Chapter 3

Three

A thena sighed and strolled into the library the next morning. Their father had been called away on estate business the previous day and she'd been informed there would be a family meeting after breakfast in the library. They all woke at different times and there was no formal breakfast meal. It was easier for them to set a time to meet that would work for the entire family. Athena was a late riser normally, but she had difficulty sleeping the night before. So she'd been awake before Isla, who was usually the first to rise.

She entered the library and found it empty. Surely she wasn't the first to arrive. She had had a tray sent to her room earlier that morning and had only left her chamber a few moments ago. Athena frowned. Where was her family? Had the meeting been cancelled, and no one had bothered to inform her? No, that wasn't possible. They wouldn't have forgotten her.

"You're early," Isla said as she strolled into the library. "I would have thought you'd still be dressing for the day."

Any other day Isla would have been correct. Athena hated mornings. She shrugged. "I woke earlier than normal." That seemed like an understatement; however, she didn't want to explain to her sister why she had trouble sleeping the night before. She'd never told either of her sisters about her encounter by the pond. At first she'd decided against mentioning it to Isla because of how she'd likely react to her riding on the duke's property, and then Maeve had been too engrossed in her latest painting for her to take a break for fear of losing her optimal light.

So she'd kept her own counsel… It was probably for the best. She didn't know exactly how to describe what had happened with Lord Kendal. Honestly, nothing had happened. They talked, and he'd introduced himself, and she'd kept her own name to herself. It was her feelings that confused her. She would wait a while and sort them out before speaking about Lord Kendal. After all, she knew little about the man, and until she gained more insight, her silence was necessary.

"Is something bothering you?" Isla asked.

Her sister was too observant for her own good. Sometimes Athena wished she it was easier to hide things from her oldest sister. "Not at all," she replied in an amiable tone.

Isla stared at her as if she didn't believe her, and why should she? Luckily, she was saved from Isla's interrogation when Maeve and their father entered the library. "Good, you're both here," their father said as a way of greeting Isla and Athena. "Please," he began. "Everyone sit. This won't take long, and then you can go about your day."

They all sat on the settee in the library and their father took the chair to the right of it. They sat in silence and waited for him to speak. "As you all know, Athena and Maeve are set to have their debut ball in a few weeks."

"We do," Athena said. "Has something changed?"

Her father nodded at her. "The debut ball will happen as scheduled," he explained. "It's our travel plans that have to change."

Athena frowned. She did not like the sound of that. Her time in the country was important to her. If they left for London sooner, then she would have less time with Hades. He couldn't come to London with them. "When are we leaving?" she asked.

"In five days," he told her. "It's only a week sooner than planned. I've already informed the servants. Your maids will pack for you in time and be ready to travel with you."

So good of him to inform their servants before them… That was discourteous of her to think, but she couldn't help being displeased. Their father had a large estate to run, and he didn't have to explain himself to any of them.

"Do I have to go?" Isla asked in a petulant tone. She hated society, and for good reason.

"Yes," their father said. "I need you to help oversee the girls' season. I've hired an elderly matron to chaperone, but I expect you to be there with them."

"I understand," Isla replied in a dejected tone. Poor Isla. Her season had been a terrible disappointment. "I'll do as you ask."

"Now that I've explained that there is one other thing we need to discuss," their father said.

They all glanced in his direction. What else could there be? Hadn't it been enough to end their quiet days in the country sooner than planned? Yes, Athena wanted a season, but she also wanted the time with Hades she'd been promised.

"I expect you all to be on your best behavior while we are in London." He pinned Athena with a glare as if he was directing this speech at her. "No unlady like behavior." He turned to Maeve. "No staring at people and making them feel uncomfortable." Then he focused his attention on Isla. "And no avoiding company because you find them distasteful." He leaned back in his chair and steepled his fingers together. "We're going to enjoy London. Do you all understand?"

"Yes, father," they chorused together.

Their father was asking a lot of them. Some things were beyond their control. How were they going to enjoy London when society tended to snub them all? She had her doubts any of them would attend the debut ball. She'd voiced that to Maeve and Isla a few weeks ago, and Isla had laughed. Her response was to explain that the ton wouldn't dare not to show their faces. They wouldn't want to offend their father outright and openly. They were more apt to whisper their discord and hope it didn't reach their father's ears.

"Now that we've settled that you are excused. Have a good day."

They all stood and exited the library. Athena was restless once again and decided to take Hades out again. She wouldn't let her hair fly loose this time. That had been silly. Instead, she'd have her maid plait it and pinned it up tightly. She wouldn't want any more tangles.

Was it too much to hope that she might cross paths with Lord Kendal again?

Roman had gone into town early that morning with Thornridge. Not because he had any interest in going, but because it had seemed like a good idea at the time. He'd regretted it almost immediately. The duke was in a foul mood and grunted more than held a conversation with him.

