Chapter One

"I think it is a marvelous idea!"

Arthur rolled his eyes. "You do not have to show so much enthusiasm, my friend. And Isabella does not require so much encouragement!"

"I already think it is a wonderful idea," his sister retorted, throwing Arthur a slightly narrowed look which then blossomed into a smile. "You know very well that I am eager to go to London."

"You must make your debut," Captain Harrington murmured, to which Isabella nodded though Arthur did not miss the way her gaze lingered on the Captain's for a short while. "It is the requirement of every young lady."

Arthur silently wondered whether he could suggest that Isabella marry Captain Harrington only to shake his head to himself. After all, Captain Harrington was an excellent fellow, having fought alongside Arthur himself, and they had retained a good friendship in the years thereafter but, at the same time, Arthur knew it would not be fair of him to make that idea known. After all, his sister deserved the opportunity to go to London to make her debut, just as every other young lady of the ton did. He could not deny her that simply for his own benefit.

"I am aware you have very little desire to go to London, brother."

Arthur lifted his eyes to Isabella's. "That is not something worth considering, my dear. You are my responsibility and your debut is clearly important to you."

"It is." A flash of excitement flew into Isabella's eyes. "I do so very much want to see London and to be a part of the balls and soirees that are enjoyed there! I think it would be a most enjoyable experience."

Arthur nodded slowly, feeling his own sense of dread begin to curl up within him as he looked into his sister's eyes and saw the anticipation in her expression. He felt nothing but the opposite. "I am sure that for you, it will be quite wonderful."

"Whereas for you, it will be nothing but a burden." Isabella's expression softened. "I know what society calls you and I am sorry for it."

Noting the way that Captain Harrington's eyes roved from Isabella back towards him, Arthur let out a huff of breath. "I choose to ignore such things."

"Why?" Lord Harrington asked, looking to Isabella again. "What is being said?"

Scowling, Arthur flung one hand up towards his scarred face. "It is said that I am the Beast of Crestwood Hall," he stated, as matter of factly as he could. "I once made my way through society without a care in the world, whereas now I have retreated and hidden myself away. No doubt someone has either seen my face as it is now or has listened to Lady Clara and decided that yes, this is what I should now be known as."

"Though it is quite ridiculous, is it not?" Isabella asked, tossing her head so that her light brown curls bounced. "I have never heard anything so foolish. My brother is no beast!"

"I would quite agree." With a frown pulling at his eyebrows, Captain Harrington nodded in Arthur's direction. "I do hope you will not permit these rumours to stand? After all, such nonsense ought to be treated as such! You should certainly return to London and prove to them all that you are no beast! After all, it is not as though the war has changed your character."

Lines ripped across Arthur's forehead. "Has it not?"

Silence grew between the three of them but much to Arthur's surprise, there came a small smile to the Captain's face, one that spoke of sympathy and understanding.

"Certainly, it has changed us as men and for you, it also has changed your appearance but that does not mean that the kindness you showed me, the consideration to your fellow soldiers and your sense of responsibility and duty has altered. Indeed, I think those qualities remain within you. To my mind, Lady Clara failed to see that, failed to give even a moment of consideration to it. She looked only on the outward appearance and thought solely of herself. There is no shame in bearing the scars you do. Verily, it is the shame of Lady Clara, as well as society at large, that their disdain for you lingers."

The heavy frown on Arthur's forehead began to fade as he looked back at his friend, considering. The Captain and he had shared many an adventure and dark times and while he valued his friendship a great deal, there were still things he had not told him about. He had not spoken of his dark memories, of his fear of returning to London and what might be said of him there.

Perhaps I should.

"I do not want to place any burden on your shoulders, brother." With a smile in his direction, Isabella rose to her feet, walked across the room and, opening a drawer, took out a set of cards. "Now, shall we play some whist?"

"A capital idea!"

Again, Arthur noticed, Isabella's smile lingered – as did her gaze – on the Captain's face though he himself could not tell what the Captain thought of Isabella's company. They had grown to know one another very well over the last two years for the Captain lived nearby and had, initially, visited to make certain Arthur's recovery was continuing but, thereafter, had come as both a friend of Arthur's and a friend of the family. Arthur was not certain what the man felt as regards Isabella for the Captain had never once spoken of any affection for her, but might there be something there? Something that he himself had never before seen?

Though he bears no title, said a small voice within him. He is not a suitable match for Isabella in that regard.

A scowl pulled at his features as he discarded that thought almost at once. The truth was, he had no consideration when it came to titles and the like. The war had taught him that there was no such thing as rank or status, not when it came to fighting. He had been just one of the many men on the battlefield and it had not mattered in the least that he was an Earl. Would he truly push someone such as the Captain aside, taking him out of his considerations simply because he bore no title? After everything they had endured together, Arthur knew he would do no such thing. After all, the Captain had proven his character time and again and it was that which Arthur considered to be of the greatest importance.

