A Gentleman to Avoid: Sweet Regency Romance (Sherton Sisters Book 3)

by Wendy May Andrews

  Her smile didn’t feel completely natural, but she pinned it in place as best she could as she joined the other women in the withdrawing room.

  “What’s wrong?” Georgia demanded in a whisper as soon as they were settled and a maid was serving the tea.

  “Lord Bertram is making a pest of himself, but do not trouble yourself, I should be able to handle it.”

  “I should have had Crossley deny him entrance, but Cris was reluctant to do so, as they sit on some sort of committee together.” Georgia frowned with concern.

  “Don’t worry about it, George. I’m quite certain it is something I can take care of on my own. While he might be annoying and make me uncomfortable, I do trust that he is a gentleman and shan’t actually cause me real trouble. I will be on my guard and will be sure to report to Crossley if it becomes necessary.”

  Georgia’s stare was full of worry for her friend.

  “George, I promise. Don’t get yourself worked up. You have your guests and your babe to be concerned about. If you look at me like that I won’t be quite so forthcoming the next time you ask me what’s wrong.”

  Having been friends since childhood, Vicky knew that was exactly the right thing to say, as Georgia burst into laughter. After one more pointed, searching glance, the countess turned away and began to circulate amongst the assembled ladies.

  Vicky followed her lead and took a seat next to one of the shyer young women they had invited to join the house party.

  “Lady Delilah, I didn’t get a chance to do anything more than greet you earlier. How were your travels here? I’m assuming you took it in two parts, since you arrived this afternoon.”

  “Thank you for asking, my lady,” the younger woman murmured. “We actually took more than that. We travelled a bit out of the direct route, so that my mother could stop in and see her sister on the way. My aunt has been feeling poorly and didn’t come up for the Season, so Mama wanted to see her in person. There’s only so much that can be conveyed in a letter.”

  “Of course, I can relate completely. Two of my sisters are now wed and away. Neither of them were in a position to come to Town for the Season this year, either, and it’s certainly strange to be apart for so long for the first time. I wonder if one ever gets used to it.”

  Lady Delilah smiled gently. “Used to it, I suppose in time, but from my mother’s case, I don’t know if it ever gets easy.”

  “What did you think of your first Season? Are you disappointed that it ended early?”

  The girl blushed, making Vicky wish she hadn’t asked the question. She supposed it implied that the girl had failed in her efforts to find a match, but since Vicky was in the same boat, she didn’t suppose it was any reason for the girl to be embarrassed.

  “I shouldn’t admit it, but I’m thrilled that it’s over. Except that it means I will have to return again next year.”

  “Oh dear, you didn’t enjoy it?”

  “Don’t tell Mama that I’ve admitted as much.” The young woman’s eyes darted toward her mother, who was thankfully absorbed in her own conversation.

  “Never fear, your secret is safe with me,” Vicky promised with a straight face. “But surely, you should tell her.”

  “Oh, I’ve told my mother many times that the Season is not to my taste. But what are we to do? There is no one near our home I can match with, and I cannot become dependent on my younger brother when he eventually inherits.”

  “Perhaps a smaller center like Bath would be more to your liking.”

  “That was Mama’s suggestion as well, but it would still be uncomfortable, I think. I just wish the Season hadn’t ended so abruptly. It would have been better just to get it all over with at once. Now, there’s the dread and the wait until Parliament is recalled.”

  Vicky could sympathize completely. “Well, there are several quite eligible gentlemen present for the party. Perhaps, there’s still time to get it over with, as you said.”

  “But aren’t these gentlemen all here for you to choose from?”

  Vicky blinked and felt her own colour rising, wondering if that was what everyone present thought or expected.

  “I can assure you, I only need one,” she finally answered with a small laugh, hoping to make light of the awkward situation.

  Her comment and manner did the trick. Lady Delilah relaxed and laughed with her. “Thank you for making me feel more comfortable, my lady,” the younger woman finally said in a low voice. Vicky was surprised once more by the girl. It would seem she was astute and kind behind her shy exterior.

