Taming the Wild Duke

Chapter 4

CHAPTER 4

“ S o…you’ve been disrespected.” Aaron sighed as he sank into a chair opposite Simon and reached for the pitcher and glass set conveniently just within his reach.

“Hmm?” Simon looked up, blinking as his reverie was interrupted. “Who disrespected me?”

“I thought you were going to tell me that.” Aaron’s lips smirked as his eyebrows furrowed. “Isn’t that why you came bursting in on my tea a few hours ago?”

Even with this reminder, it took a moment for Simon to untangle his thoughts. The Earl of Vonn and his daughters had just departed, Lilian Weston having eventually cut their promenade short with the plea that she felt ill. Simon still felt ruffled by remnants of the exchange he had shared with the Earl’s eldest daughter, but Aaron could not have overheard that, which meant he was referring to…

“Ah, yes,” Simon mumbled. “I—well, we can talk about all that another time. I’ve spoiled your afternoon enough without pulling you into my business problems.”

“Business problems, eh?” Aaron lifted his chin, a measuring look in his dark brown eyes. “It wouldn’t have anything to do with that appointment you had with Lord Fiording today, would it?”

“It has to do with the appointment I didn’t have with Lord Fiording today,” Simon corrected. He shifted in the armchair he had taken across from his friend. If he wasn’t going to talk his frustrations out with Aaron today, he should really be on his way, he thought. But he couldn’t resist digging for a bit of information before he left.

“Lady Lilian—” He broke off as Aaron chuckled and shook his head. “What’s funny?” he demanded. Aaron rubbed a hand through his neat, dark hair, leaning back in his chair.

“I’m sorry. It’s just—well, it’s you, Thorne. I find it both disconcerting and somehow perfectly in character that the first woman you’ve ever truly shown an interest in would have to be Lilian Weston.”

Simon shook his head, surprise sparking through him. “Who says I’m showing an interest in Lilian Weston?” he demanded.

“Whoa. You’re the one who just asked about her.” Aaron put his hands in the air as if Simon were about to threaten him in some way. “And you just spent a good part of the afternoon walking with her in my orchard…”

“You cut me off before I could finish asking what I wanted to ask,” Simon protested. “And I was being a gentleman. Isn’t that what you wanted?”

“Yes, yes. Good gracious. Don’t bite my head off.” His friend dropped his hands to his lap and studied Simon with a bemused expression. Several seconds clicked by. Simon was beginning to wish he’d headed home the moment it occurred to him.

“I’m giving you a chance to finish your question,” Aaron prompted after a moment. Simon scowled.

“I was just going to ask…” He trailed off, suddenly not sure what he had intended to ask in the first place. “Well, I was going to ask what you know about her, I suppose.”

Aaron’s eyebrows reiterated his accusation that Simon was showing interest in the young woman, but he did not repeat it.

“Let’s see,” he said. “She’s reserved—tends to keep her own council but also speaks her mind when it pleases her.” A grin snatched one side of his mouth as he watched Simon’s reaction. “A characteristic you may have noted in your interaction with her this afternoon. The people who know her best are her younger sisters, and they both openly adore her.”

Aaron’s smirk grew as he leaned back in his chair, stretching his long legs out in front of him. “Unlike you, her reputation in the ton is spotless. Everyone I’ve ever heard mention her does so with respect.”

Simon growled. “Are you sure we’re talking about the same person here?” he asked. At his words, Aaron outright laughed.

“You certainly seemed to rub her the wrong way,” he agreed. Then he sobered somewhat. “I’m truly sorry your first real meeting with my fiancée’s family did not go well, old chap.”

“I didn’t say it didn’t go well.”

Once again, Aaron’s expressive eyebrows executed gymnastics across his forehead. “I’m not sure I’m following.”

“Never mind.” Simon waved a hand. He had embarrassed himself enough for one day. And he didn’t like the way Aaron was studying him, as if he was trying to read the thoughts scudding across Simon’s mind like lathered waves.

“One more thing,” his friend said after a moment, “whether it interests you or not, she’s a confirmed spinster.”

Simon frowned. “Why? I mean, she’s not that old, is she?”

“Twenty-five,” Aaron confirmed. “Lilian Weston has simply never shown an interest in pursuing a match for herself. Perhaps she’s never found anyone who lives up to her expectations. Along with being conscious of her own reputation, she is very particular about the reputation of those she or her sisters associate with.”

He cast a glance in Simon’s direction. “I was actually somewhat surprised by the fact that she allowed you to escort her this afternoon. I imagine it was due to this being a small, private group. I wouldn’t count on it happening again.”

Simon’s head reeled backwards slightly as he processed the implication of his best friend’s comment. “Are you saying I’m not good enough for her?”

“I’m saying your reputation may be a hindrance to more than just your attempted business deals.” He gave Simon a knowing look. “That’s what caused your problem with Lord Fiording, isn’t it?”

Simon grunted, momentarily distracted from the slight Aaron had just given him. “It was the Baroness. She’s brought him to believe I’m simply using a conversation about horses to weasel my way into their good graces.” He closed his eyes, feeling freshly humiliated by everything that had transpired. “She suspects I’m interested in their daughter.”

