Twelve Years Later

Luke, Earl of Mallon, sat quietly as he listened to his father go on and on about the various aspects of London, as though they had not been amongst society before. His father, the Marquess of Stowell, greatly enjoyed spending time in London, and having been here for three Seasons previously, Luke was getting rather frustrated with just how his father seemed disinclined to acknowledge the fact that Luke was well aware of all of London’s foibles.

“Father,” he said firmly, as his father drew breath. “You need not worry. I am not about to throw myself headlong into a gambling club or drink excessively until I can barely stand up.”

His father frowned, and Luke was well aware that he was recalling the first year Luke had come to London for the Season. He had done everything he ought not to have done and had brought a great deal of shame to the family name.

Of course, he had learned from that experience and had vowed not to do anything like that again. The last two years he had proven as much, and he intended to do much the same this year. It was not as though he did not enjoy cards or dancing with as many eligible young ladies as he could, but he simply did not need to do so to excess.

“It is just as well you are going to keep a level head,” his father muttered, passing one hand over his eyes as he sat down. “I have it on good authority that your betrothed will be present at this evening’s ball.”

Luke blinked, a heavy weight immediately settling in his stomach. “Elizabeth?” he said rather hoarsely. “I have not seen her in many years.”

“Not from lack of trying on my part,” his father replied gruffly. “But her father was forced to go overseas to check on our holdings there, and I certainly did not expect him to be gone for three years!”

Luke frowned, trying to recall what had happened. “Was it not that he was rather unwell?” he asked, glancing up at his father. “Did not his wife and son go out to tend to him?”

His father nodded slowly. “Indeed, they did. Left your dear Elizabeth alone in that house with an old aunt for companion. I suppose they had to ensure that the place was run well and that everything was in order, but that must have been a somewhat lonely existence.”

As well as a good reason not to entertain my company, Luke thought to himself, recalling how his request to call upon the family at the house had been rejected, albeit with a very nicely written note.

“Good that he is recovered though, and he’s now back where he belongs,” his father continued cheerfully. “I should go out to our holdings soon, I suppose.”

Luke shook his head. “I doubt you have need to, Father,” he replied firmly. “The Earl of Lewisham has only just returned, and after three years there, I am quite sure that all is in order.”

His father chuckled. “Be that as it may, I would quite like to go and visit,” he replied, his eyes bright. “Age is soon to catch up with me, and I would do these things before I am unable to so much as climb into a carriage unaided.”

Chuckling, Luke rolled his eyes. His father was one of the most youthful men he knew, despite his age. Tall and rather lean, he had never given in to the excesses of wealth that so many other gentlemen did. Over time, his once brown hair had become liberally streaked with white, although the sharpness of his blue eyes had never left him. He and Luke were very similar in coloring and features, giving Luke a glimpse into what he might one day look like. He hoped that he carried the same sense of authority and gravitas that his father so easily displayed. There was honor in everything the man did, making Luke quite proud of his lineage.

“Now, about Elizabeth,” his father calmly continued. “Her father has promised her a Season of course, for what young lady’s life would be complete without enjoying such a thing?” He chuckled, as Luke rolled his eyes, waving one finger at him. “And you need not protest, for I well remember how you behaved when you first came here.”

The words of protest died on Luke’s lips, heat creeping into his face.

“She will be much more well-mannered than you were, of course,” his father continued, still smiling. “But, then again, that may well be because young ladies are held to a much higher standard than the rest of us for whatever reason.” He paused for a moment, holding Luke’s gaze. “Give her the Season, Luke, and then announce your betrothal. You will have to court her, of course, but her father has already assured me that she is quite willing for such a thing to occur. She does want to know you better.”

Luke nodded slowly, trying to recall what Elizabeth looked like. It had been a great many years since he had last seen her, worsened still by the fact that her father had taken ill whilst abroad. He did not even think he would recognize her, although he had heard that she had grown into quite a beautiful young woman.

“Society at large is not aware of your betrothal,” his father said quietly. “You can make it public any time you wish, although I am sure there will be more than a few whispers going around the moment you begin to court her!”

Luke tried to smile, sitting back in his chair and turning his gaze to the fire. “Will she be there with her parents and brother?”

