CHAPTER 1
Unlike many rakes of his generation, Roderick Stratford, Earl of Kirkwood, actually believed in love. He had experienced it, after all, during the first fifteen years of his life, watching his besotted parents and their relationship, which often seemed to be plucked from the pages of a fairytale. It had created all his expectations of what his heart should feel for a future wife.
Their untimely deaths had shown him how deeply that same heart could break. But still, he believed, though he’d not yet found someone who engendered the tender feelings he required to wed.
“There you are! Having a brood, are we?”
Roderick stifled a laugh as he turned to face his old friend, Viscount George Lockhart. They’d been friends since school, thick as thieves, along with a handful of other young men, many of whom had taken their titles just as Roderick already had. Lockhart was still in waiting, though not with much anticipation, to come into his own earldom.
“A good brood is well-worth nursing,” Roderick said as he extended a hand for a firm shake. “Especially while waiting for a friend to intrude. How are you, Lockhart? We kept missing each other all Season.”
Lockhart rolled his eyes. “As you well know, Ramsbury and Delacourt both married recently, so my mother spent the last few months aiming me at every young woman from the current crop of debutantes. I hardly had time for any fun at all.”
“And none caught your eye?” Roderick asked. “Made your heart flutter?”
Lockhart choked on a laugh. “You’re the only one fool enough to think there’s true love left in the world, friend.”
“I beg to differ. The two earls you just mentioned have been very public about being in love with their wives.”
“Ugh,” Lockhart groaned. “Yes. I fear I shall be one of the last bastions of rationality in this cold, cruel world!”
“Well, at least the Season is coming to an end. I assume you’ll go back to your estate in Derbyshire where you can hunt and carouse to your heart’s content without interference?”
“That is the plan.” His friend sighed. “But I have aghastlyduty to perform first.”
Roderick smiled at the theatrical tone of Lockhart’s voice. “And what is that?”
“Mama insists that I attend the party my aunt and uncle are holding over at their country home. She claims it’s on my way to my estate, though it makes me go twenty miles away from my route and will be as exciting as watching toast brown.” He stared at Roderick for a moment. “Why don’t you come with me?”
Roderick couldn’t help but laugh out loud. “After you just told me it was going to be boring and ghastly?”
Lockhart shook his head. “I was grousing, you know me. Not a serious bone in my body. It should be great fun.”
“You are the worst liar.” Roderick nudged him with his shoulder. “Why does your mother want you to go to this gathering?”
“Punishment for not finding a bride, first and foremost.” Lockhart sighed. “But also because someone in our family must be represented at the gathering. You see, my aunt and uncle are trying to match my cousin, Miss Clarissa Lockhart.”
Roderick wrinkled his brow as he tried to recall his friend’s cousin. He could only find the brief image of a little girl with pigtails following Lockhart around when they were children. “I see. Was it her first Season?”
“No, her third.” Lockhart shook his head. “She isn’t quite a wallflower or a spinster yet, but I suppose that is the fear for the longer term. Hence the gathering where my aunt and uncle can better control who has access to her, and whether or not there are other eligible ladies in attendance to distract from her.”
Roderick stared at him for a moment. “Are you trying to convincemeto come to match with her?”
“You?” Lockhart snorted out a laugh. “Don’t you worry. Not only would I never do that to you, I doubt you two would suit. Her obsession with propriety is legendary. She likely wouldn’t look twice at a renowned rake like yourself. And you would be bored to the roots of your hair after ten minutes alone with her.” He shook his head. “Don’t mistake me, she’s very kind and I adore her. But she’ll settle for some meek little country mouse of a man who will follow her lead when it comes to every proper address, thought and action.”
There was relief to that answer. Roderick hated it when ladies were thrown into his orbit. He truly believed that when he met the right one, it would hit him like a lightning bolt from above. He would know.Theywould know. One didn’t find that from forced arrangements.
“I can see you are beginning to agree to my request,” Lockhart said with a grin. “How about this—you come with me and spend a week and a half bearing a silly party, and then join me out at my estate for the real fun. We’ll bed some willing women and run the dogs and horses ragged chasing game and drink too much.”
Roderick shook his head with a laugh. “How could I deny you? Certainly, I’ll join you if you’d like. Assuming it’s agreeable to your aunt and uncle.”
“Don’t worry about that.” Lockhart waved his hand dismissively. “I’ll manage it. Then it’s decided.” He clapped Roderick on the shoulder. “Now what do you say we abandon this gathering and go somewhere the ladies are a bit more receptive, eh? I could use some London fun before I resign myself to country manners.”
Roderick laughed as he followed his friend from the ballroom. Since he hadn’t found his lady love this Season, he saw no reason not to continue to indulge in the kind of fun Lockhart meant. One couldn’t be a reformed rake, after all, if one hadn’t been a rake to start with. So he’d continue to revel in his dissipation at places like the Donville Masquerade and shadowy corners of Covent Gardens until he found a lady who tempted him from it.
And he didn’t see that happening any time soon.
Miss Clarissa Lockhart was nervous as she paced her chamber, smoothing her white gown with her trembling hands, though she hadn’t a wrinkle in the soft fabric.
