Reigniting a Viscount’s Old Flame (Preview)

Chapter One

London, 1815

“You look stunning,” Susan’s mother said as she looked in the mirror. “I knew silver was the best thread for your complexion.” 

Susan looked in the mirror. She did not know what about her countenance was stunning. When Susan looked in the mirror, she saw a miserable young woman dressed in a very expensive dress. 

Despite the powder her mother placed on her face, her nose was redder than was fashionable. Her eyes were red-rimmed and swollen, and the circles under them made it obvious that she had not slept well the night before. 

“I look terrible,” she muttered, moving swiftly away from the mirror. The sight of her wedding dress made her even more upset. The modiste had gone above and beyond. The dress was a lovely cream silk embroidered with silver roses and thistles. When she moved, and it caught the light, it seemed as though she were shimmering. 

The sight of it turned her stomach. 

“You should eat a bit of fruit,” her mother implored, gesturing to the plate that her lady’s maid had placed on the vanity. The plate was piled high with bread, cheese, and fruit, and they had all been begging Susan to eat. 

But Susan’s stomach turned at the thought of eating anything. She had been unable to eat a single bite of her breakfast. The thought of what today held killed her appetite. 

“When I married your father, I did not eat a single thing all day.” Her mother’s tone was wistful. “The food looked delicious, and I always wondered how the venison tasted.”

Susan’s mother was situating the flowers in her hair, making certain they were visible, and the tulle fell delicately over her shoulders. Susan suspected that her mother was glad that They had decided to go with a veil. It would hide the anguish on her face. 

“We are not having venison,” Susan reminded her. “So, I do not think that I need be too concerned about it.” 

Her mother’s hands stilled, and her lips thinned as she became irritated at Susan’s quip. “You should be grateful that the Viscount is willing to marry you.” 

Susan scoffed. “I should be grateful that he’s decided to ruin my entire life?” 

Before her mother could answer, there was a knock on the door. Her mother walked over and opened the door to Susan’s room. It had been decided that she would prepare at her home before arriving at the church. 

Susan sighed when she saw her father. He looked dapper in a morning suit, and he was smiling so wide that one would think that he was getting married. 

“You look lovely.” Her father beamed at her, but Susan could not manage more than a grimace. 

She wished that she had asked one of her friends to assist her in getting ready for the ceremony. It might have made the circumstances much more bearable. 

“The carriage is readied. I had one of the stable boys braid roses into the horse’s hair. I wanted to surprise you, but given the time, I think it best we not dally. We do not want your new husband to think that we are not able to read a timepiece.” 

Susan’s father extended his arm, but she did not take it. 

“Please do not make me do this.” 

Her mother exhaled in frustration, and her father’s smile turned into a frown. 

“What is the meaning of this?” he asked, turning his attention to her mother. 

“I do not wish to marry the Viscount.” Susan did not appreciate that her father was not looking to her for an explanation. Though she should not have been too surprised. Neither of her parents took her seriously. In the past, such things had not vexed her. She trusted that her mother and father would guide her on the path that was best, but now, she realised that that was not the case. 

“You should be glad to marry the Viscount. He’s young. He’s handsome.” 

“He’s fairly flush in the pockets.” This was from Susan’s father. 

“Is that all you care about?” she asked, tears in her eyes. “That he’s titled and rich?” 

Her mother and father exchanged a quick glance, and she suspected she knew the answer to her question. Susan should not have been surprised. After all, she had entered the Season when she was eighteen and spent two years being thrust from ball to ball trying to snare a husband. 

“What I am saying is there are worse fates. This is a good match and considering the circumstances…” her mother trailed off, obviously not wanting to voice the nastiness. 

But Susan was having none of it. “I have already informed you that nothing happened in the garden. I did not even know that Edmund was there. I was simply looking for a respite from the heat of the ballroom.” 

Two months ago, Susan and Edmund, Viscount Nicholson, were caught alone together in the garden. The scandal had been the talk of the Season until it was announced that they were to be wed, and another young lady had been found in a compromising position with a duke. 

It was all absolute buffoonery to Susan. She had walked outside to get some air and avoid having to dance with another gentleman who did not know how to avoid stepping on her toes. Edmund had been outside as well, and the two of them had not exchanged more than a few words before Penelope Hopesworth came upon them. 

Susan scowled as she thought of the other woman. If Penelope had not gone running back to the ton telling of how Susan had been caught alone in the dark with the Viscount, she would be enjoying the remainder of her Season instead of standing in front of her mother and father pleading with them to free her from what she imagined was going to be life-long torment. 

“It’s a good match,” her father reiterated. “We should all be thanking our lucky stars that the Viscount is an honourable man who was willing to do the right thing. Many men would not.” 

Susan nearly stomped her foot in frustration. “Nothing happened!” 

