Page 21 of A Scarred Wallflower for the Duke
“Whisky?”
“I prefer brandy.”
“Oh. I… I am afraid I am not much of a brandy drinker.”
Vincent settled into a deep leather armchair. “Whisky is fine.”
Lord Thomson filled two glasses and carried them toward the tea table. He set them down, producing a pack of cards from his pocket that he had clearly been carrying around just for the occasion. Vincent chuckled to himself. Why did he find that so amusing?
Lord Thomson slid the cards from the pack and began to shuffle, a frown of concentration creasing the bridge of his nose. He shuffled again. Shuffled some more. “Something on your mind, Thomson?” asked Vincent.
Lord Thomson looked up at him, cheeks flushing, as though caught off guard by his forwardness. “Well,” he began, finally setting the cards down on the table. “I merely thought I should take this chance to warn you to be careful.”
Vincent raised his eyebrows.This ought to be good.
“Be careful?”
“Yes.” Lord Thomson cleared his throat. “I am afraid your reputation precedes you, Your Grace.”
“My reputation?” Vincent was rather enjoying watching the Viscount squirm. He decided to drag this out a little longer. “Whatever do you mean?”
“Well. Your… reputation with young ladies.”
“I see.” Vincent sipped his whisky coolly. “And what is it exactly that you would like me to do about such a reputation?” Lord Thomson’s face was flaming. Vincent could tell he regretted starting this conversation. Some distant part of him felt bad for the fellow.
“I should like your word,” said Thomson, “that once you marry my sister, there will be none of the… philandering for which you are known. Or…else I…”
“I see,” said Vincent. “So this is a warning?”
“Yes,” said Lord Thomson. “I suppose it is.”
Vincent chuckled. To his credit, the Viscount was holding his gaze, albeit somewhat shakily, and was pinning Vincent with a look that said he meant business. Vincent could tell that, whatever other weaknesses this man had, he truly cared for his family. There was something honorable about that.
“I will do my best to make your sister happy,” he said. Lord Thomson’s eagerness made Vincent reluctant to lie to him. And he knew that, if he were forced into a dull and loveless marriage with Lydia, there was a good chance he would be tempted back into his rakish ways.
Lord Thomson hesitated, as though debating whether such a response was sufficient. “Very well,” he said finally, taking a rather large gulp of whisky. He picked up the cards and began to shuffle them yet again. Just as he was about to deal, footsteps and chatter echoed down the passage, signaling the approach of Georgina and Lydia. Vincent felt himself sit a little straighter in his chair.
“Ah.” Lord Thomson’s shoulders seemed to sink in relief. “There is Miss Lydia now. I assume you would rather take tea with her, than lounge about playing cards with me.” He tossed down the pack and gave what Vincent assumed was supposed to be a genial smile. It looked more like a grimace. “Perhaps we can continue our game another time, Your Grace.”
He smiled thinly. “Of course.”
“Marcus, I—” Georgina burst into the room, stopping abruptly at the sight of Vincent. “Oh. Do forgive me, Your Grace.” Her cheeks reddened violently, making Vincent smile. “I did not realize you were in here.”
“No need to apologize, Miss Wyatt.” Vincent got to his feet. “Your brother and I were just finishing a game of cards.”
Lord Thomson tucked the cards into the box and stood up. “The portraits,” he asked. “Are they finished?”
“Yes. Thankfully,” said Georgina, with a faint shake of her head. “The whole experience was ever so tedious. And rather pointless, if you ask me.”
“May I see them?” her brother asked.
Georgina shrugged. “If you wish.” She turned to Vincent, meeting his eyes for a fleeting second, before looking away. “Your Grace, perhaps Lord Thomson and I can show you back downstairs. I know Miss Lydia is waiting.”
“I would rather like to see the portraits, actually,” said Vincent. “If I may.”
Anything to spend more time with Georgina and less time with Lydia…
Georgina’s lips parted, as though taken aback by his request. She schooled her features quickly. “Very well. As you wish.” She led the two men out of the smoking room toward the sitting room at the end of the passage. Lord Thomson hurried to her side.
