Page 6 of Once You Love a Scoundrel

“Hampstead, you’re being exceedingly tedious today.”

Daniel almost stepped forward. To do what he wasn’t certain. One look from Lindsey and he refrained. “I think we should go for that tea now.”

“Excellent idea,” Lindsey said. “Follow me.”

The duke led them down a corridor in his sprawling castle until they finally arrived at the sitting room. The duchess was indeed inside, and tea was sitting on a nearby cart. They all settled in for afternoon tea. The conversation stilted, and there was no sign that it would improve either.

* * *

Iris staredout the window of the carriage. They were getting close to the ducal estate. As the distance closed between them and the castle, Iris’s anxiety grew. She couldn’t be certain if the Earl of Hampstead was there yet or not, but that didn’t matter. He would be there eventually if he wasn’t already, and that was all that mattered. Then she would be forced to speak to him. At least it wouldn’t be all the time. She could ignore him for the most part, and she would. But there were still social niceties she would have to observe. That was what she wished she could avoid.

“There it is,” Violet said, excitement in her tone. “It’s massive.”

“The joys of being a duke,” Violet’s husband, the Marquess of Merrifield, said.

Violet wrinkled her nose. “You’ll be a duke someday, and the Merrifield estate is quite large. Don’t act as if you don’t have something comparable.”

“That is true,” the marquess agreed. “But at least I’m not the one responsible for this gathering. That means I can relax and enjoy Lindsey’s discomfort.” The marquess grinned. “And that will be as massive as his estate.”

“Don’t you think that is unkind?” Iris asked. She couldn’t fathom why he would wish his friend discomfort. “Isn’t he your friend?”

“No,” Lord Merrifield replied. “It is not callous. Because we are friends, we can tease him. It’ll help him suffer through it all.”

Violet frowned. “I don’t think I will ever understand your friendship.”

“It’s best not to think about it too much. Chances are you will develop a head pain from it.” Lord Merrifield shrugged. “We quit trying to dissect our friendship when we were still boys. It works, and that is all that matters to us.”

Iris almost envied them. The five of them had been dubbed the Scandalous Gentleman. Three of them were married now. The only two left unattached were the Earl of Hampstead and the Viscount of Goodland. Many ladies had hopes of catching their attention, especially now that three had fallen in love and were happily married.

At one time, Iris had hoped to be the one Hampstead would love. Now she just wanted to pretend she had never been so bloody foolish. Fate wasn’t allowing her that privilege, though. She would have to face her mistake, or she would never be able to move forward. That was what she had decided to do during this house party. Set aside her past and look to her future. One that would never include a scoundrel like the Earl of Hampstead.

“That seems like sound advice,” Iris said to Lord Merrifield. She turned to Violet. “I would heed what your husband has suggested. Besides, it involves his friends. You don’t need to understand it, do you?”

“I suppose you’re right,” Violet told her. “As long as he loves me, I don’t care who his friends are. If Lord Hampstead and Lord Goodland find wives, it will all sort itself out.”

“I wouldn’t hold your breath,” Lord Merrifield said. “Those two are unlikely to marry, and both have reasons for that decision. They’re confirmed bachelors.”

Iris frowned. “Didn’t all of you say that once upon a time?”

Violet’s eyes widened. “You’re not still hoping...” Concern was etched into her sister’s eyes as she met Iris’s gaze. Iris barely held back a groan. She would have to ensure her sister she had no desire to trap the Earl of Hampstead into marriage.

“I’m not,” Iris interrupted Violet. She didn’t need her sister to put into words what she had once foolishly desired. “Reforming a scoundrel is the last thing I wish to do.” She shrugged. “I had thought though, that since all of them had believed they would never marry, how can your husband be certain the final two won’t.”

“Our reasons were not the same as theirs.” Lord Merrifield frowned. “I can’t tell you their secrets, but rest assured, they are profound. If they marry, I will be shocked to the core. Winchester, Lindsey, and I...we just enjoyed our freedom. Until we realized that there can be more to marriage if we opened our heart to it. Goodland and Hampstead...their hearts were shattered a long time ago. They have nothing left to offer a woman.”

Iris frowned. She wondered what had happened to them. Lord Merrifield seemed so certain that neither one would marry. Should she feel sorry for them? Perhaps, and a part of her did; however, that did not mean that her own demons hadn’t been excised. “That’s unfortunate for them,” she said softly. “It means they’ll never know true happiness.” Some days she didn’t think she would either.

“That is the fate some must face,” Lord Merrifield told her. “I’m fortunate, and thankful for it each day. If I could change things for them, I would. It would be wonderful if all my friends found the same happiness I have.”

“Yes,” Violet agreed. She met Iris’s gaze. “It’s what I want for you too.” Her tone was filled with so much warmth and love. Iris was grateful she had such a wonderful twin sister. She and Violet had always been close, and she had missed having her in the house.

“There is still hope for me,” Iris told her sister. “My heart hasn’t been destroyed. The right man will come into my life, and then the possibilities will be endless.” First she had to expunge a certain earl from her heart for good. If she still thought about him, that meant he still had a hold on her. It was past time she let go.

Violet smiled. “I hope so.” Concern was etched through her voice as she spoke. Iris couldn’t dwell on that. She had to remain focused. Violet had her husband to lean on, and she had to stop worrying so much about Iris. Somehow, she would make her sister see that.

With those words, the carriage came to a stop in front of the Lindsey estate. Lord Merrifield stepped out of the carriage and assisted Iris and Violet out. They all walked to the front door as the footman saw to their trunks. The Christmastide house party had begun. For Iris, it was the beginning of the future she hoped to seize. Tomorrow would bring her happiness. She would make sure of it, even if she had to reshape the longing inside her heart and every single one of her expectations to accept it.

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