“Hush!” her father snapped. “You will ready yourself in the next few moments, and when you come down the stairs, I expect for you to be showing behaviour worthy of yourself and this family.” 

Susan felt the tears in her eyes spill over as she watched her father march out the door. 

“There, there,” her mother said, placing her hands on her shoulders. “Everything will be well.” 

Susan sobbed. “How?” she asked. “I do not love Edmund. I do not even know him.” 

Edmund Nicholson had done her a kindness. If he had not agreed to marry her, she would have been ruined. But Susan did not understand why no one would allow for a longer courtship. They had not had more than two conversations, and now, they were going to be married. 

“You’ll get to know him,” her mother told her, patting the tears from her cheeks. She reached up and pulled Susan’s veil over her head. “I know that it’s frightening, but everything will work out in the end. When you are married and settled, you will understand that marriage can be freeing for a woman.” 

“How?” Susan could not imagine how marrying a man she did not know was going to set her free. It seemed a ridiculous notion. 

But her mother gave her a small smile. “You’ll see.” 

***

London, One Year Later

Susan laughed loudly as she tapped her fork delicately against her wine glass in an attempt to get the attention of her guests. 

“Attention! Attention!” 

The laughter around her quieted as her guests all turned in her direction. 

Susan looked around the table, and her heart swelled. “I want to thank you all for your presence this evening. I know that the Season has begun, and there are so many events taking place, and it warms my heart that you would come to my table.” 

“I’d much rather be here than sitting in a stuffy ballroom,” said Oliver Fairfax, the Earl of Wessex. 

Susan blushed at Oliver’s words. This was her first Season as a married woman, and she was beginning to realise how much nicer London was when she was not being thrust from event to event. 

“I hope that you all will enjoy tonight’s reading by Master Blake. He’s a poet, and I find his work to be so moving that it just needed to be shared.” Susan pressed her hands to her heart. “But first, we shall all break bread. After all, we cannot appreciate poetry with our hearts if our minds are focused on our stomachs.” 

Laughter sounded around the room, and the sound of it warmed Susan’s heart as she sipped her wine and took a seat. The staff immediately went into action. Susan was always surprised by how efficiently everything in the house ran with very little input from her or her husband. 

At the thought of her husband, Susan immediately tensed. While her mother had been correct when she had told Susan that marriage would open the doors to freedom, Susan was sure her mother had not meant for those doors to be left open so wide. 

“It was so kind of you to invite me,” Oliver said, speaking for the first time and drawing Susan from her thoughts. She turned, gifting him with a wide smile. 

Oliver was a handsome man just a few years older than she. His bright blonde hair looked almost white when the candlelight played upon it, and his dark blue eyes were captivating. 

“We are neighbours.” Susan graced Oliver with a smile that he returned. In truth, she had not expected that he would accept her invitation. As an unmarried man, she had thought that he would be otherwise engaged. The invitation had been sent out of politeness more than anything else, but now, she was glad Oliver was at her table. 

“I heard that your husband has been travelling,” Oliver said as he began eating the steamed vegetables placed in front of him. “I have not seen him in what feels like months.” 

Susan tensed once more. She did not like thinking about her husband, and most days, his absence made that possible. But society talked, and everyone was wondering why Edmund had been away from his house since just after his marriage. 

“He has business abroad that keeps him away, unfortunately,” she said. It was the same explanation she had given for the last year.

Thankfully, Oliver said nothing in response as Susan’s best friend Catherine engaged him in conversation. 

Susan smiled as she watched her friend. Catherine was still unmarried, and as such, Susan had placed her in between two very eligible bachelors. 

The mood in the dining room was light and fun, and Susan appreciated it. Normally, the large house sat empty with just her and the staff. Occasionally, Catherine or her parents would call, but while her husband’s absence provided her with more freedom than she could ever imagine, it also left her lonely. 

Susan shook off her melancholy and focused on her guests. As she started to speak, the dining room door flew open and banged against the wall. The sound echoed over the discussion, immediately drawing the attention of everyone in the room. 

Everyone, including Susan, turned to look at the door, and everyone, especially Susan, was shocked at the sight before them. Edmund stood in the doorway looking as though he had smelled sour milk. 

Susan froze at the sight of her husband. She had not seen him in months, nor had she had word from him. Some nights, she had wondered if he was dead, and a part of her wondered if being a widow would feel any different than the life she already led. 

“Husband!” Susan exclaimed, jumping from her chair so quickly that she nearly ripped her skirt when it caught. 

Edmund looked at her with his cold, dark eyes, his face expressionless. He clearly did not care that everyone in the room was likely put off by the way he had entered. 

Susan was not sure what she expected from Edmund. He had been gone since the day after their wedding, so she had expected something. At minimum, a greeting. Instead, he released an ungentlemanly grunt before turning around and walking out the door. 

