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

Chapter 4

B ett was excited to see her sister again. They wrote to each other often, but they hadn’t seen one another in almost a year. Georgiana’s letter last month had contained exciting news—she was with child—and Bett was thrilled for her. Her sister deserved every happiness.

The coach ride to Epsom took a good part of the day, and Bett was ever so glad to see Persing Manor come into view.

“It’s a beautiful manor house,” Lydia said, peeking out the carriage window.

“Yes, it is,” Bett said.

The carriage came to a stop, and the footman opened the door and handed the women out. The front door opened, and Georgiana walked out to greet them.

“You’re finally here! I’m so very pleased to see you,” she said, hugging Bett. “It’s been too long since we had a visit together.”

The last time Bett had seen her sister was at Georgiana’s wedding six months before Stephen’s untimely death. It had been a rough year for Bett, grieving for her beloved husband and child. Georgiana had offered to stay with her, but Bett had declined. She didn’t want to interrupt her sister’s honeymoon phase with her new husband.

“I know, but I’m here now.”

“Come in. Tea will be served shortly.”

Bett turned to Lydia. “Why don’t you go to the kitchen for a cup of tea? I’ll see you later.”

“Thank you, my lady,” Lydia said, following the footman, who was laden down with Bett’s baggage, inside.

“We’ve given you the bedchamber overlooking the garden,” Georgiana said. “I know how much you enjoy a lovely view.”

Bett linked her arm with her sister’s, and they walked inside. Bett was taller than her sister, but they both shared their mother’s dark hair and blue eyes. “That was ever so thoughtful. Thank you.”

She looked around as they entered the foyer. Not a speck of dust was to be seen on the black and white marble floor tiles. There was a grand staircase leading to the upper floors, and Georgiana led her up to the second-floor family parlor. The room was decorated in a lovely shade of light green, with ivory silk drapes framing the windows. “What a beautiful room!” she exclaimed.

“It’s my favorite room. Persing has given me leave to redecorate any of the rooms I wish.”

“It’s lovely,” Bett said, sitting on the sofa with Georgiana. She removed her gloves and bonnet and laid them beside her. “How are you faring these days? I was so pleased to hear of your happy news in your last letter.”

“Better now, I’m pleased to say. I hope to give my darling husband an heir in December.”

“You’ll be a wonderful mother.”

“I do hope so. Bett, I know this news must be difficult for you.”

Bett held up her hand. “Georgiana, there’s no need for you to be concerned. I am well, I promise.”

“Would you like to meet some of the local gentry? There are a few eligible bachelors in the area, and I’d be happy to host a dinner party so you may meet them.”

Bett paused before answering. Should she tell Georgiana about Mr. Hughes? Even though he hadn’t written to her yet, she couldn’t dismiss her attraction to him. Nor could she forget his scorching kisses, which curled her toes.

“Bett, is something amiss?” Georgiana asked, grasping her hand. “You look upset.”

Bett shook her head. “No, everything is well, but may I share a confidence with you?”

“Of course. You may share anything you like. You know I would never judge you on any decision you make. I’m your sister and love you. Please, go ahead and tell me.”

Bett opened her mouth, but a knock on the door interrupted her.

“Come,” Georgiana said.

A maid brought in a tea tray and put it on the low table in front of the sofa. “Shall I pour for you, my lady?”

“No. You may go, Estelle.”

The maid curtseyed and exited the room, closing the door behind her.

Georgiana prepared the tea and handed Bett a cup. “We shall not be disturbed anymore. Would you care to share your confidence now?”

Bett took a deep breath. She had to tell someone other than her friend Olivia about her growing feelings for Mr. Hughes. She’d tried to dismiss them, but every time she took a stroll in the garden, it reminded her of the lovely kisses they’d shared in the Flemings’ garden. “Last month, I attended a house party with my friend, Lady Armstrong.”

Georgiana leaned toward her. “It’s wonderful you decided to reenter Society.”

“Yes. It’s been eighteen months since Stephen’s death, and I finally felt ready.”

“And?”

Bett couldn’t help the smile that lifted her lips. “And I met a very fine gentleman. His name is Mr. Hughes. I truly believed my heart had shriveled and died the day Stephen was taken from me, but the heart is a strange creature. I felt so alive when I was with him.”

Georgianna squeezed her hand. “Are you carrying a tendre for Mr. Hughes?”

“I am, although everything did not go as planned. Lady Armstrong and I had to leave the party suddenly, and I wasn’t able to say goodbye to him in person. I did leave him a note, however.”

