The Viscount's Veiled Lady (Whitby Weddings 3)

‘You have?’ She peeked up at him, looking so incredibly kissable that it was all he could do not to haul her up against a tree and prove it to her. If it hadn’t been for their small companion just a few feet ahead, then he would have.

‘I thought when you invited me here it was to support each other...’ she paused significantly ‘...as friends.’

‘I thought so, too. Only as it turns out, I’ve been deceiving myself. Much as I appreciate your friendship, I believe I like kissing you even more. I’d like to do it again. Soon. Harriet Felstone has a lot to answer for.’

She dropped her gaze again, which was just as well since the looks directed at them as they emerged out of the woodland were more than a little speculative. He really ought to have taken more care with her reputation, he supposed, though fortunately at this end of the garden, the only witnesses were Lance and Violet.

‘I found them!’ Harriet announced their arrival proudly. ‘They were...’

‘In the orchard.’ Arthur spoke over her quickly, relieved when Violet came forward to greet them, albeit smiling a little too brightly.

‘Well, that’s a relief. We thought we’d lost you. Frances, I have a dear friend I’d like you

to meet, if you don’t mind?’

‘Oh...’ She tensed visibly and he didn’t move, ready to support her whatever the answer. She looked as if she were already considering a flight back to the woods, but then she seemed to rally. ‘Of course. I’d be delighted.’

* * *

‘So...’ Lance’s expression was positively gleeful as the two women moved away. ‘Still just friends? I noticed you went rushing off to find her the moment you arrived. And what on earth are you wearing? What happened to the suit I lent you?’

‘Trust me, little Brother...’ Arthur put a hand on his shoulder, steering him in the direction of a refreshment table ‘...you don’t want to know.’

‘I’ll take your word for it.’ Lance looked both surprised and pleased by the endearment. Despite being twins, as boys they’d always referred to each other as big brother and little brother, though Arthur hadn’t done so for years.

‘What’s this, champagne?’ He reached for a glass and took a deep draught.

‘Yes.’ Lance looked as if he hardly recognised him. ‘By the way, the pair of you were looking very sheepish when you emerged from the trees just now. It’s a good thing nobody saw you but Violet and I. You’ll have her father coming after you if you’re not careful.’

‘I don’t care if he does.’

‘Really? Does this mean that you’re finally seeing sense?’

‘It means that it’s my business—and hers.’ Arthur took another mouthful as he looked out over the lawn. It was a bigger gathering than he’d attended for years, bigger than he’d expected. ‘How many people did you invite?’

Lance rolled his eyes. ‘About a hundred and fifty, give or take. Violet’s trying to restore the family name.’

‘After we both did our best to destroy it?’ Arthur took another swig. ‘Well, hat’s off to Violet for trying.’

‘There’s something we’ve both been wanting to talk to you about, actually...’ Lance started speaking hesitantly, then stopped mid-sentence as Arthur gripped his arm. ‘Ow! What’s the matter?’

‘I thought I recognised someone...’ He narrowed his eyes. In fact, he was almost positive he recognised someone, though at this distance it was hard to be sure... ‘Did Violet invite Leo Fairfax by any chance?’

‘Probably.’

‘Damn!’

‘Why?’

‘Frances was engaged to Leo Fairfax.’

‘Your Frances?’

This time he didn’t object to the possessive pronoun. ‘Yes. It was years ago, after you came back from Canada.’

‘Ah.’ Lance frowned. ‘No, I didn’t know. He’s over by the trees, paying court to some heiress or other.’

‘I don’t want Frances being upset.’