymaster
Courting a Spinster for Christmas
Restoring the Earl’s Honour
From Soldier Spy to Lord (Books 1 to 3 as a set)
To Love a Determined Lady (Books 4 to 6 as a set)
Love Heals a Lord (Books 7 to 9 as a set)
To Love a Dashing Lord (Books 10 to 13 as a set)
Books in The Derbyshire Set
The Earl’s Unexpected Bride
The Captain’s Compromised Heiress
The Viscount’s Unsuitable Affair
The Count’s Impetuous Seduction
The Rake’s Unlikely Redemption
The Marquess’ Scandalous Mistress
The Marchioness’ Second Chance
A Viscount’s Reluctant Passion
Lady Theodora’s Christmas Wish
The Derbyshire Set Omnibus Edition Vol. 1 (the first three books all in one)
The Derbyshire Set Omnibus Edition Vol. 2 (the second three books all in one)
Regency Collections with Other Authors
Books in the A Duke’s Daughters – the Elbury Bouquet Series
A Maiden for a Marquess (Iris) (coming soon)
A Heart for an Heir (Thorne) (coming soon)
Books in the Regency Scandals Series
Books in the Nettlefold Chronicles
Other Books from Arietta
Other Books from Dreamstone Publishing
Dreamstone publishes books in a wide variety of categories ranging from Clean Romance to Erotica, to Kids Books, Books on Writing, Business Books, Photography, Cook Books, Diaries, Coloring books and much more. New books are released each month.
Be the first to know when our next books are coming out
Be first to get all the news – sign up for our newsletter at
http://www.dreamstonepublishing.com
ter>
A Minx for a Merchant : Book 5: Primrose: Clean Regency Romance (A Duke's Daughters - The Elbury Bouquet) Page 19