Page 28 of Just a Little Daring

“Yes,” August said, though he didn’t sound entirely happy about it. “I would.”

Viv watched him, something warm and happy glowing in her heart. A good man. A kind one. One that would stand up for a friend, one that felt embarrassed for the pranks of his youth, and more recent trouble, but would risk it again for the sake of giving Vivien the retribution she had so desperately wanted but could not take for herself.

They walked on farther in silence, and Viv wondered why August still looked so troubled. Last night’s fight, perhaps.

“What’s wrong?” she asked him, daring to take his arm.

“Nothing,” he said, mustering a smile.

Viv gave him a look that suggested he was a poor liar.

August sighed. “Family trouble. Nothing to concern you, Miss Anson.”

“Vivien,” she corrected him gently. “At least when there is no one to overhear and scold me for allowing you such familiarity.”

“Vivien,” he repeated, his gaze upon hers, though she could not read his expression.

“I heard about that night at Almack’s,” she said, smiling now. “Prue—the Duchess of Bedwin—was there, and came to tell us about it. She cried with laughter, telling of how the cats climbed the curtains and snatched the dreadful refreshments from the tables while everyone ran about like headless chickens. Mama was delighted. I don’t think I have ever seen her laugh so much. We are not welcome at Almack’s, naturally, so it was the most delicious bit of entertainment for us,” she added in an undertone.

August frowned, clearly unhappy with this.

“Papa was banned from Almack’s years before he even married Mama,” she added soothingly, for he looked as if he wanted to do battle with society at large on her behalf. The thought added fuel to the warmth already simmering inside her. “He’s not good ton either, thank heavens.”

He nodded, but his distraction was such that Viv felt stirrings of unease. “How does your father bear it?” he demanded, after they had walked on a little way. “How does he not call out people left, right and centre for their rudeness? Is he not constantly rolling his sleeves up to pound someone?”

Viv shrugged. “Papa is a powerful man, wealthy and influential. Most are too sensible to speak so in front of him, for his retribution could be more damaging to them financially or socially than a black eye or broken nose. Though it has happened, and he has thrashed the rudeness from those men on a few memorable occasions. So memorable that sensible people do not wish to be at the receiving end of such a lesson. Women are harder to deal with, as you have discovered. Neither Papa nor Mama could break a spiteful woman’s nose, no matter the provocation, though I think Mama has been tempted a time or two,” she added with a grin.

August did not look the least bit amused, rather he looked furious, and rather pale and not entirely well. “You ought to have such a man as your husband. A powerful, titled man people would not dare to speak ill in front of.”

Viv laughed nervously, uncertain of his tone. “For example?”

“The Marquess of Blackstone, the Earl of Ashburton. Men like that could protect you from such unpleasantness. You are close to them both, I think?”

Viv stopped in her tracks, staring at him. “Yes, we are good friends,” she said, emphasising the word. “Nothing more, and I have no desire to marry either of them. I would kill Blackstone within a week, or he me, and as for Ashburton, good heavens, no.”

“It’s what you need,” August said, his voice firm, if bleak. “A powerful man with influence. You could marry a duke, Vivien. Any man in his right mind would be proud to have you for his wife and could protect you from the insults of those fools not worthy of your notice.”

“I don’t want a duke, or a marquess, or a blasted earl. What has got into you?”

“A bit of sanity, clarity, call it what you will,” August said, though he did not look pleased by the revelation. He took a deep breath, turning back to face her. “I’m not what you need, Vivien. I see that now, though the revelation is a painful one. I am not powerful, or vastly wealthy. I do not have the kind of influence to keep you and any children safe from the slings and arrows life will inevitably throw.”

“And if I don’t care about such things?”

“You ought to care,” he said, his voice sharp. “For the sake of any children you may bring into the world, if not for your own sake.”

Vivien thought about that, knowing that she could not pretend there was no truth to his words, though she dearly wanted to deny them. There was more to it than that alone, though.

“And I would plunge you into an unsettled, scandalous, endlessly combative life, the kind you want so badly to avoid,” Vivien said, her throat tight.

August stared at her, his expression one of misery. “I could not simply ignore it when some fool slighted you, male or female. It’s not in my nature, though God knows I’m trying to behave. I would retaliate, I would cause a scene or call them out, riot and chaos would ensue as it always does. You can’t want that any more than I do?”

No, she did not want that. She wanted excitement and adventure, yes, but not to fight for her position in society. He was right. Her parents had gently suggested Jules as a match, and though they would urge her to marry for love, to the right man no matter who he might be, they too had suggested she might look in the same direction that August had directed her. But she did not want Blackstone or Ashburton. The only man who had ever caught her eye, who had ever engaged her heart, was him.

“You are telling me we don’t suit,” she said, her voice somewhat unsteady.

August swallowed, and when he spoke, he too sounded shaken. “I wish I was in line for an earldom, or that some elderly relative was about to die and leave me a vast fortune, but it isn’t the case. I am moderately wealthy, but no man fears me save those that occasionally find themselves at the wrong end of my fists. That is no way to earn respect among the ton. You should have a life full of happiness, as free of care as any life can be, and I cannot give you that any more than you can give me a life free of scandal and upset. We would be like fire and brandy, a potent mix. We would burn bright but not endure.”

Vivien stared at him. “Yes. I see what you mean.”