AllFreeNovel
Share Us
For what? My failed stint at Cambridge? My rudimentary knowledge of anatomy… most of which I had forgotten after years of drunken misbehavior?
I had high hopes went I entered school, years before. It was unusual for a Viscount to study something like medicine. After all, I had no need for money or a profession. My reasons for entering the discipline were serious – at the time, in my boyish naivety, I had hoped that they would help me to save a loved one.
But that had quickly failed. My hopes had been dashed. I had eventually dropped out of school and succumbed to the life it seemed I was destined to.
Sure, I might have been handsome. A viscount. And rich, sure.
But none of that mattered… because I was a rake. A notorious scoundrel. A drunk.
Nothing more.
The silence between us continued until I knewhadto say something… anything.
“Perhaps we should return to Mayfair and leave your relatives to rest.” I finally said, unwilling, or perhaps,unable, to acknowledge her compliment.
A small smile twitched across her face.
“Yes, indeed.”
Suddenly, the younger Mr. Allen burst into the room, his face furious.
“Amelia, come here!” He cried, standing in between us.
She stared at him, her expression shifting from tired happiness to confusion.
“Richard, whatever is the matter-”
He ignored her confused inquiry, and instead fixed his glare on my face.
“You,” he spat with a look of disgust. “Youneed to leave!”
I raised my eyebrows in his direction. Clearly, this man hated me. It had been obvious since the moment I had entered the home that morning. Was he aware of my reputation? It was certainly plausible, but as far as I was aware, I had yet to ruin any ofhissisters…
“Excuse me, Richard, you cannot address the Lord in such a fashion!” Amelia exclaimed.
“I will address the rake who has ruined the reputation of my cousin in the way he deserves to be… asnothing.”
Richard Allen spit at the ground as he spoke, his eyes shooting daggers at my head.
Ah.
I hadn’t ruined his sister’s reputation, no. But apparently Ihadruined his cousin’s… Amelia.
“Richard,” Amelia spoke, her voice full of frustration. “Lord Marsden has done me a great service, bringing me here on a moment’s notice. We were not seen by anyone on our journey here. If we are lucky, my reputation will survive.”
“The physician saw you, Amelia.” Richard Allen said, his glare still pointed at my face.
“What do you mean, the physician…”
But I realized the truth in his words.
“He’s right.” I said simply. “The doctor indeed saw us arrive together. He is of the ton. It is a reasonable assumption that he would share this bit of gossip.”
“But, he never saw us alone together. What could he possibly assume…”
Richard Allen sneered.
“He will assume, cousin, that you are hismistress.”
