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

Chapter 5

“M r. Hughes, I’m so glad you’ve decided to visit again,” Lord Fleming said, leading him and Miles into the parlor.

“Lord Fleming, how could I pass up the chance to visit your estate again? It’s quite beautiful. And, please, call me Noah.”

“Thank you, Noah. Please call me Fleming, no need to be so formal in my own home.”

Lady Fleming walked into the room to join them for drinks before dinner. “Gentlemen, a pleasure to see you both again.”

“Lady Fleming, the pleasure is ours,” Noah said with a bow.

Lady Fleming was an elegant and attractive woman with light-brown hair and expressive hazel eyes. She appeared to be much younger than her husband, but one glance at the way she gazed at Fleming told Noah that theirs was a love match. Did he hope for such a match some day? The image of Lady Williams popped into his mind, although he quickly dismissed it. The lady was lovely, but he certainly didn’t love her.

“My dear husband was quite happy to learn he’d have some male company for a bit. I’m afraid it’s rather dull around here with both of our sons away at university.”

“Will they be returning for the summer?” Miles asked.

Lady Fleming sighed. “I’m not sure. They’re young men now, and I’m sure London holds more appeal for them than rusticating in the country with their parents.”

Noah chuckled. “That’s very true, my lady. I remember those days, but I soon came to appreciate everything my uncle had done for me.”

“We can only hope our sons will feel the same,” Fleming said.

The crunch of gravel out in the driveway drew everyone’s attention to the windows.

“That’s strange. Are you expecting anyone for dinner, my dear?” Fleming asked his wife.

“No. I’m as curious as you as to who would be visiting us,” Lady Fleming said.

It didn’t take long before the parlor door opened, and in swept a young woman in a blue traveling dress and matching bonnet.

“My darling, you’re here. We weren’t expecting you for another fortnight,” Lady Fleming said, hugging her.

“Mama, it’s good to see you again. I decided to come home early,” her daughter said. “As much as I adore my little cousins, I missed the peace and quiet of the country.”

Lady Fleming chuckled. “Yes, those twins can be quite a handful sometimes. How fares my dear sister?”

“She’s well and sends you and Papa her best regards,” Emma said, stepping back from Lady Fleming and looking around the room. “Oh, dear. I do apologize for interrupting you all. I didn’t realize you had guests.”

Fleming stepped forward and hugged his daughter. “My darling, you’re a most pleasant interruption. These are friends of mine from London, Mr. Walker and Mr. Hughes. Gentlemen, my daughter, Miss Bent.”

“Miss Bent,” Noah and Miles said.

Noah noticed that Miss Bent’s look lingered on Miles a fraction longer before she acknowledged them. “Gentlemen, a pleasure to meet you both. Now, I won’t interrupt you any longer. If you will excuse me, I’d like to retire for the evening. It’s been a long day of traveling.”

Both Miles and Noah bowed as the young woman swept out of the room. Miles had seemed particularly interested in her, but then again, Miles always did appreciate great beauty, and Noah had to admit Miss Bent was indeed beautiful, with her vibrant green eyes and the blond ringlets that framed her face.

Noah raised an eyebrow and looked at Miles, his expression conveying, Now there’s a woman for you.

Miles didn’t have a chance to react before Carlton, the Flemings’ butler, announced dinner. They all filed into the dining room, where Miles was seated on Fleming’s right while Lady Fleming took the seat on the left. Noah took the seat next to Miles and inhaled the delicious aroma of the first course. He was looking forward to enjoying a good meal.

Three courses later, Noah sat back with a satisfied grin. “My compliments to your cook, Lady Fleming. That was a most excellent meal.”

She inclined her head. “I’ll be sure to let Mrs. Totter know.”

“Gentlemen, shall we enjoy our after-dinner drinks in the parlor with my lovely wife? She’s promised to play the pianoforte for us.”

Both Miles and Noah stood and followed the Flemings into the parlor. Lady Fleming took a seat at the pianoforte located in the corner of the room.

“Gentlemen, whiskey or brandy?”

“Brandy,” Noah said.

“The same for me,” Miles chimed in.

Fleming poured the drinks and handed the glasses out before taking a seat.

Lady Fleming played the pianoforte to perfection. As Noah listened to the exquisite composition, he wondered if Lady Williams played as well. He hadn’t gotten the chance to ask her before she abruptly left the house party. He understood why she left, but it hadn’t eased the disappointment he felt at finding her gone.

Noah slipped his hand into his coat pocket, where Lady Williams’s note lay.

Soon, my lady. I shall see you soon.

When the Flemings retired for the night, Noah cornered Miles before he could head up the stairs to his bedchamber. “She’s quite beautiful, isn’t she?”

“What are you talking about?”

Noah chuckled. “Come now, Miles. I saw your gaze linger on Miss Bent.”

Miles didn’t answer but instead turned on his heel and left Noah standing alone in the parlor. “I know interest when I see it,” he mumbled to himself before heading up to his bedchamber.

Fleming had a number of activities planned, and it was days later when Noah decided he couldn’t wait any longer. It was past time to take a trip to Albury to visit Lady Williams. He begged off the day’s shooting activity and told Fleming he’d see him for dinner.

His host hadn’t seemed surprised as Noah left the manor house.

“Your horse is saddled,” the stablemaster said when Noah appeared at the stables.

“Thank you,” he said as he swung into the saddle and patted his horse’s neck. “Come on, Midnight. We have a lady to see.”

