Thomas frowned. “What do you mean?”
“I don’t know the details,” Duncan admitted. “Only that he was rather selfish and heartless. Richard was always that way. I always thought he must be very difficult to live with—though I never dreamed that he would turn to a life of crime, of course.”
“I do remember that he was often unpleasant to be around,” Thomas said. “Although he was closer to our age, I never wanted to spend time with him when your cousins visited.”
“Do you remember the night we took him to this pub?” Duncan asked.
“Yes, now that you mention it, I do,” Thomas said. “He started a brawl, didn’t he?”
“And in the end we were all thrown out of the place,” Duncan said, rolling his eyes. “I can’t tell you what I went through to get the proprietor to let me come back here. He was all set to give me a lifetime ban, but I convinced him in the end.”
“That’s lucky,” Thomas said. “I do like this place. I wonder why I wasn’t banned?”
“Never got a good look at you,” Duncan said sagely. “He didn’t know who you were.”
Thomas nodded. He was accustomed to not being seen, not being known. When they were younger, Duncan had been the same way—invisible in crowds, unknown to strangers. But after his father’s death, he had become Viscount of Earlington. Unlike Thomas’s own title of Baron of Woodsford, Duncan’s was one that people concerned themselves with. They were interested in who he was, and they took the time to know him.
There were perks to this, of course. If a pub brawl was started, Thomas was less likely to find himself in trouble over it.
But there were drawbacks, too. Sometimes he couldn’t help but wonder whether a lady like Lady Valeria might have liked him a little better if he held a little higher standing in Society.
Duncan finished his drink. “I ought to be getting home,” he said. “She should be arriving very shortly. But say you’ll at least consider coming to the party on Friday. Even if you don’t plan to pursue courtship with my cousin, I’d like to have you there.”
“I’ll come,” Thomas said. He couldn’t deny his eagerness to see Lady Valeria, even though he was sure it would cause him pain in the end. “I should pay my respects to your mother, in any case.”
“Right,” Duncan said with a laugh. “My mother. I’m sure that’s who you’re coming to see.”
“Don’t make fun,” Thomas said, annoyed. “I can’t help my feelings for your cousin, Duncan. If I could, I think perhaps I would, knowing as I do that they aren’t reciprocated.”
“I didn’t mean to make you feel badly,” Duncan said, looking rather abashed. “Listen, it may not be as bad as you think it is, Thomas. I truly do think she’ll be pleased to see you. But come along to the party and find out.”
“Very well,” Thomas said. “I’ll be there. If nothing else, it will be a pleasure for me to seeheragain.”
Even if she does tell me she has no interest in me. Even if she orders me never to speak to her again.
He was being dramatic and he knew it. Lady Valeria might not have taken much interest in him in the past, but she had certainly never ordered him away. There was scant chance she would, for example, refuse to attend the dinner party because of his presence.
I’ll spend the evening in her company, and then I’ll return home. It will be very pleasant.
He hoped that was so.
He bid Duncan farewell. They left the pub together and headed out into the night, going their separate ways as they did so.
Thomas made his way up the street toward his home, considering all that he had heard.
So Lady Valeria was coming here. And not just for a visit, but for good. She would be living at Earlington Manor, a place he visited frequently. He would be able to see her as often as he liked.
Really, it was almost too good to be true.
And perhaps Duncan had been correct to suggest that there was cause for hope. After all, they had never spent any great length of time together before. But maybe now that they had as long as they liked, they would be able to get to know one another better.
Maybe she would find that she liked him after all.
Thomas couldn’t quell the fluttering of hope in his chest at the thought. Wouldn’t that be wonderful, he thought. Wouldn’t it be amazing if, after all the times she had rejected him or turned away from him, she discovered that he was worthy of her time and attention?
And if that does happen—well,thenI would be free to court her, and I could actually feel good about what I was doing.
Chapter 4
