A Very Merry Viscount

by Jane Charles

  “Remember girls, do not encourage anyone who resides outside of York. I don’t know who Danby plans for you, but we will not succumb willingly.

  It was all Tabitha could do not to roll her eyes. But as she didn’t want any other gentleman until she’d actually been introduced to Lord Straffan, she went along as Mother led them to a far corner to await supper. However, Tabitha quickly amended her plans when Lord Straffan stepped through the entrance and paused to take in the room.

  She started forward but was stopped by her mother’s steel grip on her arm.

  “He is not for you,” she hissed.

  Tabitha blew out a sigh. Meeting Straffan might be the most difficult task yet. Somehow and someway she must succeed!

  A moment later, her older brother Peter entered and stopped beside Lord Straffan. The two exchanged pleasantries, or so she assumed, as she couldn’t hear them, then they made their way to the cart where a footman was serving beverages.

  They seemed to know each other already, and were not merely acquaintances.

  Peter said something and Lord Straffan laughed. A natural, relaxed smile remained as well as crinkles at the corners of his eyes as if he smiled often. Tabitha muffled a sigh. Oh, he was handsome indeed. It was no different than how he’d appeared in London. Though he didn’t laugh when he rode, his face had been relaxed as if he didn’t have a care in the world, and yes, she’d seen him smile then as well.

  She simply must gain an introduction!

  “Excuse me, I must speak with Peter.” Tabitha practically yanked her arm from her mother’s grasp and glided across the room. Oh, she’d be in trouble later, but her mother wasn’t about to make a scene at Danby Castle. As much as Mother wished to avoid Danby, she feared him even more.

  As Tabitha crossed the room, Peter turned, glass of wine in his hand and noted Tabitha.

  “Mother let you away from her side?” he asked with a slight chuckle.

  Oh, she’d like to kick him for making such a comment. It was embarrassing how their mother kept her daughters close.

  “She is across the room.”

  “And keeping an eye on you as I can see.” He nodded to someone behind her, which Tabitha assumed was the woman who had birthed them.

  “She’s wishing I return you to her side if that’s what the shaking of her fan in our direction means.”

  Mother always carried a fan, except she had an entirely different language than any other lady when engaging its use.

  “Shall I return you?” Peter stuck out his arm to offer escort.

  Heat stole into Tabitha’s cheeks at being treated as a child. Instead, she ignored her brother and glanced at his companion, who was watching her with curiosity and a bit of humor in his light blue eyes.

  “We’ve not yet met?” he asked as if he should know her, but couldn’t recall her name. Was it possible that he remembered her from the times she spied him in Hyde Park?

  “I have not had the pleasure.”

  “Viscount Straffan, please allow me to introduce my sister, Lady Tabitha Storm,” Peter said after a moment.

  She lifted her gloved hand, which Straffan took and lifted to his lips. “My pleasure.” His blue eyes darkened with what Tabitha interpreted as pleasure.

  Oh, her mother was going to be very angry, but in that moment, Tabitha couldn’t find it in herself to care.

  Andrew had never met her, yet Lady Tabitha with her dark curls and green eyes, sparkling with mischief, was as familiar to him as any friend. “Hyde Park,” he muttered. His visits to Hyde Park had always been in the morning and never at the fashionable hour, but that is where Andrew had seen her.

  “I often strolled Hyde Park in the early hours,” she answered. “You rode Rotten Row on a black Arabian, if I’m not mistaken.”

  It was just as he remembered. No matter what the day or the weather, Lady Tabitha would take a solitary walk with her maid trailing not far behind. Several times Andrew thought to stop, but as there wasn’t anyone about to introduce them, he thought it better to keep riding. He had looked for her at the few entertainments he’d attended, but Lady Tabitha had never been present.

  “You walked in Hyde Park before the fashionable hour?” Peter asked with alarm. “Alone?”

  Lady Tabitha glanced around. “Keep your voice down. Mother can never know and I always took my maid.”

  “How did you sneak away?” her brother asked a little quieter.

  “You know Mother never rises before noon.” Lady Tabitha shrugged.

