The Appeal of an Elusive Viscount Read online

  Chapter Two

  The family townhome in London was large enough. However, in William Torrington’s opinion, today it needed less furniture and more windows. He stormed from the front door, a footman on his heels.

  “My Lord, I wasn’t aware your hounds would not heel when commanded. They bounded across the park and disappeared into the streets beyond. I’ve spent hours searching for them.”

  William took a deep breath and curled his hands into fists. Damnation, if the dogs were lost, he’d kill the idiot. The dogs were more than just pets. They were his family. Those dogs were the only companions he kept while living at Lark’s Song, his country estate. “Why did you not keep them on leads?”

  “Mister Yarnsby ensured me they were very well trained. I kept them tied until arriving at the park. I then thought they’d enjoy a good run.” To his credit, the young footman looked about to dissolve into tears.

  “Where is Alexander?” he asked, inquiring about his friend who’d just arrived the night before from Berkhamsted, where they both lived.

  “He’s gone to the tailor, My Lord.”

  “Saddle my horse and bring it around. I will change immediately and go in search of my dogs.” He glared at the now pale footman. “You best pray I find them.”

  * * *

  The ride to Hyde Park was not long, thankfully. Although the weather remained chilly, it was also uncharacteristically sunny. Taking advantage of the unseasonably mild day, there were plenty of people out riding or strolling at the park.

  William caught sight of his friend. The man being flanked by three women meant the usually aloof man had been ambushed. Normally, William would have ignored what was happening just to chide Alexander later about the situation. But on this day, help was needed to find the hounds.

  The look of relief on Alexander’s face was comical. “Ladies, may I present Viscount William Torrington, my childhood friend from Berkhamsted?” Alexander continued by introducing the women, one by one, as each nodded and he returned the gesture.

  “Mrs. Verna Smiting, and her daughters, Irene and Willa,” Alexander pronounced, his voice smooth, but flat. It was a tone William recognized to mean he was not at all interested in either of the daughters.

  Three calculating gazes raked over him, assessing his worth no doubt. The first woman to respond was Mrs. Smiting.

  “My Lord, I hope you will be in attendance at the holiday galas this season,” the woman purred. “My daughters will be available to introduce you to others in their circle as we are invited to most functions.”

  It would be impossible for the two younger women to bob their heads any faster. By his calculation, they would be a constant if and when he attended any function. “I do appreciate it.”

  Behind them, Alexander slowly slid his index finger across his throat.

  “Ladies, I must beg your forgiveness for my abruptness. My two hounds are loose and I must find them immediately before they fall into mischief. I am forced to bring Alexander along to assist me in finding them.”

  It was an excruciating ten minutes before they were able to tear themselves away. The older woman attempted to seek information on their plans. Neither had any as of yet, so Mrs. Smiting took it upon herself to garner invitations listing each event and promising to ensure invites were delivered promptly.

  Finally, Alexander managed to interrupt the woman. “Have a pleasant day ladies.”

  “How in the devil did you find yourself in the company of those women? You only arrived last evening,” William grumbled.

  Alexander huffed. “I came out to see about your dogs. I knew you’d come close to murder if you found them to be missing.”

  With a look over his shoulder, his friend assured himself they were not within earshot. “The mother accosted me. It seems news about our coming to London has reached the ears of every prominent household.”

  “Ugh,” William grunted. “My mother will be ecstatic. Perhaps, it was her that sent out missives.”

  Shouts accompanied by barks sounded. A man wearing a white apron ran after two flashes of red fur. “Oh no,” William groaned, giving Alexander a resigned look. “This is going to cost a bit of coin.”

  Thinking it a game, Ellington and Farnsworth, his rambunctious dogs, ran in circles. Farnsworth had a long string of sausages trailing from his mouth. Both had a grand time eluding the red-faced man’s attempts to grab them. Every so often, one or the other would turn to face the man, butt lifted in the air, as they egged him on to attempt to catch them.

