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

Chapter 10

E mma looked up from her book when she heard the crunch of the wheels on the gravel drive. She was looking forward to seeing her friend again. She hadn’t seen Bett in a long while, and she had missed her terribly.

Within a few moments, Carlton was announcing her guest. “Lady Williams to see you.”

“Thank you, Carlton. Please have tea sent up.”

“Right away, my lady,” the butler said before he exited the room.

Emma rushed to her friend. “Oh, Bett. It’s so lovely to see you,” she said, hugging her and bussing her cheeks.

“I’ve missed you as well, Emma. I apologize for the change of plans today.”

“Nonsense. It’s no imposition at all, and this way, we can spend more time together. Come sit with me and tell me what I’ve missed while I’ve been gone.”

“Oh my, where should I begin?” Bett said.

“How about from this past May? I believe that was the last time we saw each other.”

“Well, I was invited to the house party your parents hosted in June.”

“How lovely. I’m sorry I wasn’t here to see you then.”

“It was a lovely party, and we enjoyed ourselves immensely.”

“We?”

“Lady Armstrong… oh wait, I received a note the other day from her. She’s now engaged to Earl of Robertson and will soon be married. She met the earl at the party, and they formed an attachment.”

A knock on the door interrupted their conversation.

“Come,” Emma said.

The maid entered, carrying the tea tray. “Where would you like the tea, Miss Bent?”

“Here on the table is fine. Thank you, Kate.”

With the tea set up, the maid asked, “Shall I pour for you?”

Emma shook her head. “No, that will be all.”

Kate curtseyed and left the room, closing the door behind her.

“Now, tell me, was it a true love match between Lady Armstrong and Lord Robertson?” Emma asked as she poured the tea and handed Bett a cup.

“It was, but it took the earl a bit longer before he realized it and finally proposed.”

“How romantic! Tell me, was there someone special who piqued your fancy at the party as well?”

A range of emotions crossed Bett’s face. For a moment, it looked as if she might cry. Emma reached out and grasped Bett’s hand. “Oh, Bett, what happened? You look upset.”

“There was someone, but I fear my interest was not returned.”

“Oh? How could that be? You’re the loveliest woman I have the privilege of knowing. Any gentleman would be a fool not to take an interest in you.”

A single tear rolled down Bett’s cheek, and she swiped it away. “I thought my feelings were shared by Mr. Hughes, but unfortunately, I’ve not heard from him since the party. That makes me question his feelings.”

“Mr. Hughes? A friend of Mr. Walker?”

“Yes. Do you know Mr. Hughes?”

“Yes. He’s been visiting with my father for the last fortnight.”

“He’s here?” Bett asked.

“Yes. You should see him at luncheon,” Emma said.

Bett felt like she’d been hit with a sledgehammer. Noah was here? Why had he not come to see her? “I’m not sure. Seeing him today may prove rather awkward if he doesn’t feel the same. Perhaps I should leave. I wouldn’t want to upset your father’s guests.”

“Why would it upset them? Seeing you today may be just the thing to spark Mr. Hughes’ interest once again. Please stay,” Emma pleaded. “There’s no need for you to leave.”

Bett hesitated, unsure of the best course of action. Should she stay and hope Emma was right about Noah’s interest? She sipped her tea and finally decided she had nothing to lose, especially since she didn’t relish going back to Crenshaw Manor yet. Either Noah was interested or he wasn’t, and it would be better to find out sooner rather than later. “Very well, I’ll stay. Perhaps you’re correct.”

The two young women talked about a number of things as they drank their tea. “Would you like to take a stroll in the garden before luncheon?” Emma asked. “It’s quite nice out.”

Bett swallowed hard. Being in the garden again would remind her of Noah’s delicious kisses, the ones that had set her heart on fire. But it was a beautiful summer day with a gentle breeze blowing, and she felt like she couldn’t disappoint her friend. “That would be lovely.”

“The garden has never looked lovelier,” Emma said as they walked along the path. “Father hired a new head gardener, who’s revitalized it.”

Bett walked arm in arm with Emma, and her heart ached when she reached the bench where Noah first kissed her. “I’ve never seen a lovelier garden,” she said, trying hard to keep her voice neutral. Confessing her interest in Noah to Emma had brought back all the sizzling sensations he’d elicited in her.

Would he feel the same when they met again over luncheon? Time would tell, and Bett’s stomach was in knots thinking about the encounter. What would she do if he didn’t want to rekindle their budding tendre for each other? Could she accept the fact that he wasn’t interested when her silly heart was devoted to him and wanted no other? How could she move on to finding a husband when she was head over heels in love with Noah?

By the time they returned to the house, it was nearly time for luncheon. They strolled into the parlor to find Lord and Lady Fleming and Mr. Walker already there.

“Lady Williams, a pleasure to see you again,” Miles said. “I didn’t know you were visiting today.”

Emma spoke up. “Lady Williams was kind enough to visit me, and of course, I invited her to stay for luncheon.”

Bett looked around the parlor, but there was no sign of Noah. She desperately wanted to inquire as to his whereabouts, but before she could ask, Emma spoke.

“Where is Mr. Hughes? Will he be joining us today?”

Bett saw Mr. Walker frown. Why was he frowning? Had something happened to Noah?

“I’m afraid Mr. Hughes had to leave on an urgent family matter. His valet arrived from London late last night with the tragic news that his cousin had perished from a fever.”

“Oh, no! How terrible. That explains why he didn’t come down for breakfast this morning,” Emma said.

“Yes. He left for Oxfordshire shortly after his valet arrived with distressing news.”

“Oh, my word, that sounds horrible. I do hope Mr. Hughes will be able to comfort his uncle on such a devastating loss,” Bett said.

