Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Edward stood before the looking glass in his room, meticulously adjusting his cravat. Today was important—he was determined to find out what Viviane had decided. He glanced at the three bouquets resting on the table nearby, each carefully selected to make a particular impression.

The first bouquet, a stunning arrangement of deep red roses, was meant for Lady DuPont, Vivianne’s mother. The roses symbolized his respect and admiration for the matriarch of the family, and he hoped they would convey his sincerity and good intentions.

The second bouquet consisted of cheerful daisies, their bright white petals and yellow centers radiating joy and innocence. These were for Aurelia, Vivianne’s younger sister. Edward wanted to show her that he appreciated her lively spirit and warm nature.

The third and most exquisite bouquet was for Vivianne herself. The exotic lilies, with their intricate patterns and vibrant colors, symbolized his deep admiration and fascination with her. He wanted her to know that she was unique and special in his eyes.

He had to admit that he had read it somewhere, in a novel that Jonathon had recommended to him. It was a romance novel, where the hero had to come up with numerous ways with which to win over the affections and love of the heroine. The man’s ideas, however, did come in mighty handy on more than one occasion.

With a final nod of approval at his reflection, Edward carefully picked up the bouquets and made his way to the carriage waiting outside. As he traveled to the DuPont abode, he rehearsed what he would say. He wished to have a private conversation with Vivianne, which was something that could have been granted only on special occasions. That was why he had to make his first impression in their home a most favorable one.

Upon arrival, Edward was greeted by the butler, who led him through the grand hall to the drawing room where the family was gathered. He took a deep breath, steadied his nerves, and entered the room.

Lady DuPont looked up from her embroidery, her expression curious but welcoming. Aurelia, seated beside her mother, set down her book and smiled brightly. The patriarch of the family was in his special armchair, overlooking the entire room, his eyes immediately upon the visitor. And there, standing by the window, was Vivianne, her gaze unreadable.

“Lord Chesterfield.” Viscount DuPont got up immediately, putting down the newspaper which, a moment ago, rested in his hands. “You honor us with your presence.” He shook Edward’s hand firmly, a grip Edward returned with pleasure.

“It is you who honors me with your welcome, Viscount DuPont.” Edward grinned, showing the bouquets in his hand. Then, he glanced at the women. “Ladies, you all look even more ravishing than you did last evening at the ball. I truly do not know how you managed such a feat.”

“Oh, you charmer.” Lady Dupont chuckled, getting up to welcome him. “You must be here for Aurelia,” she assumed, much to Edward’s amusement. He glanced quickly at Vivianne, thinking she would take it as an insult, but there was nothing on her face, not even a single flinch, that revealed her discomfort.

The thought saddened him somehow. Hadn’t he been seen dancing with her on two occasions already? Shouldn’t they have assumed that he was there not for Aurelia, but rather for Vivianne?

“Aurelia, dear, why don’t you—” Lady DuPont started, but Edward interrupted her politely, aiming to set things straight.

“I beg your pardon, Lady DuPont, but I am actually here for Lady Vivianne,” he corrected her, much to the woman’s initial shock, which then blossomed into pride and joy.

“You are here for my Vivianne?” she exclaimed as if that were the oddest statement in the world, her hand pressing tenderly to her chest.

“Yes.” He smiled, approaching her and presenting her with the roses. “These are for you, Lady DuPont. A symbol of my respect and gratitude for your hospitality.”

Lady Dupont was taken aback by the unexpected flowers, accepting them with a gracious smile. “Why, thank you, Lord Chesterfield. These are unexpected and quite lovely.”

Next, Edward turned to Aurelia, offering her the daisies. “Miss Aurelia, these are for you. To brighten your day and show my appreciation for your cheerful spirit.”

Aurelia beamed as she took the flowers. Edward couldn’t help but understand why his best friend was so enamored with the young lady. She truly was an angel.

“Thank you, Lord Chesterfield,” she chirped. “They are so beautiful.”

Finally, he faced Vivianne, and for some reason, he felt his heart pounding wildly. Yes, her sister was beautiful, but Vivianne’s beauty could not be measured by any earthly standards. There was something about her eyes, her luscious lips, an indescribable magnetic force the likes of which he had never felt before. He held out the lilies, their exotic beauty mirroring Viviane’s.

“And these are for you, Lady Vivianne,” he said simply.