“Felicity?” Aaron laughed. “Why she’s barely eighteen if I’m not mistaken.”

“As I said, the disrespect is substantial.” Simon tilted his head back and rubbed his eyes. “I don’t know what more people want from me. I’ve made it a point to stay as far from trouble as I possibly could over the past two seasons—and away from the ladies in particular,” he groaned.

“Until today,” Aaron pointed out. He smirked when Simon uncovered his eyes to glare at him once again. Then, his expression turned thoughtful. “Honestly, associating with Lady Lilian could actually be beneficial in shifting the ton’s perception of you. The spotless shine of her reputation could rub off on yours, so to speak. It’s too bad she disapproves of you.”

Simon frowned. “She doesn’t even know me, Munro. Not really.”

“That’s true,” Aaron said quietly. “Just like a lot of people don’t really know you. I suspect that’s your entire problem with Lord Fiording. If you’re looking for advice from me, I’d say make an appointment to call on him … or track him down at the club once more and have another conversation. Set the record straight. He can’t very well turn you away without making a scene.”

Simon nodded and sighed, acceding to his friend’s change of topic. “It’s frustrating to have to put in so much extra effort just for people to see me as a decent person, but I suppose it’s my own fault.”

“And partially your father’s,” Aaron said. “Let’s not let him off the hook.”

“Never.” Simon grimaced. This was why he hadn’t wanted to talk about all this today. Bringing his father into things always soured them in some way.

Reaching up, he scrubbed his hand through his hair a time or two, rubbing away the tension. Then he stood up. “Thank you for allowing me to crash your tea this afternoon, Munro,” he said. “Feel free to do the same to me next time I’m entertaining.”

Aaron chuckled, rising with him. “I will if you ever get around to entertaining, old friend. I imagine that big, old house of yours feels quite empty with your mother off visiting your sister.”

“I suppose,” Simon said. He brushed horsehair from his breeches. The thought crossed his mind that if Lilian Weston had noticed, it surely hadn’t improved her opinion of him.

“When is the Dowager Duchess expected back in London?” Aaron asked.

“She’s staying at least until Harriet’s baby is born,” Simon said. For a moment, he let himself be vulnerable with his closest friend. “But it wouldn’t surprise me if she stays on even then. The manor holds a lot of dark memories for her that I can’t imagine she’s in any hurry to come back to.”

Aaron tilted his head, his gaze warmly sympathetic. “It holds many of the same memories for you,” he commented. “And yet you’re there.”

“I’m doing my best to reshape it,” he said, shrugging. “Make Thorne Manor a place of peace and progress rather than the heartless place it was under my father’s fist.”

“I’d say you’re doing a fine job of it as well,” Aaron said. “One of these days, the rest of the ton will see it that way too. I say,” he continued as he walked with Simon toward the door, “have you received an invite to the Bennington’s ball?”

Simon furrowed his brow, mentally shuffling through the many thick, creamy envelopes that had shown up in the butler’s silver mail tray recently.

“It sounds familiar,” he said finally. “Not that I intend on going.”

“I don’t suppose the reminder that the Lord and Lady Bennington are closely acquainted with Lord of Vonn would convince you to change your mind?” Aaron said. “Jane seems quite sure that her family will be in attendance.”

They had reached the door, and Simon paused, turning back to his friend. “What are you suggesting?” he asked. “That I actually pursue some kind of closer acquaintance with Lady Lilian?”

Aaron shrugged. “As I said, if anything, it would improve the ton’s opinion of you. And if word gets around to the Lord Fiording, it may lay to rest his fears concerning Felicity. Hell, the Baron might even be in attendance as well. You could have a chat with him and a dance with Lady Lilian and kill two birds with one stone. Providing either of them gives you a chance.”

The last was said in a tone of jest, but Simon still felt the sting of it. “Once again, your company has lent me both pleasure and annoyance, Munro,” he said, twisting one corner of his mouth. He reached up to touch his forehead in an ironic imitation of tipping his hat, had he been wearing one. “I will, as usual, take your words under advisement.”

Aaron simply grinned. “You do that, Thorne,” he said. “I’ll see you soon, I’m sure.”

Turning on his heel, Simon headed for the stable to collect his horse. As he strode across the green lawn, he contemplated the almost inevitable nature of his and Aaron’s friendship.

Aaron had always gotten along with him as no other human being could, ever since they’d been boys together. Simon was sure it was almost entirely due to his friend’s easy temperament. Aaron was unfailingly calm with just enough of a prickle to keep him from being dull. He absorbed Simon’s ups and downs with equanimity, and spending time with him never failed to leave Simon feeling more equanimous himself.

Walking and talking with Lilian Weston had been the opposite. Their conversation had left Simon feeling out of sorts and confused. Yet, at the same time, it had been interesting—invigorating in a way Simon had rarely experienced in past social encounters.

“I wouldn’t count on it happening again,” Aaron had said.

I wouldn’t mind proving him wrong on that, Simon found himself thinking.