The earl frowned at his sister’s dismissal, nodding slowly and retreating from the room.
“I must speak with Mrs. Danvers in the kitchen, then I will join you in the drawing room,” Charlotte said, turning to Mme Auclair. “Thank you, madame. I look forward to seeing your stunning creations.”
Louisa fled from the room as Charlotte made her way to the kitchens. Her sister-in-law’s reaction to the new guest Perry announced was puzzling. Charlotte was intrigued; desperate to discover what could possibly have unsettled Louise so much. Her curiosity was piqued as she went to make dinner arrangements. It was nice to have something else to focus on besides her new husband. Perhaps she wasn’t the only one in the house harboring secrets.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Perry could barely suppress his glee as the butler announced Lord Talbot’s arrival. It had been quite a while since they had spent time together. Michael facilitated many a night of drunkenness when Eliza had passed away. After her passing, Perry was in great need of a distraction and friendship. Though his brother Beau was always supportive, he was less likely to indulge himself, especially if it endangered his carefully built façade of the honorable duke. Beau would never risk a scandal; he did everything to avoid it. Though Michael could difficult to locate, he was always up for a good time when he was in town.
He was the son of Lord Edmund Talbot and his wife Anjali, the woman with whom the elder Viscount had fallen hopelessly in love while working on behalf of the crown to oversee interests in the East India Company. Michael was blessed to come from a loving and supportive family.
Though his parents’ interracial marriage was scandalous, Michael seemed to blend in with society. His good looks and infectious personality were an asset when engaging even the most discerning members of thebeau monde. His prestigious rank andlineage meant he was begrudgingly accepted by theton. His ability to move smoothly within the confines of society and continue his work for the crown meant his place among the finer set was earned. Women adored him, though he was never found to be attached to a particular one. Men were comfortable interacting with him during social occasions, when drinking and gambling. The missions his father had accomplished on behalf of the crown only continued with his son. The details of Michael’s work were kept rather vague, and Perry always found them intriguing. Michael possessed a mysterious quality that lead most to believe he knew a great deal of information. The man was a strongbox of secrets.
“Michael,” Perry said with a hearty handshake, slapping his palm on the viscount’s shoulder.
“What on earth have you done, Perry? Married? I nearly choked on my port when I heard.” Michael shook his head in disbelief. “I was just beginning to enjoy our nights of rampant debauchery.”
Perry winced, regretting those same nights now that he had found Charlotte. “Indeed, I have. I was blessed to learn that I have a daughter, darling Aurelia. Once I discovered the truth, her mother and I were wed immediately. I look forward to introducing you to them.”
Michael’s mouth gaped open. “Unbelievable. I hardly think you’re fit to be a father, but I’m happy for you.” He gave a good-natured laugh and settled into a dark velvet-stuffed chair. “I guess our days of merrymaking are coming to an end.”
Perry poured them each a glass of port, a little warm-up before joining the women.
“I suppose so, though not entirely. Where have you been off to, my friend?” Perry asked, clinking his glass to his friends.
“Well, I’ve spent much time overseeing trade dealings for the crown. I can’t say much; it’s a rather secretive business,” Michael explained. “I’ve avoided my estates for some time, and plan to stayfor a while to ensure everything is in order. I’ve been given bit of a reprieve from my responsibilities to His Majesty.”
“Are you in any danger? Is it a good idea for you to be doing this work if you are now the viscount? Have I inspired you to settle down with a wife? The begetting of an heir is serious business.” Perry cocked a brow.
Michael chuckled. “Ah, well, I suppose. I simply haven’t paid much attention to any of my responsibilities on the home front. My work seems to keep me thoroughly engaged. Thankfully, my sister is wed and bred, and her son would make a perfect heir if I needed one.” Michael shrugged and swallowed the last of his port.
“Yes, I suppose your nephew is a suitable heir. For now. Shall we join the women?”
“Women?” Michael’s eyes widened in concern.
“My wife Charlotte and my sister, Louisa, of course. Come.” Perry placed his empty glass on the desk and strode toward the door. When Michael didn’t follow, he turned, his brow creasing in confusion. His friend stared at his glass and blew a heavy breath, then placed it next to Perry’s.
“Lead the way,” Michael said, patting Perry on his good shoulder.
There was something in the silence that stretched between them that put Perry on edge. His friend was troubled, but reluctant to admit the source of his concerns. Perry would question him later, when they had more time to speak freely.
An icy air of frost emitted from his sister when he and Michael joined the women for aperitifs. The tilt of her chin and the flutter of her lashes were bewildering. Michael had known the earl since their younger days at Eton. The viscount spent many summers visiting with the Spencers, and to his knowledge, Louisa should have been a touch warmer when welcoming their guest. As he followed in his father’s footsteps, his friend became more elusive,constantly feeding a hunger for danger and adventure with his travels to far off places. Perry even suspected the viscount had some dealings with the underworld, as the connections he made through his missions for the crown exposed him to a variety of people.
There were always whispers among thetonwhere he was concerned. Perhaps they had something to do with Louisa’s strange demeanor.
“Charlotte, may I introduce you to my friend, Lord Michael Talbot, the Viscount Witney?”
“How delightful to meet you, my lord” Charlotte said, rising from her chair and nodding warmly.
Louisa took that exact moment to sip her ratafia and completely ignore the men. Puzzled, Perry touched his sister’s shoulder. “Louisa? You remember Michael?”
His sister reached out a limp hand to Michael, offering him only a brief glance. “Lord Witney,” she said, her mouth stretching into a tight smile.
Perry frowned, watching Michael as he bent over with the most galant expression and kissed her gloved hand. Louisa pulled away, clasping her hand to her chest and leaving him with a frosty glare.
He would delve into the mystery of his sister’s odd behaviour when things in his life quieted.Ifthey ever quieted. Perry joined his wife on the small sofa, his thighs rubbing enticingly against her and causing a riot of sensation to course through his body. How would he ever get used to living with Charlotte if he could barely sit next to her without his heart racing?
They made polite conversation until dinner was announced. Perry welcomed the distraction, still trying to process the strange tension between his sister and Michael. Everyone was polite, and Louisa entertained them with the scandals from the last social events she had attended, giving Perry hope that his sister would adequately prepare his wife for their first ball the next evening. Louisa was well equipped when it came to dealing with the worstof the gossips. They had very little time to prepare for the party, and he trusted his wife implicitly to stand by his side and weather the worst of society’s judgment when they first exposed themselves to the scrutiny of theton. In Perry’s view, tomorrow night was essential.
