Page 51 of Empowered By the Earl (Second Sons of London 3)

Chapter Fifteen

Louisa had Tillydress her in her riding habit since Adalyn had mentioned to the group last night that riding was planned immediately after breakfast. Breakfast would not be served in the breakfast room. It was simply too small to accommodate such a large party. Instead, the meal would be held in the dining room.

She went downstairs and found Viscount Boxling lingering in the foyer.

He brightened when he saw her and said, “Good morning, Miss Goulding. It seems to be a fine day for those of us in the country. You are looking splendid this morning. It was clever of you to show up for breakfast in your riding habit.”

She figured she had already made a mistake and that none of the other female guests would be wearing their habits to the morning meal.

“I have been riding after breakfast every morning since I arrived at Cliffside,” she told the handsome lord. “I have found it more convenient to simply dress in my riding habit and go straight to the stables. I hope you are not offended by my faux pas.”

He offered his arm and began guiding her toward the dining room.

“On the contrary, it shows you have good sense. I appreciate that in a man—or a woman.” He smiled and she felt a slight tingle at both the attention and his compliment.

They entered the dining room and she saw about half the party was already assembled, including Tessa and Spencer. She and Lord Boxling went through the large buffet and then they joined her cousin and Spencer. She noticed how easy Lord Boxling seemed in their company and how the conversation flowed effortlessly.

“Are you going riding this morning, Tessa?” she asked.

“No, I think Spencer and I are taking Analise for a walk instead,” Tessa replied.

“Do you think your husband will allow you to hold your daughter?” she teased and then saw Lord Boxling’s confused expression. She added, looking at him, “Lord Middlefield is quite taken with his daughter and wags her about.”

Louisa watched the viscount’s face carefully, wondering what his reaction would be to that bit of information.

“I have a fondness for children myself,” he revealed. “My sister has two children, a boy and a girl. They both enjoy riding about atop my shoulder, where they can see the world a little better.”

Tessa laughed. “Don’t give my husband any ideas, my lord. Analise is only six months.”

Spencer’s eyes lit up. “But it won’t be long before I can place her up there, my love. Good idea, Boxling. Thank you for the suggestion.”

As for Louisa, it thrilled her to know that one of her prospective suitors enjoyed his niece and nephew enough to carry them about that way.

Lord Boxling added, “Once your daughter is old enough, she will also like for you to play horsey with her. I spend quite a bit of time down on all fours with my niece on my back, her hands fisted in my hair as she commands me to go faster.”

They all laughed and Louisa felt warmth rush through her at the idea of seeing the viscount act as a horse with a child on his back.

Viscount Hurley and Miss Rexford joined them and the conversation was lively. Still, Louisa could feel Owen’s gaze upon her the entire time. He sat at the opposite end of the table with Lady Sara and Miss Oxford and seemed most interested in the pair, though his eyes seemed to land in her direction more often than not. She remembered his warning about Lord Boxling and could find no fault in the man so far. The viscount was amiable, charming, and comfortable with himself and others. If he chose to pursue her, she would be excited at the prospect.

Viscount Hurley asked her, “How long have you been at Cliffside, Miss Goulding?”

“I came to the country with about three weeks of the Season yet to go,” she told him. “I am very close with Her Grace and Lady Middlefield. My cousins have also been my closest friends my entire life and once they left town, I found that I missed them terribly. I believe you recently left the military, my lord?” she asked, wanting to purse a conversation with this viscount, as well.

“I was in the army a good while, Miss Goulding. That is how I know His Grace. In an unusual set of circumstances, I claimed the title and am finding my way through my duties—and looking to my future.” He regarded her carefully and added, “I am most eager to wed and start a family. I was delighted to accept Her Grace’s invitation to this house party.”

Louisa nervously licked her lips and caught herself doing so. Oh, dear, would Lord Hurley think she was flirting with him? Then she decided perhaps she should. There was no reason to put all her eggs into one basket with Lord Boxling, especially if that did not work out. Viscount Hurley was a most impressive man in looks, with that ramrod posture that the army must drill into its officers. The fact that he was openly declaring he was interested in finding a wife and having children fascinated her.

“It doesn’t seem as if you are here to play games, my lord,” she noted.

His eyes gleamed at her. “I am not, Miss Goulding. I have always had my own mind—and gone after what I wanted.”

“Single-mindedness can be a good thing, or bad,” Lord Boxling said. “So, you are here to find a wife at this house party, Hurley?”

“That is a distinct possibility,” Hurley said brusquely, glancing to Louisa and back to Boxling.

Lord Boxling smiled, a steely resolve reflected in his gaze as he said, “That is also something I am most interested in, as well. I inherited my father’s title at Christmastime. I will admit I have sown my share of wild oats but family has always been important to me. I hope to find a bride myself soon. If it happens at this house party, so much the better.”

Louisa felt her face flush and met Tessa’s gaze. Her cousin gave her a slight nod, whether in approval Louisa did not know. What she did know was that two very attractive bachelors present were actively pursuing women and they both seemed most interested in children. That she had learned all of this before the first breakfast was completed astonished—and pleased—her.

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