Page 68 of Just a Little Daring

“Oh? No good?” Barnaby’s face fell.

“Not no good,” Louis said carefully, unwilling to slander the girl despite his animosity. “Just not for you, I think. Who else?”

“Miss Pilchester?”

Louis frowned, recalling an enthusiastic horsewoman and an energetic, forceful lady with extremely firm opinions. He suspected Barnaby might get trampled underfoot.

“Next?”

Barnaby sighed, and then a soft look came into his eyes. “Lady Millicent Fortescue.”

Oh, now this one had possibilities. “A shy young lady. Plays piano very well, a sweet smile and pretty eyes.”

“That’s her!” Barnaby said. “By Jove, you know everybody.”

“Not quite,” Louis replied, dryly. “But she would suit you very well, I think. Why did you leave her until last?”

“She’s an heiress,” Barnaby said gloomily. “Her papa adores her, and he has his sights set on a bigger prize than I. I’m a younger son. No title. No blunt, neither. Not that I’ve pockets to let. I can afford a nice little home and a wife, but I’ve not enough for a prize like that.”

“Then you must charm her, make her see the man you are. Make her want you, above the titles and the wealth and all the rest of it.”

Barnaby looked dubious, which was fair enough. It was a tall order.

“Don’t reckon I could do that,” he intoned, shaking his head.

Louis stared at him. Barnaby was a good man, a decent, kind man who would make a loving and loyal husband. Why shouldn’t he get the woman he wanted? Suddenly, it seemed that Barnaby ought to have his chance, because if he succeeded, maybe Louis could too. Why the two things were suddenly linked in his mind, he could not fathom. It wasn’t as if he and Barnaby had the least thing in common except… except they both wanted a woman who appeared to be out of their reach. For now, at least.

“You can do it,” Louis said, his voice firm. “I shall help you do it.”

Barnaby blinked, looking a little as though he’d been staring at the sun too long.

“You?” he said, such incredulity infused in that one word, Louis had to smile. “You’ll help me woo Lady Millicent.”

“Oui,” Louis nodded and held out his hand. “A deal.”

Barnaby stared at his outstretched hand, back at Louis, and then at his hand again, as if uncertain what the catch was. Finally, he reached out and shook Louis’ hand so firmly his enthusiasm nearly sent their wineglasses flying.

“Well,” he said, shaking his head in wonder. “Well. Fancy that.”

Vivien shrieked with laughter as they ran for the carriage whilst their friends pelted them with rice and shouted good wishes, amongst some ribald advice for August from his friends.

They were journeying back to Rother House, which was blessedly empty of artistic types or the females of August’s family. It would be just the two of them for the next couple of months. They would take a trip to Paris later in the year but, for now, Vivien was more than content to get to know both her new husband and her new home, with no interruptions.

The carriage swayed as it set off, amid cheers and waving handkerchiefs, and Viv waved back, blowing kisses to her parents and Ash. She blinked back tears, remembering how mama had wept and laughed when she’d seen her walking down the aisle.

“Your father looked like he wanted to take you back,” August observed, pulling Vivien against his side.

She sighed and rested her head on his shoulder. “I know. The poor darling. I had to scold him quite soundly before he gave me away. He got all sentimental and teary, saying how like Mama I looked on their wedding day. Honestly, I was on the verge of sobbing my heart out. A fine sight I should have looked, walking down the aisle to my husband in floods of tears.”

August chuckled. “Poor devil. Though Ash will struggle the most, I think. He’s going to miss you.”

“Oh, don’t you start,” Vivien said with a huff. She gave August a playful smack, and he chuckled, holding her tighter.

“No regrets?”

Viv shook her head but looked up at him, studying him carefully. “Not on my part, but what about you? You’ll have your mama and Charlie on your doorstep, and me and your dreadful sisters in one house. Shall we drive you to distraction?”

August laughed. “Yes. I’ll be stark staring mad before the year is out and my hair will turn grey overnight. I can’t wait.”