Susan looked around the table uncomfortably. All of her friends were looking at her with wide eyes. No one at the table, except for Susan’s best friend Catherine, knew that Edmund and Susan had not communicated since they had married. 

She laughed slightly. “Oh dear,” she said, pressing her fingertips to her head. “I completely lost track of the day. I did not realise that it was already Friday—the day Edmund was due to arrive home.” 

The explanation was silly, and Susan was sure that everyone at the table knew it, but she was not sure what else to say, especially with so many eyes upon her. The very last thing that Susan wanted was another scandal. 

“If you all will excuse me for a moment, I must go and greet my husband. After all, it’s been some time since we’ve seen one another.” 

Susan ignored the looks that followed her as she rushed out of the room. As she stepped into the foyer, she caught sight of Mr Cullen, her butler. He was standing at attention, looking as though awaiting orders. 

Edmund stood far from him. 

“You’ve returned,” she said before she could stop herself. She did not know what to say to him. She did not know her husband. At all. 

“It is my house.” 

Susan said nothing as she watched him. He was soaked from the rain. His dark curls were hanging in his face, and small droplets were falling on his jacket. She looked down at the floor and cringed at the sight of his muddy footprints. 

“Would you like to change and join us for dinner?” 

Edmund snorted. “I am not interested in sitting at a table pretending to make small talk with a group of people for whom I have no care.” 

Susan blinked. How did one respond to such rudeness? She wanted to snap at him for insulting her friends. Personally, she did not think that Edmund should be making such claims. She was sure that no one at the table particularly liked him either. His reputation was not exactly sterling with the ton. 

But he was her husband, and she did not think it was appropriate for her to snap at him, considering he was home for the first time in a year. 

“Shall I send up a plate?” 

Edmund’s dark eyes examined her, and she wondered what he was thinking. 

The sound of heavy steps on the stairs drew her attention away from Edmund. 

“Phillip!” she exclaimed, surprised to see her brother-in-law. “Edmund did not mention that you were here.” 

Edmund had not mentioned anything. He had not told her that he would be returning home, so there was obviously no opportunity for him to mention that his brother would be joining them. 

“You did not give me a moment,” Edmund countered. 

Susan bit her tongue, and Phillip’s cheeks turned pink. She wondered if he was embarrassed more for her behaviour or for his brother’s. 

“I am hosting a dinner party,” she told Phillip. “I can set an extra place if you’d like to join us.” 

Phillip smiled brightly. “As long as it is no trouble,” he told her. “I would not want to burden you.” 

“The more, the merrier,” Susan said. Phillip’s presence would make it less odd that she had obviously not known that her husband was arriving home. Plus, unlike his brother, Phillip was charming and well-liked. 

“I am retiring for the evening,” Edmund interjected, drawing both Phillip and Susan’s attention. 

Susan opened her mouth to ask him another question, but he was already making his way up the stairs. 

She watched him go, surprised at the way her heart clenched at the sight of him. For the past year, the two of them had lived separately, and Susan had been able to enjoy all the aspects of being a married viscountess without having to spend time with her husband. 

In many ways, it had been glorious. 

Susan jumped at the feeling of Phillip’s hand on her shoulder. “Shall we go into the dining room? I am sure that your guests are anxious for your return.” 

Susan drew her eyes away from the stairs and smiled at Phillip, who extended his arm toward her. “That sounds wonderful.” 

Though Susan was slightly worried about Edmund’s presence, she did not intend to focus on his presence that evening. After all, she did not know if he would even be there in the morning. 

Chapter Two 

Edmund groaned as he slipped off his wet boots. The rain had come out of nowhere. He and Phillip had been trapped in the downpour. 

“I apologise that your rooms were not prepared for your arrival, my lord,” Mr Cullen said. “The Viscountess must have forgotten to inform the staff of your presence. Very unlike her, but with the Season beginning, I am sure it just slipped her mind.” 

One of the footmen was starting a fire, and the maids were doing their best to freshen the room. Edmund felt marginally bad that his presence had caused such an upset. He did not know why he expected that his rooms would be ready. After all, they had been out of use for the past year. 

“I did not inform the Viscountess of my return. It was a last-minute decision. A letter would not have reached her before I did.” 

It was only a slight lie. With the new Season coming, Edmund knew it was time to return to London, but he had put it off as long as he could. 

“Shall I bring you something, my lord?” Mr Cullen asked. “A brandy, perhaps?” 

Edmund shook his head. “I am going to retire for the evening. I would appreciate not being disturbed.” 

Mr Cullen nodded. “Very good, my lord. I will see that you are not disturbed.” There was a peal of laughter from downstairs, and Edmund frowned at the sound. 

“Will there be anything else, my lord?”

“No,” Edmund said, even though he suspected that the sounds of the party were going to keep him from getting the sleep that he desperately desired. “Thank you.”