  With happy, wagging tails, they never got too far ahead of the man. The dogs seemed to know it would be nearly impossible for the now-winded butcher to catch them.

  “I supposed it’s best I claim the delinquents before they are locked up for theft.” Once he handed the horse’s reins to Alexander, William raced to get his dogs’ attention.

  When he whistled, the dogs stopped in their tracks, but only for a second. Letting out happy barks, Farnsworth dropped his prize and both dogs raced directly toward him, right through a puddle the size of a small pond.

  William did his best to avoid the inevitable by running in circles. But the dogs were much faster and, seconds later, the dogs corralled him.

  “Sit. Sit. Back.” William held both hands up in the hopes that their training would take over the dogs’ exuberance.

  It didn’t.

  There was a collective gasp by bystanders and everyone gaped in astonishment when William fell back into the muddy water, his dogs happily joining him, thinking it a great game.

  Alexander laughed so hard he was bent forward at the waist. “I would...offer...to help...” his best friend could barely speak, so he just pointed at the horse. “Horse.”

  William sat up, doing his best to keep from cursing. Teeth gritted, he held both dogs’ collars as the happy animals took turns licking his face. “The horse won’t go anywhere, come take one of them,” he snapped.

  Of course, his friend ignored him. Instead, Alexander turned to the butcher. “I do apologize for my friend’s unruly hounds. How much do we owe you, Sir?”

  While Alexander paid the man twice what was quoted, William managed to get to his feet while containing the overly-excited dogs. It had taken a bit longer than normal as he couldn’t help but laugh at the situation and lose his balance.

  He’d have to walk back with the hounds on leads since he was sure Alexander would refuse the task.

  Shaking mud off his pants and shoes as best he could, William peered down at his dogs. “Bad,” he scolded them. “Bad dogs.”

  Both stared up at him with confused expressions. Ellington tilted his head to the side as if considering his words.

  “Never mind.”

  Bright color caught his attention and he stopped to watch as three women exited a dress shop. Two women and a maid stopped just outside a shop. Both of the women’s hair color caught his attention. The color reminded him of the woman he’d met at the club. Neither faced him, so he could not see if one was, indeed, the woman.

  The need to know if it was, indeed, the woman he’d met the day before overrode consideration of his appearance. The hounds on leads now, he guided the dogs to walk on the street closest to the dress shop. When he walked past, he cast a glance out of the corner of his eyes.

  Gasps sounded at his appearance and a bright-eyed younger version of the woman he’d kissed looked him up and down. She threw her head back and laughed, only to be elbowed by the other woman, probably her sister by the resemblance. “Penelope, you’re being rude.”

  He continued on. It was not exactly the time to attempt to make their acquaintance in his current state.

  By the time he arrived at the townhouse, he was shivering. Teeth chattering from the cold air and wet clothing, he hurried up the steps only to be stopped by the butler.

  “My Lord, I can’t possible allow you to enter in that state. It would be best if you go around to the kitchen entrance.” The older man, Charles, lifted both brows as he blocked th
e door from either him or the hounds entering.

  Indeed, his mother would be most upset if he allowed mud on her precious rugs.

  “Very well,” he grumbled, tugging the dogs back down the front steps and then along the side of the house. “Both of you are more trouble than you’re worth. I am sending you back to the country where you can continue to behave like wild beasts.”

  The cook and her assistant both stared at him with mouths wide when he and the dogs entered and hurried to the fireplace.

  “My Lord. What happened?” Fern, the cook, rushed to him with a small towel. “You must undress at once before you catch your death.” She turned to the younger woman who’d yet to move. “Go see about a bath. Call Liam to come and collect the dogs.”

  It was good to have competent staff, William acknowledged. At his country estate, the only other person there was the cook, who was married to the man who worked at the stable. They looked after the estate. The wife would ensure he ate and the man helped with horses and such. However, he didn’t have a proper staff and often had to hire someone to come every so often to tidy up the place. Or he did it himself.

