Under the Mistletoe with the Viscount (Unlikely Lords #6)

Chapter 2

L ady Bettina Williams sat in the drawing room with her brother-in-law, Peter, the current Baron Williams, and his lovely wife, Cecily. She gazed at Cecily, who was pregnant with her first child, and felt a slight twinge of jealousy. As happy as she was for both Peter and Cecily, it brought back tragic memories of losing her own child when she’d learned that Stephen had died in a riding accident. She was convinced she’d lost the child due to the trauma of losing her beloved husband. She was only three and twenty when she became a widow.

Her life would have been so different if the child had survived. If she’d given birth to a boy, she would be secure in her position as Lady Williams, watching and guiding him as he grew into manhood. Even if the child had been a girl, Bett would have been thrilled to have a small piece of Stephen with her. Unfortunately, she had neither.

Her livelihood was now dependent on Peter’s largess. She had a small widow’s portion, but it wasn’t enough for her to live comfortably on her own. Even though both Peter and Cecily had told her over and over again that she was welcome to stay with them for as long as she wished, Bett felt like she was a burden on them. Not financially, as the estate was in good standing, but as a reminder that Stephen was gone from their lives.

Had it been a year already?

She also wanted Cecily to feel comfortable giving orders to the staff and running the household as she saw fit, not always feeling the need to check with Bett before she made any decisions. She remembered the thrill and pleasure of setting up the household with Stephen. They’d been so in love, and the world had seemed so shiny and new. When she found out she was with child after trying for three years, she’d believed her dream of becoming a mother was finally coming true. She’d had everything that she could ever ask for. But then Stephen died, she lost the child, and her life was irrevocably changed.

Now she was merely a guest in her former home.

After her mourning period was over, it still had taken some time for her to feel comfortable enough to socialize again. She’d convinced her friend Lady Olivia Armstrong to attend a house party at Lord Fleming’s this past June. It was the first time either she or Olivia had socialized in more than eighteen months. Olivia had endured a horrible marriage with her much older husband and had never wanted to marry again. That was not Bett’s experience. She had had a wonderful marriage and wanted to find another husband. After a bit of coaxing, Olivia finally agreed to go to the party, and Bett was thrilled. She knew the Flemings well through her friendship with their daughter, Emma, so she didn’t feel any anxiety going to their home.

As much as she adored her brother-in-law, Peter, he’d become a bit opinionated of late on what he thought was proper behavior for her. She had welcomed his comments and advice when he first inherited the title, especially since her grief over losing Stephen had been so overwhelming, but now, she was bristling a bit at his strict oversight. She wanted a household of her own again and to not have to look over her shoulder all the time to see if Peter approved of what she was doing.

Peter had not been enthusiastic about her going to the Fleming house party, but Bett didn’t need his approval to go. She reminded him that it was her choice when to reenter Society or attend a gathering. He hadn’t taken her pushback too kindly, but in the end, he’d had no choice but to accept her decision.

She was glad she’d gone because the first moment she met the Honorable Noah Hughes, it had been like being struck by lightning, not that had ever happened to her. His infectious smile, charming manners, and handsome good looks had her smitten. During the house party, they were rarely apart, but when Lady Armstrong was attacked by an unruly guest, she’d wanted to leave early, and Bett agreed it was for the best. However, as a result, she didn’t have a chance to say goodbye to Mr. Hughes in person. The best she could do was write him a note, telling him that she’d enjoyed his company very much and hoped to see him again soon. She had wanted to say so much more to him, but she kept the note brief, hoping that he would understand how much she admired him.

The attraction they’d shared seemed magical at the time, but their time together had been over a weeks ago, and she still hadn’t heard from him. Bitter disappointment washed over her as she thought of it. She’d thought Mr. Hughes had enjoyed her company as much as she had his, but the lack of any communication since then told a different story. She was glad that she hadn’t told Peter and Cecily about Noah. She didn’t want to endure any smug looks or lectures from Peter about Mr. Hughes and his lack of interest after the party. She didn’t think she could endure such gloating.

Had she totally misread Mr. Hughes’s intentions? She hadn’t thought so at the time, but alas, Peter might have been correct after all. Maybe it was too soon for her to return to society. Her bruised heart seemed to agree with him.

There was a knock on the door, and the butler walked in carrying a silver salver. He walked to Bett and held it out for her. “Lady Williams, this letter came for you.”

Bett took the letter. “Thank you, Adams.”

He turned and exited the room.

“It’s from Lady Persing,” Bett said, breaking the seal and reading the contents. “Oh, how delightful.”

“What’s delightful?” Cecily asked.

“She’s invited me to visit.”

“How is your sister faring?” Peter asked.

“She’s well. I haven’t seen her since her wedding, and I miss her terribly.”

“Then you must visit her, although we will miss you,” Cecily said.

“You’re very sweet, Cecily. I will miss you both as well. I cannot thank you enough for allowing me to stay here.”

“There’s no need for thanks,” Peter said. “You are family and always welcome to reside here as long as you like.”

“Thank you. That’s very kind.”

“How long will you be gone?” Cecily asked with a slight pout.

“I don’t know. Perhaps a fortnight or so, maybe longer,” Bett said and saw Cecily frown before she smoothed her face. “Cecily, is there something amiss?”

She shook her head. “Not at all. I’ll miss our daily walks, that’s all.”

Her sister-in-law was young, but she’d grown in maturity a great deal over the past year. Cecily would be two and twenty by the time the babe was born and was probably quite nervous over the impending birth. “I promise to be back in plenty of time for the birth.”

“You will?”

“Of course. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

“Thank you, Bett. It relieves my mind, knowing I’ll have a friend with me.”

Peter grasped Cecily’s hand. “My darling, you mustn’t worry. The midwife will be readily available when the time comes.”

Cecily gazed lovingly at her husband. “I know, but I’ll feel better knowing Bett is with me too. She’s not only my sister-in-law but a dear friend as well.”

Bett stood. “Thank you, Cecily. I feel the same. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I must tell Lydia of my plans to visit my sister.”

“When would you like to leave?” Peter asked. “The coach will be at your disposal, of course.”

“Thank you, Peter. Would two days be sufficient notice?”

“Of course. I’ll inform Adams of your plans. He’ll make sure everything is in order.”

“Thank you,” Bett said, exiting the drawing room. Going to see her sister was a much-needed distraction from merely sitting around waiting to hear from Mr. Hughes. Perhaps it was time to put her attraction to him aside and concentrate on enjoying her sister’s company.

She walked up the stairs and down the hall to her bedchamber. “Are you here, Lydia?” she asked when she entered.

“Yes,” came a voice from the dressing room before her lady’s maid popped her head out. “Do you require assistance, my lady?”

“Yes. My sister has invited me for a visit, so my trunk will need to be packed.”

“Of course. How long will you be staying?”

“I’m not sure. A fortnight, maybe, or a little longer.”

“I’ll see to your things. When are we leaving?”

“Day after next.”

“Very good, my lady. Leave everything to me,” Lydia said.

“Thank you, Lydia. You’re a godsend. I’d be lost without you.”

Her compliment brought a smile to the young woman’s face. Lydia had been her maid when she lived at her parents’ house. She’d been twenty when she married Stephen, and Lydia had been more than happy to join her. They’d been inseparable ever since.

It had been Lydia, more than anyone else, who’d taken care of her during the trauma of losing Stephen and then their child. In her own quiet way, she had coaxed Bett out of her despair and helped her see that there was still joy left in the world. She would be forever grateful for her maid’s loyalty and service.