Prologue
Phillip grinned in delight as he walked into White’s, hearing the cheer that went up from a few of the other gentlemen. How he had missed this! The rest of the year had been taken up with annoying responsibilities which he could not avoid, with the winter being very dreary and grey indeed. Now, however, he was back within society, back to where he might indulge himself and be as much of a scoundrel as he wished to be. After all, what else was there for him to consider?
“I see you have returned a little earlier than you said you expected to.” Lord Marchmont lifted an eyebrow “Your eagerness was such that you could not hold back, I suppose.”
Phillip chuckled good-naturedly and swung himself down into the seat beside Lord Marchmont. They had long been friends and, although Lord Marchmont did not approve of all that Phillip did, they were still very closely acquainted.
“I completed my remaining duties as quickly as I could, if that is what you are asking, yes.”
“Simply so you could make your way to London a few days earlier than you had anticipated?”
Again, Phillip laughed and shrugged.
“It seems so! How glad my heart is to be back amongst everyone! I have found this last year very trying in many ways, I confess.”
Lacking any sort of sympathy, his friend rolled his eyes.
“That is only because you have been forced to take on the responsibilities which your father once managed, and you do not much like it! This has been your third year of holding the title, has it not?” His eyebrow lifted again. “One might imagine that you would have become used to your responsibilities by now. It is not as easy to be a rogue when one is a Viscount.”
Sighing heavily at this, Phillip lifted his hand to catch the attention of the footman, telling him to bring a brandy for them both.
“Alas, Marchmont, you may be disappointed in me,” he told his friend. “I, for one, have every intention of simply enjoying being present here in London, alongside my many good friends and acquaintances.”
“And amongst the very many beautiful ladies who will capture your attention, no doubt.”
This slightly scornful remark was followed by one from another gentleman, who waved one hand to catch his attention.
“I should say so! That is the hope of every gentleman, is it not? To have ourselvescaughtby a beautiful lady… for however long we permit ourselves to be so!”
Phillip immediately looked at the man, then laughed aloud.
“Indeed, Lord Wesley.” Phillip accepted his brandy, a broad smile settling onto his face. “My dear friend Lord Marchmont insists on calling me a rogue, and perhaps that is what I am. I do not feel any particular shame over it, for to my eyes, I am simply a gentleman who enjoys company.Finecompany, in fact, and if that should bring with it a little warmth, then what cause have I to complain?” This statement was met by some exclamations and cheers of agreement as many of the other fellows in White’s gave him their attention, as his voice had rung around the room. Lord Marchmont, however, simply shook his head, his smile fading to a grimace. Phillip attempted to pay him very little heed. “Not all of us are sober-minded,” he continued, chuckling as many of the other gentlemen nodded firmly, murmuring their agreement, tapping their empty glasses upon the table as though to concur. “Not all of us are here to wed. Some of us come to society for a little enjoyment, a little pleasure - and I do not think that our requirements should be looked upon with any sort of disdain. After all, we have worked hard these last few months, fulfilling our responsibilities, and setting a firm hand to our estate. Why should we not indulge ourselves a little? Why should we not enjoy all that London society has to offer us?”
Again, the room rang with the sound of agreement, although some, Phillip noticed, averted their eyes and smiled indulgently. Those who did so, he considered, were the gentlemen who were very much inclined to wed this Season. A slight pang of sympathy chimed in his heart for them.
Those poor fools. How much they will lose in tying themselves to one particular young lady.
“I see you intend to use this Season in much the same way as you did the last.” Lord Marchmont sighed as Phillip shrugged both shoulders, still grinning. “Recall, you did make quite a name for yourself last Season and, might I be bold enough to suggest, not all of it was good.”
“I should be vastly disappointed if it was all good.” Phillip picked up his brandy glass. “This may come as a surprise to you, but your notes of concern will do very little to change me or my expectations for these next few months.”
Lord Marchmont shook his head.
“I did not think that anything I said would have any sort of impact,” he responded quickly. “There is one thing Ishallsay, however, which comes from the Bible.” Phillip sobered quickly, for he was not about to laugh at something so sacred, but at the same time, silently steeled himself for what was to come. “I believe it says, ‘Be sure your sins will find you out’.” Lord Marchmont paused, letting his words weigh heavily on Phillip. “I believe that to be very true for, in this case, if you continue as you intend – indulging yourself and the like, then what will become of you? Be cautious, my friend. You may have enjoyed yourself last Season, but I am certain that you cannot be entirely unaware of those you injured.”
A thread of guilt threatened to push itself like a needle into Phillip’s heart, but he quickly brushed it aside.
“Save your piety for someone else,” he shot back rather brusquely. “I have no time for it.”
Lord Marchmont did not seem at all insulted, merely shrugging and accepting that this was Phillip’s response to the warning he had given him. Phillip turned his head away, making to speak with Lord Wesley instead. He became irritated, however, to realize that Lord Marchmont’s words were lingering in his mind. Even though he threw himself into jovial conversation, they still fastened themselves there. Was his friend correct? Would this be the Season where his own hedonistic choices brought heavy consequences for him?
Chapter One
“And now, we come to the Season where you must find a husband.”
Deborah offered her mother a brief smile.
“Yes, Mama, I am aware of father’s expectations.”