“Oh? What happened to make you leave early?”

“It was most unpleasant. There was a young gentleman who was persistent in his pursuit of Lady Armstrong, even though she did not encourage him at all.”

“Oh my, that doesn’t sound pleasant at all.”

“That’s not all. One night, when Lady Armstrong was alone in the garden, he attacked her, thinking he could just take what he wanted.”

Georgianna inhaled sharply. “My goodness. That must have been a terrible ordeal for your friend.”

“Indeed it was, but luckily Lord Robertson stopped him before he could force himself on her. She was so upset that we agreed it would be better if we left at first light.”

“I’m glad to hear that you were there to support her. And what about Mr. Hughes? Did he respond to your note?”

Bett sighed. “No, not as of yesterday.”

“I see. What did the baron have to say about that?”

“I never told him or Lady Williams about Mr. Hughes. My brother-in-law wasn’t happy I was attending the party in the first place, and I didn’t want to hear any negative remarks about Mr. Hughes if nothing came of the flirtation.”

“Men can be strange creatures sometimes, and unlike women, sometimes they take an inordinate amount of time to realize their feelings. Perhaps that is the case with Mr. Hughes.”

“Perhaps. Do you think I’m being foolish about holding out hope he’ll call on me?”

Georgianna shook her head. “Not at all. You must follow your heart in these things. Give Mr. Hughes some time to realize his feelings as well.”

“Thank you. That relieves my mind greatly.”

“You mustn’t worry overmuch about such things. Sometimes it’s merely a matter of time before things work out as they were intended.”

“I do hope so. Will Persing be joining us?” she asked.

Georgiana shook her head. “No. He’s out checking on a tenant with a leaky roof. He insists on inspecting the repairs himself, but he’ll join us for dinner.”

“I look forward to seeing him again. I can see by the light in your eyes that he makes you very happy.”

“Oh, he does. I’m very lucky,” Georgianna said, rubbing her belly.

“I’m so very pleased for you,” Bett said.

The two women talked for another hour before Georgiana tugged on the bellpull.

“Do you require something, Lady Persing?” Mrs. Ketterly, the housekeeper, asked.

“Yes. Please show Lady Williams to her bedchamber.”

“Of course. Lady Williams, kindly follow me.”

Bett squeezed Georgiana’s hand. “I’ll see you at dinner. You should rest,” she said before following Mrs. Ketterly to her bedchamber. Lydia was unpacking her things when she walked in.

“Did you enjoy tea with your sister?” Lydia asked.

“I did. It’s lovely to see her again.”

“Would you like to change out of your traveling dress?”

“Yes.”

Lydia pulled a yellow silk dress out of the armoire. “Will this one do?”

“That’s always been one of my favorites, and it will be fine for dinner.” After she’d washed off the dirt from traveling and changed, Bett headed back downstairs. Her sister had taken her advice and retired to her bedchamber to rest before dinner, but Bett wasn’t tired. She walked down to the foyer.

“Lady Williams, may I offer you some assistance?” Lyons, the butler, asked.

“I was going to stroll around the garden for a bit before dinner.”

“Very good, my lady,” he said, opening the door. “Enjoy your walk.”

Bett walked around the side of the house to the lovely garden awash in red, pink, and white. The roses scented the air, and though they were beautiful, they reminded her of another lovely garden, which she’d recently been in with Mr. Hughes. He had kissed her for the first time near a row of pink rose bushes.

It had been such a magical kiss. Perhaps it only felt that way because it had been over a year since she’d been kissed by a man, but she was sure it was more than that. As much as she didn’t want to admit it, Mr. Hughes was a better kisser than her beloved Stephen. That had surprised her, but then again, Stephen had been the only man she’d ever kissed, so she had nothing to compare it to.

Mr. Hughes knew his way around a lady’s lips, and when his tongue had swept into her mouth, she’d groaned in pleasure. That kiss had ignited a fire within her, and no amount of time apart seemed to be able to quench it. It was an entirely new experience for her.

Her late husband had been the love of her life, but Stephen was gone. Maybe there was room for another man in her heart.

Had Mr. Hughes thought of her since her departure from the house party?

Was Georgiana correct in her thinking that men took longer to realize their feelings?

Was that why she hadn’t heard from him this last fortnight?

All these confusing thoughts whirled through her mind as she walked around the garden.

Mr. Hughes, do you still crave my company as much as I crave yours? Please say you do.