Page 24 of How to Start a Scandal

‘Contrary to what others may believe, I want to be a good earl.’ Seth glanced at the stack of correspondence. It was larger than he’d been expecting, but he would address it as he had the days before. One missive at a time. ‘And that extends beyond our holdings and those we employ. I know I have been...difficult in the past.’

Caroline shook her head, brushing off his castigation. ‘You weren’t always so bad.’

‘Now you’re being kind.’ He settled back and regarded his younger sister with a frank stare. ‘Do you remember the night before I left to join the military?’

Caroline fiddled with the hem of her sleeve, as though finding it intensely fascinating.

It was all the response he needed. He hated the answer he feared she might give, but he had to ask the question regardless. ‘Do you recall if I attended Lady Violet’s debut?’

‘That was all in the past.’ Caroline smoothed at the lace on her sleeve. ‘It needn’t be brought up now.’

Was it all that bad, then? Seth grimaced. ‘I’m relying on your good memory and honesty, Caroline. I confess I cannot remember much of that night.’

‘That doesn’t surprise me in the least. You were sufficiently foxed by mid-afternoon that day.’ Caroline’s mouth pulled down in a slight frown. ‘I only remember because Mother made a point of grousing about you being in your cups and missing Lady Violet’s debut.’ She pursed her lips.

Seth winced. ‘Go on if there’s more.’

Caroline lifted a shoulder in a partial shrug. ‘I was not yet old enough to be invited, so I cannot vouch if you were indeed in attendance or not. I only know Mother did not see you there.’

That gave Seth pause. Had he gone? He tapped his finger on his knee in thought.

‘There is another matter I’d like to speak to you on,’ Caroline said.

Wary, he lifted his attention back to her. ‘Yes?’

‘You said you wanted your care to extend beyond your property and those you employ, meaning Mother and myself, correct?’ An anxious expression pinched her face.

‘Is there something amiss?’

She shook her head vigorously and a furious blush stole over her cheeks. ‘No, not at all. It’s only that, well, there is a certain gentleman of your acquaintance whom I have found rather interesting in the last few years. I had hoped he would notice me after my come out, but three years have passed...’ She toyed with the lace on her sleeve again. ‘And he has not.’

Seth lifted his brow in a silent prompt for her to continue. ‘Would this have to do with your rejection of so many suitors?’

She nodded and bit her lip. ‘I wondered, if it was not too much bother...’ She gave Seth a hopeful smile. ‘If you would consider speaking to him. About me. To perhaps gauge his interest in me.’

‘Who is the fortunate gentleman?’

‘One of your university friends.’ Caroline wriggled her shoulders, the way she did when she was a girl and couldn’t contain her excitement. ‘One you used to run about with before you joined the military.’

Seth’s stomach went into a tight knot. Surely she was not referring to Kentworth. He’d just as soon offer his sister to the devil himself rather than allow Kentworth anywhere near her. Though truly, they were most likely one and the same.

‘Who is it?’ Seth repeated, his tone cold.

Caroline took in a deep, gulping breath. ‘Lord Rawley.’

Seth stared at her, dumbstruck. ‘Viscount... Rawley? With his perfectly combed hair and the pocket watch at his side?’

‘Yes, isn’t he just a dear?’ Caroline bounced in the chair. ‘He’s more a gentleman than any other I’ve met. Will you please find a way to see if he has any interest in me whatsoever?’

‘Yes, of course.’ The answer came automatically and without any indication as to the thoughts jumbling in his mind.

Caroline popped out of her seat, ran to him to deliver a kiss on his cheek, then dashed from the room with a distant squeal following her departure.

Lord Rawley?

Women never noticed him. If ever a man could be a wallflower, it would be the Viscount. Indeed, in the entire time Seth had known him, Lord Rawley had never once visited the light skirts in a brothel or made advances towards any woman. He’d looked, of course. What man did not? But any attempts at trying to court a woman had been disastrous.

Contrarily, Caroline was a lovely young woman who was accomplished and vivacious. Her dowry was substantial and her lineage could be traced back several hundred years. Any man would consider himself lucky to have the good fortune to catch her attention.