  Although he preferred a solitary life, he allowed Fern to spoil him this once. He was quickly undressed and wrapped in a warm blanket as his bath was prepared.

  The footman went off with the dogs. They seemed happy to see the man since William was apparently not providing entertainment for them any longer.

  An hour later, William sat in the front room, a glass of brandy in one hand allowing the heat of the fireplace to dry his still damp hair.

  “It seems Mrs. Smiting has some influence as three invitations have already arrived.” Alexander all but rolled his eyes. “They are addressed to us both.”

  There was the fact that he’d promised his mother to accept as many invitations as possible and not leave London until he found a wife. William could not help but groan.

  “Have I told you how much I detest all the pretense that occurs at these events? All the groveling and fakeness just to garner invitations. People spend so much money and countless hours primping only to spend an evening in hot rooms drinking tepid punch.”

  Alexander nodded. “Don’t forget the forced conversations as each tries to prove how much more they know about every subject.” His friend lifted his nose in the air. “Have I mentioned, My Lord, how I once defeated a boar with my bare hands?”

  “No,” William quipped back. “I’m sure it was formidable. However, I once brought down a lion with but a stern look.”

  “My Lord,” Charles said as he entered the room holding a small silver tray. “This came for you.”

  “Another invitation?” He didn’t reach for the envelope. “Put it with the others please.”

  “The messenger is waiting your response. It seems the soiree is tonight.” Charles lowered the tray closer.

  He took the dainty envelope and opened it. It was an invitation to a small dinner party at Lord and Lady Barrows’ home. He’d made the couple’s acquaintance several times, as they were friends of his parents. Thankfully, the couple was not as pretentious as others. Secondly, it was a dinner party, which meant a smaller group. If the Barrows had young women in attendance, it meant they were in their good graces. He trusted their judgment more than most.

  William picked up the quill Charles had graciously provided and scribbled a note of acceptance.

  “So?” Alexander asked. “Shouldn’t I know what you wrote since the invitation was for us both.”

  It had been a long day. William considered that, perhaps, he should have bowed out of the dinner invite, citing a cold. It was possible he’d be sick in a few hours.

  “We’re going. Mother would be very cross at us if we turned down her friend’s invitation. Besides, it’s a dinner party and will be small. Best to get some of these social obligations over with.” He stood and went to a side table.

  “Shall we proceed to choose which we will accept?”

  Alexander let out a sigh. “I am not here to attend social functions, but to meet with actuaries about my late father’s estate. Thankfully, I have a good excuse to not attend most.”

  William decided that if he was to be tormented by London society, so would Alexander. “You must come with me tonight. It’s best to get this one over with. You will ensure everyone is aware you are here to conduct business, which will give you an excuse for future absences.”

  “And you?” His friend lifted a brow, knowing William would capitalize on making up a reason for future absences as well.

  “I fear I’m coming down with a dreadful cold after my experience today. A well-placed cough and sneeze should allow me a reason to not attend anything for at least a week.”

  There was a discreet cough at the doorway. Charles looked down his nose at them, the haughty expression as familiar as the man himself. “My Lord, may I remind you that your mother asked that I travel here with you and ensure you did not come up with excuses. If you do acquire an illness after your...episode today, I will be the first to make your excuses...”

  “However,” William quipped.

  Charles continued unabated. “However, tonight you will not display any signs of feeling unwell.”

  The man looked to Alexander. “Your mother wishes you to marry as well, Mr. Yarnsby. I’d hate to disappoint her with information of your refusal to attend functions held by the most elite of London’s society.”

  Both remained silent while Charles added a log to the hearth and announced he’d see about their clothes for the dinner.

  “Mother sent him along on purpose,” William told Alexander who glared at the doorway. “There was nothing I could do.”