"What is bothering you?" he asked.

"I'm fine," the duke responded.

Well, that had gotten him nowhere. He could guess, but didn't even know where to begin. He sighed and settled back into the carriage. Perhaps when they returned, he would go for another ride. Perhaps he would find the fiery lady at the pond again. He wanted to know her name. Thornridge hadn't been much help there. He'd not wanted to discuss the neighbor girls or why they were trouble.

"I am thinking I should return home soon," he told the duke. "I wrote my mother finally to inform her I was back in England and I was staying with you. She wasn't too pleased with that information."

"I would think she'd be happy to have you nearby and alive." The duke met his gaze. "But perhaps I am wrong. You were never the favorite son, were you?"

Roman blew out a breath. "I don't think my father believed I was his son." He hadn't ever wanted to admit that aloud. It was the only thing that made sense as to why he'd been treated so horridly as a child. He'd done nothing right. "Though I look more like a James, that didn't matter to him."

"Your father was an arse," Thornridge replied in a cool tone. "Have you asked your mother? Is there a reason he might have believed that?"

He hadn't wanted to broach the topic with his mother. Roman didn't want to offend her, and a small part of him hadn't wanted to know the truth. What if he wasn't his father's son? Then he'd be rolling in his grave at the knowledge that Roman now held the title he'd held so dearly. He might feel like an imposter if he discovered he was not a true heir to the title. What would he do then? "She wouldn't tell me the truth."

"You don't think so?" The duke lifted a brow. "You might be surprised."

"Perhaps," he said in a noncommittal tone. "Either way, it doesn't matter anymore. He's gone, and so is my brother. It may be best to let the past lie where it belongs and move forward."

"Do you really believe that?" his friend asked.

He wanted to. Desperately so… "I have little choice," he answered. "I refuse to live my life with my father's disapproving voice echoing inside my head. I want to be happy."

And perhaps a certain dark-haired beauty was the thing he needed to achieve that elusive emotion. Roman had never been happy. He wasn't sure he would know what that felt like.

Thornridge nodded. "I still think you should speak with your mother about it. I don't believe you will be able to move forward as you wish and find that happiness until you do." He tapped his fingers on the side of the carriage. "When do you think you'll return?"

Roman shrugged. "I haven't made any decisions yet. Maybe a sennight." He didn't want to leave Thornridge Castle until he learned her name. There were three possibilities, but he wanted the correct one. Should he pay a call on them? No. That would be foolish. He wouldn't know what name to give the servants when he stopped in. Who would he ask to see?

"I think I might come with you," Thornridge told him. "I've stayed longer than I should have."

With that statement, guilt rolled over Roman. "I'm sorry…"

"Don't be," his friend said. "You needed me. I was glad to offer my home to you."

The duke was one of his closest friends. They only had one other friend that was equally as close. Roman hadn't seen him since before he'd left for the war. "How is Pemberton?" he asked. "When was the last time you saw him?"

Thornridge shrugged. "Not since before you arrived. He has changed little."

Viscount Pemberton was one of the biggest scoundrels in the ton. He discarded lovers frequently and was often found in some of the most disreputable gaming hells. Pemberton thought highly of himself and offered no apologies to anyone. He might mutter one begrudgingly to Roman or Thornridge, but only because they were the only two people alive he respected enough to bother. He had dark blond hair, pale green eyes, and a face that drew more women to him than one man could handle, but the viscount certainly tried.

"I think I'll write to him and tell him I'm returning to London soon. I won't stay with my mother for long. She can be a bit…much." Thornridge had been right in his earlier statement. Cassius had been the favorite of both parents. His mother would welcome him home because she had no choice. He was the earl now, and she depended on him for support.

The duke's lips twitched. "If you're going to visit with Pemberton, keep in mind his proclivities might be more than you wish to participate in."

He laughed. "I am aware of our friend's habits. I think I'll be fine."

Besides, he didn't want to spend his night with any loose women. There was only one woman he wanted in his bed, and he'd gladly marry her to have her there. There were several steps in-between until he had that goal. The first one being discovering her name. Then he'd start courting her in truth.

The carriage rolled to a stop in front of Thornridge Castle. The duke exited, and Roman followed. "Go inside without me," he told the duke. "I feel the need for a walk." Riding would be too much. His leg was still too stiff after yesterday's jaunt. "My leg needs the exercise after being in the carriage."

Thornridge nodded. "Don't overdo it," he told him. "We will talk more later." He said nothing else. Instead, he turned on his heels and went inside, leaving Roman alone.

Roman took that as his cue to start his walk. He only had one destination in mind, and he hoped he'd find the gorgeous woman he'd met the day before there. Maybe, for once, luck would be in his favor.