  “Are there any country activities you are particularly looking forward to during your stay at Crossley? I know her ladyship hasn’t finalized all the plans, so if there was something in particular you’d like to do, be sure to tell her.”

  Chapter Eight

  Ashford had tried to be discreet in his observation of Lady Vigilia throughout the seemingly interminable supper, but he knew she had been aware of his gaze at least a couple times. He hadn’t been able to read her expression when their eyes met, as she had a slightly strained countenance during the entire meal. That didn’t change on the few occasions their gazes encountered one another. If anything, it seemed to worsen. But Ash couldn’t say if she was disturbed to find him watching her or uncomfortable with his knowledge that she was uncomfortable.

  It was gratifying for him to know she was aware of him. And he was relieved to note that she didn’t seem enamoured with Lord Bertram. But there were still two weeks ahead of them. He knew he had his work cut out for him to engage her interest. It would be especially difficult with Bertram present. Ash sipped his port and tried not to allow his disquiet to display itself as their host chatted about the various sport they would enjoy that week.

  “It isn’t really the time of year for any particular hunting,” Crossley was saying. “But we do keep the grounds stocked with game, if anyone would care to do some shooting.”

  “I’ve heard your property is extensive, Cross,” Sir Bronson commented. “Is it true we can ride for days without leaving your grounds?”

  The earl laughed. “My grounds are extensive, but you’d have to be riding in circles to ride for days without leaving them.” The rest of the gentlemen laughed as the young baronet blushed. Crossley took pity on him. “Have no fear, Bronson, there will be plenty of riding, if that is your pleasure. The scenery is varied around here between forests, dales, and coastal crags. I might be slightly partial, but I’m sure you’ll enjoy it immensely.” The laughter continued, but it was pleasant and good natured.

  Ash watched the byplay, pleased that no one seemed in a hurry to be hurtful. If not for Bertram, this would have been a most pleasant party.

  “Tell me, Lord Clifton, how do you know Bertram? I noticed you rode up to Crossley together.”

  Ashford had wanted to know but hadn’t expected to hear their host ask in front of everyone. Clearly, the easy-going earl wasn’t as oblivious as some might think.

  The younger man look startled to have all eyes trained upon him, and his cheeks coloured with embarrassment. His eyes flew toward the other man in question, as though looking for direction. Bertram’s face remained impassive, offering him no assistance.

  “Oh, well, we’ve known each other since we were boys, my lord. He went to school with my brother. Doesn’t everyone know Lord Bertram? He’s received everywhere.” Lord Clifton stumbled and stammered his way through his explanation but concluded on an almost defiant note.

  “Sure, sure,” Crossley agreed genially. “I just hadn’t expected to see him this week, to be honest.”

  Now both gentlemen in question looked uncomfortable, as did the rest of the men seated at the table, to various degrees. The earl allowed a slight pause to descend over them before he shrugged and laughed. “I suppose it will be Bertram’s place to entertain us then, won’t it?”

  Lord Bertram had looked as though he were trying to hide his discomfort through the start of this conversation, but Crossley’s final words en
ded his effort, and he began to stammer out a reply, but the earl interrupted him.

  “You needn’t start just yet, Bertram, we’ll give you time to think of something,” he assured the discomfited man with a chuckle.

  Ashford was impressed with the earl’s handling of the situation. He knew it might be awkward for him to ask the man to leave, which is certainly what the bounder had been counting on. But calling him out on his blunder of arriving to a house party without an invitation put the other man on notice that he would be watched, and that the earl wasn’t impressed with Bertram’s actions. It also confirmed for Ash that Bertram had, in fact, not been invited, which had been his concern. He had serious issues with the man and didn’t want them to interfere with his pursuits here at the party. Knowing Crossley was unimpressed with Bertram, too, would make it easier to deal with the complications, at least Ash hoped so.

