Page 13 of When the Viscount Seduces
The following afternoon, Gwen awaited the arrival of her friends. They gathered at least weekly to keep abreast of what was happening with each other, and it was Gwen’s turn to host them.
Tamsin Deverell, Lady Droxford, was the first to arrive, and that was because Gwen had dispatched a note yesterday asking her to come early. This was so Gwen could propose her secret meetings with Somerton.
Now that the moment was upon her, she hoped Tamsin wouldn’t refuse. But why would she? Tamsin was, as Gwen had told Somerton, the most generous person she’d ever met.
Garbed in a fetching dark-rose-colored gown trimmed in dark blue, her light brown hair artfully styled, Tamsin appeared every bit the Lady Droxford. She gave Gwen a quick hug before they settled themselves on a pair of chairs next to one another in the main seating area of the drawing room.
“Your new costume is so lovely,” Gwen said. “My mother could have chosen that.”
“Isaac’s Aunt Sophia has been overseeing my wardrobe, which needed complete replacement—at least according to her. I suppose most of my garments aren’t appropriate for London.”
“Is it terribly overwhelming?” Gwen asked.
Tamsin lifted a shoulder. “Not terribly. Persuading Isaac to accept a modicum of invitations is my biggest challenge,” she said with a laugh, her blue-green eyes sparkling. “He doesn’t attend everything with me, which is fine. I go with Sophia or with Min and Ellis and their chaperone, Mrs. Dalwhimple.” She gave Gwen a sympathetic look. “I understand things haven’t been going well for you, and I’m sorry to hear it.”
Gwen waved her hand. “We can discuss that when the others arrive.” She cocked her head. “I asked you to come early because I need your help. What I’m about to ask is both necessary and secret. I’ve no doubt you will keep my confidence, but Droxford will need to be in on the secret. Hopefully, Somerton is speaking with him today if he hasn’t already.”
Tamsin shook her head as if it had cobwebs. “I’m confused. Why is Somerton speaking with Droxford? And what has that to do with your secret?” Tamsin’s eyes rounded. “Are you and Somerton going to have an affair?” She giggled, and Gwen could tell she was joking.
“No!” Gwen laughed with her.
“I did hear that he came to your rescue at Almack’s. That gossip has spread rather quickly.” Her features creased as she added, “I am so sorry we didn’t arrive before you left.”
“It’s all right. I’m sorry you dragged Droxford there for no reason,” she said with a chuckle.
Tamsin appeared relieved. “It’s good for him to get out once in a while. I’m just glad my cousin helped you.”
“He was very kind,” Gwen said. “And he suffered my dancing most admirably. He was keen to help me—since he knows Evan.”
“Well, he knows you too from Weston,” Tamsin pointed out.
“Yes, but not well. He’s the sort of rogue we don’t allow ourselves to get close to.” And yet here Gwen was planning to be very close to him for the next several weeks. But nothing untoward would happen. He was not interested in her as a rogue might be, and she was absolutelynotdrawn to him in that manner.
“That is very true,” Tamsin said. “My aunt hopes he will settle down soon, but Grandmama doesn’t see that happening. She predicts he won’t marry until he’s at least thirty, and that’s still a couple of years off.” Tamsin and Somerton’s grandmotherresided in a cottage in Weston. They both stayed with her in August.
“It’s very sweet that Somerton stays at your grandmother’s cottage instead of the Grove,” Gwen noted, referring to the estate outside Weston owned by Shefford and Min’s father, the Duke of Henlow. “I would expect a rogue to lodge with his friends.”
“He is quite fond of Grandmama, as she is of him. Somerton isn’tentirelya rogue, but then, as his cousin, I am likely biased.”
“Or that you are exceedingly optimistic and want to believe the best of him,” Gwen said with a light laugh.
“That is also true.” Tamsin grinned, then fixed Gwen with an expectant stare. “Now, tell me this secret before I expire from curiosity.”
“Somerton has asked for my help in polishing a speech he’s to deliver in the Lords.”
Tamsin blinked, her surprise evident. “Has he? I’m equally surprised that he is giving a speech, for he hasn’t ever seemed that engaged in his position, and that he has enlisted your aid. Forgive my impertinence, but why would he ask you?”
“I may have gone on about reading a great deal,” Gwen said offhandedly. “That led us to his speech, and he asked for my help.” It seemed a stretch to believe, but Gwen couldn’t disclose the truth. Instead, she embellished the need for them to meet and would tell Lazarus what she’d done. “He is also going to help me improve my status on the Marriage Mart. We would like to meet—in private—periodically to accomplish both of those things. In trying to come up with a plan to do this without him calling on me here too often, we thought we could meet at your house. I would call on you, and he would call on Droxford at around the same time. It would all look perfectly innocent.”
“Is it innocent?” Tamsin exhaled. “Perhaps I am not as blind to my cousin’s roguishness as I thought. Of course it’s innocent,else you wouldn’t be doing it. How will he help you? With dancing?”
“Er, yes. Mama has not yet been able to secure a new dancing master for me.” Unfortunately, Gwen had earned the reputation of being a hopeless student. Her inability to be trained could reflect poorly on the instructor, which gave them pause.
Tamsin gave her an earnest look. “You know I will help you in any way I can. I must speak with Isaac, however, since this involves him too.”
“Somerton will be speaking to him, if he hasn’t already.”
“That will be best,” Tamsin said with a flicker of relief in her gaze. “Isaac won’t mind, but he won’t want to support anything that might harm someone’s reputation. He’s verynonroguish in that respect.”
