The Viscount’s Darling Adventure by Maggie Dallen

7

Leo was delighted.

There was no other way to describe this light, buoyant sensation. To have her here, alone—even if for a moment.

It was delightful. He found himself grinning down at her obvious confusion. “Yes, I am truly sorry. I love my family, of course, but they can be a bit…” He narrowed his eyes as he tried to find the right word.

Her brows arched in expectation, but it was the gleam in her eyes that made his heart thud against his ribcage.

“Yes?” she prompted, laughter in her voice, which made him want to laugh as well.

Which was absurd. He rarely laughed, and certainly not in the hushed halls of a theater while discussing his families’ less attractive qualities.

Definitely not when he was supposed to be conducting a private conversation.

Especially not when that private conversation could end in Lady Clarissa’s ruination.

He straightened and cleared his throat. “My family can be a bit...harsh in their judgment,” he finished.

Her lips curved up in the sweetest smile he’d ever seen. “And while I love my family dearly, I will admit that they can be a bit…”

He couldn’t stop his answering smile as he watched her suffer through the same inner debate. How to politely admit to wrongdoing without betraying one’s family? It was not easy.

Her eyes brightened. “Rambunctious?”

He nodded, a low chuckle escaping. “Judgmental and rambunctious. I think we just about summed it up.”

“Well, now that we’ve settled that…” She tilted her head to the side as she smiled up at him. That smile.

Good heavens, that smile.

His heart was in serious danger. It might very well explode if it swelled any further.

Then there was her gloved hand, which he still held in his. And the far more troubling fact that he did not wish to let it go. He wasn’t sure he could let go. It fit so perfectly, the warmth of her seeping into him and warming him through. Being this close to her was like coming in from the cold and curling up by the fire.

The orchestra’s music swelled, interrupting the moment and bringing Leo back to his senses. It seemed to do the same for Clarissa because they both took a step apart at the same time.

It was with a sinking disappointment that he let her hand slide from his. For a moment they stood in silence, gazing upon one another in a manner that was not at all appropriate, and which, if caught, would likely get them into a heap of trouble.

“I was hoping to tell—” she started.

“You must be wondering why—” he said at the same time.

They both burst out laughing at their poor timing. He gestured toward her. “Ladies first.”

She smiled up at him. “I merely wanted to say that I’m glad to have this moment alone with you. I hated the way we left things at Lady Harriet’s dinner party.”

“Indeed.” He shifted closer, every part of him aching to be near her. “I need to apologize again. I was an insufferable—”

“No,” she cut in quickly. “Not at all.” She flashed him a sudden, impish grin that stole the breath from his lungs. “One apology was more than sufficient, I should think. I’m the one who ought to apologize.” She shook her head, her brows knitting in dismay. “I overreacted at the dining room table—”

“You were overset,” he said. “It’s perfectly natural. To be expected, really.”

She pursed her lips with a wry arch of one brow. “Tossing cutlery was to be expected?”

He laughed. “Well, perhaps not the spoon part. But even so, I understand why your first instinct was to deny that it was you.”

She nodded. “Thank you for understanding. I just wish…”

Her sigh made his heart give a tug. A yearning sensation he’d never known before nearly overwhelmed him. “What do you wish?”

Name it and I shall give it to you.The words were on the tip of his tongue.

“I just wish I’d handled it all differently, I suppose,” she finished with a helpless shrug.

“And I wish…” He trailed off, at a loss to tell her all that he wished. He wished for more moonlit nights, he wished to hold her in his arms, he wished to dance with her whenever he pleased.

He wished he could pull her into his embrace right now and kiss her. The ache was bittersweet. And in the end, he never finished telling her his wish because why speak of things that could never be?

She seemed to understand because her smile was small and knowing. “Do you know what my mother used to say?”

“What?” He leaned in closer, catching a hint of her scent and reveling in this closeness...for the brief time that it might last.

“She used to say ‘if wishes were horses, beggars would ride.’”

“Mmm.” He wanted to reach for her. The desire was so strong, he nearly caved to it. “I believe I’ve heard that proverb.”

She tore her gaze away to look around them at the ornate luxury of the red carpeted hallway where they stood. “I cannot imagine what my mother would say if she could see what’s become of us.”

“And what precisely has become of you?” he asked. It was genuine curiosity at play because as much as he’d heard about the Rutlands these last few months, getting to know Clarissa had helped him see them in a new light.

They were the people she loved, and that made it difficult to hate them. He still didn’t relish their company, but he wondered how he might have viewed them if the dreadful duel business hadn’t gotten in the way.

The thought of the duel, of his cousin who he didn’t like but was obligated to love...it seemed to fill the heavy silence between them, and when she spoke, he had to call his mind back to the present.

“What has become of us,” she murmured the phrase thoughtfully. “Well, my brother inherited an earldom, Tabetha is marrying a duke, and poor Mariah has been doing her very best to overcome her shyness and hobnob with the ton.” She laughed, and the sound was more enchanting and melodic than anything the world-class orchestra below could conjure. “Honestly, when I say it aloud, I feel as though I might be dreaming.”