As she accepted the flowers, their fingers brushed against each other. The touch was brief but electric, sending a thrill through Edward that made his heart race. It was a simple, innocent touch, yet it thrilled him more than some passionate kisses had done before. He couldn’t quite explain the sensation no matter how hard he tried.

Vivianne’s eyes widened slightly as she accepted the bouquet, and a faint blush colored her cheeks. She glanced down at the flowers, then back up at Edward, her expression softening.

“Lord Chesterfield… I don’t know what to say.” She smiled, burying her nose into the lilies and inhaling deeply.

While they were still under the impression of the flowers, Edward seized the moment to make his next move. He turned to Lord DuPont.

“Lord DuPont,” he began respectfully, “might I have the honor of a walk with Vivianne in the gardens out front? It is such a beautiful day, and the flowers are in full bloom.”

He could immediately see that Lord DuPont’s eyes moved from himself to Vivianne and then to the large windows that provided a clear view of the gardens.

“Very well, Lord Chesterfield. As long as you remain within view of the windows,” he said, his tone firm but not unkind.

Edward bowed his head in gratitude. “Thank you, Lord DuPont. We shall not venture far.”

Vivianne handed the flowers to her mother as Edward led the way out of the drawing room. They walked through the grand hall and stepped out into the sunlit gardens. The air was filled with the scent of blooming flowers, and a gentle breeze rustled the leaves of the trees.

Edward gestured toward a winding path lined with roses and lilacs, ensuring they stayed within view of the house. “Shall we?”

Vivianne nodded, her earlier wariness from before obviously replaced by a growing curiosity, although he was the one who was supposed to be curious. They walked side by side, the silence between them comfortable and filled with unspoken words.

“I hope you don’t mind my asking for this walk,” Edward said after a few moments. “I wanted a chance to speak with you alone about our arrangement.”

She turned to him with an amused smile. “To tell you honestly, I was shocked to see you here.”

“Shocked?” he echoed, sounding perplexed. “But I told you I would come, didn’t I?”

“You did,” she said a little more softly, “but sometimes, gentlemen do not have the intention of keeping their word.”

That was the first time he sensed a deeper reason behind her so called frigid behavior, which was truly anything but. It was simply the ton ’s way of describing someone who did not fit in and she had the misfortune of being a woman. Only someone who knew a gentleman who had broken a very important promise would speak like that.

“I am many things, Vivianne,” he assured her of something she probably knew herself, “many bad things. But when I give my word, I keep it.”

She chuckled at his words. Her laughter was melodious, like the sound of a babbling brook, softly speaking to him in a language that awakened things inside of him he didn’t even know existed.

“You know, you could charm a den of snakes,” she told him as if they were in on a conspiracy together.

Edward had to respond in the same manner, by chuckling. “Ah, but I have… frequently, in fact. That’s what living among the ton is like.”

Vivianne couldn't help but snort, her laughter escaping despite her best efforts to remain composed. “I can imagine,” she replied, her tone begrudgingly amused.

Edward grinned, pleased to see her smile. “It’s true. Navigating the social circles of the ton often feels like dealing with a pit of vipers. You never know who might strike next.”

They continued down the garden path, still remaining within clear sight, the tension between them easing with each step.

“So, tell me, Lord Chesterfield,” she said, glancing sideways at him, “how do you manage to keep your composure amidst all those snakes?

He shrugged, still smiling. “Practice, I suppose. And a healthy dose of humor. It helps to remember that beneath all the glitter and glamour, people are just people, with their own fears and insecurities.”

Vivianne nodded thoughtfully. “I suppose you’re right. It’s easy to forget that when you’re surrounded by so much pretense.”

“Yes,” he confirmed and turned to her, making them both stop. “But I didn’t come here to talk about the ton . They talk enough about themselves. You know why I’m here.” She nodded. “And?” he asked.

“I accept,” she said simply.

“You will?” He grinned.

“Under one condition,” she added.

“Sounds fair enough.” He shrugged. “Tell me.”

“No, you tell me why you are doing it,” she demanded. “And I don’t want to hear the Good Samaritan response. I want the real one or the deal is off.”

He grinned even more widely. “Tough negotiator. I like that. And again, that’s fair enough.”

He hesitated for a moment, wondering if it would be a good idea to lay his cards on the table and tell her the truth. After all, probably the entire ton would know within a week and it wouldn’t be a secret any longer. He had nothing to lose by being honest. He had only to gain.

