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Chapter 4
If one wanted to get married in London’s high society, just like in any other major European city, one needed to host a ball.
Balls, soirees, and dinner parties were not things that Sebastian enjoyed. He preferred a small, dank studio smelling of oil paints, a tiny, filthy laboratory stinking of dead animals and sometimes even rotting human flesh, or a fencing club smelling of human sweat.
Incidentally, most of Sebastian’s favorite activities brought with them an unpleasant smell. Not to say that the crowded ballroom was as fresh as the outdoors, because it was not.
Mixed in with the sweet flowery scent were the odors of human sweat, unbathed flesh, and rotten breath. Everything to make him miss his laboratory.
No, the issue here was the number of people surrounding him.
Sebastian quite preferred his solitary existence. True, fencing required a partner, but even then there was just one person to concentrate on, to vanquish, and get on with his day.
This… this was torture.
But before he could return to his life of solitary leisure, there were a few things he needed to take care of.
First, he needed to put the marquessate back on its feet and hire enough managers to look out for things in his absence; second, he needed to hire someone to watch over his aunt if she refused to return to the Continent with him, and third, although, technically, this was the most prominent matter, he needed to marry off his niece, Victoria.
And that’s precisely why Sebastian was in his current state of irritated boredom. He was throwing the last ball of the Season in his niece’s honor.
“I can’t believe I haven’t been here before.” The familiar, deep voice sounded close behind him. A little too close.
Sebastian stepped away in irritation. “Do you make it a habit to sneak up on people?”
“Only when it is easy to sneak up on someone,” William said with a wide grin. “You used to be a difficult one to catch off guard. England does not become you.”
“That we agree on. And I shall cheer the day I finally leave this dreadful place.”
William raised a curious brow, but he didn’t say anything, for at that time, the butler announced from the top of the stairs, “Princess Victoria Mecklenburg-Schwerin.”
All eyes turned toward Victoria, standing there in her cerulean blue gown with golden ornaments, white ruffled sleeves, and an intricate coiffure topped off with a feathery ensemble. Her attire was truly ridiculous, but Victoria managed to make it look elegant. She could be wearing a burlap sack, and nobody would bat an eyelash.
She smiled widely and floated down the stairs.
The stunned silence in the ballroom was quickly replaced by whispers and exclamations of surprise. A princess! And a marquess’s niece! And beauty to boot.
Victoria had everything to recommend herself: looks, intelligence, an enormous dowry, and high standing in society. No, Victoria truly should not have any issue finding a prosperous match. Even if this was the last event of the Season.
He didn’t expect her to get betrothed tonight. But every guest at the ball was invited to his house party that would take place a week after the ball. And Victoria’s introduction made it clear that his house party would be teeming with guests.
Sebastian had planned everything just so he would be able to find his niece a match as efficiently as possible.
“So, that sweet little bird is the niece of yours I’ve heard so much about?” William watched Victoria with a predatory glint in his eye, and something about the note in William’s voice made Sebastian’s spine crawl unpleasantly.
Sebastian turned on him sharply, almost knocking over his wine glass. “Do not even think about it,” he warned.
“Think about what?” William asked, innocently sipping on his wine.
“Charming my niece, or talking to her, or even looking her way.”
“Why not?” William asked carelessly. “She is of marriageable age. She is out in society.”
“She needs an advantageous match,” Sebastian growled.The last thing she needs is a bastard, a rake, and a criminal to boot.
“Who is more advantageous than me?” William smirked, still looking at Victoria.
Sebastian cocked his head so he would catch William’s gaze. He looked him squarely in the eye and made his expression as serious as he could. “Everyone.”