He smiled. “And in your dreams, how would your story end?”

Her brows arched. “Pardon?”

He shifted toward her, painfully aware that at any moment, one of their family members could come out into this hallway in search of them. Or worse, a stranger could happen upon them. And then what?

Then he’d be forced to marry her. A surge of something wicked made his heart race. It wasn’t a bad idea, necessarily…

He eyed the wide-eyed innocent before him and dismissed the thought before it could fully form. That was not how he wanted her in his life. She deserved better than a forced marriage just to appease his selfish desires.

He cleared his throat because she was still waiting for him to explain. “You mentioned the new life that your brother and sisters have found for themselves, but you did not mention your future in that list.”

She wet her lips, her eyes wide and beautifully dazed. “Didn’t I?”

He shook his head. She felt it too. He knew she did. And somehow that made it worse. If he pulled her close, she’d let him kiss her. Knowing Clarissa, she might even kiss him first.

A smile tugged at his lips at the thought. “What is it that you want for your future, Clarissa?”

She didn’t so much as blink at his use of her given name without the title. Perhaps she hadn’t noticed. She nibbled her lower lip as she thought over the question. “Does it matter?” Her gaze grew terribly serious as she gazed up at him. “Does it matter what I want when I know I cannot have it...” A glint of mischief sparked in her eyes as she added, “Leopold?”

A laugh burst out of him and they both looked around in alarm to make sure no one was around to hear. He reached for her elbow and pulled her deeper into an alcove that was partially hidden by dark red curtains.

It would be even worse for them both if they were found here like this, but they’d at least have a chance of going unnoticed if someone were to peek out into the hallway.

“If we’re to be on such intimate terms, please call me Leo. That’s how my friends address me.”

Her lips curved up. “Leo,” she said softly. “I like that.”

And I like you.He swallowed the words. A few more moments together like this, surrounded by her warmth and her vitality and her laughter...he might very well lose his senses entirely and forget all about familial duty.

She cocked her head to the side, a lock of silky blonde hair falling over her slender shoulders. “And is that what I am now, Leo? A friend?”

“I hope so,” he said.

He hoped that was just the start.

She grinned. “I hope so too.” Her smile faltered. “However…”

He let out an exasperated sigh. “Our families.”

She nodded. “Precisely.”

“Something needs to be done,” he said.

Her smile had fallen into a grim look of determination now. “I couldn’t agree more.”

He grimaced at the memory of his aunt’s crude remark. And honestly, he was still rather shocked that the stern and proper Duke of Walton had been the one to take her bait. “Neither of our families have been behaving well, have they?”

She shook her head. “At this rate, we’re all going to look like fools in the eyes of society.”

“Agreed.” His brows came down in frustration. “We need to put an end to this rivalry or risk scandal for everyone. I think both families would agree that being the laughingstock of the ton is far from ideal.”

Her lips were twitching, her eyes dancing with that mischief that was so enchanting. “We?”

“Well,” he said. “We are friends now.”

“Indeed, we are,” she said with a grin. “Friends...and now allies as well. Accomplices, even.”

He dropped his voice to a low murmur. “Why, Clarissa. You make it sound as though we are up to no good.”

She let out a soft, girlish laugh, and even in this dim lighting he could see her blush. “On the contrary, a truce between our families would be the best for everyone.”

He couldn’t agree more. In fact, he was certain nothing could be better for their families...or for him. If there was no feud, then what was to stop him from courting Clarissa properly?

His blood ran hot as a new thought took hold. What was to keep him from making her his wife?

He was so caught up in this new rush of dizzyingly joyful hope that he was alarmed to see her expression had fallen into one of dismay. “Clarissa, what is it?”

“It’s just...how?” Her eyes were wide and pleading. They were looking to him with such desperation that he felt his chest swell. If he’d had a sword at his side, by golly, he would have brandished it to slay every dragon in sight.

As it was, the only dragons here were their family members. So...no slaying then.

Her gaze grew thoughtful. “The thing is, we need to address the real problem here.” Her brows came down. “The duel.”

His muscles grew tense at the mere mention of it. For a moment, all he could feel was resentment toward his second cousin for getting him into this mess in the first place. But then again… “I have it on good authority that your brother played some part in the duel that led to your cousin’s death.”

The words were out before he could stop them.

Her eyes widened, and her lips parted in indignation. “He was not a part of it. He tried to stop it. Your relative was the one who instigated the whole thing. And he was the one who murdered my cousin.”

An age-old defensive anger made him stiffen. He didn’t even like his cousin, but he was family. “I hate to argue with you, Clarissa. But I overheard your brother say as much at the Claremont dinner party.”

Her jaw went slack. “What?” She shook her head. “No, that’s impossible. Darius told me exactly what happened the day that Thomas died.” She arched her brows, anger sparking in her eyes. “The day he was murdered.”