  “Tabitha, come away with me now,” an older woman stopped beside her. “You shouldn’t be bothering your brother and Lord Straffan.”

  At that, Lady Tabitha’s face brightened to a lovely shade of rose.

  “Tabitha isn’t bothering me, Mother,” Mr. Storm condescended as he slipped Lady Tabitha’s hand onto the crook of his arm.

  Alarm shot through Andrew. Was Lady Tabitha a simpleton or in need of protection? Could she be younger than he realized? Though he was here for land, a bit of disappointment settled into his stomach to learn that the lady who had captured his attention last spring was not in a position to be courted by a gentleman.

  Chapter 4

  Tabitha wished the floor would open and swallow her whole. What must Lord Straffan think? Not only was her mother being ridiculous, her brother was treating her as a child. Unfortunately, before she could think of something to disabuse any negative opinions Straffan may have formed, the drawing room quieted.

  There was only one person who could silence everyone in such a manner, and Tabitha turned to find the Duke of Danby standing at the entrance as he surveyed the gathering—taking in every detail with pointed calculation that set her nerves on edge. For the briefest of moments, he looked directly at her, Mother, Peter and then Lord Straffan. His frown deepened before Danby turned his gaze to others in attendance.

  Why the frown? Except, he’d never been fond of mother.

  “Why are you here, Straffan?” Peter asked once Danby was no longer focused on them. “Seeking a wife?” her brother teased, or so Tabitha assumed. “That is the only reason an unrelated bachelor would brave Danby Castle this time of year.”

  Her heart skipped. Was Straffan here for a wife?

  “I have business dealings with His Grace and was ordered to attend him this day.”

  Tabitha frowned. What kind of business dealings? Danby had several interests, and she wouldn’t be surprised if he advised the Prince Regent, but what could he and Lord Straffan have in common?

  “He wanted you here at Christmas?” Mother asked in alarm.

  “Today, to be specific,” Lord Straffan answered. “I’d hope to have our business concluded so that I can return to my family, but His Grace has yet to give me an audience.”

  Peter snorted and Straffan shot him a glance.

  “I’m well aware of his reputation and can assure you that I will not be caught up in any matrimony-minded antics.”

  “Many have fallen to his manipulations,” Peter warned.

  “Many are not me,” he assured Peter with a confident smile.

  Goodness, was Danby set to match Lord Straffan with one of her relatives? Perhaps Tabitha should make her great-uncle aware of her interest before it was too late.

  “I’m glad you took my offer seriously, Straffan,” Danby said at his approach.

  Viscount Straffan stiffened and his warm smile slipped. “Of course, Your Grace, as you knew I would.”

  Danby narrowed his eyes and a slight smile appeared at the corner of his lips. “Yes, well, I’m certain that by the time your visit has ended we will have reached an amicable resolution.”

  “I had hoped to be on my way tomorrow,” Straffan said. “I am here on the day you requested.”

  “I also mentioned you’d be spending Christmas.”

  Straffan’s jaw tightened. Perhaps Danby had finally met someone he shouldn’t attempt to manipulate.

  “Yes, you did, but I had hoped to share the holiday with my family.
So if you would be so kind as to allow me some of your valuable time this evening, or tomorrow morning, we might conclude our business, and I can be on my way.”

  “Oh, that is an excellent idea,” her mother agreed with a bit too much enthusiasm. “One must not be separated from family at this time of year.”

  Danby shot her a disapproving look before refocusing on Straffan. “I’ve nothing available in my schedule for this evening but I’ll see what I can manage for tomorrow.”

  Straffan simply inclined his head in acknowledgement.

  “Supper is served,” a footman announced from the entry.

  “Peter, escort your sister, and Straffan, you should take in the Dowager Countess of Kinley.”

  Tabitha blinked. Her mother got to dine with Straffan while Tabitha was stuck with her brother?

  This was not fair. Not at all. Just like Hannah being sent to Barbados wasn’t fair. Yet, had Tabitha been sent, she would never have met Straffan, and he could very well be married off to another before the holiday ended without her ever having had the chance to meet him.

  Well, at least she was with her brother, and Tabitha was determined to learn everything she could of Peter’s friend.