“All right.” He nodded, sighing heavily. “My uncle thinks I need to settle down and is basically blackmailing me. If I am to receive my inheritance, I need to marry a girl from a respectable family… like yours.”

He paused, wondering if he should continue. There was something about the way she gazed at him. He could see trust in that sparkle, and he wanted to keep it for himself a little longer.

“And my best friend, Lord Russell, he, um… he is desperately in love with your sister,” he finally divulged.

“Wait… Viscount Russell?” Vivianne echoed.

“Yes,” he confirmed, and she immediately frowned. He knew that by approximation, the man was the company that he kept. And Edward himself wasn’t good company. “Jonathon is a good man, Vivianne. Trust me.”

“If he is your best friend, then of course you would say that.” She was still frowning as she spoke.

“Give him a chance,” he urged. “He truly loves your sister.”

“That remains to be seen,” she said. “But if you think that I will add my sister’s hand to this arrangement of ours, you are gravely mistaken. My sister is the maker of her own fate, and I will never chain her with any obligations in her name.”

“I would never expect you to,” he assured her quickly. “All I am asking if for her to get to know Jonathon. That is all.”

She seemed to ponder it for a moment, then she nodded. “Fine. But do not expect more.”

He smiled, eyeing her. However, she frowned once again.

“Why are you smiling?”

“Because you may not see it, but we are more alike than you’d like us to admit,” he revealed.

“Impossible,” she scoffed. “You and I have nothing in common.”

“We are fiercely protective of those we love,” he said, and he could see that he had caught her off guard. She wasn’t expecting him to be right. “I’m right, aren’t I?”

She didn’t say anything at first. Then, the corner of her lip flickered in a smile. “Perhaps.”

“Your family means the world to you,” he revealed.

“They do,” she agreed. “I would do anything to keep them safe and happy.”

“I feel like that about the few dear people I have around me,” he explained. My parents are no longer with me, but… I am fortunate to say I still have people who care about me. And seeing that devotion in you as well.. it is rare to find someone like that. Most people are too busy thinking mostly of themselves.”

She nodded again. “I feel the same way.”

Their bodies had started to move in unison, his own footsteps mirroring her own. They had found common ground, something she wasn’t expecting.

“That is why you are so guarded,” he said, thinking about what she said earlier, about gentlemen not keeping their word. He wanted to find out more about it, but now was not the right moment. He had to bide his time.

“I am?” she wondered, her wide eyes staring at him.

“Mmhmm.” He nodded. “You have a strong sense of responsibility to those around you.”

She smiled. “I can’t help it.”

“You shouldn’t.” He spoke honestly. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d had such a conversation with someone who wasn’t Jonathon. “You shouldn’t change a single thing about yourself, Vivianne.”

Without thinking, Edward reached out and took her hand, breaking protocol. The touch was electric, sending a jolt of energy through him. Vivianne’s eyes widened slightly, but she didn’t pull away.

“You know,” he said softly, his eyes locked on hers, “I would seal this understanding with a kiss… but you have to ask for it.”

Vivianne laughed, a bright, genuine sound that seemed to light up the entire garden. She rolled her eyes at his flirting, her smile teasing. “No kissing, didn’t I already tell you that much? We’ll seal it with words. Your charms won’t work on me that easily.”

Her sarcasm was sharp but intelligent, and it made Edward take even more notice of her. He saw not just a beautiful woman but a brilliant and strong-minded individual who could match him in wit and will.

“You drive a hard bargain, Vivianne,” he replied, grinning. “But I accept. Words it is.”

They stood there for a moment longer, hand in hand, the air around them charged with unspoken possibilities. He felt the need to pull her into his arms, to satiate the curiosity and hunger that had been driving him wild from the very thought of her lips on his. But everyone was watching. He promised himself she would ask him to kiss her, at least once. And he would get that satisfaction eventually.

“I should take my leave,” he said, stepping back. “Thank you, Vivianne.”

He bowed slightly, then turned and walked back toward the house, his mind lighter than upon arrival. Everything seemed so simple. They would pretend to court, and his uncle would be convinced of his impending marriage. Just a few carefully selected words would seal that deal as well, and the inheritance would be his.

As he reentered the drawing room, he caught sight of Lord and Lady DuPont watching him with measured approval. He bid them goodbye, feeling assured that his plan would not fail.