Page 24 of Empowered By the Earl (Second Sons of London 3)

Chapter Eight

Owen leaned backin his chair, deciding it was time to make his way over to see Louisa. He had deliberately put off going until now, not wanting to appear keen on seeing her.

But he was eager. Probably too eager, which was why he had delayed going to Cliffside.

He had spent the morning out on Danfield, along with his new steward, and they had met with a small group of tenants who were leaders on the estate. They discussed the upcoming harvest and also made a few plans for once the harvest had been completed. Owen had then returned to his study, sitting for a good hour, doing absolutely nothing.

No, that wasn’t exactly true. He had been thinking.

Of Louisa.

He could not understand why thoughts of her kept occurring. Yes, she was uncommonly pretty. Yes, she was interesting. Intelligent. A bit fiery, flashes of her temper coming out despite her reserved nature. He shouldn’t be enamored with her.

But he was.

That spelled danger for him. First of all, she was Adalyn’s and Tessa’s cousin and he would do nothing to alienate his friends’ wives. Even if he had numerous thoughts of kissing Louisa. No, Miss Louisa Goulding was not to be dallied with. If she were anyone else, he would consider a brief affair with her. Because of her relationship with his fellow Second Sons, however—and the fact that despite her age, Louisa still had to be a virgin—it definitely put her off-limits.

But he still yearned to kiss her all the same.

Owen shook his head, trying to clear such thoughts from his mind. He liked Louisa and that was it. Period. He had never been friends with a woman before, though he suspected both Adalyn and Tessa would claim that honor in the future. He would behave toward Louisa as he did those two. No untoward behavior. He would be the perfect gentleman with her. Her friend. He would discern whether any of the male houseguests were worthy of her and encourage their suit of her.

If he deemed them worthy.

The problem was that Owen already knew he wouldn’t like any of them.

Because he wanted her for himself.

This was madness. He needed to live up to his end of their bargain. He would keep his lips to himself. His hands to himself. His wicked thoughts to himself. He would be an ideal gentleman and help Louisa find a spouse.

Even if it killed him in the process.

He tossed the paper he had been holding back onto the desk, not having bothered to examine it. He would leave now for Cliffside and make a short visit to Louisa in order to see how her ankle fared. They could spend a bit of time together and, by then, it would be teatime. He could either stay at Adalyn’s urging or make some excuse and leave. He would see how he felt and how his time with Louisa went before making a decision.

He went to the stables and had Galahad readied for him and rode to Cliffside. On his way there, Owen counted his blessings. He was a second son who had never assumed he would receive anything from his father, much less the title and Danfield. In an odd twist of fate, both Ev and Spence had also achieved the same status. He knew he was fortunate, first not having been killed in battle and second, receiving all that he now possessed.

A restlessness filled him and he wondered if it truly was time to find an anchor and settle down into his new responsibilities fully as Ev and Spence had done. His friends were good men and Owen was lucky that Ev lived next door to him and Spence was only a few hours’ ride away. They would see each other frequently over the years—and that would include their wives and children.

Again, Owen thought of how much in love Ev and Spence were with their wives and if there might actually be something to that. Oh, he didn’t truly believe in love or that it was for him but he saw the stability and happiness that Adalyn and Tessa had brought into his friends’ lives and, for a moment, felt envious. Perhaps he did need a wife, one that he could share things with. Owen didn’t know if he had it in him to be faithful to one woman for the rest of his life but the prospect was actually interesting for the first time.

If that was the case, he could get a preview at this house party and see what a small handful of women in thetonwere like. If he enjoyed their company during this house party, it might bode well for next Season and him actually looking and finding his countess. He would have to go beyond physical beauty, though. If he was going to try and make a true go of things, unlike his parents had, and truly share things with a wife, he would need to find someone both intelligent and interesting. Owen bored quickly and he would need someone who challenged him, keeping him on his toes.

Someone like Louisa Goulding.

No, he would not consider her. If they did wed and he found himself bored, looking to other women and leading separate lives as most couples in thetondid, it would definitely cause a rift between him and his close friends. Best to help Louisa find a husband and for Owen to look for a wife somewhere else.

He arrived at the Cliffside stables and handed off Galahad to a groom before making his way to the main house. As usual, he cut through the kitchens and spent a moment visiting with Cook.

“How is Miss Goulding?” he asked. “Have you been sending invalid food to her?”

Cook shook her head. “No, my lord. Miss Goulding has not wanted any special treatment, other than taking her dinner on a tray in her room last night in order to keep her ankle elevated.”

“Well, I suppose that is good news.”

Owen departed the kitchens and passed Mrs. Arthur. He greeted the housekeeper and asked, “Where might I find Miss Goulding?”

“She is in the library, my lord.”

“Thank you,” he replied, making his way directly there.

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