  “Not a single word or question.” Peter whispered as he escorted Tabitha toward the dining room.

  “Whyever not?”

  “Too many ears.” He glanced around. “Do you want Danby to note your curiosity, and decide you can spend the rest of your life learning all there is to know about Straffan?”

  “Why, yes.”

  Her brother’s eyes widened and he took her aside, away from the other guests. “You just met the gentleman,” Peter hissed quietly.

  “I just learned his name, but I saw him last year, and he remembered me, too.”

  “Is he the reason you disobeyed Mother and snuck away?”

  Tabitha blinked at him. “Why are you so concerned?”

  “The two of you will never suit.”

  “Why?” Tabitha demanded. “Does he have a wicked reputation?” she asked hopefully.

  “He loves horses, and you hate them.”

  “I do not hate them. In fact, I admire them.”

  “From a distance,” Peter reminded her.

  “A person can admire and still be afraid.”

  “Straffan’s life revolves around horses and his family’s stud farms, and since you won’t go near the creatures, I cannot imagine the two of you working out.”

  Good God, was Danby punishing him? All Andrew did was appear on the day specified and now he’d been seated with the most irritating lady in all of England. She prattled on all through supper, and no matter how often Andrew tried to converse with the lovely Lady Lily on his left, the dowager drew him back into conversation. At least he believed it was Lady Lily when it could be her twin, Lady Amelia. Andrew had met Lord Elston’s twin sisters previously but he’d never been able to tell them apart. Regardless of which twin was seated beside him, Andrew would have much preferred to converse with her.

  Further, he’d never heard a parent speak so despairingly about her own daughters. Sarah, who apparently was the youngest was far too young to consider matrimony and rather immature for her seventeen years. So immature, in fact, that the dowager might not take her to London in the spring. Then there was Deborah, who always had her nose in a book and didn’t converse well with others. She’d prefer not to be around any people, ever, if it could be helped and would make a poor wife as she’d refuse to entertain or attend entertainments unless forced.

  Though Andrew had no idea who Deborah was, the fact that she didn’t enjoy entertainments would rise her to the top of any gentleman’s list of potential wives.

  It was as though Lady Kinley was doing her best to keep anyone from pursuing her daughters.

  Or, perhaps the dowager simply wished to discourage an Irish lord from pursuing them.

  “Then there is Tabitha,” Lady Kenley heaved a heavy sigh. “I really do not know what to do with that girl.”

  The woman trailed off, and Andrew did not ask. He wished to know what fault the dowager found in her daughter, but the conversation had become quite uncomfortable even though he’d contributed nothing to the discussion.

  “Not at all obedient, often making rash decisions that have not been thought out with proper care and caution, much like a child, so we must watch her at all times.”

  It was what he had feared. Even though Lady Tabitha was beautiful beyond compare, he could not in good conscience consider courting a lady who was more childlike than woman.

  Andrew blinked and sat back. Court! He wasn’t here to court anyone. He was here to complete a business transaction and nothing else.

  Good Lord! Was there something about Danby Castle that turned a gentleman’s mind to courtship? Did Danby cast some type of spell over his guests and family? As fanciful as the notion was, Andrew couldn’t set it aside.

  As the ladies rose, signaling the end of supper, Andrew watched until the last of the pastel-garbed misses left the dining room. At the close of the door, Andrew blew out a relieved breath and welcomed the glass of brandy as Lord Elston slid into the seat previously occupied by his younger sister.

  “My sister is worried and wished for me to have a word with you.”

  At that, Andrew sat back. “She need not concern herself over my wellbeing.”

  “No, no, of course not. It’s about the misinformation you’ve been given with regard to the Storm ladies.”

  Ah, so Lady Lily, or was it Lady Amelia, had overheard the dowager countess? Of course, Andrew wasn’t surprised if a number of people hadn’t heard the woman since she wasn’t exactly quiet.

  “You see, Lily is fond of our distant cousins and irritated that their mother spoke so poorly of them.”

  Lady Lily, and she was wearing blue, which meant that it was Lady Amelia in yellow this evening. Not that it mattered, as they’d be wearing something different on the morrow, and he wouldn’t know which was which again.

