Page 71 of Tempting Her Viscount

The man put out his arm to block her path forward and for the first time, she felt a jolt of fear shoot up her spine.

“Listen to me. If you’d rather settle this matter in the House of Lords, so be it, but I will get what I’m owed, one way or another.”

“Excuse me, Seville, but it sounded as if you were threatening the lady? Surely, I misheard,” Kit said as he came to stand next to her.

Seville glared at Kit for two heartbeats before standing down.

“Of course not. I only meant to inform the lady that a vote on the matter of her settlement will not go in her favor. I’ve heard many who hold seats have already stated how a widow should not hold so much wealth. It is a disservice to her, you see. She is vulnerable to falling for some ruse that would leave her destitute.”

“I’m sure her brother, as well as the Duke of Roxburghe, and the Earl of Melville would not appreciate you thinking them inept in offering the lady their protection. I, myself, take such offense and would ask you to leave at once.”

The man blustered about and Celia worried he would continue, but he must have seen something in Kit’s eyes that changed his course for he simply muttered something about seeing them soon before hurrying off.

Kit offered his arm as they went out to wait for her carriage to be brought around.

“My, you certainly know how to make the evening interesting.”

“Do you think he was telling the truth about having the votes to require an examination?”

“No. Don’t worry about him. Your brother and I are handling things. We have a lot more friends than Edward because obviously we are better company.”

“I’m not worried about Edward’s friends as much as who he owes money to.”

Kit frowned. “Leave it to us.”

“Very well,” she said, because there was little she could do about it anyway.

“Did you enjoy your company at dinner?” he asked with a wry smile. She appreciated him changing the subject.

“Very much.” She shrugged. “Though it appears I’m still to go home alone.”

“Allow me to escort you home then,” he offered when her conveyance arrived. Taking her hand, he assisted her in and took the seat opposite hers. “So, you fancy Rathmore?”

“I do. He’s charming, but I can tell there’s something more to him underneath.”

“I believe that’s an apt description of Willa as well. She’s quite lovely on the outside, but there’s more to her than just physical appeal. She’s interesting.”

“You are not repulsed?” she teased.

“Certainly not. Thank you for the introduction. This might actually work out. For both of us.”

“Is it possible that after a rough start, we’ve both found our perfect match tonight?” she removed the pins from her hair, happy to let her hair down.

“Perhaps. I will call on Willa tomorrow and offer a ride in Hyde Park as is expected.”

Celia studied her feelings at Kit’s comment and was pleased to find she didn’t feel more than the smallest twinge of jealousy. She was happy Kit had found someone pleasant. Perhaps her own joy made it easier to encourage him, but for whatever the reason, she was most grateful that the two of them had fallen easily back into the friendship they’d shared before their affair. She had worried they would not be able to go back to being the way they’d been.

“Don’t forget to take flowers,” she said.

“Should I not have them sent?”

“I think it more personable that a man take them to a lady during his visit. Besides, then you can see her response.”

He nodded. “I wouldn’t be discouraged that Rathmore didn’t suggest continuing your evening at your home, he’s respectable, but not without his liaisons.”

She smiled. “To be honest, I’m not sure I had the courage to proposition him anyway. I did enjoy the flirting, perhaps the pursuit is as gratifying as the reward.”

He tilted his head as if considering her comment. “I would say in most cases the pursuit is more pleasurable than the actual act.”