A muscle in his jaw twitched. She’s used that word twice. Murder. And while duels might be archaic, they were taken upon by two consenting adults, not one aggressor and one helpless victim. “Tell me, then. What was his story?”

Her eyes narrowed. Admittedly, the use of the word story made it sound as though whatever Darius had said was fabricated. But he was trying. Every ounce of Ainsworth blood was crying out for him to declare her family liars and storm off. But he was here, wasn’t he? He was listening. He would listen, for her sake and for his family’s. He cleared his throat and tried again. “I would very much like to hear your brother’s perspective.”

She gave a little huff, clearly still annoyed. “According to Darius, Major Ainsworth was in his cups.” She flinched a bit. “Apparently Thomas was as well.”

He knew it must have pained her to admit it, and he felt such a surge of gratitude it nearly made him forget his defensive anger. “And?”

She visibly swallowed, wetting her lips as she took a deep breath. “He said a fight broke out. Matters of pride were involved. Honor was offended on both sides.” She glanced away. “I’d really rather Darius tell you the particulars.”

“Of course,” he said quickly. “I would not wish for you to recount the actual duel, I just…” He took a deep breath as well. “I wish to understand, that’s all.”

Her gaze had lost its anger when it swung back to meet his. “I do too. All I know is, Darius was as close as a brother to Thomas. And when he says that he attempted to stop the duel, I believe him.”

Leo nodded. “Understood. And for my part, well…” Now it was his turn to glance away, to face some hard truths. “To be bluntly honest, I am not particularly fond of my cousin.”

She gave a little start of surprise.

“And it would not shock me overmuch to learn that he’d been full of bluster. He’s been known to make rather...poor decisions when he’s been imbibing.” It was the most he could offer by way of a truce without utterly betraying his family, and she seemed to understand that.

She reached out and touched his arm, the touch gentle, but he could feel it deep in his chest. “Thank you for saying that.”

“And thank you for telling me what you know,” he said.

They shared a quiet moment, each lost in thought.

“Now what?” she asked.

“I suggest we return to our families with what we now know, and attempt to speak reason. Perhaps even find some middle ground.”

She nodded, but by the way she was nibbling on her lower lip, he suspected he’d lost her. “I have another idea,” she said suddenly.

He couldn’t hide his smile. At what point had he come to understand her so well? He had no idea. But he loved it. “What’s that?”

Her gaze was bright, her whole body alive with energy that was so singularly Clarissa. “I say we do what you just said—” She flashed him a quick smile. “You’re very clever, you know.”

“Thank you.”

“And in addition, I shall convince my family to go one step further.” She straightened her shoulders. “We shall invite your family to dinner.”

His brows shot up in admiration...and also horror. “You’d have our families share a meal together,” he said slowly.

She nodded. “Yes. Talking to them ourselves is all well and good, but until we get them to speak to one another and form some sort of truce, I’m afraid nothing will truly change.”

He eyed her for a long moment. Did she share the same hopes? Could she possibly be just as eager as he to overcome their family feud so that they might have a chance at a future?

He didn’t dare to dream. Not yet, at least. One thing at a time. And she had a point about their families needing to talk this out amongst themselves. He and Clarissa’s interference would only go so far. “Do you think you can manage that?” He couldn’t hide his doubt. “Do you really think you can convince them to invite my family?”

Her smug smile showed a flash of a dimple. “I think I know who I can call upon to be an ally to our cause.” She grinned. “You just leave it to me.”

“Very well.” He found himself returning her grin because, really...how could he not? “And in turn, I shall ensure that my family attends.”

“Wonderful.” She clapped her hands together. “I do think this strategy will work. It must. We’ll strategically stage our attacks from all sides so they’re forced to come to the battlefield. Once there, it’s just a matter of diplomatic negotiations.”

He stared at her for a long moment before bursting out in a laugh that had her laughing as well, even as she asked, “What is it? Why are you laughing at me?”

He was still chuckling as he replied. “It’s just...I’ve never been so charmed by talk of military strategy before.”

She tipped her head back with a laugh. “Oh that? That is nothing. You should hear my sister-in-law Evelyn when she gives us a motivational speech before each ball.” Clarissa arched her brows. “I believe the lady has missed her calling as a general.”

“Clearly it runs in the family,” he said.

She shocked him by sticking her hand out as if to shake like gentlemen. “We have a deal then?”

He laughed as he took her hand in his. But rather than shake it, he surprised himself anew by lifting it to his lips. “We have a deal.”

Her lips parted in a gasp, but her eyes shone with happiness. All thoughts of duels and families fled as he took in the marvelous sight before him.

He watched her slip back into Lady Harriet’s box with a sigh. He could hardly wait to see her again. But this plan to force their families into the same room...and a room with knives, no less?

This was either an exceptionally clever plan…

He winced as he headed toward his own seat.

Or it would be a total nightmare.