The Viscount's First Love (The King's League)

Lord Watt sat down next to her, his eyes fixed on hers. “You think that he does not show his true self?”

“I am suspicious that the gentleman we see is not the true Lord Fitzherbert, yes,” Daisy admitted. “But I have no particular basis for such a consideration. I do not know the man well.”

Lord Watt leaned forward and pressed one hand to hers for just a moment. “But your assertion comes from a place of wisdom,” he said. “You have always had excellent judgement and you tend to give serious matters great consideration.”

Daisy swallowed. “Not in every situation,” she confessed softly, knowing that she had not managed to give her acquaintance with Lord Watt the consideration that had been required of it when she had left London to return to her late father’s estate. There had been too much pain, too much confusion and guilt for her to even think about him then – and that had left them both in a very difficult place indeed. She looked up into Lord Watt’s eyes, feeling his fingers press hers a little tighter and aware of how the air seemed to grow thick about them. A tightness came to her heart that she could not quite free herself from, whilst an anticipation curled all through her.

Lord Watt opened his mouth as though to say something, only to close it again and turn his head away, shaking it from side to side. His hand lifted from hers, making her heart sink with a sudden sense of loss.

“I will ensure that there is an introduction this evening,” he said. “I will have to ensure it occurs when you are speaking with the fellow. I will greet you first, of course, and thereafter, you can ensure that Lord Fitzherbert and I become acquainted.”

“Of course.” The sun, which she had thought so warm and so bright only a few minutes before was now rather muted. The vivid colors of the flowers had dulled, the air seeming to send a chill around her shoulders.

“You will do very well, I am quite sure,” Lord Watt said firmly. “By the time I am finished speaking with him, I am sure that he will have every intention of asking to call upon you or some such thing. According to Lord Stevenson, the man does not have as much wealth as he likes the ton to believe.”

Daisy managed a tight smile, still feeling all manner of confusing and conflicting emotions as Lord Watt looked back at her again. “Then I will be able to search his house for…?” She trailed off, not at all certain what it was that she might be able to discover and still entirely unsure as to how her blossoming acquaintance with Lord Fitzherbert might provide them with any answers.

“All in good time,” Lord Watt laughed, making the cold begin to fade from her bones. “When one is in The King’s League, one learns to take things one step at a time, for people do not always behave as they are expected to behave.” He smiled at her and this time, Daisy was able to smile back without any reserve. “Things can change rapidly, Miss Williams.”

Her smile became fixed as her heart began to pound furiously all over again. Was he speaking of Lord Fitzherbert? Or was there a hint that he might be speaking of his own heart, of what had once been between them?

“And do not forget that whoever was behind the death of your father is, most likely, involved with our enemies,” Lord Watt continued, as Daisy desperately tried to pull herself from her entangling thoughts so that she could focus on what he was saying. “The man could be a spy or could simply be pocketing money for passing on information to someone else. If it is Lord Fitzherbert, or if its Lord Stevenson, then we must both continue to be on our guard.”

Daisy swallowed hard, feeling a ball of anxiety settle in her stomach. “I quite understand,” she told him quickly. “Thank you, Lord Watt. I will ensure that the correct introductions are made this evening so that you may begin your assault on Lord Fitzherbert.”

The soiree had been in full swing for a little over two hours and, as yet, Daisy had not seen Lord Watt anywhere. Not that she could make it appear as though she were searching for him, for to betray herself in that way was not at all wise.

“You look quite lovely this evening, Miss Williams.”

She smiled up into the face of Lord Fitzherbert, putting all of her worries over Lord Watt to the back of her mind. “You are very kind to say so, Lord Fitzherbert.”

He laughed and gestured for a footman to bring them both a fresh glass of champagne. “I am not kind, Miss Williams,” he answered, with a broad wink. “I am truthful, and that is something entirely different indeed.”