  Finally, after the conversation had begun to resume, Crossley allowed his tumbler to drop to the table with a louder than necessary thunk, drawing all eyes toward him. He stood and smiled. “Shall we join the ladies and keep them out of mischief?”

  With chuckles and a good deal of swift scraping of chairs, the gentlemen rose and quickly exited the dining room, eager to join the women and whatever festivities Lady Crossley had planned.

  “You’ll help me keep an eye on things, won’t you, Northcott?” Crossley asked quietly as they were the last to leave the room.

  Ash was surprised by the request but swiftly nodded his agreement.

  “I knew you could be counted on,” the earl added with a grin and a genial slap on the back.

  ~~~

  Vicky nearly groaned as the clatter heralding the arrival of the gentlemen was followed by the arrival of Lord Bertram at the front of the pack as the men flooded into the room with a great deal of boisterous laughter and jostling. She nearly rolled her eyes. Clearly, the footmen had been generous in their service of the port. When Lord Bertram took the seat next to her, it became even more difficult to suppress her groan of distaste.

  “Do you know what her ladyship has planned for the evening?”

  “I believe card tables are to be set up, and Miss Smythe has agreed to entertain us on the pianoforte.”

  “Ah, lovely,” he replied. “Will you be playing for us, as well?”

  “I can assure you, I’d be far less enjoyable to listen to than Miss Smythe.”

  “Don’t be so modest, my lady.”

  “It is realism, not modesty, my lord,” Vicky concluded firmly, with no desire to entertain his cajolery. She hesitated to remind him of his wish to speak with her privately. She didn’t want to imply an intimacy with him that did not exist, nor did she have any desire to cultivate his potential interest in her. But she also didn’t want to have it hanging over her for days if Crossley didn’t ask him to leave. With a little sigh, she finally spoke. “You mentioned you had something of import to tell me?” Her voice lifted in a question, despite trying to be decisive in her statement.

  “Yes, but I’m not sure if it should be said here.”

  “Well, I cannot be private with you, my lord, so if it cannot be here then you’ll have to keep it to yourself.” She paused for a brief thought before adding, “If you think it’s something that concerns me, perhaps you should share it with Lord Crossley, as he has the responsibility for me for the present.”

  “No, no, I wouldn’t want to trouble his lordship with this at the moment. I think it’s something you should be made aware of, but you may wish to keep it private.”

  Now, Vicky was truly becoming concerned. Obviously, Bertram was trying to ingratiate himself into her good graces. Her stomach clenched with nerves.

  “I don’t think there could possibly be anything that you might know that concerns me and ought to remain private,” she began, trying to keep the frown from her face with the desire to not draw attention to their conversation.

  “It’s about Northcott.”

  Vicky blinked with the effort to keep her gaze from flying in search of Ashford. The wretched viscount was right. She wouldn’t want anyone to know she was having this conversation. Especially not Mr. Ashford Northcott.

  “You said that already, but as I told you then, I really don’t think anything to do with Mr. Northcott has any bearing upon me, my lord. Perhaps, you have mistaken me for one of my sisters.”

  “I have not,” Bertram insisted in a low, but fierce, voice making Vicky’s skin start to develop a crawling sensation. She should have remained at home with her sisters and parents and the baby viscount.

  “It might, then, be best if you share your information with Lord Crossley, as I suggested. I don’t think it’s within my ability to handle whatever you wish to share with me.” She almost choked on the words, as Vicky was quite comfortable with her coping abilities. But she was adamantly opposed to listening to whatever Lord Bertram was hoping to share with her.

  “The man’s a traitor and a cheat.”

  Vicky abandoned her attempts at self-control, as it was decidedly not her strength. Her head turned so quickly to assess Lord Bertram that she almost hurt her neck. Searching the strange viscount’s face for any sign that he was jesting revealed nothing to her. Suddenly, it became too much, and Vicky let out a peal of laughter.

