Chapter 2

David Brooks, the Earl of Foxcroft, sat down in a chair and stared around the game room. Shock still permeated every inch of his body—and his mind? Well, his mind had frozen on one thing. She wanted to take a lover. A lover. A lover that would not be him. That fact kept spinning around inside of him, making him dizzy and out of control.

He'd thought he would have time, and perhaps he had. More time that he should have. She'd had three seasons while he sorted out the mess of his estates. Victoria should have married by now. He had breathed a sigh of relief as each season ended and she remained unwed. He'd have one more year. One more chance. But now all his chances had come to an end. Because if he didn't somehow convince her this was madness, then he'd lose her forever. She would never be his. He'd lose the one thing he wanted above anything else…

Not that he'd think of her as somehow soiled. He could never think ill of Victoria. But because she'd know he wasn't worthy of her. She would never look at him again, and he grieved that eventual loss. David had never been the man she deserved. That hadn't stopped him from wanting her.

At first, she'd been too young. Waiting for her hadn't seemed like much of a hardship. At least until he discovered his father had plunged them into debt. He'd pushed away any feelings he had because she should have a better man. But now that he could finally take a wife…

His last venture had paid off. Before coming to the house party, he'd discovered how much money he'd earned in that investment. The estate would more than flourish. His funds had been fully restored, he could marry. Finally. And there was only one thing he needed to feel as if he'd finally accomplished all he'd set out to do. Victoria. She was his everything.

David could court her. He could claim her. Victoria could be his. But she didn't want a husband. She wanted a lover. Her desires were something that he could never have anticipated. And if her brother discovered her scheme… He couldn't be certain what the Marquess of Ardmore would do. If she took a lover? Ardmore would demand satisfaction. The man could end up dead. Did Victoria not understand what this might all lead to?

"What has you so preoccupied?" a man asked bringing David out of his revery.

He glanced up and met the gaze of his friend, the Viscount of Harcrest. "Nothing of import." David pasted a smile on his face. He couldn't tell any of them about this. Not even Harcrest. Though he did trust the viscount. They had always been fast friends and had often found many sinful activities together. That was before. Two things could measure his life. Before his father died, and after. Before, he had been a dissolute rakehell. After he had become a responsible member of society, fallen on hard times. But determined. He would crawl out of ruin and become a better man. It was during that time he'd become acquainted with Victoria and come to love her.

David had met with Ardmore and discussed what he should do next. The marquess had a good head for business and he had trusted his advice. Through the past five years, he had met with him often, and he had also come to know Victoria well too. He'd spent many nights at their estate. She'd been a friend at first, and then she'd become more to him. That first year after his father's death had been his own kind of hell. He had his cousin Selena to consider, too. She had no one, save him. Both of her parents had died, and David's father had been her guardian. That had fallen to him upon his father's death. She had no dowry and that had led her to have a couple disastrous seasons too.

Harcrest studied him and then shook his head. "If you don't wish to discuss it, then I will not insist."

That was one of the things he had always liked about the viscount. Their friendship had been uncomplicated. "Is something vexing you?" he asked his friend.

"No," Harcrest said. He ran a hand through his hair leaving those golden locks disheveled. "Well, that's not exactly true. I just came from the conservatory."

"Oh?" David frowned. "And that troubles you?"

"Of course not." Harcrest chuckled. "It's as lusciously supplied with plants as usual." He waved a hand. "But there was a lady there when I entered."

David frowned. That rumor the viscount was looking for a wife seemed to be at the root of his aggravation. "And did she try to convince you that she is the only woman for you?"

He shook his head solemnly. "The opposite, actually." Harcrest wandered over to the bar and poured whiskey into a glass and took a deep swig. "Lady Lilah Stephens hates me. She's probably the only woman in all of England that will have nothing to do with me."

"Ah," David said as the real dilemma dawned on him. The lady he'd found in the conservatory was the very one he'd ruined with his careless words."Are you interested in her?"

Harcrest was silent for a few moments. He took another drink of his whiskey. While he remained quiet, David refilled his glass with brandy and returned to his seat. He had his own lady troubles. But he couldn't share those. At least not yet.

"I like her," Harcrest finally said. "And I am having difficulty believing I actually said all those awful things about her." He took another swig of whiskey. "But I did. I have to accept that."

"You cannot make her like you," David said in a quiet tone. "You should leave her be."

"I don't think I can." Harcrest furrowed his brow. "I'm drawn to her."

David blew out a breath. He understood. God, he understood. "Then tread carefully, my friend. She's like a skittish colt. You're going to have to earn her trust."

He nodded. "I know, and I intend to. I can be patient." He shook his head and sighed. "We have a fortnight here. I think I can win her over in that time."

Damn Harcrest. David laughed and it felt good to feel something resembling amusement. "Only you, my friend." He stood and motioned toward the billiards table. "Should we play a game?"

"I was told Ardmore would be here to meet us." Harcrest glanced around the room. "Is anyone else here?"

David shook his head. "Not yet," he said. "Castlebury and Thornton are coming in a couple of days. It's just us." He frowned. "And of course Ardmore. Whenever he decides to grace us with his presence."

"Then we should definitely play," Harcrest said. He refilled his whiskey. "Should we make a wager?"

