Page 2 of Vying for a Viscount
Letitia fell to her knees, arched her back, tipped her head up to the ceiling, and screamed at the top of her lungs as her heart was torn from her chest. When no air remained in her lungs, she dropped her head into her hands and sobbed uncontrollably.
Her husband, his eyes open and sightless, lay in an unnatural position. His neck was broken, and he was dead.
The husband she loved.
The husband she provided with an heir.
The husband she thought she knew.
The husband she would never get to apologize to. If she hadn’tdemanded to know the truth about his quest that night, he would still be alive. She would have had to share him with his mistress, but at least he would be among the living to witness their son grow up to be a fine, upstanding gentleman.
Chapter One
London 1817
Newmarket and thethoroughbred racing season were the most exciting things Letitia had ever experienced. She had lived her entire twenty-five years in London. She had never even been to the countryside. Not once. And here she was with her closest friend, Clarice, the Marchioness of Chesterfield, staying at the Red Lion Inn in Newmarket. The inn was a crush. She’d never seen so many people in one place. And the one gentleman she wanted to see more than anything was also staying at the inn. Viscount Greyson. She had first made his acquaintance at the Westport ball at the beginning of the Season, and she hadn’t been able to get him out of her mind.
Since Greyson was one of the Duke of Stanton’s friends, she knew she would undoubtedly run into him. The Duke of Stanton was courting Clarice, which was why they were in Newmarket. Clarice had her reason; Letitia had hers.
They were having luncheon on the inn’s outdoor patio when she saw him. “Oh my,” Letitia whispered, “Greyson and his sisters are coming this way. I had hoped... but didn’t really think...”
“Take a deep breath and relax. You don’t want to seem nervous or overly excited.”
“I know, but it’s difficult. The man is so handsome and makes my heart flutter in song.”
“Song?” Clarice asked. “He makes your heart flutter in song?”
“You know what I mean. Oh my, he’s stopping.”
“Lady Rutherford, Lady Chesterfield, what a lovely surprise to find you here,” Greyson said as he nodded. “You remember my sisters, Lady Aurora and Lady Anastasia.”
“Yes,” Clarice and Letitia said in unison.
After a few pleasantries, he asked, “Will we see you lovely ladies tonight at the Ramsbury ball?”
“Yes,” Letitia replied, blushing.
“Well, then,” he dipped his head and grinned, “until this evening, then.”
Letitia leaned forward in her seat and murmured, “I can’t believe Greyson’s here. I had dreamed of running into him, but now I’m so nervous. It felt as though I had a cloth tucked inside my mouth; it was so dry and hard to speak. I don’t remember ever feeling that way before. Indeed, when I met Rutherford, I was young and naïve and overwhelmed with his kindness and generosity. I loved him deeply, and he made my stomach constrict and my heart pound. But Greyson, I cannot explain what he does to me, except to say it’s so much more than what I felt with my husband, and I hardly even know him. It makes no sense at all.”
“I’ve never heard of anyone falling in love at first sight, but I believe that is what you did,” said Clarice.
Letitia thought back to the first time she’d seen him at the Westport ball. “I never thought it happened in real life, only in novels,” Letitia exhaled.
When they finished eating, they went up to their rooms to rest so they would be refreshed for the Ramsbury ball. Letitia rose from her nap rested and began preparing for the ball. She decided on a blue gown, and Penny, the maid who traveled with Clarice, fixed her hair beautifully with cascading curls that bounced as she moved her head. Completely dressed and ready for the ball, she went through the adjoining door to Clarice’s room. She was dressed in a lovely greengown that suited her perfectly. They made their way down the hall and exited the inn to find Kirkland standing at their carriage ready to assist them inside. Sitting across from each other to keep from wrinkling their gowns, Clarice tapped on the roof signaling Kirkland that they were ready to go. The carriage wheels creaked as they rolled forward to Ramsbury Ridge Farms.
Thirty minutes later, her insides humming with nerves and excitement, Letitia and Clarice greeted their hosts. Then Letitia found herself entering one of the largest and most beautiful ballrooms she’d ever seen. It was decorated in cream and gold, with chandeliers hanging from the ceiling and hundreds of wax candles casting a soft glow across the room. Delicate floral arrangements were scattered here and there.
“Stanton and Greyson are coming this way,” Letitia said as her cheeks heated. “I’m blushing, aren’t I?”
“Yes, but so am I,” Clarice said.
“Lady Chesterfield, Lady Rutherford,” Greyson said as he bowed. “It is a pleasure to see you both again today.”
Clarice and Letitia both curtsied. “Wonderful to see you, Greyson,” Clarice said.
“Greyson,” Letitia said. “I hope you enjoyed your luncheon at the inn?”