“As do I, Lady Williams. I cannot even imagine such a tragedy befalling my family,” Miles said.

Bett was severely disappointed that she wouldn’t see the man she so desperately loved. She tried to keep her expression neutral, but Mr. Walker was quite perceptive.

“Lady Williams, were you aware that Mr. Hughes called on you recently?” he asked.

Bett’s head snapped up. “What?” she asked, shaken by the revelation. “He did?”

“Yes. It was at least a sennight ago.”

“I was visiting my sister, but I wasn’t made aware that I had a caller while I was away.”

“Somehow, I suspected as much,” Miles said.

A slight wind could have knocked Bett over. Noah had called on her, and Peter had neglected to tell her. She now regretted very much not telling both Peter and Cecily that she’d met Mr. Hughes at the house party. She could just imagine the reception he got from Peter. Probably just short of outright dismissal if she knew her brother-in-law. Her mind was a whirlwind of conflicting emotions.

“Lady Williams, are you well? You look pale,” Mr. Walker said.

All she could do was nod. She was grateful to be saved from any further conversation by Carlton announcing that luncheon was served. As everyone walked to the dining room, it gave her a moment to process everything Mr. Walker had revealed.

Despite her distraction, Bett noticed the spark of interest between Emma and Mr. Walker as they walked together and Mr. Walker took the seat next to her at the table.

Could they be forming an attachment?

She liked Mr. Walker a great deal, especially after Olivia told her what he’d done for her at the house party in response to Lord Pressley’s horrible behavior. Mr. Walker was an upstanding gentleman, and she would be thrilled for Emma if they fell in love.

The conversation around the dining room table was lively, but Bett hardly heard a word of it and barely tasted the delicious fare. All she could think about was the fact that Noah had come to call on her. What had he thought when she wasn’t at home to greet him? Had he mistakenly believed she was no longer interested in him, especially since she hadn’t mentioned anything about visiting her sister? That was the furthest thing from the truth. She was more in love with him than ever and planned to speak with Peter about his failure to inform her of her caller when she returned to Crenshaw Manor.

A few hours later, Bett said her goodbyes to the Flemings.

“Lady Williams, may I walk you out to the carriage?” Mr. Walker asked.

“Of course. Thank you.”

Bett kissed Emma on both cheeks, vowing to see her again very soon, before taking Mr. Walker’s arm. As they walked outside, Bett asked, “Mr. Walker, I do hope that all will be well with Mr. Hughes’s family.?”

“As do I, Lady Williams. I do know that Mr. Hughes will be sorry to hear that he missed seeing you. I hope you’ll understand that he’ll be unable to call on you in the immediate future until his family situation is worked out, but I know that Mr. Hughes would wish to if he could. Especially as he was quite distressed when his previous attempt to see you came to nothing. Evidently, the baron didn’t see fit to tell him your whereabouts or when you would be returning. From the little Noah told me, his visit was not welcomed by your brother-in-law.”

Bett was devastated and nearly stumbled. Peter’s controlling nature had gone too far.

“Lady Williams, are you well?” Mr. Walker asked, grasping her arm to keep her from falling.

“I’m so very sorry that my brother-in-law chose to withhold that information from Mr. Hughes. You must know I would have wholeheartedly welcomed a call from him.”

“That’s what I thought. It’s clear that both of you have formed an attachment.”

“I know that’s true on my part, but I thought he was no longer interested in me when I hadn’t heard from him.”

“I understand, but that is clearly not the case for my friend. Noah has never been one to pursue women, but he’s been restless ever since the house party and jumped at the chance to visit the Flemings with me. I believe it was because he wanted to call on you.”

“Can you share with me where he’s gone?”

“To his uncle’s estate, Harrison Manor, in Oxfordshire.”

“And his uncle? Is he well?”

“That I don’t know. Noah will write when he can to let me know what he finds once he arrives.”

“Thank you for telling me all this, Mr. Walker. I must admit I’ve been nursing a broken heart, thinking Mr. Hughes was no longer interested in me.”

“My dear Lady Williams, I do believe my friend is more in love with you than ever. Once everything is settled with his uncle, he will no doubt call on you again.”

Bett kissed Mr. Walker’s cheek. “Thank you. I can tell you that Mr. Hughes isn’t the only one in love. You’ve relieved my mind a great deal. I shall send him a note with my deepest condolences and tell him that, whenever he can, I would very much welcome him calling on me again.”

“Of course. It will be my pleasure.”

Lydia joined them outside, and Mr. Walker handed them up into the carriage. On the way home, all Bett could think about was the revelation that Noah loved her… or at least that Mr. Walker thought so. What a tragic turn of events it was that had pulled them apart when they were set to reunite. She sincerely hoped that Noah could help his uncle through his grief.

As far as Peter was concerned, she didn’t know what to do about him. If she confronted him, he would only claim to be looking out for her best interests. And he was actually right this time. She chastised herself for not immediately telling him about her interest in Mr. Hughes. Would that have made a difference? Noah must have thought she didn’t care for him, but that was the furthest thing from the truth.

Her heart ached to see his startling blue eyes again.

That evening as she sat alone in her bedchamber, she went to the small desk in the corner to pen a note to Noah. What a heartbreaking situation he was facing.

Mr. Hughes,

I wish to send my sincere condolences on the loss of your cousin. What a tragic blow to your family. I have no doubt your presence will be a great comfort to your uncle.

I will keep your family in my thoughts and prayers, and I look forward to seeing you when you are able to come to Crenshaw Manor again.

Lady Williams

Bett wanted to say so much more, but for now, at least he would know she was thinking about him and wanted to see him again. When the ink dried, she folded and sanded the note. She would have Lydia give it to Adams to post.