Something Scandalous. Christie Kelley
how do you suggest I go about making these changes?” Will asked as his eyebrows drew into a frown.
“I would suggest you speak with Elizabeth. She can help you hire a valet, and teach you some of the more proper protocols of Society.”
Will tightened his muscles. The little minx was the reason Somerton was here. She must have decided to get some reinforcements to help keep her in this house. He gulped down the rest of his whisky and decided it was time for this conversation to end.
“Lord Somerton!”
Will turned at the sound of Elizabeth’s voice. If he hadn’t known better, he would have thought she looked shocked to see the viscount.
“Lady Elizabeth, it is a pleasure to see you again.” Somerton rose and crossed the room to bow over her hand. “It’s been months.”
She smiled tightly. “Since Jennette’s wedding, I believe.”
Somerton nodded. “November, then.”
Will shook his head. Was he really supposed to believe this scene?
“Why are you here, my lord?” she asked softly.
“Renewing an old acquaintance,” he replied.
“You know His Grace?”
“Only slightly. We met as children.”
“How did you know he was here?”
Will watched the two interact and briefly wondered why Elizabeth seemed to be interrogating Somerton.
“Lady Elizabeth,” Somerton said with a smug grin, “everyone knows he is here. Most have just been more polite than I and are giving him a few days to settle in. We both know in a few days, the invitations and calls shall be nonstop.”
“Yes, I know.”
“Then I should let you go. I can only imagine the work you have in front of you.” After a nod to Elizabeth and a quick glance back to Will, Somerton left.
“Do you have any idea what kind of man you just let in this house?”
Chapter 6
Elizabeth fumed as she waited for his reply. The man had no sense of who in Society could help him—and who could damage his reputation beyond repair. Somerton definitely fell into the latter category.
“I take it you don’t approve of Somerton?” William asked as he casually leaned back in his chair.
“The man is dreadful.”
“Why? He didn’t seem that terrible to me.”
Elizabeth crossed her arms over her chest and breathed in deeply. She had to remember William knew nothing about Society. “Somerton runs with a bad crowd. There are rumors that he has killed several people—”
“Did they deserve to be killed?”
“What?” she asked incredulously.
“There are some people who are killed because they deserve to die. They have killed innocent people or done other heinous things.” William reached for his glass of amber liquid and drank it down. He raised one eyebrow at her in question.
“I do not know the circumstances of the killings.”
His lips drew upward into a smile. “Then you shouldn’t be spreading rumors.”
Elizabeth stomped her foot, then turned and walked away before she said something she regretted. As long as she could remain in the house, she would find time to search the remaining rooms. She strode back into the salon where Victoria sat waiting for her.
“Well? What did he think?” she asked in an eager tone.
Damnation. The man flustered her to the point that she forgot to ask him about the governess and tutor. “I forgot to ask him. We were discussing someone else.”
Victoria shook her head with a small smile. “Who?”
Elizabeth rolled her eyes. “Viscount Somerton.”
“I do not believe I have ever met him,” she said with a shrug.
“It’s just as well. He’s not a man you would wish to know.” Elizabeth rose from her chair, and said, “Let me try this again.”
She walked back to his study wondering what to say to him. Peering around the corner, she saw him studying some papers on his desk. She gathered her courage and entered the room again.
He glanced up and smiled at her. “Did you finally remember what you wanted?”
She attempted to ignore the strange sensations his words caused. Or was it his smile? She shook her head slightly. “Might my friend Victoria and I have a word with you in the salon?”
“What is this about, Elizabeth?” His voice sounded deeper, with a hint of anger.
“Victoria had several wonderful ideas regarding the children, and I thought we should discuss them.”
“Very well.” He stood and she found herself looking up to him. The man was far too tall. And far too handsome.
And almost engaged.
Although, Elizabeth had her doubts about the woman William said he wanted to marry. If Elizabeth loved someone like him, nothing would stop her from being with him. Nothing.
“Shall we?” he asked with a questioning look.
“Of course.”
They walked down the long corridor together. Why did she have to be attracted to him? There were so many other eligible men. Well, he wasn’t a possibility so she would stop thinking about this desire she felt.
He stopped as they reached the salon and glanced down at her. His dark eyes crinkled with humor as if she’d said something funny. Could he know? Did he realize the turmoil she was going through?
“I’m ready to face the lioness.”
“None of my friends are really that dreadful. Maybe if it was the entire Spinster Club, I would tell you to be afraid,” she said with a laugh.
“You have a club? Of spinsters?”
“No. It was a name one of my friend’s husband called us before he married Avis,” she tried to explain.
“So you’re not all spinsters?” he asked.
“Not any longer. Both Avis and Jennette were married last year.”
He tilted his head as if he were about to question her further but stopped.
“Let me introduce you to Victoria,” Elizabeth said. They walked into the room and Elizabeth noticed Victoria’s mouth gape. Seeing Victoria’s reaction to the handsome man made Elizabeth realize the effect he would have on all the unmarried ladies of the ton. “William, this is one of my dearest friends, Miss Victoria Seaton.”
Victoria stood quickly and bowed before him. “Your Grace.”
William looked over at Elizabeth. “Does she have to call me that?”
“Yes. As will every one of your acquaintances. Now you take her hand and bow over it.”
“Of course.” He took Victoria’s hand and kissed it softly. “It is a pleasure to meet a friend of Elizabeth’s.” He turned back to Elizabeth and said, “I did know what to do. I was just surprised by the ‘Your Grace’ again.”
“You must become accustomed to it.”
Elizabeth sat in her seat again and knew she’d better start talking because Victoria looked terribly nervous. “Victoria and I were discussing the children’s education, Your Grace.”
He narrowed his eyes at her. “And?”
“Since you don’t