  “Deborah might be shy and adore reading, but she does enjoy entertainments when allowed to participate.”

  “Allowed?”

  “Their mother is a harpy, if you haven’t noticed.” Elston shrugged. “As for Sarah, she may only be seventeen, but I’ve encountered girls into their third season with less maturity than Sarah Storm.”

  What of Lady Tabitha? Andrew wanted to ask, but wouldn’t as he didn’t want to show any outward interest in her.

  “And then there’s Tabitha.”

  Andrew couldn’t help turning his full attention on Elston. Damn it all, that was more interest than he should have shown. Fortunately, Elston didn’t seem to notice.

  “Honestly, she’s my favorite of the bunch, and not the childlike simpleton her mother tried to paint. Tabitha has a mind of her own and when she decides on something she wants, she sets out to achieve it. Since her mother hasn’t been able to curtail Tabitha’s independent nature, she’s bound and determined to keep watch over her like a jailer might do.”

  “Jailer?” Andrew echoed.

  “Out of concern, I’m sure,” Elston continued.

  “Concern for what?”

  “Out of concern that Tabitha will make the one fatal mistake her mother fears the most.”

  Fatal mistake?

  Before Andrew could mutter those words aloud, Danby pushed from his seat at the head of the table and said, “Elston, you and Mr. Lacy requested an audience.”

  Elston seemed to steel himself as he rose from his spot. “Yes, Your Grace, thank you.”

  So Elston had been granted an audience with His Grace. If only Andrew had been as fortunate.

  Chapter 5

  After bundling herself into a warm walking dress and pulling on her thickest pelisse, lined and trimmed with chinchilla, Tabitha quietly slipped into the corridor and tiptoed to the grand stairs, careful not to make a noise.

  “Do you need any assistance, Lady Tabitha,” Dawson asked as he stepped from the sitting room.
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br />   She nearly ground her teeth in irritation. Dawson, Danby’s butler, was always about, so much so that Tabitha wondered if he ever slept. “I enjoy walking in the early mornings. A daily constitutional.” It was the same excuse she’d given their housekeeper in London whenever she was caught. “Please do not tell my mother, as she will fret.”

  “Of course, Lady Tabitha. Do enjoy your outing.” Then he opened the door so that she could exit.

  Dawson might not tell her mother, but there was no doubt he’d report directly to Danby. Tabitha could only hope that her great-uncle dismissed such an inconsequential event and not make any further inquiry.

  Though the hour was near the same as Straffan rode last spring, that didn’t mean he’d continue the practice in Yorkshire, especially on such a cold morning.

  Regardless, there was only one way to find out. So Tabitha shoved her gloved hands into her muff, lowered her chin and set out against the wind.

  What if he was already gone and riding?

  If that was the case, then she’d simply walk the riding paths most gentlemen used while visiting the castle. However, she could also end up freezing all for naught if he remained abed this morning, therefore, she continued onto the stables and took a tentative step inside. The scent of hay and manure assaulted her. What was once familiar and comfortable now only brought trepidation, which she did her best to push aside.

  “Lady Tabitha?” Kemp questioned in surprise. “What brings you out so early and to the stables?”

  Kemp had been Danby’s stablemaster since before Tabitha was born so she must devise an excellent excuse for being here. “I’ve decided to face my fear,” she announced. It wasn’t exactly a a lie because it was something she’d attempted several times over the last few years, but she’d never been able to make her feet move past the entrance of any stables before the clawing anxiety overtook her body.

  “Have you now?” He studied her. “Do you wish to ride?”

  “Goodness, no!” Being near a horse and actually upon one were two different matters entirely. “I thought to go near the horses for the time being.” Since they were all stabled, there was less chance of her being injured. At least that was the argument that she’d given herself time and time again at home, but she still hadn’t been able to go near the stalls. “Besides, as this was where my fear began, it is the perfect place to bring it to an end,” she announced, making the sudden decision for herself. Besides, if Straffan was as horse-mad as Peter claimed, she must overcome and vanquish her crippling terror of the magnificent creatures.