Chapter 2
MISS CAROLINE EDWARDS
Well past midday, my brother finally dragged himself out of bed, as was his custom.
After escorting Aunt Augusta and me to a musicale yesterday evening, he’d disappeared for the rest of the night.
I didn’t particularly mind that he hadn’t stayed, but I did worry about his gambling.
Of late, he seemed to be heading to the gaming tables every night.
I would have been happier if he’d left me at home in Dorset, but Auntie had impressed upon him that I needed to be out in society this year. I’d managed to delay the ordeal last year, but my reprieve was over.
What alarmed me was the note he’d left saying he had a matter of great importance to discuss with me. As a result, I had spent the morning pacing and worrying.
Normally, I found great comfort in the library, but today, no book could ease my concern over my brother’s need to speak to me.
As soon as I heard his heavy footsteps in the hallway, I left the room.
He was distracted at the best of times, and I wanted to get this conversation over with as soon as possible.
The sight of him already standing outside the library when I exited only increased my unease.
His expression was grave, and I tried to hold back my alarm. “Did something happen, Henry?” When he looked away, my dread grew. “Please tell me that everything is fine.”
He inclined his head toward the drawing room. “We should sit down for this conversation.”
I didn’t know why we couldn’t speak in the library, but I did what he asked and made my way down the hallway.
He allowed me to precede him, which was troubling.
My brother usually went out of his way to ignore me.
Now he was being overly solicitous, which meant the news would likely upset or anger me.
“I need to talk to you about your future,” he said when we entered the front room.
I stiffened. “I am in London, am I not? I am attending all the balls and plays Auntie has asked me to attend.”
“And you are the diamond of the season.” He smiled, but I could tell it was insincere.
I frowned, hating that title. I certainly wasn’t the prettiest of the debutantes this year, and I was one year older than most. I suspected word had spread about my overly generous dowry.
And given my blonde hair, blue eyes, and generous bosom, the suitors had been relentless.
I detested every second of their attentions.
“You might not need to attend many more events,” he continued.
I stared at my brother, and for a moment, my heart soared. But the unmistakable look of guilt on his face had my hopes crashing back to reality. “Tell me you haven’t accepted a betrothal request without talking to me.”
His gaze skittered away.
I took a deep breath and tried to hold back the anger threatening to take over. “Please tell me you haven’t told Lord Penham I’ll be marrying him.”
Penham was my brother’s closest friend, and he’d been a thorn in my side for years now.
He and Henry were eight years older than me, so Penham had ignored me when we were young, something that had bothered me at the time.
A few years ago, I began to notice that the way he looked at me had changed.
It was now my turn to ignore him, but since we were in town for the season and I was on the marriage mart, his attention had become insufferable.
Henry had made it clear he wanted me to marry his friend, but I wanted nothing of the sort.
If I was forced to choose this season, I would rather marry the oldest, most decrepit man—and there were several who fit that description attempting to woo me—than Penham.
At least then I’d soon be widowed and free from unwanted attention.
He met my gaze. “I’m expecting a call, and your presence is required.”
“Henry.” I was pleading now, but I didn’t care. “Please. I can’t marry Lord Penham. You know I despise him.”
He frowned. “You’re overreacting. Penham would be a wonderful husband. You would be lucky to have him.”
“Henry—”
He let out an exasperated breath. “I’m not expecting Penham.”
I sent up a silent thank you. But whom was Henry expecting if not Penham? I placed my hands on my hips and frowned at my brother. “What did you do? Does Aunt Augusta know?”
He winced. “She’ll find out soon enough.”
What was Henry going on about? For a moment, I worried this had to do with his gambling, but surely that wouldn’t involve me. I took a step closer and softened my voice. “If you tell me what happened, I’ll help you fix it.”
There was a knock at the front door then, and Henry’s shoulders slumped. “You should sit down for this. I expect you won’t be happy.”
I dropped onto the settee and folded my hands in my lap, dreading the disaster that was about to be revealed. But as long as Lord Penham wasn’t calling, I could deal with whatever mess Henry had created.
Or at least I hoped so.
I tried to mask my tension. Perhaps Henry had invited one of his acquaintances from King’s, the club he’d been frequenting. But if so, whom?
There was a murmur of voices in the hallway, then the butler appeared just inside the drawing room and announced the caller.
Viscount Kendrick.
Henry was still standing, and I saw the way he stiffened when the butler departed and another man took his place.
A thrill of something surprising shot through me as I took in the devastatingly handsome man who bowed to my brother.
He was tall—taller than Henry—and his hair was dark brown.
When he turned to look at me, I was taken aback by his beauty.
Sculpted features, full lips that should have looked ridiculous on a man but didn’t, and deep-blue eyes.
It took me a moment to place the name. Viscount Kendrick was one of the Legendary Lords. Good heavens, I hadn’t realized Henry moved in such scandalous circles. But then, King’s was their club. I’d just assumed he didn’t actually know any of the Legends. Apparently, I was wrong.
“How kind of you to call,” my brother said, inclining his head.
Kendrick appeared amused as his gaze took in the interior of the room before settling on me. “You didn’t give me much choice last night. I’m here to discuss the payment of your debt.”
Henry turned to face me. “Let me introduce you to my sister, Miss Caroline Edwards. Caroline, this is Viscount Kendrick.”
I stood and dipped into a shallow curtsy. “It is a pleasure to meet you, my lord. What brings you here today?”
Kendrick’s gaze moved between the two of us, and a knowing gleam lit his eyes. “You haven’t told her.”
Henry shrugged. “I was about to, but…”
Kendrick pulled out a pocket watch, looked at it, then met my brother’s gaze. “I am on time. You’ve had all morning to speak to your sister.”
Something was going on here that was beginning to intrigue me.
What had my brother done? Whatever it was, I was beginning to think I might be able to turn the situation to my advantage.
Because one thing was clear, this man was not here to court me.
“Perhaps the two of you can tell me the reason for your visit now.”
Kendrick moved further into the room. When I lowered onto the settee, he dropped into an armchair. Henry remained standing, hovering several feet away.
“Let me do the honors,” Lord Kendrick said, watching me carefully, “since it is clear your brother lacks the courage to do so himself.”
I was powerless to look away from the man’s intense blue eyes, and my stomach did an alarming flip. There was something magnetic about him. An air that would draw every gaze to him.
I had never had such a reaction to a man’s presence before, and heaven knows I’d been subjected to all manner of interactions during the season. But this man’s amused, slightly mocking smile affected me more than the most ardent suitor.
He intrigued me. I would be alarmed if this had been anyone else, but everyone knew that the Legends weren’t looking for brides. “Should I call for tea?” I said.
One corner of Kendrick’s mouth lifted.
“That won’t be necessary. I don’t intend to stay long. But when your brother wasn’t able to pay his gambling debt last night, he wrote me a promissory note.”
I frowned at Henry. “That is most distressing, but I’m sure I don’t need to be here for this interaction. Perhaps I should leave the two of you alone.”
Kendrick’s expression became decidedly less amused as he said, “But, my dear, this does concern you. Your brother, in lieu of payment, gave me his most precious family jewel. A diamond.”
I frowned, turning over his words. Did we possess a diamond of such great value? It was possible, but I thought I knew about all the jewels in my mother’s collection. I turned to look at Henry. “I don’t understand. I was unaware that Mother possessed such a diamond.”
He stiffened, then he motioned toward me with a wave of his hand. I caught his meaning immediately.
“Me? You wagered me?”