Pretty girls seldom had their wits about them, though, when they considered suitors. Too many of them were seduced by charm or lavish spending, empty compliments and promises. The viscount might take time to make a pledge, but once it was made, he would keep it at any price.
It was curious that Joshua and his younger brother had been so very different. Lady Haynesdale’s sons had possessed marked similarities, all resembling their father in one way oranother. But that had not been the case with the viscount’s sons. While Joshua had every honorable trait of nature, being noble, steadfast and thorough in the fulfillment of his duties, his younger brother, Gerald, had possessed an unholy measure of charm and vivacity.
To her thinking, Gerald’s beguiling manner had disguised a selfish nature and an obsession with his own pleasures. She thought him reckless. The man could not have kept his word to save his life, but those undiscerning females had adored him. Joshua had often been overlooked in his brother’s company, to be sure.
It was a shame for such a fine young man to be unwed.
But then, Miss Emerson and her aunt were expected momentarily, at her own invitation. Perhaps the meeting of the two younger persons was meant to be. Perhaps Constance could ensure a most suitable match, one that would eliminate any threat to Damien. Truly, for a viscount to wed the niece of a viscount would be entirely suitable.
“Lady Haynesdale, I thank you for seeing me without announcement on this day,” the viscount said, accepting a cup of tea. “I had hoped that the duke might be in residence as well.”
“Alas, Damien departed from London over a week ago. I fear I do not know either his destination or the date of his planned return.” The viscount said nothing, his expression inscrutable. “Might I be of assistance?”
“I fear not, madame. I wished to consult him on a private matter.” He stared into his cup as if he would conjure conversation from its depths. “I will not trouble you any longer…” he began.
Constance hastened to fill the cup again. “I did not realize you were in the country,”
He nodded as he settled back in his seat. “Father wished to be buried at Addersley Manor, as is traditional in the family. We returned two months ago, in his final illness.”
“I must extent my condolences, as well.”
The viscount nodded acceptance and sipped his tea with troubling purpose.
“And all is well at Addersley Manor?” she asked.
“Quite well, thank you.”
He would put his cup aside and leave.
Trust Fanny to be late on this occasion!
Constance would simply have to chatter and detain him somehow, hoping his manners were sufficient that he would not rise while she was speaking.
She took a breath and began, not intending to fall silent before Fanny and her ward arrived.
Joshua had forgottenhow some women felt compelled to fill a silence with idle chatter. He had not expected Lady Haynesdale to do as much but perhaps she was lonely in the absence of her son. She began to speak hurriedly, and he listened with some reluctance. He could not cause offense, though he wondered whether there was a way to guide the discussion.
Truly, the dowager duchess spoke with the fury of a spring river and he doubted anything could change the course of whatever she desired to say.
“It is so long since our paths have crossed,” she said with a smile. Truly, she must have been a beauty in her youth and still she was an attractive woman. “Perhaps you are unaware that my daughter, Eliza, recently wed Captain Nicholas Emerson, whoserved alongside Damien in Spain? Were you at all acquainted with him when he lived at Southpoint as a boy?”
Joshua shook his head. “Only slightly.”
“Well then, you may not recall his skill with horses,” she said. “Captain Emerson always had a touch with horses, my son has assured me as much.”
“I do.” Joshua strove to make some contribution to the conversation. “He had a fine stallion, I recall, of stock from Haynesdale perhaps?”
“Yes! He has begun to breed horses at Southpoint, with Damien’s encouragement, and perhaps that will be of interest to you. Gentlemen are so often interested in horses and knowing of good stock.”
Joshua nodded politely.
“I am hoping that you will take pity upon me, sir,” the dowager said with another charming smile. “I have been in town of late and am desperate for local news. I do not suppose you might indulge me?”
What was this? “How so, Lady Haynesdale?”
Her smile broadened. “I do have weddings in mind this spring, to be sure, given my daughter’s recent and happy union. May I be so bold as to ask whether you have become betrothed since we last met?”
Perhaps assistance for his plan was closer than Joshua had realized. “Not I.”
