Page 31 of A Wallflower to Win the Viscount

Primrose laughed. ‘I’m afraid Clawdia is soon going to have kittens.’

Kittens? Really? Even more animals?

He looked from the cat to Primrose, and she smiled the disarming smile that never failed to affect him in ways it should not. A reaction that reminded him he was not the honourable man she thought him to be. Instead, he was clearly more like his father than he’d feared, a man who lusted after women he should not. A man she should not, under any circumstances, admire or trust.

‘Don’t look so worried. I won’t be keeping the kittens, as I’ll have no trouble finding homes for them.’ Her smile grew wider, and he fought not to focus on the tempting curve of her rose-coloured lips. ‘I’m sure any child will take but one look at their adorable little faces and they’ll immediately fall in love and have to adopt one of them.’

He gazed dubiously at the multicoloured animal, who commenced twining itself around his legs. ‘Even kittens that look like this cat?’ he said, not convinced by her optimism.

‘Well, I hope her kittens do look a bit different,’ Primrose acknowledged, the amusement in her voice showing she took no offence. ‘I’d like to think Clawdia’s kittens will be loved for who they are and not because they are considered normal.’

Lucian cringed. ‘I’m sorry for saying you were not normal,’ he said, yet again feeling ashamed of himself.

Although, it was probably for the best that she did remember his disgraceful behaviour when he’d all but dragged her onto his property, then insulted her in such a churlish manner. That ought to provide a perfect example of the man he really was, a man she should dislike, not admire.

‘Don’t worry. You’ve already apologised, and I’ve decided to no longer care if people do think I’m not normal. Jasper is considered normal, and yet he’s an absolute bully, whereas people also said Aunt Clemmie wasn’t normal, and you couldn’t have met a kinder, more loving woman.’

He nodded slowly. ‘Perhaps you’re right. I don’t believe anyone ever accused my father of being not normal either.’

The footman entered with two crystal glasses of brandy and the bottle on a silver tray. They each took the proffered glass, and the footman placed the bottle on the table beside Lucian, then departed. Primrose took a sip, then winced, obviously unfamiliar with the taste of alcohol, put the glass on the table and sent him a pensive smile.

‘I have a confession to make,’ she said. ‘I have heard rumours about your father, but they’re just rumours. I’m curious to know what he was really like.’

Lucian’s jaw tightened. ‘I suspect the rumours you have heard are all true.’ And more besides. ‘While no one would ever say he was not normal, they would also never describe him as a knight in shining armour.’

‘So he was nothing like you, then.’ She smiled, a pretty shade of pink tinging her cheeks. ‘I’m not saying people would describe you as not normal, I just mean today you did rush to save me, just like a knight in shining armour.’

Lucian released an exasperated sigh. He hadn’t come here to drink brandy, to discuss his father or to admire her blushing cheeks and tempting smile. He was here for one reason only: to rid her of the absurd notion that he was some sort of gallant hero.

It was time to speak plainly so she could see exactly what he was really like. ‘Primrose, I, too, have a confession to make. I have treated you in a very shabby manner.’

‘Oh, that’s all forgotten and forgiven, especially as you did help me today.’

He held his hand up, in case she was about to once again describe him as being her saviour. ‘Yes, I know I’ve just helped you, but that is simply because I hate bullies and I abhor the way your cousin is failing in his duty to you.’

Liar. That is true, but not the entire reason why you rushed to her aid.

‘And contrary to anything you might think of my actions today, I have been taking steps to get you out of your home.’

‘Oh?’ Her blue eyes grew larger. Good. She was starting to see him in his true light. But he wasn’t finished destroying her misguided opinion of him.

‘For my own selfish reasons, and with no concern for what you might want, I was complicit in a plan to be rid of you and your animals from this neighbourhood, all because it would make it easier for me to sell my father’s house.’

‘But you just… The solicitor…’ She came to a halt, her usually smooth brow furrowed in confusion.

He waved his hand, not wanting to talk about the contrary visit to the solicitor. ‘That was why I invited you to that talk by the Earl of Ashcombe, and the one we were to attend today, by that baron fellow about his foxes.’

She continued to stare at him, her expression making it obvious she had no idea what he was talking about or how his actions were proof of just how self-serving he was.

‘I was attempting to introduce you to men who might offer for your hand. Then you would no longer be a hindrance to the sale of my house.’

Her brow furrowed deeper, and she shook her head slowly, still not grasping the meaning of his words.

‘You would be married. You’d move into your husband’s home, along with all your animals.’ He gestured at the cat, it being the only member of her menagerie present. ‘I would be able to sell my house without rabbits, geese and goats putting off potential buyers. I was trying to find you a husband for my own mercenary reasons.’

He braced himself for the inevitable and well-deserved tirade for such underhanded, manipulative behaviour. Behaviour that proved he was neither a gentleman nor a knight in shining armour but a man prepared to go to any lengths to get what he wanted—and what he wanted was to be rid of her.

Her hand covered her surprised mouth. Then she did something as disarming as it was unexpected.