  Alexander let out a long sigh. “I’m sure our mothers knew Charles would be the only person who’d keep us in line.”

  “Indeed.”

  Chapter Three

  The lovely, buttery yellow gown spread out on her bed, did little to lift Clara’s spirits. She’d missed not only a wonderful lecture but, according to Penelope, the most comical episode at Hyde Park earlier that day. They’d both laughed until their sides ached when Penelope had described how two unruly hounds had trounced upon a man.

  The supposedly very handsome man had ended up submerged in a huge puddle and covered in mud from head to toe. Her sister had gone into great detail about how the poor man had attempted to get up several times, but his exuberant dogs had not allowed it.

  Strange, and perhaps as peculiar, was that the man had not admonished the dogs, but laughed several times. Most gentlemen would have been furious at their afternoon riding clothes being ruined in such a manner.

  Whoever this man was, he had a friend along that had acted as unforgivably as the hounds. According to Penelope, he did nothing to assist and had stood by laughing so hard he’d been bent at the waist.

  Her sister noted that Vivian had taken notice of the friend. He was a tall, muscular man with broad shoulders, the lightest brown hair and deep green eyes.

  How her sister had managed to note all of this from Minerva’s dress shop to the center of the park, made little sense. However, it was interesting that Vivian took notice of a man. She was usually oblivious to the attention she attracted thanks to her beauty. Most men were hesitant to introduce themselves to Vivian, as she was quite aloof when she was approached.

  Her sister was not a rude person, but instead Vivian was very shy. She was also soft spoken, but not meek, kind but fickle when it came to pronouncing a man acceptable.

  It wasn’t that Vivian had any reason to distrust men; it was more that she was a romantic at heart who believed in love at first sight. Now that Vivian’s season in society grew near to ending without attachment to any gentleman, it was their mother who fretted.

  “There will always be another season,” she’d quip airily, whenever their mother stressed the importance of Vivian finding a husband.

  The bedroom door opened and Penelope entered. In a violet gown that brought out her creamy complexion, her younger s
ister would stand out amongst her peerage. With a quick mind and a mischievous streak, Penelope cared little about proper etiquette.

  She flounced onto the bed, uncaring if she crumpled her gown or Clara’s for that matter.

  “Get off of my dress,” Clara exclaimed. “You’ll crumple it and Mother will be most cross.”

  Penelope pouted. “Tommy isn’t going tonight. I will be most bored.”

  “How do you know?” Clara asked of Penelope’s close friend. Thomas Rutherford was a close family friend who’d had grown up with them. Tommy was now a junior Member of Parliament and quite sought after by many a young woman.

  Her sister rolled onto her back and stared up at the ceiling. Clara took advantage and tugged her dress free.

  “I think he wasn’t invited. Why would Lady Barrow not invite him this time? He comes with us every single year.” With a dramatic sigh, Penelope closed her eyes. “I should stay home.”

  Their mother waltzed in. Unlike them, she wore a more subdued color. Dressed in a beautiful, gray ensemble, she was regal. “What were you saying, Penelope?”

  Thankfully, their mother became too preoccupied when noting her reflection in the mirror, because Penelope got away with lying across the bed fully dressed.

  “I’m going to marry Tommy one day. He needs to be part of my life. It’s devastating that he will not be at Lady Barrow’s dinner party.”

  Their mother was used to Penelope’s theatrics. “If you were engaged, which you are not, he would be included in the invitation. Who knows, perhaps his valor would be rewarded with his own separate invite.”

  “Valor?” Penelope sat up. “Goodness, Mother, you make it seem as if Tommy went to war.”

  “Proposing to you would be as if going to war daily. Positively exhausting,” Vivian quipped as she entered the room, a delight of soft green and cream.

  Despite her sour mood, Clara laughed. “Poor Penelope, you have no idea what love is. You will certainly not marry Tommy because you love him like a brother.”

  “I do not,” Penelope protested and pouted.