Page 2 of When I Loved a Charmer

“Thank you,” he agreed, then winked. She couldn’t help thinking he needed a woman to put him in his place. Someone he wanted to impress more than his little sister.

At that moment, the door opened. An elderly man with snow white hair and faded brown eyes stood in the entrance. “May I assist you?”

“I am Lord Hampstead, and this is Lady Calliope Andrews. Their Graces are expecting us.” Daniel informed the older man with efficiency that Calliope could appreciate.

“Indeed,” the elderly man said without preamble. “Please come in. I’ll have the footman see to your trunks.” He gestured for them to step into the castle.

Calliope and Daniel strolled inside. While still in the foyer, they removed their cloaks and handed them to the butler. After a few moments, the Duke of Lindsey strolled in. “Hampstead,” the Duke of Lindsey said, in a jovial tone. “You’re the first to arrive. I was just going to look for my wife. I trust your journey went well.”

“Aside from the cold,” he grumbled. “And Calliope’s constant petulant complaints. Indeed, it was most pleasant.” She hadn’t complainedthatmuch. Calliope glared at Daniel. She had the urge to wrap her hands around his neck, but since she did love him, she refrained from murdering him.

Calliope rolled her eyes and said to the duke, “Don’t listen to him, Your Grace.” She smiled. “He’s terrible to travel with.” She would not let Daniel’s attitude ruin this party for her. “We’re both happy to be here. Thank you for the invitation.”

The duke’s lips twitched. “I’m familiar with Hampstead’s dislike of travel. I understand it is a familial trait as well.” His eyes gleamed with amusement. It shouldn’t bother her that the duke found her distaste of travel so entertaining, but it did. “I’m glad you were both brave enough to endure it and join us. Please follow me to the sitting room. The duchess should be there with afternoon tea. Unless you would prefer to be shown to your rooms so you can rest.”

“I’d prefer tea,” Calliope said. She couldn’t wait to become more friendly with the duchess. “I can rest later.”

Daniel met the Duke of Lindsey’s gaze. “I don’t suppose you have brandy instead?”

Lindsey shook his head. “No, at least not in the sitting room. We can retire to my study later for a snifter or two.”

“All right,” Daniel agreed.

Before they could depart, another bang on the door caught their attention. The butler was nowhere to be found. Lindsey cursed and went to answer his own door. It was Daniel’s turn to have an amused expression as the duke did something a servant normally would. “Goodland,” the duke said in a cheery tone. “I thought you were coming later.” He gestured for the viscount to come inside.

The Viscount of Goodland stepped into the foyer and unbuttoned his coat. Calliope’s breath hitched at the sight of him. He was so gorgeous. Thick dark brown hair kissed by the sun. Blue eyes so deep she thought she might become lost in them. She shook those thoughts away. He might be handsome, but that didn’t mean he was the man for her. She vowed to become more acquainted with him while she was there.

“I wrapped up my business early and thought it arriving earlier a splendid idea. It won’t be too much trouble, will it?” the viscount asked.

The duke of Lindsey shook his head. “No, your chamber should already be prepared. The servants have been preparing for this house party for days now.”

“Wonderful,” Viscount Goodland replied, and shrugged out of his coat. The butler returned at that moment and took it from him.

“I’ll take that, my lord,” the butler said, then left.

The viscount turned toward Daniel and Calliope. “Hampstead,” he shouted in a fun-loving tone. “I saw your carriage being taken to the stable. There is a stack of trunks out there to be brought inside. Did you bring your entire wardrobe with you?”

Her brother glared at him. “Only one of those trunks belongs to me.”

“I’m afraid the rest are mine,” Calliope said. Her cheeks pinkened as she met Goodland’s gaze. “Gowns take up a lot of space.”

Daniel narrowed his gaze and studied her She didn’t like that look one bit. It was not a good sign. The last thing she needed was his constant supervision. “You don’t need to explain yourself to the viscount. He likes to tease. Ignore him. The rest of us do.” She let out a breath she’d been holding. Good he didn’t think much of her response.

“He is right,” the viscount agreed. “They do ignore me. Even when they shouldn’t.” He winked. Her heart skipped a beat. What was with her stomach. He held her hand there…why was it all aflutter? “I hope you do not follow his lead.” He held a hand over his chest. “It would break what’s left of my poor abused heart.” Oh, she was in trouble or rather this gentleman was. He was a charmer through and through, and she was already becoming besotted with him.

“Do not listen to that nonsense,” Daniel ordered Calliope. He turned to the viscount. “And you stay away from my sister.”

She wanted to tell the viscount to ignore Daniel, but she held her tongue. If she hoped to become more acquainted with the viscount, then she’d have to do it in secret. What her brother didn’t know wouldn’t hurt him.

“Hampstead, you’re being exceedingly tedious today,” the viscount said in an exasperated tone.

“I think we should go for that tea now,” Daniel said through gritted teeth. Oh, he really didn’t like the viscount paying her any attention. She had to wonder why…

“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. None of that mattered to Calliope. She had a plan, and it evolved around the Viscount of Goodland. He might not know it yet, but they were about to get very acquainted.

---