Page 69 of Tempting Her Viscount

“That blighter,” he muttered, and turned to go back inside.

“No. Please don’t make a scene. Let us just move on. Lord Beckstone is not to be my lover, and I’m fine with that.”

“I’m sorry, Celia. I didn’t realize he was a wretched prick.”

“Now you know he is.” She offered a weak smile to let him know she was unharmed, though inside she was still reeling with the man’s rudeness. “Also, he told me Edward’s case will be heard by the House of Lords soon.”

Kit nodded. “Gray didn’t wish for you to worry over nothing. Besides, even if it doesn’t go in our favor, as we expect it will, an examination would only prove your rights to your settlement. It might be uncomfortable, but it would not change anything.”

She nodded. He was right. She didn’t wish for such an intrusion into her privacy, but there was nothing Edward could do to get his hands on her money now. She’d seen to it.

She wouldn’t be ashamed of such deceit, not knowing that Arthur had wanted to make sure she was provided for. He’d known the truth and gave her that settlement anyway. She was only doing what needed to be done to ensure what her husband wanted. She also knew well enough that Arthur would rather give it to her than to see his fortune spent blindly at the gambling hells.

“Come. Let me introduce you to Lord Rathmore,” Kit said as if it was the easiest thing.

“I don’t think I’m quite ready for this. I thought I was, but I think I need more time.”

He shook his head. “Allow me to introduce you to the other men, just introductions. You do not need to jump into bed with anyone tonight. Please don’t let that scoundrel ruin your night, Celia.” The last sentence was whispered by her ear. “You are stronger than him.”

She squared her shoulders and nodded once. Kit was right, she wouldn’t allow one man to put her off her plans for happiness. She wanted to experience all the pleasure a man had to offer.

She placed her hand on Kit’s arm and smiled. “Please lead the way.”

*

After introducing Celiato Lord Rathmore and giving the man a steady look of warning, Kit went to collect his dance partner promptly. Willa was the only woman who had attracted his interest in the least.

She was standing next to her brother when Kit approached and bowed before her.

“I believe this dance belongs to me, my lady.”

She curtseyed and offered a dazzling smile. “Yes.”

Ernest frowned as Kit led the man’s sister to the dance floor. No doubt Ernest recalled Kit’s financial situation as being bleak, he wouldn’t know Kit had turned his finances around and could now support a wife and family comfortably. Though he was not quite flush enough to get Ernest set to rights as well.

Kit would worry about getting the man’s blessing when and if it came to Kit wanting to offer marriage. For now, it would just be a dance and dinner.

Willa smiled up at him. “It seems my brother disapproves of you.”

Kit laughed. “And it seems you are pleased by your brother’s disapproval.”

She laughed as well and he found that while the sound didn’t warm his soul as Celia’s laugh did, it was not at all unpleasant. Perhaps these things took time to grow on a person. Maybe one day, Willa’s laugh would affect him in the same way.

“Please do not misunderstand,” she said. “It’s not that I don’t take his opinion seriously, it’s that he only cares about a man’s purse.”

“I’m aware. Please know that I am capable of making a wife comfortable if not her brother.” It was not something discussed with a woman, especially a potential bride, but that custom seemed silly. Shouldn’t the woman know of such things to better determine if he would make an adequate partner?

She smiled again. “It seems the perfect situation to me.”

“I feel I have missed a great deal of entertainment by never having siblings. My dear friend and his sister are much the same as you and Ernest in that they enjoy tormenting each other. But I would guess if things turned bad, you would give your very life for the other.”

“Oh yes. It is a strange relationship indeed. And I have six brothers and sisters. I love and loath them equally at times.”

“I hope to have a large family someday.” Another thing that wasn’t generally discussed with a young miss, but something she should know before considering him.

“As do I.”

“My home in Scotland is well suited for a large family,” he mentioned.

“I quite enjoy Scotland.”

Their gazes met and he felt contentment. Not in the way he felt when he’d held Celia in his arms, but it was something he knew he could live with at least. And maybe someday be happy.

He escorted her to supper and they continued to converse about all manner of things. Celia had been right in that Willa would challenge him with her knowledge of certain topics. She seemed to have everything he wanted—or rather Celia had wanted for him.

He looked up from his dinner companion and found Celia smiling at Lord Rathmore at the other end of the table. Kit knew Rathmore wouldn’t mistreat Celia. In fact, he might prove to be too honorable for her plans, but hopefully she would enjoy his company.

While the thought of her with another man still stung, he hoped he was one step closer to moving on.

He smiled at the woman next to him, having missed what she’d said. He would put his energy toward this woman.

The one who wanted the same things as he.