Page 40 of An Affair with the Viscount

Richard watched his brother through narrowed eyes before relaxing in his chair. “I am getting married, brother. I am announcing my betrothal during the closing ball of the house party.”

Adam’s mouth fell open. “You are? Who is the lady?”

Richard grimaced. “Miss Beatrice Fowley. I hear she has sisters, too. So perhaps you’ll find yourself enchanted with one of them.”

Adam closed his mouth for a brief moment, his gaze restless. “And are you enchanted with her?”

Richard shrugged. “I am doing my duty. And so should you.”

Adam frowned. “Do you truly just want us to be miserable?”

“I want what’s best for you, Adam,” Richard growled. “You were quite successful at the Secretary at War. Perhaps you should consider diplomatic work again. That would serve your purpose and help you travel. But I would rather you got married, settled down, and helped me with my estates,” he finished with a grin.

Adam rolled his eyes. “Just hire more people. You can afford to.”

“I know how you feel, brother. Believe me. I felt the same way. I didn’t know my purpose and—”

“You are a viscount,” Adam said dryly. “Your purpose was laid out to you the day you were born. Literally.”

Richard swallowed. “Yes, and I had no chance to pursue any other passion I might have had in life. I don’t get to gallivant around the world and enjoy numerous affairs because I have an estate to look after, and I need to assume my full duties by marrying. And I am doing all that. But what if I die? It is not out of the realm of possibility. What then? With you out on the Continent, who will be prepared to take the reins? Alan? He is just out of the schoolroom, and he is not my heir presumptive. I am not trying to be difficult, brother, but I have to think of the future. I always had to.” He stood. “Are we done? Because there is a certain actress I need to see.”

Adam watched him with a deep frown on his face. At that last, he raised a brow. “Go on then, brother. I’ll stay right where I am.”

Richard paused, watching Adam’s thoughtful countenance. He hated being harsh and final with his siblings. But he always had to be that way. Someone had to be that way, and that duty always fell onto him.

But perhaps if Adam found himself a bride, he wouldn’t be as forlorn, and he would embrace his duty as the heir presumptive. Of course, once Richard produced a son, this issue would be moot. But until then…

Richard sighed deeply. It pained him to even think about the possibility of heirs with his new bride. If their first child turned out to be a son, Adam could be free to leave. But what if they had seven girls?

What if his wife was not amenable in the marriage bed?

Richard shuddered. Somehow, when he’d decided to get married, he’d thought ticking this duty off the to-do list would lighten his burden. But the weight on his shoulders was getting heavier and heavier until he was certain he would become a hunched old man one day soon.

He walked slowly and aimlessly around the corridor, not quite certain where he was going. He walked past the balcony, then quickly retraced his steps and stopped to gaze at the breathtaking view.

Josephine stood with her hands on the railings, her back arched, her face raised to the sky as she enjoyed the sunshine.

Richard grinned. He walked toward her quietly, making certain not to alert her to his presence, then propped his shoulder against the doorjamb and just watched her. His gaze slid up her swan-like neck that was bared to his gaze, that lovely face with an indulgent smile on her plump, cherry-red lips. Her eyes were closed, her lashes throwing shadows onto her blushing cheeks.