Chapter 6

Chapter Six

Oscar

I arrive at my home in time for the daily influx of callers. Almost every day since the first ball my niece attended, some young man has called to spend time with Louisa. At first, I didn't attend because I was certain Ann wouldn't want my company. Now, however, I've been invited to dine in my own home on three occasions. The conversation has been clever and lively.

Granted, Lady Chervil fills much of the silence with amusing stories about her life.

Honestly, I'm grateful for her ladyship's presence. She keeps me from doing something stupid like kissing Ann until she understands my words under the tree in the park were sincere. It's possible I didn't make my intentions clear that day. I've tried to replay the conversation in my mind, but I was driven by emotion, and much of what was said is lost to me.

Jenkin opens the door as I reach the top step. "My lord."

"Is everything under control here, Jenkin?" It's good to have the old butler and his wife back in the house. I can't think why I let Bellston talk me into pensioning the couple. Likely out of laziness, not wishing to be bothered with the world beyond my experiments.

"The ladies have a caller in the parlor. It would seem this particular gentleman brings with him more excitement than the previous visitors." Jenkin's left eyebrow rises and that is the only indication of emotion.

"Indeed? I suppose it's good that I've come then." I hand him my hat and gloves. Everything is polished and tidy in the foyer and the rest of the house. It's a far cry from when Ann arrived a month ago.

"Will you be staying to supper, my lord?" Jenkin stands, holding my outerwear as if it's a shield and he awaits battle orders.

"If I am invited. Miss Ann has charge of this house for…now." I wanted to say for the foreseeable future, but that seemed a bit too telling.

"Very good, my lord." He bows.

I make my way to the parlor where Lady Chervil and Ann sit on the settee at one end of the room. The two seem deep in conversation.

At the other end, Louisa is speaking in low tones with a man with black hair and brown eyes. I recall her dancing with this gentleman at her first ball. I thought him dull in manner, but he appears quite animated about their conversation.

I clear my throat.

Ann stands and curtsies. Her cheeks turn a delightful shade of pink, and I wonder if it is from a desire to see me or because she and Lady Chervil were talking about me. Either way, it's lovely. "My lord."

I bow. "Hello, Miss Wittman. Lady Chervil. "

Honoria doesn't stand, but she smiles. "How nice to see you, my lord. Will you take some tea?"

I nod. "I see we have a guest this morning."

Closing the gap between us, Ann says, "Phillip Dutton, the Viscount of Mansfield." She turns to the young couple. "Louisa, your uncle has arrived."

Both Mansfield and Louisa jerk their heads up and stand.

I walk over. "Mansfield, good of you to call." I shake his hand and give Ann a reassuring smile.

Phillip's grip is firm and his gaze meets mine more assuredly that most men his age. My size often intimidates people. "A pleasure to be received here, Lord Kendall. Miss Bartholomew and I were just discussing a piece of music we both share an interest in."

"I see. Do you play as well as my niece?" Her mother might be annoyed by Louisa's attention to music rather than society, but I can fully understand her desire to maintain the things she loves. Her focus on music is not dissimilar to my obsession with science.

"I play very well, but have not had the pleasure of hearing the lady play as of yet." He draws a deep breath and looks at Louisa. "I would be honored if you would play."

Eyes so wide I think she may refuse, Louisa gulps down whatever she might have said and inclines her head.

As Louisa sits at the pianoforte, Ann and Honoria join us and we all sit.

Music fills the parlor as Louisa's gentle touch draws so much beauty from the instrument. It's as if she were part of it and it was part of her. If memory serves, the piece is Vivaldi, and she's playing Four Seasons, though I'm not familiar enough to know the particulars. It's the most beautiful thing I've ever heard .

Lady Chervil leans over and whispers, "The viscount danced with Louisa twice at Lady Tamford's Ball."

It probably means the young man has intentions toward an offer, but I don't know him well enough. My brother-in-law will have to make that decision. Though I worry Creeves only cares about an advantageous match. I find myself more concerned with Louisa's happiness. Strange that my thinking about such matters has altered so much in the few weeks that Ann has come into my life.

Louisa stops after one of the sections and lowers her eyes.

We all applaud.

Phillip claps the loudest and then turns to me. "No, my lord, I do not play as well."

The two stare at each other and speak so quietly that I can't make out the conversation.

At a tap on the arm from Honoria, I follow the ladies to the other side of the room.

Soon, two pairs of hands are playing softly and the couple is engrossed in the music.

"He will offer. Do we know anything about him?" Honoria asks.

I'm about to say that we don't when Ann cuts me off. "He has a very nice fortune with a house in town and a reportedly lucrative estate in Surry. His family is in good standing. His father died three years ago and he is the sole heir. I could find no impropriety anywhere with relation to the viscount."

"You are thorough." Admittedly, I'm shocked by the amount of information Ann has about a man I'd never heard of. Of course, hiding away in Scotland leaves me out of touch with the ton and its people.

"It's my job, my lord." She looks across at Louisa as the music stops and Phillip stands. Is it longing I see in her gaze or is it merely what I wish to see ?

"Did my sister attend the ball last night?" I need to snap myself out of this insane desire. Ann Wittman has no interest in a reclusive man who is rejected by society.

