Vexing the Viscount

They both want to save Jonathon. No, that was a commonality, not disharmony. He’d lived his life like a rake, except he didn’t seem to be that any longer. Or at least he was trying not to be one. There had to be more that they did not have in common!

Perhaps the question for him was, Why did he want to marry her? And there was only one way to find out.

Braden lounged in a chair by the fireplace in the library. He sipped brandy, wondering how long it would take to convince Tia to marry him. When he’d had what he thought was a brilliant plan, he never imagined she would refuse him. Ever since he attained the title, women had thrown themselves at him in order to wring a proposal out of him. He’d just assumed Tia would consent.

He should have known better. Tia was unlike any other woman he’d ever met. Had he thought out the plan, instead of succumbing to it in a moment of weakness, he would have realized that she would never agree. She obviously still had feelings for his brother. Otherwise, she would have returned to the estate to check on her sister. Or accepted his proposal.

Still, the only way to complete his reformation was to entice her to accept him and his flaws. It might take time, but it would be worth it. Tia would make a good wife, albeit difficult at times. He could handle her . . . except when she ran off, his conscience reminded him. But would she make a good viscountess?

Probably not.

She was far too willing to speak her mind, do things her way even if she bucked convention. Maybe that wasn’t a bad thing if she were to be married to him. Most would say he wasn’t a good viscount. Which he wasn’t. He didn’t know anything about being one. A rake, a scoundrel, or a gambler—that he knew how to do.

But he promised his mother he would become a better person and take the opportunity in front of him. Then again, he also promised to look after his brother and that wasn’t going so well, either.

Who would know if he didn’t keep his vow?

He would.

So, there was no option here. He would find a way of marrying her. He sighed before taking a mouthful of brandy. The heady liquid danced across his tongue before warming his belly.

“I’m sorry.”

Braden turned his head to see Tia standing at the threshold in her night rail with a shawl over her shoulders. “Come into the room by the fire before you catch cold.”

Slowly, she walked into the room and sat in the wingback chair closest to the fire. He rose and poured her a brandy. Handing it to her, he said, “I assume you have recovered from your brandy intoxication and can drink it again.”

A slight smile raised her lips. “Perhaps, but only one glass.”

“I will make certain that is all you drink.” He returned to his seat. “Now, what were you apologizing for?”

“Refusing your offer.”

“Have you reconsidered?”

She shook her head. “No, I just thought I was rather rude about it. You deserve someone better.”

Braden tilted his head back and laughed heartily.

“And what is so amusing about that?”

“You are one of only a very small handful of people who would ever say I deserve someone better. Most would say I never deserved the title, much less a beautiful, caring woman to share it with.” He sipped his brandy before adding, “And they would be right.”

“No,” she said softly as she stared at her drink. “You are trying to reform yourself. A man who attempts such a thing should be looked upon with envy. There are very few people who can truly change.”

But could he? After only six months, he’d broken his vow.

“What is wrong?” she asked.

He shrugged. “I don’t think I’m doing a very good job of reforming if I can’t last more than six months.”

She went silent for a while. “I did deliberately entice you. And you did reject me the first time.”

“I suppose I did. But the blame is solely on me. I should never have walked into your room.”

“You were trying to make me feel better. There is nothing wrong with that.” She gave him a half smile before sipping her brandy slowly. “Honestly, why would you want to marry me?”

Braden stared at her lovely, freckled face. When did he start to love freckles on a woman’s face? She was beautiful, but that was not what she’d want to hear. “You are a very caring person, Tia. I would never tire of you.”