“No.I suppose we don’t talk about him all that much.He’s a bit of a recluse, as I mentioned.”Clara gave Priscilla a sidelong glance.Clara fibbed admirably, and in full support of Priscilla, but that didn’t mean her friend didn’t have reservations about this entire arrangement.
Priscilla understood Clara’s hesitation.It had all seemed fine when the ad had only been paper, but when a flesh and blood man had appeared…
Priscilla acknowledged that the man was a bit different.The scar on his face, which ran from his temple to the corner of his mouth, was nearly an inch wide, red and angry.Then there was the limp which told her there might be more extensive damage underneath his clothing.
But neither of those concerned her all that much.
The scar did not hide the fact that he was handsome, tall, and muscular.Besides, plenty of men were physically appealing while completely lacking in character.And a good man would make a far better husband than a handsome one.If she wanted a man without character, she might as well just marry Eugene.
Which would entirely defeat the purpose of her father leaving his money with her.
And while she had no idea what sort of man Viscount Ware was, she did know a few things.He’d considered her proposal, for one, and then proposed a logical next step.
Which is why she’d take this opportunity to learn more about the man.She certainly wouldn’t do something so foolish as to agree to wed him without understanding him better.Was he kind, caring?Would he be good to her mother?Did he have a temper?A mind for business?Whomever she wed would be in charge of her father’s fortune.
Priscilla would choose wisely.
“A recluse,” her mother asked, leaning forward.“Priscilla mentioned something about a that too.”
Priscilla reached for her mother’s hand.“He has a scar on his face, mother, and he’s a bit sensitive about it.”
She winced at the way she misled with that comment.He did seem sensitive, if averting his face was any indication, but she spoke as though they’d actually conversed on the subject, as though she understood the man, when in fact, she knew almost nothing.
A situation she hoped to correct today.
And then she could be more honest with her mother.Not completely honest but enough that she might stop feeling so guilty.Her mother had been her greatest advocate.She deserved Priscilla’s honesty, at the very least.And if Priscilla couldn’t give her mother that, at least she could provide her mother the opportunity to relax and enjoy her life.
Priscilla hoped to provide that opportunity for her soon enough.
Carriage wheels sounded outside the house and Clara rose, crossing to the window.“It’s him!”
Priscilla stood too, shaking out her skirts and fidgeting with the collar of her dress.Nerves flitted in her stomach, but she tamped them down.
She could do this.
Above the mantel hung a portrait of her father, his face serious but his eyes ever kind.How she missed him.
She gave the picture one more glance before she left the room and made her way to the entry, her mother and Clara following behind.
Eugene already stood by the door, his shirt collars starched to perfection and so high they pricked at his cheeks.
He hardly acknowledged her as she joined him near the door.
He’d been outwardly livid when he’d learned from the butler she had a gentleman caller, and Priscilla knew that if this endeavor failed, she’d be unlikely to have any more visitors.Eugene would make certain.
The butterflies in her stomach beat harder.
Would Eugene scare Lord Ware away before she’d even left the house?His color was already rising, his eyes narrowed into slits as he waited, looking like a cat ready to pounce.
The sound of footsteps on the granite steps alerted everyone the viscount had arrived, and her mother came to stand next to her, her hand brushing her arm.She gave her mother a returning smile as they exchanged a quick glance.
The door swung open and Viscount Ware stepped inside, removing his hat as he bowed to Eugene.“My lord.”
“Ware,” Eugene answered, his lip curling around the single syllable.
“Thank you for having me today.”
“You’re not particularly welcome.”