Honoria says, "She did attend and was very pleased with everything. Even your brother-in-law attended. I hadn't realized he was so reserved. I remember your sister as a very lively young woman when she first came out."

"I remember that as well." I think about how often Mae used to laugh. I suppose I laughed more in those days too.

Louisa and Phillip approach and stand silently for a moment.

Phillip says, "I must take my leave."

Ann and I stand.

Ann says, "It was good of you to come, my lord."

He bows deeply, gives one last look at Louisa, and strides from the room.

No one speaks until the front door closes and Jenkin takes up his post in the parlor doorway.

Flopping into a chair, Louisa lets out a long breath. "He's very nice and his knowledge of music is vast."

"That's good, isn't it?" I venture.

She nods. "Mother said she thought father would approve him. Father knew the last viscount and they were friends."

I look across to Ann for guidance.

She shrugs and sits back on the settee with Honoria.

Sitting in the chair next to Louisa, it hits me how little choice young ladies have in life. Ann made her own decision not to marry where she didn't love and has been ostracized by society for it. Louisa likes Phillip, but her father could easily deny him should he offer.

I've never given the subject much thought before. I'd hate it if Louisa were unhappy. "What do you want?"

"Time to decide if one man or the next will make me happy for the rest of my life." She wipes away a tear. "I know I'm expected to marry, and I want to make my mother and father proud. I don't want to be shut into a marriage where I'm unloved and forgotten until a son is born."

It's the most I've ever heard her say. "Have you told your parents this?"

"No. Of course, not. They just want me out of their house and managing my own. If mother had had sons, it would be easier, but with three daughters, they have to hope for a male heir from one of us before Father dies, or the estates will go to a cousin none of us knows." It sounds as if all or part of that was repeated by someone else.

"What if I tell your father your wish to finish out the season before you make any decisions? Would it help?" My brother-in-law has always been cordial to me and I think he's a bit afraid of me. That could work to my advantage.

Louisa sits up straight. "Why would you do that, Uncle? Father might get angry."

"I'm not afraid of your father, but I am concerned with your future happiness."

Before I have time to draw breath, Louisa is out of her chair and leaps into my arms. "You are not at all the way Mother describes you. I think perhaps she doesn't know you at all." She stands up and pulls her shoulders back. Chin high, she says, "I will speak to my father. It's a small thing to ask for and perhaps he will see it as a way to garner more attention from worthy gentlemen."

Cunning. I had no idea. "If you need my assistance, you need only ask." As she turns to leave the parlor, I take her hand. "Louisa, I mean that in all things for the rest of my life. Should you need me, you may always call on me as your uncle to help you."

Tears fill her eyes, but she doesn't shed them. Instead, she smiles. "I think that's the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me. Thank you, Uncle Oscar." She squeezes my hand and grins before leaving the room.

Both Ann and Honoria are dabbing at the corners of their eyes.

"Well done, my lord." Honoria takes a deep breath. "I think I shall lie down before dinner. Do you need anything of me, Ann?"

"No. Go and rest." Ann smiles warmly at the dowager and watches her leave.

We sit silently for long moments. Ann will not meet my gaze, and I can't decide if she's embarrassed about something or detests me. Unable to bear the quiet, I ask, "Did I say something wrong with regard to my niece?"

Meeting my gaze, the soft pink of her cheeks heightens. "No, Oscar. You said everything right. I wish I'd had an advocate like you when I was her age."

"I don't. If you had, you might be married now rather than my Everton Lady." I blurt it out before I can think better of it.

She bites her lower lip and her breath quickens. "It's quite warm in here. Would you like to walk in your garden?"

I stand and offer my arm. Once outside, we walk along the outer path of the small garden. "My grounds in Devonshire are expansive. You will like the gardens if you enjoy walking."

"I do. We should consider going there when the weather is warmer, as that's when most of the ton will leave London. Lady Chervil will accompany us, of course." She drops her hand from the crook of my elbow.

Wanting her touch back, I take her hand in mine. We didn't stop for gloves, and her skin is soft and warm, sending a tingle through my entire body.

She gasps but doesn't pull away. "This is very intimate, my lord. "

"Oscar." I kiss her fingers.

"I fear what I was going to say will be taken the wrong way now." There's an uncharacteristic shake to her voice.

"Perhaps you could trust that I will not misconstrue your words." I wrap her hand around my arm and we continue around the path.

"I thought to indicate that you would be welcome to move back into your home. I can see from the last few weeks that I was hasty in allowing you to leave. You have been very kind to not demand to return. This is your house and you would have been fully within your rights to return at any time. But you didn't."

"No. I did not wish to further harm our friendship." My pulse is hard and fast. It takes all my will to keep from kissing her.

She stops and faces me. She pulls her bottom lip through her teeth, leaving it plump and rosy. "I believe our friendship is secure."

Unable to resist any longer, I lean down and press my lips to hers. When she doesn't immediately slap my face, I cradle her cheek in my palm and slide my tongue along the seam of her lips.

Gripping my shoulders, Ann gasps and gives me access to her magnificent mouth. A low moan rumbles inside her.

I deepen the kiss, my body on fire for more of her, all of her. The thought sobers me enough that I pull back with one last chaste kiss. "I probably shouldn't have done that, but I shall never be sorry for it."