Page 30 of A Wallflower to Win the Viscount

Instead, a sense of despondency gripped her. Since inheriting Aunt Clemmie’s house, she’d taken such pride in being an independent woman, but was she really? An independent woman would have marched into the solicitor’s office and demanded he put an end to Cousin Jasper’s abhorrent behaviour.

Instead, Lucian had saved her. And she had no idea why.

After their polite farewells, Primrose and Lucian walked out of the office, climbed back into his carriage and set off on the return journey.

‘You’re rather quiet for someone who has just achieved a victory,’ he said as the carriage jostled its way through the busy London streets.

She attempted to smile at him, knowing she was being petty. He had gone out of his way to help her. He’d even offered to fund an expensive lawsuit for her. Instead of being glum and resentful, she should be expressing the depth of her appreciation and not harbouring any suspicions as to his motives.

‘Yes, thank you for all your help,’ she said woodenly. ‘It was most gracious of you.’

His eyebrows drew together as if registering her reticence.

‘Er, don’t misunderstand me,’ she started, not entirely sure how she was going to phrase her question without sounding rude. ‘But why exactly did you take me to your solicitor? And why were you so magnanimous as to offer to pay any court costs?’

It was his turn to look uncomfortable as he stared straight ahead at the opposing carriage wall. ‘I told you. I hate bullies, which your cousin undoubtedly is.’

‘There are lots of bullies in the world.’ That was something she was well aware of, having encountered quite a few during the Season, men who’d mocked her, ladies who’d laughed at her behind their fans. ‘You can’t defeat all of them.’

‘This particular bully should be looking after you, protecting you. The world can be a hard place for a woman without a man to care for her.’

‘So you’re my knight in shining armour who has saved me,’ she said, trying to sound light-hearted, but she could hear the irritation in her own voice.

He gave a noncommittal rumble that could be laughter or a dismissal of her claim.

The travelled along in silence for a moment, Primrose still wrestling with questions she was struggling to formulate.

The carriage came to a halt in front of her house. He jumped out and opened the door, and she slowly stepped down, her mind still awhirl.

She really was being ungracious. It was hardly Lucian’s fault that the world was an unfair place, particularly, as he had pointed out, for a woman. And whatever his motivations, he had indeed saved her and her animals from a terrible fate.

That was what she should be focusing on. ‘Well, it was quite the victory, wasn’t it?’ she said more brightly. ‘A bully has been vanquished. I still have a home in which to live, my animals still have a sanctuary, and it’s all thanks to you. Won’t you join me for a celebratory brandy, so I can drink a toast to the knight in shining armour who saved the day?’

She smiled at him as she waited for his response. And maybe, just maybe, over a glass of brandy, I can get to the bottom of why you are so willing to help me.

Chapter Ten

Lucian was nobody’s knight in shining armour, and he could not have Primrose thinking he was.

If she knew the thoughts he’d had of her, the way he’d pictured her, the things he’d imagined her doing to him, she would not see him as anything other than a wretch of a man who did not deserve her smiles, let alone her admiration.

While he was reluctant to spend more time in her company, he had to disabuse her of the absurd notion that he was anyone’s knight, and this was the perfect opportunity to let her know she should not be so trusting of any man, and that included him.

An anxious footman opened the door, and Primrose placed a comforting hand on his arm. ‘All is well, Alfred. The viscount has saved the day.’

Lucian’s teeth clenched tightly together.

‘Thank you, my lord,’ the footman said, taking their coats.

‘It was nothing,’ Lucian muttered crossly, as indeed it was.

‘I have decided we must celebrate our victory over Jasper,’ Primrose announced, gripping her hands together in a gesture of triumph. ‘Can you please find that bottle of brandy we keep for medicinal purposes? And pour a glass for each of the servants as well. I’m sure they will all be delighted they’re not about to become homeless.’

‘Very good, Miss.’ The smiling footman bowed once more to Lucian before hurrying off.

They entered the drawing room and were approached by that weird cat, who meowed at Lucian as they took their seats. It then followed him across the room and sat at his feet, staring up at him as if it, too, thought he was deserving of veneration.

He frowned at the misguided animal, then gave it an appraising look. Its appearance was even more peculiar than usual. ‘Why does that animal look as if it’s swallowed a rugby ball?’