Page 28 of How to Start a Scandal

Seth considered his friend objectively for the first time. Viscount Rawley was not an unattractive man. He had warm brown eyes, the same colour as his hair that was combed immaculately into a crisp side parting. His outfit complemented his colouring with varying shades of brown and green. While not the height of fashion by any stretch, it was finely made.

Seth was aware Rawley had been raised by his mother with not a single male influence in the home, leaving his demeanour, well, a bit gentler than most men of the ton.

No man in all the world was worthy of Seth’s sister. But if he had to choose one who would be a good, kind husband to Caroline, it would be Rawley.

The Viscount smoothed his hair with the flat of his palm. ‘Dare I ask why you’re looking at me in such a manner?’

‘You’re not a bad man by far. Do you know that?’

‘I should like to think so,’ Rawley replied slowly. ‘What is this in regard to?’ He lifted the teacup to his lips.

Seth leaned forward in his seat. ‘My sister.’

Rawley gulped at his tea, then sputtered out a cough. ‘L-lady Caroline?’

‘Yes.’

‘What of her?’ Rawley set the cup back into the saucer with a rattle of porcelain.

‘What do you think of her?’ Seth pressed.

‘She’s...kind. Friendly.’ Rawley kept watching Seth as he spoke, as though closely gauging Seth’s reactions to his stuttered words.

‘Is that it?’ Seth grimaced. ‘Kind and friendly? Come, man, tell me what you truly think of her.’

‘She’s...’ Rawley swallowed. ‘She’s very lovely.’

Seth nodded. That was better. ‘What would you think about courting her?’

Rawley’s eyes bulged.

‘Come now, she isn’t all that bad.’ Seth held his hands out. ‘She’s actually rather a wonder with the household. She’s always loved children and would probably make an agreeable viscountess.’

Rawley shook his head vehemently, and Seth’s stomach dropped. He had thought the Viscount would have been elated to have claimed Caroline’s attention. Rage flickered in the bowels of Seth’s patience.

How dare Rawley think himself better than Caroline?

‘It isn’t her,’ Rawley said with heavy insistence. ‘It’s me.’

Seth narrowed his eyes. ‘You?’

Rawley leaned forward so he and Seth were bent together like school children mid-scheme. ‘Look at Lady Caroline...and look at me.’ The Viscount scoffed. ‘I’d never be good enough for her. She’s exquisite. Stunningly so. She’s...’

Rawley exhaled. ‘She’s the most beautiful woman in the entire world.’ He paused, reverent for moment, then leaned back and helplessly gestured to himself. ‘And I’m me. I know nothing of romance or wooing or courtship.’

Seth shrugged. ‘Regardless, she claims to have always been attracted to you.’ He took a sip of tea and muttered into his cup, ‘For whatever reason.’

Rawley bolted upright at that and pulled at his cravat, as though it had suddenly become too tight at his throat. ‘I can learn all of those things,’ he vowed.

Seth grinned and slapped his friend on the shoulder. ‘Damn right you can. We’ll be at Almack’s tomorrow evening. I trust we will see you there?’

Rawley’s face went pink, and he nodded. ‘Yes. Yes, of course.’

Seth got to his feet. ‘Wednesday it is, then.’

For all that Seth had failed at, he was finally setting his life to rights. First with the solicitor who had stolen his mother’s jewellery, now with Caroline in taking the first steps to securing her preferred match. And soon with Lady Violet by making up for the dance he had missed so many years ago. Finally, after all this time, he would stop being such a damn disappointment.

Assuming it all went according to plan, that was. And it had to. He could not let everyone down. Not again.