The trip to Albury was a pleasant ride through the countryside, and as Noah rode up the drive to Crenshaw Manor, his stomach was in knots. Would Lady Williams be happy to see him? He’d decided to forego sending a note to tell her of his impending visit because he wanted to surprise her. She’d talked of the loving relationship she had with her brother-in-law, and when he arrived, Noah planned to ask for Lord Williams, as the head of the household. During one of their conversations recently about politics, his friend Robertson had told him about some of the baron’s passionate speeches in Parliament regarding the country’s deep economic recession, long-standing unemployment, and widespread poverty. He proposed changes to help the commoners, and Noah admired his commitment to making the lives of those less fortunate more tolerable.

He hopped off Midnight when he reached the front door, and a groom appeared from around the corner. “No need to unsaddle him; I won’t be staying overly long,” Noah told him.

“Of course, sir,” the young man said and led Midnight to the stables.

Noah walked up the front steps and let the knocker bang down. It was a few moments before the door opened.

“May I help you, sir?” the butler asked.

“I’m Mr. Hughes. I’d like a word with Lord Williams, if he’s available,” Noah said.

The butler opened the door wider to allow him entry. “Please wait in the drawing room. I’ll see if Lord Williams is receiving guests,” he said, pointing to the room on the right.

Noah walked into the drawing room, which was decorated in various shades of blue, with gold silk drapes framing the large windows. It was a pleasant room, although, for some reason, he didn’t feel entirely comfortable there. What was it? Was it just the anticipation of seeing Lady Williams again? Perhaps, but first, he needed to introduce himself to the baron before he asked for the lady.

He heard footsteps in the foyer, and when the baron walked into the room, Noah was surprised by his appearance. He was a lot shorter than Noah had expected, barely taller than Lady Williams, and had a lean build. His hair was thinning on the top of his head, but otherwise, he looked fit.

“Mr. Hughes, I’m Williams.”

Noah stepped forward and extended his hand. “Williams, it’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

The baron looked at him, taking his hand in a limp handshake. “We’ve never been formally introduced, and I’m curious why you’re here.”

“I’m visiting with Lord Fleming, and as your estate isn’t far from his, I thought I’d pay my respects,” Noah said, noticing how the baron’s mouth pinched in a grim line at the mention of Fleming. Had he made a mistake mentioning where he was staying? Why the grimace? He plunged ahead. “Robertson tells me you’re quite the champion for the masses. He says you’ve put forth several bills outlining your goals. I commend your commitment to making their lives better.”

Williams’ eyes widened. “You’re acquainted with the Earl of Robertson?” he asked, his interest finally caught.

“Yes. We became friends in childhood.”

“I see. The earl is a formidable figure in Parliament. We share many of the same views.”

“As do I. We’ve had some great debates about these very subjects.”

Things were going a little better. Noah didn’t like dropping the earl’s name so casually, but sometimes it was for a good cause, and seeing Lady Williams again was a great cause. He was surprised when Williams pivoted back to Lord Fleming.

“Fleming and I are acquainted, although I fail to see why that should prompt a visit from you.”

It was time to come clean about the real reason for the visit. “Well, I met Lady Williams at a house party Fleming recently hosted.”

“My wife has never been to the Fleming estate,” Williams said in a gruff voice.

“Your wife? No, pardon me. I meant to say I met your sister-in-law, the dowager Lady Williams, at the house party, and I was wondering if I may pay her a visit while I’m here.”

“She’s not here,” Williams said, his mouth once again settled into a grim line.

“Oh? May I inquire when she will return?”

“I fail to see why that should concern you, especially since she did not mention meeting anyone at that house party to me. Now, if that is all, I’m quite busy. Adams will show you out.”

Noah stood stunned at the abruptness of his dismissal. The baron seemed quite displeased that he’d come to call. Bettina had told him that she had a loving relationship with the baron, and Noah was puzzled.

Williams didn’t seem like a loving sort of fellow; was that why Bettina had failed to tell him about their meeting? They’d hit it off so well during their time together… or so he’d thought. Had she not felt the spark between them? And where had she gone? Was she out merely for the day? If so, why hadn’t Williams just told him that? Something seemed a little off about the baron, but he couldn’t put his finger on it.

He regretted waiting so long, and it seemed he would have no other opportunity to find out any more information about Bett’s whereabouts. He should have made the journey sooner, but it hadn’t entered his mind that she wouldn’t be here.

As Adams escorted him to the door, Noah couldn’t help but wonder if his attraction to Lady Williams had all been one-sided. It certainly hadn’t felt that way at the time. Bettina had been so responsive in his arms, and he couldn’t stop thinking about her. To find out that she hadn’t even mentioned him to her family was a gut punch.

He really wanted to see her again and hear from her own lips that she no longer wanted to see him. Then he would believe that their connection at the house party was nothing more than her trifling with him.

That didn’t sit well with him, as he’d never misjudged a lady’s feelings before. However, for the moment, there was nothing else he could do but head back to Fleming Manor.

Miles was in the stables when Noah returned from his visit to Crenshaw Manor. “Did you enjoy your ride?”

Noah shook his head. “I didn’t go riding. I went to call on Lady Williams.”

Miles smiled. “I see. And how is the lovely lady?”

“I don’t know. She wasn’t there.”

“Was she merely out for the day, perhaps?”

“Williams wasn’t forthcoming about her whereabouts, and I was summarily dismissed.”

“Well, that is surprising.”

“Indeed it was,” Noah said, stalking off.

Miles had never seen Noah so upset before. But then again, he’d never seen his friend form an attachment to a lady as quickly as he had with Lady Williams. Though Noah wouldn’t admit it, Miles believed his friend was in love with her. It would certainly explain his current state of unrest.

Sometimes, it was best not to interfere and to let these things take their course, although he did hate to see Noah so unsettled.