Mr Cullen nodded curtly before he backed out of the room, leaving Edmund alone. Edmund exhaled as he pulled off his wet jacket. His body felt heavy with chill, and he was glad that one of the footmen had quickly started a fire. He was hoping he could warm up before bed.

He sighed as he grabbed warm, dry clothes from his trunks. He was grateful that he had enough clothing that he was able to wait for the remainder of his things to arrive at the house. Edmund had put off returning to London until the very last minute, so he would have to wait for his things. 

Now that his wet clothing was off, he was in a slightly better mood, though he was still exhausted. Looking around, he was surprised by how clean his rooms were, considering the time that he had spent away from the house. 

Susan must have ensured that things were taken care of. When they had married, he had made it clear to her and the staff that she was now mistress of the house. Before he fled, he had at least had the decency to show her around her new home and introduce her to the way of things. Edmund might have a controlling nature, but he knew very little about how to keep his home running. 

From what he saw, Susan had done a good job of things. 

There was more laughter from the dining room, which was unfortunately below his bedroom, and the sound of it made him grit his teeth. 

It was not that Edmund cared much that Susan was having a dinner party. The Season had just begun, so he was not shocked that she would be hosting something small. As one of the newly married ladies, it was expected that she would host. 

What annoyed Edmund was that she had invited Oliver Fairfax to dine at her table. The sight of him made Edmund clench his fingers around the book he had picked up from his side table. 

Edmund’s animosity towards Oliver ran deep, and it was vice versa. He did not understand why Oliver would come to his home. After all, he hated Edmund almost as much, if not more, than Edmund hated him. 

Edmund shook off the thought. He would speak to Susan in the morning about his expectations regarding her friends. He did not much care what she did. They were married, but she was free to live her life as she pleased. He had made that clear in the last year when he left Susan alone in London. 

As long as she did not do anything to embarrass the family or besmirch his name, he would gladly leave her to her own devices. 

From the way that she had looked when he stormed into the dining room, it seemed that their separate lives agreed with her. 

Edmund was glad. He had always known that he would have to marry. After all, he was heir to one of the most important families in London. He simply had not expected to have to marry Susan. Not that she was a bad match. Just unexpected. 

He sighed and sat down in a plush armchair next to the fire. He shifted towards the fire, enjoying the way its warmth penetrated his cold bones. Though it was March, the weather had not yet shifted, and the room was chilly due to his absence. 

The sounds of the dinner below grew fainter, and Edmund wondered if the guests were moving away from the table and towards the study. 

Though he had not talked to Susan in the last year, he had checked in on the house through his solicitor, who’d spoken with Mr Cullen, and he had heard a great deal about how his wife had been spending her time. It seemed that the staff was busier than ever. 

Edmund’s eyes grew heavy as the warmth of the fire lulled him into a sense of peace. Though he might not have wanted to return, especially since his return meant that he would have to participate in the Season in some way, he was glad to be back in his home. 

The London house had always had its charms, though it was not necessarily his favourite. He had had it redone when he became viscount, and though it did not have the same amount of land as his family seat, he found the space comforting. 

The house was larger but cosy, which Edmund enjoyed. 

Edmund opened his book and sat in the chair, enjoying the familiarity of his home. Though he was tired, he knew that he would not be able to sleep well.

Tomorrow, he would deal with his wife.

---

“Reigniting a Viscount’s Old Flame” is an Amazon Best-Selling novel, check it out here!

When Lady Susan married Viscount Nicholson she could not wait to fall in love with her seductive husband. Even though they barely knew each other, she dreamt of a lustful union filled with love and passion. However, the Viscount flees London the night of their wedding, and she finds herself in an empty house and bed. Yet, Susan is not the type to sit in bed and cry and instead, she spends her time building a life that she could be proud of. After a year he has been away, she unexpectedly encounters him again and feelings and expectations arise…

Would this year apart be enough for their flame to be rekindled?

Being a true gentleman, the last thing Edmund Nicholson wants is to force himself on a lady. Even though he vowed to love and protect his new wife, seeing how their arranged marriage destroyed her happiness, he decides to leave town. Yet, when his wayward brother starts to shame the family, he knows he has to go back to London, so that he finds a wife. Albeit what he expected was a shy and sweet girl, what he found was a fiery and captivating young lady…

Will this reintroduction mean a new, flaming relationship emerging?

When Susan and Edmund are forced together for the Season, they realise attraction draws them together inexplicably. Both changed by the time apart and ready to admit they missed each other’s tempting presence, can they find a way to make it through their bad start? Will this time they spend together, along with everyone’s expectations, be enough to reinvent their flame?

“Reigniting a Viscount’s Old Flame” is a historical romance novel of approximately 80,000 words. No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after.

Get your copy from Amazon!