starving after his eventful night, but realized he’d gladly skip breakfast if it meant getting on with things.
It would seem his wish was to be granted, as the moment he started toward the dining room, a door opened to reveal Viscount Barrington. A neat, sparsely decorated study loomed behind him, and Martin Lewes appeared on the threshold, his expression smug.
He froze in his tracks, ignoring Lewes’s venomous glare as the viscount gave him a polite smile.
“Mr. Burke. What a coincidence. I was just about to send for you. I know you are probably wanting your breakfast, but I had wished a word with you. I will not delay you for long.”
It was Nick’s turn to feel smug, unable to help ensuring Lewes knew he intended to push him out of contention for Calliope’s hand. The man looked as if he might burst, the vein in his forehead protruding as he glowered at Nick.
“Of course, my lord,” Nick said, approaching the study and raising an eyebrow at Lewes as they passed one another.
He took great pleasure in closing the door in the other man’s face.
The viscount strode to his desk and sat, hands braced on the surface as he met Nick’s gaze. “Please, sit.”
Once Nick had settled, the man leaned back and studied him with a shrewd eye.
“I am certain you know why I wished to meet with you, so I will cut right to the chase. Since the arrival of my guests, I have watched my daughter interact with her two suitors. I have also noticed a marked difference in your behavior opposed to that of Lewes.”
Nick’s mind raced as he wondered when the man might have caught him and Calliope acting without discretion. He thought he’d been so careful, but perhaps his absorption with her had made him act foolishly.
“I don’t understand,” he hedged.
“One of you has spent the past several days trying to earn my good favor, while the other has yet to approach me outside the usual pleasantries. I must say, I find it interesting.”
“While I would be glad to have your approval, it is important to me that she understands it is her I want.”
“I respect your position. Calliope is of an age where I can trust her to decide what is best. Have you anything you wish to ask of me?”
“Only for you to consider that I love your daughter and would do anything to make her happy. I don’t come with a title or a sterling reputation, but during our engagement I intend to secure our future. She will want for nothing.”
The viscount pursed his lips. “You don’t wish to inquire about the amount of her inheritance?”
“That detail is irrelevant. I’d want her if she came with nothing.”
The other man studied him in silence, his blue gaze intent and unwavering. After a moment, he nodded.
“I am heartened by your words, Mr. Burke and do believe you are sincere. Your reputation does not worry me much, for I wasn’t exactly a saint in my youth. I know all too well how it feels to find a woman unlike any other and have your life changed in what feels like the blink of an eye.”
He accepted the viscount’s extended hand.
“I have given Lewes my blessing, but I am giving it to you as well. It is not for me to decide who she should wed, and I can find no fault with either of you. If you happen to be her choice, I will be content simply knowing she is happy and loved.”
“She will be.”
He left the study then, anxious to get to Calliope and tell her of his conversation with the viscount. He hadn’t wanted the man to know she’d already made her decision, as they had already agreed to tell him together. As well, he supposed he ought to give her the chance to let Lewes down gently, cutting all ties to him before they could move forward.
As his stomach finally announced its hunger, he was annoyed when yet another door opened and he was waylaid. He bit back a groan at the sight of Lady Thrush, leaning against the frame of the music room door. He narrowed his eyes at her, suspicion raising the hairs on the back of his neck. The woman had no business in that room alone. Had she been lying in wait for him?
“Hello, mon amour,” she purred, raking him with a lascivious gaze. “Had you urgent business with the viscount this morning?”