If Eleanor must endure the trials of London high society, the least she could’ve hoped for was an amusing escort. But such was not to be found in her older brother. She’d tried teasing him out of his stoic reserve once, but he’d curtly reminded her it was his duty to ensure she was a success, and he couldn’t do that if he was goofing off. There was nothing Ralston took more seriously than his familial duty. It seemed the social season brought out the worst in him. Just as it did her.
As the carriage rolled up beyond the open front doors, Ralston nodded his head. “You all look lovely. Shall we?”
Lydia sighed. Bridget practically squealed. And Eleanor simply resigned herself to enduring the first painful evening in what was likely to be another horrid social season.
Chapter Two
“Must you appearso disgruntled? It’s a ball, Phin. It’s supposed to be fun.”
Phineas looked down at his older sister, intentionally deepening his frown. “Did you have to invite so many people?”
The Countess of Byrne gave him a horrified look of shock before she realized he was teasing, then she laughed and tapped his arm with her fan. Rather smartly, in fact, leaving a bit of a sting behind, as she no doubt intended. “Yes. It wouldn’t be a crush if I hadn’t. And as the first major ball of the Season, it isn’t asuccessunless it’s acrush.”
Phineas wasn’t sure he agreed with that logic, but Maggie was rarely reasonable when it came to popularity and the haute ton. “Remind me again why I allowed you to browbeat me into attending,” he asked dryly. He knew his lack of enthusiasm would irritate her and decided she deserved it for the fan thing.
“Because it’s the first time in years you’ve been in Town for the Season,” his sister replied curtly. “And because you love your niece and wouldn’t want to withhold your support on her first year out.”
Phineas followed his sister’s gaze to the dance floor where her daughter, Delia, twirled about on the arm of a dashing young buck. The girl’s face was full of delighted enchantment.
“I wouldn’t dream of it,” he answered earnestly.
Maggie’s husband, the Earl of Byrne, had died suddenly just over two years ago. And even though Phineas was ten years younger thanhis sister, and she’d never admit it, she needed his support during her first daughter’s social debut as much as his niece did. Maggie could be rather single-minded and stubborn, but Phineas loved her anyway and he adored his niece and nephews.
“You know,” Maggie began thoughtfully and Phineas tensed for the inevitable. She was using an overly casual tone that indicated she was about to try to manage him in some way. “While you’re attending these lovely social events as our distinguished escort, you may as well consider looking for a bride yourself.”
There it was.
His sister had been urging him to marry for the last five years. He’d hoped, now that Delia was being introduced to society, she would redirect her attentions. It seemed she had plenty to spare for both of them.
“Don’t go making that face, Phin,” the countess admonished.
“What face?”
“The one that suggests you’d like to take a reckless leap off the nearest balcony rather than consider giving any attention to yourinescapableduty. If you allow yourself, you might find a way to enjoy the best ball of the season.”
“It’s thefirstball of the season.”
“And it shall be heralded as the best,” she assured. “I have no doubt there will be countless young ladies eager for a dance with the dashing Viscount Waring.”
Phineas made a face. “I’ve no intention of dancing.”
“Oh, yes you will!” Maggie’s voice arced into a higher octave. “What will people say if my own brother doesn’t dance at my ball?”
“I doubt anyone will notice.”
“You are the Viscount Waring. You’re young, wealthy,” she shrugged and gave a sisterly smirk, “some would say passably handsome, and—most importantly of all—unmarried. Trust me, they’ll notice.”
“Will they also notice that I’ve no interest in taking a wife?” he countered.
“Nonsense.”
It wasn’t nonsense. And someday his sister would have to accept that Phin had no intention of marrying. Ever. He liked his life the way it was: adventurous and free. It was difficult enough to manage the estates under his care while traveling the way he did, the idea of leaving a wife and children behind each time he ventured to a new continent did not appeal to him in the slightest. Not because he abhorred family. To the contrary. But he knew that if faced with a choice between adventure and domesticity…he would choose adventure every time. And he couldn’t in good conscience essentially abandon someone he cared for over and over again.
Best to avoid that scenario altogether.
“Maggie, I didn’t come to town to be thrown like a sacrifice into the feeding pit of matchmaking mamas and desperate debs.”
“Goodness, Phin,” his sister exclaimed, waving her fan in front of her face. “The way you phrase things…”
