Chapter 10

Chapter 10

It was quite a farfetched idea, and Edward knew it. However, he had promised Jonathon he would do his best to convince Vivianne’s parents, but he would need to employ all of his wit and charm to make it happen. That was why he had donned his best suit, straightened his hair to perfection, and headed straight to the DuPont residence.

About an hour later, he found himself in the drawing room, his tall frame poised with the confidence of a man intent on winning favor. He looked around, not having been there for the first time, and yet, he felt slightly different than before. He could not, for the life of him, discover why. Perhaps it had something to do with the fact that he and Vivianne almost kissed.

Perhaps not, he hastily reminded himself. After all, he had kissed many other ladies. And he had neared a kiss with many more, but with Vivianne, everything was different. It was as if she was writing her own version of everything, and although he had done it all before with someone else, doing it again with her made it a completely new experience. It was the strangest thing.

“Lord Chesterfield, good morning.”

Edward heard a voice that made him flinch, a sound that brought him back to the drawing room where he was standing, away from the tangle of his own thoughts.

He turned around, coming face to face with Viscount DuPont. “Good morning, Lord DuPont,” he greeted him cordially.

“I must say, I was surprised to hear that it is me you wish to speak with,” the viscount said, shaking his hand in an additional greeting, then proceeding to offer him a seat in the armchair, which Edward took. The viscount himself then took a seat opposite him, on the chaise lounge, eyeing Edward curiously.

“Yes, well, I had an idea that I believe I need your permission for first, before speaking with Vivianne,” Edward said with a courteous smile.

“Oh?” Viscount’s raised eyebrow signaled his interest. “What is this idea of yours, Lord Chesterfield?”

Edward cleared his throat a little, feeling strangely inadequate. He remembered then that he had never been in that situation, where he had to ask for a lady’s company. He would usually be granted that wish solely by the lady in question, and they would both be cloaked by the night. This outing, however, was to take place in broad daylight. Once again, everything with Vivianne was different and he sometimes felt as if he were on slippery ice.

“I was hoping you would allow your two daughters to accompany me and a dear friend of mine, Viscount Russell, for a ride in my open carriage around town.” Edward paused for a moment, then added hastily, “We would be in plain sight of everyone, and if the ladies deem it fit, we might stop for a walk through Hyde Park, once again in plain sight of everyone.”

It was, in Edward’s opinion, a perfectly respectable and delightful outing, one that would bring his friend and Vivianne’s sister closer together. However, he could immediately see from the look on the man’s face that he was not to be easily swayed.

“Lord Chesterfield,” Viscount DuPont replied, as he adjusted himself in the chaise lounge more comfortably, “your offer is most kind.” That was where the man stopped, and that was also where Edward knew he would not receive the answer he was hoping for. “However, you must understand our reservations. Aurelia and Vivianne are young ladies. We, as their parents, must ensure that their safety and propriety are maintained at all times.”

“Indeed.” Edward nodded without hesitation. “I fully understand that. Your daughters’ safety and reputation are of the utmost importance. I assure you that both Jonathon and I hold the highest respect for them, and we would take every precaution to ensure their well-being and propriety during the outing.”

The viscount inhaled deeply before replying. “While your assurances are appreciated, Lord Chesterfield, this is not a decision I can make hastily. It would be different if you were to be accompanied by someone else who would serve as a chaperone. But my girls would be alone with you and your friend.”

“Technically…” Edward agreed. “However, it is an open carriage, Viscount. And like I said, we would be riding through town at all times. Anyone would be able to see us, and in such a situation, even the slightest inappropriateness is immediately noticeable.”

“Of course.” The viscount nodded, although Edward couldn’t tell if he was convinced yet or not. “I shall talk it over with my wife, and we shall consider your proposal.”

“Of course,” Edward replied, inclining his head graciously. “I understand completely. Please, take all the time you need. I only wish for the pleasure of your daughters’ company in the most proper and respectable manner.”

“Thank you for saying that, Lord Chesterfield.” The viscount smiled gratefully. “My wife and I truly appreciate your concern. We shall inform you of our decision. But in the meantime, you know that you are welcome to come for a visit any time… chaperoned.” The man grinned.

Edward smiled back, amused by the last word. “Thank you, Viscount. I would love to stay now, but I’m afraid I have some urgent matters to tend to. I shall come back soon, though. You can count on that.”

The two men proceeded to shake hands, upon which Edward was escorted out of the house and entered into his carriage, which waited for him across the street. He was moments away from signaling to the coachman to take him back home when a playful idea popped to mind.