Though again, I cannot forbid Isabella to go to London and experience society for herself, simply because I believe the Captain and she might make an excellent match, he thought to himself, rubbing one hand over his chin. Mayhap, in going to London, she will realise just how exceptional a gentleman Captain Harrington is.

"Brother?"

Arthur looked up, seeing his sister lifting an eyebrow in his direction, a smile dancing across her face. "Yes?"

"Do you wish to play whist with us?"

Nodding, Arthur pushed himself out of his chair and made his way across the room. "Yes, I do. And, Isabella?" Waiting until his sister's blue eyes looked up at him, Arthur took in a deep breath and forced a smile. "I have determined that we shall go to London this Season."

The words were spoken. The decision was made. Isabella's reaction was one of sheer delight, practically throwing herself upon him as she let out a squeal of excitement and though Arthur tried to smile, he was certain his enthusiasm was obvious in its absence.

"You will join us also, Captain Harrington?" he asked, seeing his friend's eyebrows lift in surprise. "You would be very welcome."

"I shall think on it," came the reply, as Arthur nodded quietly. "Thank you, Crestwood. I am certain that whether I am present or not, you will have an excellent Season."

Arthur grimaced and saw his friend smile rather ruefully. Both gentlemen knew precisely what was waiting for Arthur the moment he set foot back into society but he had already made his decision and he would not turn from it.

The Beast of Crestwood Hall would return to London – and all of society would whisper about it.

** *

"Might I ask you something, my friend?"

Arthur looked up before returning his gaze to the billiards table. "If this is an attempt to distract me from this game of billiards, then I am afraid you will find yourself failing entirely."

Captain Harrington chuckled and leaned against the side of the table. "It is not, though it is a good suggestion for the next time I wish to win at billiards!"

Snorting, Arthur took his shot and, satisfied, stepped back. "Then what is it?"

"Might I ask what your thoughts are – if you have any – on your own present circumstances?"

Frowning, Arthur tilted his head a little. "What do you mean by my circumstances?"

"Your circumstances," the Captain repeated. "Now that you have agreed to go to London, might you be thinking of your own present unmarried state?"

A coldness immediately shot through Arthur and he scowled. "No, indeed I have not. In fact, it is near enough the last thing I have thought of!"

"Is that so?" Sounding entirely unconvinced, the Captain took his turn and then, with a chuckle, grinned broadly at Arthur. "I believe I have scored a carom."

"I believe you have." With a roll of his eyes and a bolt of laughter along with it, Arthur did not pick up his cue to take his turn but rather thought to continue on the conversation with his friend. "Why should you think to ask me about my own state? Have you been speaking with my mother – or, mayhap I should ask if she has been speaking with you ?"

The Captain's grin slowly faded. "No, neither such thing has happened. The truth is, I merely wondered if you, as the Earl of Crestwood, might consider finding yourself a bride since you will be in London and since such a thing is required for a gentleman of your standing."

Arthur shook his head. "I do not think so. I have no desire for a bride, not at this moment, certainly. Not after Lady Clara's rejection of me."

"But would it not be wise?" The Captain frowned as Arthur shook his head. "It is taking a great deal of effort for you to make your way to London, I can see that as much as anyone. Why would you not, then, want to use the opportunity to find a bride for yourself as well as supporting Isabella in her debut? "

A little frustrated, Arthur flung one hand up towards his face. "Have you seen my face of late?" he asked, his tone laced with sarcasm. "It is not as though the ladies of London society will be eager for my company! Lady Clara has certainly warned them enough about my appearance for them to already be terrified of me!"

Captain Harrington hesitated but his gaze remained steady. "I understand that and I am very aware that I do not understand all that society requires of one but at the same measure, I do know that there is a degree to which certain things can be arranged? Is that not the situation here? Surely there would be someone who might be willing to enter into that sort of marriage?"

The quick, harsh reply which jumped to Arthur's lips was held back by sheer force of will and though Arthur was loathe to admit it, his friend did have a fair point in what he had expressed.

"I do not mean to question you or cause you any distress."

"I understand that." Arthur managed to smile though it did not linger long. "I suppose I must wonder who, if anyone, would agree to a connection with someone who has the appearance of a beast and who wishes only to retreat back into the confines of their house rather than remain in London."

"You are not a beast and nor do you have the appearance of one," the Captain replied, firmly. "You bear the scars of war, that is all."

Arthur's smile diminished quickly. "I highly doubt that those in the ton would think so."

"Mayhap," the Captain agreed, quietly. "But it would be a good thought to find a young lady, if you could, would it not?"

Sighing, Arthur spread his arms wide. "Mayhap, I do not know. I will think on it, at least."

The Captain nodded and they returned to their game of billiards, though Arthur's thoughts did not sit heavily on the game as they had done before. Instead, he found himself frustrated and confused, thinking on about their upcoming visit to London and silently wondering if what Captain Harrington had suggested would be the right thing for him to do.

And if it was, what sort of young lady would be willing to marry someone such as he?