Chapter1
London, England
April 1814
Viscount Alexander Easton scanned theballroom, looking forher. The ball was being hosted by a lesser lord he didn’t usually associate with, but he knewshewas supposed to attend this evening. He’d been visiting his parents’ townhouse in Mayfair and overheard his mother, Lady Devon, talking with a friend about what a free spirit the young lady was and that she would do better in Society if she were a bit more modest. He didn’t need anyone to tell him thatshewas trouble. He already knew that. It seemed her only goal these days was to have fun, regardless of decorum.
As he looked around, he was interrupted by his friend, who’d arrived at the ball moments ago. Easton had seen him enter, but purposely didn’t go to meet him. He wanted to findherfirst.
“Easton, I’m surprised to see you here,” Viscount Chandler said, strolling up to his friend. “I didn’t think you even knew the baron.”
Easton turned. It was true that if he hadn’t overheard where she would be tonight, he never would have attended the Thompson ball. “Good evening, Chandler. I don’t really know Thompson, but I heard rumors that someone of interest isattending tonight and wanted to catch a glimpse of the infamous Lord Hardwick.”
“That’s who you’re looking for?”
“Yes, why else would I be here?”
“Come now, Easton, I’ve known you for a long time, and there’s no way you’d attend this less-than-stellar ball to find Hardwick. Everyone knows he spends most of his nights at either Vauxhall Gardens or the club. Why don’t we go to the pleasure gardens if you want to see him?”
Easton shook his head. “I’ll pass on the gardens. Let’s go to the club instead.”
“You’ll get no argument from me on that point,” Chandler said. “Let’s leave before we’re ambushed by those matchmaking mamas I see heading in our direction.”
“Good idea.”
As they were leaving the ball, Easton took one last look around the ballroom, and that’s when he sawher. She was hard to miss with her golden hair piled high on her head, and just as he’d predicted two years ago, she had a bevy of young bucks surrounding her this evening, hanging on her every word.
He had no intention of fighting for her attention. After all, if he decided to marry this Season, which he was pretty sure he wouldn’t, there were plenty of debutantes to choose from. He wasn’t even sure he wanted to contemplate being leg-shackled at all. He was only seven and twenty and still had plenty of time to search for a proper wife, whichshewas not.
He was well aware of that, but it didn’t explain whyshestill fascinated him. Everyone could see she was beautiful, with her creamy complexion, rosebud lips, and cornflower-blue eyes, but that wasn’t what intrigued Easton. It was more than just her physical attributes that made him want to seek her out. She had a spark about her that seemed to cast a light in even the darkestcorners. He would like nothing more than to have that light shine on him.
He turned away from her lilting laugh and followed his friend out the door into the cool April air. “Shall we walk?” Easton asked. “I’ve had enough of stuffy rooms for the moment.”
Chandler nodded, and they set off at a brisk pace. When they reached the club, a footman took their hats and walking sticks.
“Come on, I could use a brandy,” Easton said, leading the way up the stairs.
“Best idea all night,” Chandler agreed.
The club was bustling with gentlemen this evening. Easton spotted their mutual friend Baron Ludlow sitting in the corner, and they headed towards him.
Ludlow looked up from his newspaper when their shadows fell over him. “There you two are! Where have you been? I’ve been here for over an hour, waiting for you chaps to show up. I have a new investment idea I want to discuss with you.”
Both Easton and Chandler had wisely listened to their friend, who seemed to be some sort of wizard when it came to investment opportunities, and had earned tidy profits from the investments Ludlow had recommended.
Before Easton could utter a word, Chandler spoke up. “We were at the Thompson ball. Easton claims he went there to catch a glimpse of Hardwick, but I think there was someone else he was looking for.”
Ludlow chuckled. “Must be a woman. Only thing that can turn a man’s insides out. It’s always a woman.”
Easton plopped into the chair next to Ludlow and signaled the waiter for a brandy. “There’s no woman!” he said, more harshly than he’d intended.
“Hmmm…dost thou protest too much?” Chandler said, needling his friend. “That ball is a bloody bore. Let the young bucks have the night.”
“Hardwick is old news in any case. I’ve heard he’s fled to the Continent. Seems he’s found himself in a bit of trouble with more than a few unhappy husbands. You’d think he’d know better, but evidently one of the husbands challenged him to a duel,” Ludlow said.
“Coward. Of course he fled,” Easton said. “When did that happen?”
“Evidently, he was seen yesterday boarding a boat destined for Italy. From what I heard, he’s claiming the Italian climate is better for his delicate constitution.”