"If you wish," David said. It didn't matter to him either way. He had abstained from gambling as he was rebuilding his fortune. Now that he had the funds to do so he still didn't do it often. Harcrest would not take advantage of him, though. They had been friends since they were lads at Eton.

"I'd rather just play if it's all the same to you." Harcrest set the balls on the table and took a cue stick off the rack. "No reason to make a wager."

"I agree." David grinned and took a cue stick to prepare to play.

They were well engrossed in the game when Ardmore finally joined them. He went over to the bar and poured his own glass of brandy. He seemed a little preoccupied. What could be bothering the marquess? David took his shot and missed. He stepped away from the table and grabbed his glass of brandy. "You look troubled," he said to Ardmore.

They were quite the trio. Harcrest was worried about Lady Lilah. David couldn't stop thinking about his conversation with Victoria, and now it appeared as if Ardmore had something bothering him as well. What happened to the rogues of the ton that they used to be?

"I'm concerned about Victoria," Ardmore said. That made the two of them… Did he discover her plans? It was on the tip of his tongue to ask. "I've had an offer for her hand."

That shocked him even more than her announcement she wanted to become a rogue wallflower. "You have?" David arched a brow. "Who?" He'd have to quietly discourage the man.

"It's someone from a neighboring town." He ran his hand through his hair. "Baron Herbert."

David frowned. "I don't believe I've made his acquaintance." Though he would make it his mission to meet him and tell him to stay the hell away from Victoria. "Would it be a good match for her?"

"Of course not," Ardmore nearly spat out the words. He let out a long sigh. "But she has no prospects. I worry about what will become of her."

"Are you going to tell her about this baron?" Harcrest asked. "Shouldn't she be able to decide for herself if she wants to accept him?" He finished his shot and won the game. David sighed. He was sorely out of practice in many things.

Ardmore glared at the viscount. "Oh hell, no." David agreed with that sentiment… "He's atrocious. He thought because she used to be a little plump and this was her third season, I'd gladly consent to the marriage. But he's a beast and I've heard he beats his servants. How would he treat a wife if he does that?"

David's jaw clenched. "Someone should take a flog to him and see how he likes it." He put his cue stick away.

"Probably," Ardmore agreed. "But that's not our call to make." He took a sip of his brandy. "But I can tell him to bugger off regarding my sister. I'd rather she remains unwed forever than be tied to that man."

He should tell him about Victoria's plans. If anyone could stop her, Ardmore could. David wouldn't, though. He'd never betray her trust that way. "You should still tell her," he found himself saying. "Just so she knows to avoid him."

"You're probably correct," Ardmore said. "I don't like it, but she would be angry with me if I kept this from her." He finished his brandy and set the empty glass on a nearby table.

"I think your sister will be all right," Harcrest said. "She's in a better position than some. She has you and you'll always protect her." He put his cue stick away. "Just keep an eye on her and ensure no one takes advantage of her."

Ardmore grinned. "Well," he began. "You may be right there." He sighed. "But I might need some help. With this house party, I cannot be with her the entire time."

"What do you suggest?" David asked.

"That if I cannot be there, one of you should." He met David's gaze. "I don't trust anyone as I much as I do you."

"You want me to watch her?" David said.

"I'm not a good bet," Harcrest told him. "I already have too many things to avoid at this house party." He gestured toward David. "He's friends with her, isn't he?" She trusts him."

"He's correct." Ardmore tilted his head to the side. "You should stay with her as much as you can. She'll listen to you."

David barely refrained from rolling his eyes. Victoria did not listen to him. If she did, she'd have given up that insane idea to become a rogue wallflower. She was heading toward trouble, though. Someone would have to ensure she didn't find herself in something she could not extricate herself from. "I'm not sure…"

"Don't be difficult," Ardmore said. "You know that you care about her. Please do this."

Did Ardmore not realize how he felt about Victoria? Of course, he cared about her. More than cared… He sighed, resigned to this. He was probably going to do it, anyway. This way he had Ardmore's blessing, in a way. "All right," he conceded. "I'll attempt to be with her as much as possible." He met and held the marquess's gaze. "But you do realize that will lead many to believe I am courting her."

He waved his hand dismissively. "We know the truth," he said, as if that didn't matter at all. "And besides. Victoria considers you a friend. She won't think anything of you being around."

That was something he feared. He wanted her to see him as more than a friend. Though that gave him an idea. Something he should have considered sooner. Victoria wanted to be a rogue wallflower. But she wouldn't have the first clue how to be one. He could offer her lessons, and then he could convince her that he should be her one and only lover. David could win her love.

David's lips tilted upward into a wicked smile. One that he felt to his very bones. "We are friends," he said, more to himself than Ardmore. "She won't suspect a thing."

"Excellent," Ardmore said, misunderstanding what David meant with that statement. He intended to use that friendship to his advantage. "Then you'll let me know if someone harasses her."

"Of course," David said in an absentminded tone. His mind was already whirling with possibilities. "If you'll pardon me. There's something I need to do." More like he had to find Victoria and set his plans in motion. He whistled as he walked. Excitement filled him with each step, and he hope that he might win her heart if this all went as planned.