Page 7 of When the Viscount Seduces
“I’d hoped to wed,” Gwen said softly. Even more, she’d hoped to fall in love, but that seemed an elusive dream. She’d never met a gentleman who put her at ease enough to even consider friendship, let alone love.
For some reason, she thought of Somerton and how he’d helped her last night. Hehadput her at ease, but then he’d rescued her when she’d needed it most. Anyway, he was not a potential suitor, let alone bridegroom.
Gwen’s mother came toward her, sympathy softening her features. “I know, dear. I hope you’ll fall in love too, as I did with your father. It may happen yet—and it may not be during a London Season.”
While that was true, Gwen was twenty-two and it hadn’t happened yet. Not in Bristol, where she lived and spent most of her time, nor in Weston where she sojourned every August. Perhaps London was too overwhelming, and Bath would be a better place to find what she sought.
It wasn’t that she’d hadnointerest. She’d attended assemblies in Bristol and on two different occasions, overzealous gentlemen had tried to steal a kiss in the garden. But those men had not been interested in courtship, and Gwen had known it. They’d been rogues doing as rogues did.
Before Gwen could agree to remove to Bath, their butler, Lake, stepped over the threshold of the drawing room. “Lord Somerton has called. Is Miss Price receiving?” he asked Gwen’s mother, then glanced toward Gwen.
“I believe so.” Gwen’s mother looked at Gwen in question.
Gwen nodded. “Yes. I can receive him here.”
Inclining his head, the butler then turned and departed.
Instinctively, Gwen lifted her hand to her hair and hoped she looked presentable. But why wouldn’t she? The most strenuous thing she’d done was walk up and down stairs.
“You look lovely,” her mother said with a smile. “The viscount danced with you last night and now he’s calling. One must wonder at his motives,” she added with a wink.
Gwen should have told her mother the truth right then—that Somerton had only supported his friend’s sister at Almack’s to be kind. Although, whywashe calling?
“I’ll move to the sitting room and leave the door open,” Mama said, nodding toward the doorway at the back of the drawing room.
Lake returned and announced the viscount. As soon as Somerton sauntered into the room, the air seemed to lift and brighten. Perhaps it was his brilliant smile or his effusive charm, which seemed to radiate from him, despite him not yet saying a word.
He bowed to them and addressed Gwen’s mother first. “It’s a pleasure to see you again, Mrs. Price.” Then he transferred his gaze to Gwen. “And you, Miss Price.”
“Good afternoon,” Gwen said, dipping into a curtsey.
“We’re so delighted you’ve called,” Gwen’s mother said. “Did you enjoy Almack’s last night?”
“As much as one ever does,” the viscount quipped.
Gwen’s mother laughed softly. “It is a necessary endurance. I’ll leave the two of you to visit.” She turned and glided to the sitting room, leaving the door open as she’d said she would.
Somerton arched a thick blond brow, then glanced toward the doorway to the sitting room. “Your mother is very trusting.”
“Do you plan to seduce me here in the drawing room with my mother next door?”
He put his hand to his chest with a faint grimace. “Is my reputation that poor? Don’t answer that.”
Gwen grinned. “I did ask the question, which means I’m giving you the benefit of the doubt. Don’t make me regret it. I’m already breaking a rogue rule being alone with you, though I can’t say we’re reallyalone.” They spoke in moderate tones, such that it was unlikely her mother would hear them, not that they needed to hide anything.
“I confess my roguish behavior does not stretch to seducing young ladies under their own roofs with their mother in the next room. What rogue rule are you referring to?”
While Gwen and her friends had never said the rules were private—they’d been embroidered by Pandora and given to the two who had married—she wasn’t sure she ought to share themwith one of the roguiest among the rogues. “Er, just a few guidelines we young ladies follow to ensure we aren’t caught unawares.”
“There is more than one?” He smiled bemusedly. “What are the other rules?”
There were eight, but Gwen only mentioned a few. “Never flirt with a rogue and never give a rogue a chance.”
He fully winced now and put his hand to his forehead as if he might faint. “You wound me. I came here today hoping you would give me a chance.”
Gwen’s pulse sped. What sort of chance was he referring to? “To do what?” she asked.
“May we sit?” He looked toward a seating area near the windows that overlooked the street below. That would put them as far away from the sitting room—and her mother—as they could be.