His father frowned for a moment before shaking his head. “The brother, Frederick, is just recently married, I believe,” he said slowly, trying to remember. “I think it was last Season, or so I heard. Married very well and is already on the way to producing the heir—provided it is a boy, of course!” He chuckled wryly to himself and rose to pour himself a snifter of brandy, offering one to Luke, who took it without hesitation. “They have settled in the country, in a smaller estate for the time being.”

“So, he will not be present then,” Luke murmured to himself, still feeling rather conflicted over the whole situation. “Her father?”

“Both of her parents should be present,” his father said, nodding. “I will be glad to shake the earl’s hand again, that is for certain. I have worried over his health, I must say.”

Luke grinned. “And your holdings, no doubt.”

Much to his surprise, his father did not smile, his eyes sliding from the fire towards Luke. “No, indeed. I surprised myself, of course, but I discovered that I cared more for my friend’s health than for anything else. As you know, the earl and I have been in business together for some time, and during those years, I have discovered him to be a true friend. To lose his friendship would be a much harder blow than the difficulties it might cause my business.”

The solemnity of his father’s words hit Luke hard. “I understand, Father,” he said quietly. “I was jesting; that is all.” He turned his gaze back towards the fire, his jaw set. He had been able to forget almost entirely about Lady Elizabeth for the last few years, finding that he rather enjoyed courting and dancing, appreciating the bright smiles and fine pairs of eyes that settled on him. He had been head over heels with all the attention he had received during his first year in London, but that had slowly begun to settle. He was determined to be as honorable a man as his father was, not wishing to bring any kind of embarrassment to their name. At least, no more than he already had done! However, to meet the lady again, the one he was to marry and make a home with, that was quite unsettling.

Whilst Luke appreciated his father’s wisdom in setting up such a match, knowing that it would be good for both families, he found the notion of having his choice of whom to marry taken away from him to be rather disconcerting. He would have much preferred to have found his own wife, in the usual manner, instead of having one foisted upon him. However, given that he was under his father’s instruction, Luke knew he had very little choice. He could not cry off now, especially when the family’s reputation and future relationship was at stake. He would just have to hope that it would all be quite all right. It would not do if Lady Elizabeth was rather tempestuous or, even worse, a flirt. Was she pretty? The fact that he would have to produce the heir with her made things all the worse, for if she was not in the least bit tolerable, then he might have some trouble there.

“You are looking worried, my son,” his father said quietly. “What is the matter?”

Aware that his father had always been able to see straight through him, Luke shot him a brief smile. “I am just wondering what Lady Elizabeth might be like,” he said, honestly. “I do not know of her character, nor of her features. In truth, I worry that I might not be able to recognize her come this evening!”

His father chuckled, swirling his brandy around in the bottom of the glass. “Have no fear, my son,” he replied with a smile. “She is a diamond of the first water, or so I am told. As for her character, that I cannot say I know much about it, but I would presume that with a father as honorable as my dear friend, and a mother as gentle, she will have turned out very well. You need not concern yourself in that regard, Luke. I have chosen her wisely; believe me.”

“I hope so,” Luke muttered, putting one hand over his eyes for a moment, still feeling quite unsettled about meeting his betrothed again. “And I do hope that she is as content with the arrangement as I am.”

“I am sure she will be,” his father said firmly. “After all, children trust their parents, do they not? And plenty of marriages are formed in such a way. I know that you shall have a very happy marriage, Luke, which is just what I want for you.”

Luke dropped his hand, threw back the rest of his brandy, and got to his feet, seeing the glimmer of concern in his father’s expression.

“I had best go and prepare myself for this evening then,” he exclaimed with a bright smile, which—in turn—relieved the concern from his father’s face. “I would not want to make a poor impression on the lady in question.”

“Very good, my boy,” his father replied, lifting the last of his brandy in Luke’s direction. “I shall see you in a few hours then.”

Luke nodded and quit the room, walking swiftly up to his bedchamber. He would have a bath drawn and ensure that every bit of his outfit was clean, and where required, starched. Lady Elizabeth would have nothing to fault him on, and despite the warring of thoughts in his mind, Luke was determined to make a good impression. She was to be his wife, after all, whether he liked it or not.