  Blushing, Vicky tried to cover over her blunder. “Oh, my lord, you do tell the most amusing tales,” she said as she waved a hand in front of her face. The curious faces of their fellow guests turned away as they lost interest, much to her relief.

  “I’m not jesting, my lady,” Bertram insisted, even more fierce than before. “I can prove it to you.”

  “That will not be necessary, my lord. While I do not think your assessment of the gentleman in question is correct, it really matters very little, as he is not a part of my sphere. We are acquaintances and fellow guests under the hospitality of Lord and Lady Crossley. That is all.” When Bertram continued to stare at her expectantly, Vicky sighed and added, “If you truly have concerns about him, I really must insist you speak with Lord Crossley. Or perhaps return to Town and have an audience with His Majesty. I cannot fathom what you hoped to accomplish by telling me.”

  Bertram’s face twisted. “The man wishes to court you. I felt you ought to be warned.”

  “You are quite mistaken, my lord,” Vicky insisted firmly. “And I think this conversation has veered toward the inappropriate.”

  “You must listen to me, my lady, it’s most imperative.”

  “You are getting beyond yourself, my lord. You are overstepping what is acceptable behaviour, and if you do not cease, I will have no recourse but to speak to Lord Crossley about having you removed.”

  “So, you’re in league with him then, are you?”

  Vicky sighed. “Now you’re just being bothersome and ridiculous. Can you not stop this wasteful chatter, my lord?”

  He must have taken the lack of heat in her tone to be acquiescence of some sort, for he instantly simmered down but drew even closer, as though all the more earnest. Vicky tried to pull back from his proximity, but due to the subject matter, still hesitated to draw attention to their conversation by truly putting him in his place.

  “Just hear me out, Lady Vigilia. It is important. I fear your family could be at risk.”

  And just like that, Vicky couldn’t resist listening to what he had to say. His might be the ravings of a lunatic, but if there were even the slightest chance that anything he might have to say could impact any member of her family, Vicky felt impelled to at least give him a listening ear.

  “Very well, my lord, tell me what you have to say.”

  “I will tell you throughout the party, my lady. It will be too much for you to take in all at once.”

  At that, Vicky almost called a complete halt. “Are you questioning my intellect, my lord?”

  “No, of course not, my lady,” he replied with, she was sure, feigned sincerity. “It is the softness of your heart that I am concerned about. I do not think you could hear it
all at once and not weep over the threat to your family.”

  “Tell me at once, Lord Bertram. If there is a risk to anyone in my family, I must put a stop to it immediately.”

  “The threat is not imminent. There is time for you to hear me out,” he soothed, causing Vicky to seethe.

  “Well, then what can you tell me? You were the one who proposed this conversation. Surely, you intended to do more than tantalize me with veiled suggestions and insinuations.”

  “As I said, Mr. Northcott is a traitor and a cheat.”

  “It is my understanding that the word traitor means someone who betrays a friend, their country, or their principles. Which one is it you are accusing Mr. Northcott of betraying? You? Someone in my family? Our nation?”

  “Our King.”

  He stated it baldly and with complete conviction. Vicky stared at him, much struck by how convinced the man sounded. It shook her own convictions a little. How well did she actually know Ashford Northcott? Enough to declare herself convinced he couldn’t possibly be capable of betraying their king and country? Part of her declared itself convinced, but the strength of Bertram’s statement carried some degree of weight. And Vicky felt her lack of ability to even counter his argument. How could she gain the required information without involving the very subject of their conversation? And if there were indeed some threat to her family and Northcott was involved in some way, could she let him know someone was onto his schemes?

  “But how does that impact my family?” she finally managed to ask in a low voice with enough control over herself to not shout the question.

  “Well, for one thing, your family and friends are close associates of Northcott’s. If he goes down, suspicion will be cast upon them as well.”

  “That’s a weak argument, my lord. Everyone knows the House of Sherton has been loyal to the Crown for generations.”