Daisy considered this for a few moments, tipping her head to the left and giving Lord Fitzherbert a very coy look. Lord Fitzherbert appeared to be somewhat intrigued by this, for his eyes darkened with interest and he lifted one brow, evidently waiting to hear what she had to say.

“You say that you are truthful, Lord Fitzherbert,” Daisy began, thinking that she would have to do something in order to try and engage his interest in her further, if Lord Watt was not about t

o appear. “Then tell me. What are your intentions with me?” She smiled at him, whilst keeping her gaze sharp. Lord Fitzherbert was clearly quite taken aback for his eyes widened and the light smile dashed itself from his face almost at once.

“My intentions for you?” he asked, blustering just a little. “Goodness, Miss Williams, that is indeed, a very forward question. I quite wonder why you think it wise to ask me!”

Daisy let out a light laugh and touched his arm for a moment, as though she had been teasing him. “Well, given that I have a very large dowry and that most of the ton seem to know of it, I think it is only right for me to be aware of the true intentions of any gentleman who shows me such attentions,” she answered, with a gleam in her eye that she knew Lord Fitzherbert noticed. “Is that not fair? Is that not wise?”

Lord Fitzherbert said nothing for a moment or two, looking at her curiously although she could see that the interest that had been in his expression was slowly beginning to return. Fighting back the urge to say more, so that the silence might be filled, Daisy lifted her glass and took a sip so that she would not be able to say another word.

“You are quite a curious creature, Miss Williams,” Lord Fitzherbert murmured, as the laughter and conversation around them began to grow steadily. “A very curious creature indeed. Not every young lady would ask me such a question as you have done.”

Daisy lifted one shoulder carelessly. “Not every young lady has the strength of character to do so, mayhap,” she answered honestly. “But I think it only wise to do so.” She moved a step closer, looking up into Lord Fitzherbert’s face and forcing herself to remain standing close to him, despite the creeping distaste that filled her at being so near.

“I would not want you to think, Lord Fitzherbert, that I have a lack of interest in you,” she began, her voice so soft that she knew he would have to lean down to hear her speak. “I have been thoroughly delighted with your attentions, but I cannot help but notice that you delight in the company of other young ladies also. If there is to be no fixed interest on your part, Lord Fitzherbert, then I would know of it soon so that I do not find myself lost in a desperate hope that will, in time, fade to nothing.” Keeping her eyes fixed on his, she watched his expression for any sign that he understood what she meant. It was there in a moment, for his eyes flared, his breath hitched and then, after a moment, he began to nod slowly.

“I quite understand,” he answered gently, as she moved back just a fraction. “You must understand, Miss Williams, that a gentleman such as myself cannot help but be surrounded by those eager for my attention. There are so many ladies who wish to have their daughters introduced to me, or young ladies themselves eager to bat their eyes in my direction.” He sighed heavily, as though this was a great burden. “I can do nothing about it, of course, for I cannot be rude and turn them away.”

Daisy nodded, her eyes wide with apparent eager understanding. “I see your difficulty, of course,” she answered, “but surely you must also understand my predicament.”

Lord Fitzherbert hesitated for a moment, then reached out, took her hand, and bowed over it. “I do, of course,” he said, looking up at her as he let her hand go again. “I confess that I am rather grateful to you for your willingness to speak in such a blunt manner. A lady with your…wealth must be very careful indeed.” His eyes flickered as he mentioned that particular word, making Daisy fill with a sense of satisfaction. It was as Lord Watt had suggested. Lord Fitzherbert was eager to find a match with a lady who could bring him a good deal of money in their marriage together. She was apparently a very good match indeed, even though the truth of it was that her dowry was not particularly large at all.

“I am so very glad you understand, Lord Fitzherbert,” she murmured, just as the sound of Lord Watt’s voice reached her from across the room. She turned her head to see him approaching her, having greeted Susanna and Lord Northgate, who were standing just behind her. Evidently, he had only just arrived.