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The wrinkles in the marquess’ face tightened. “It’s been nearly a fortnight since we’ve been back in London. I won’t allow you to brood in this empty house any longer when there is a plethora of prospective viscountesses to be had in London.”
“It’s not empty. The servants are here.” Sebastian shrugged. “Although I suppose you wouldn’t consider one of the house maids as a suitable wife.”
The marquess was not amused.
He tried another tactic. “It doesn’t matter either way because I told you I’m not marrying.”
“Nonsense! You were prepared to make an offer for the Bevelstroke gel.”
“I never said that,” he returned tightly.
“You didn’t have to. I could see the determination to defy me written all over your face.”
Sebastian shook his head. “You make me sound like a rebellious youth. I’m no longer a child, and I think I can make my own decisions.”
His grandfather’s eyes narrowed. “If that’s the case then you would be settling down and doing your duty.”
Unable to listen to any more of this nonsense without a proper drink in his hand, Sebastian got up and moved to the sideboard. He took the top off the glass decanter and poured two fingers worth of the best brandy he had. He downed it in one large gulp. As the heat from the alcohol began to swirl in his belly, he felt as if he had the necessary fortification to turn back to his grandfather. “I wish you well this evening, but I’m afraid you will be attending alone.”
The cane hit the floor, but Sebastian wasn’t in the mood to humor his grandfather any longer this evening. In truth, ever since he’d come back from Lyme Regis, he hadn’t been in the mood to entertain anyone.
“If you’ll excuse me,” he said evenly. “I wish to retire early.”
“It’s not even dark outside!” his grandfather returned sourly, but Sebastian was already leaving the room, and he decided that argument didn’t require a reply.
“My lady! This isn’t Mayfair!”
Calliope rolled her eyes and looked at her maid. “Indeed, it’s not. I daresay you’re very intuitive.”
The girl set her chin. There likely wasn’t many mistresses in London who would tolerate such bold behavior in their ladies’ maids, but Emma had been with Calliope for so long that it would seem strange to have the normal working relationship. To be honest, she would have despised a servant whose eyes were pinned to the ground when she walked into the room. At least with Emma she was able to have an actual conversation, and she didn’t cower in a corner when Calliope used a sarcastic tone.
“If you weren’t planning to go straight home, then, pray tell, where have you taken us?”
Calliope smiled brightly. “I was told that the viscount lived here.”
The girl’s eyes instantly widened. “But if this is a bachelor residence, it wouldn’t be proper for you to call on him alone.”
“I’m not alone. You’re with me,” Calliope retorted, and started to climb out of the carriage.
Emma grasped her arm in one last entreaty. “You know that’s not the same. If you were noticed—”
She touched the brim of her bonnet. “Then it’s a good thing I’m wearing this.”
With that, she stepped to the ground, and although she could hear Emma mumbling something underneath her breath, Calliope didn’t have time to keep arguing with her. She had to concentrate on what she might say to Sebastian when she saw him. She wanted to rush into his arms and kiss him soundly on the lips, but she was afraid that once the magic of being at the seaside had worn off, he might be reticent to receive her at all. Thank goodness she wasn’t averse to taking risks, or this unknown reception would have had her scurrying to her townhouse in Mayfair.
With her chin held at a confident angle, she rapped on the door knocker and waited. Within moments, the butler answered her summons. “Please inform Lord Blakely that Lady Calliope Bevelstroke has come to call.”
“My grandson isn’t receiving.”
Calliope stiffened at the gruff voice of Lord Abersheen. He came into view and the butler reluctantly departed. She dipped into a slight curtsy out of respect but noted that he didn’t offer to let her into the foyer, allowing her to remain on the front stoop as if she wasn’t a lady of quality at all, but rather a street urchin who was begging for crumbs. His expression wasn’t much different.
Nevertheless, she tried not to allow him to dissuade her from her mission. “My business with the viscount doesn’t concern you, my lord. And I would prefer to have the viscount tell me to leave.”
He lifted a brow, as if impressed that she had stood her ground when that likely didn’t happen too often. She had the feeling the marquess enjoyed being intimidating. “And what if I told you that he was occupied with another gel at the moment? What would you say then?”
Calliope’s gloved hands clenched into fists at her sides. That was certainly not something she wanted to imagine, and although she wouldn’t be surprised to find out it was true considering Sebastian’s previous reputation, she preferred to find out for herself. “Then I suppose I would have to wait until their business was concluded.”
“I’m afraid that’s impossible.” He narrowed his gaze. “You think you’re special to him? You’re like all the rest he’s used and tossed aside like yesterday’s rubbish. He spouts off romantic drivel to every lady to win their affection. How else do you think he earned his notoriety as a consummate rake?”