He bent down underneath the seat of the carriage and extracted a small box, which he used only in emergencies but liked to keep on hand. He opened it, taking out a quill pen and a piece of paper. Closing the box, he used it as a stand, and scribbled a hasty note, that mischievous smile lingering on his lips.

***

Vivianne had been busy in her chamber, still in her dressing gown, taking her tea. Those were the rare few moments she had to herself, before the day would commence.Sometimes, the moments turned into an hour, or even two. Her parents knew not to interrupt her, so her solitary mind relished those precious moments she had to herself.

A knock on the door interrupted her. She frowned, more to herself and without any desire to reveal it to whoever was on the other side of the door.

“Yes?” she called out, keeping the book in her lap open, in hopes that it would be just a momentary interruption and that she would be allowed to go back to it.

When the door opened, one of the servant girls appeared, looking apologetic with a letter in her hand. “I was told to give this to you immediately, my lady. And also, I was instructed to wait for a reply.”

“A reply?” Vivianne echoed in surprise, wondering who could be so haughty to demand an immediate response.

The servant girl approached Vivianne’s bed, offering her the letter, which Vivianne took. She opened it with slightly trembling fingers. It smelled of a man’s cologne, the scent she recognized immediately.

“Thank you, Mary,” she said, doing her best to remain calm, although that was easier said than done. She got out of bed and walked to her writing table, devouring the contents of the letter she had just received.

I am on the path to convincing your parents to permit you and Aurelia to accompany Jonathon and me for a ride in my open carriage. Help me?

E.

She couldn’t help but smile, although she knew she shouldn’t. Even his words affected her in a way he couldn’t control, without him even being in the same room with her. She pressed her hand to her chest, feeling the rapid heartbeat inside of her. She read the note again, still smiling.

“Shall I wait for the reply?” Mary asked.

“Yes,” she replied hastily, almost as if Mary might change her mind and not allow Vivianne to pen her response. “Just… a moment.”

She looked around her writing table, finding what she needed. Then she wrote her thoughts on the pristine piece of paper.

I was under the impression that you could do anything. Here’s your chance to prove it.

She paused, the quill pen lingering above the paper. Should she sign her name? Just the initial, like he did? She finally decided on the initial. However, she stared at the words, wondering if she had the audacity to send something like that back. After all, it was obvious that he was teasing her. Why wouldn’t she tease him back?

Hastily, she handed the letter over to Mary, watching the door close behind her. She tried to go back to her book, but that was impossible. Instead, she paced about her room like a caged animal, wondering what her note would bring.

Then, much to her surprise, the response arrived in less than half an hour. Her fingers were trembling as she read his response.

That depends… on how much you would like me to.

E.

She resisted the temptation to chuckle loudly. Instead, she hastily scribbled another, equally playful answer.

I thought this was your idea. Now, you make it sound as if it were mine. Prove it.

V.

She was still smiling mysteriously as she handed the response to Mary. But then, the response arrived in twenty minutes. Vivianne knew how much time had passed because she couldn’t stop looking at the clock.

You know you want it as much as I do. Why pretend?

E.

That time, she blushed. He couldn’t have known about her dream, and yet, she felt as if he did, as if her most intimate thoughts were laid bare for him. Still, she wrote back, more excited with each subsequent response.

I never pretend, you haughty thing.

V.

She wondered if she had been too… bold with her playfulness. Still, she decided to send off her words, regardless of what they might bring back.

And in ten minutes, a response arrived, stunning her.

Haughty? I could think of much better suiting epithets for my distinguished self, such as handsome, magnificent, most seductive man in all the land… Why don’t we discuss this during our ride?

E.

By that point, he had her chuckling at every word. She had no idea how on earth he managed to do that. One more, she told herself. Just one more. She took up her quill pen and started to write.

Prove your capabilities of persuasion and I might consider discussing it.

V.

She promised herself it would be the last one. And yet, one more response arrived, that time in five minutes. She was utterly dumbfounded.

That is a promise, Rosalind. Now, look outside the window of your drawing room.

E.

Vivianne rushed down the stairs, heading straight for the drawing room. She gazed outside the window, noticing a closed carriage parked just across the street. A hand projected from the window, waving just once, then it disappeared and the carriage started rolling away.

Vivianne couldn’t believe what was happening. Never, in a million years, would she think that Lord Chesterfield of all people would be the man to make her chuckle and her heart race. She tried to remind herself why she was doing all of it. For Aurelia .

She slowly went back to her room, butterflies still fluttering about in her stomach, refusing to offer any insight as to their real meaning. After all, it didn’t matter. She was simply stealing a bit of happiness for herself while adhering to the rules of their little game. And what was so wrong with that?