The Playboy King, page 7
John walked in and took a seat in our grouping of chairs. “Anyone get lucky last night?” he asked.
The other guys laughed. Alan, a duke of something or other, cleared his throat and gave John a knowing look. “I believe some progress was made,” he said cryptically, a smirk playing on his lips.
The other men perked up, intrigued by Alan’s response.
“Come on, Alan, give us the details!” one of them urged, leaning forward in his chair.
Alan chuckled, enjoying the attention. “Let’s just say things are looking promising with Allison,” he teased, taking a puff of his cigar.
The men erupted into excited chatter, bombarding Alan with questions and congratulations. He basked in the attention. I found it a little obnoxious. I wasn’t exactly a gentleman, but even I knew better than to kiss and tell. It was crass and not really fitting for men of our stations.
John wasted no time in offering his opinion about my match. “You better start paying more attention to your match if you want to keep Victoria, Warren,” he said. “Can’t afford to let her slip away to someone else. She’s easily the prettiest girl in the season.”
“Agreed,” one of the other guys said.
I took a long drag of my cigar, the smoke curling around my face as I contemplated their words. I couldn’t deny the pull I felt toward her, but the idea of pursuing her in this structured and artificial setting made me uneasy.
As the men continued to discuss their matches and potential trades, I found myself drifting away from the conversation. The room felt stifling, the weight of societal expectations pressing down on me like a suffocating blanket. I needed air, space to think and clear my head.
“Did anyone get the chance to lobby for Victoria’s hand?” John asked casually. “I put in my bid for her, but my father told me she was spoken for before negotiations got underway.”
“It’s not exactly fair when we have to compete with a future king,” someone muttered.
John looked at me and blew out a puff of smoke. “Nothing is said and done until the ink on the marriage certificate is dry. I say Victoria is still in play.”
His words struck a nerve, and I bristled slightly at the implication. “I assure you, John, I have no intention of losing Victoria,” I replied, my voice firm. “She’s not someone I take lightly. She’s not in play. Period.”
John raised an eyebrow at my defensive tone but wisely chose not to press the matter further.
“Have you noticed the leftovers in the pool?” John asked the group in general.
I found it pretty uncouth to refer to humans as leftovers. I chose not to dignify his question with an answer. I took one of the offered biscuits and a cup of tea.
Someone else chimed in, not sharing my reservations. “I’ve noticed a few,” he replied. “If my cold fish doesn’t warm up, I’ll be throwing her back in the pond and trying my luck again.”
“Two-time loser Sophia is back again.” John laughed. “Her parents are never going to get that one married off. She’s bottom of the barrel. I think they just need to accept she’s going to marry a commoner, or they need to send her off to a convent.”
I felt weirdly offended by the remark. “Hey now, you don’t have to be cruel about Sophia,” I interjected, my tone sharp. “She may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but she’s a decent girl. She hasn’t made a match, but she will. You are assuming she’s the one that’s wrong. I happen to know her first match was doomed from the beginning. Her match was in love with someone else.”
The moment the words left my mouth, I realized my mistake. The other gentlemen exchanged knowing glances, and whispers began to circulate around the room. Maybe I hadn’t sounded as friendly as I thought. They were already forming opinions. Trying to stop it would be like trying to stop a wildfire with a squirt gun.
John chuckled. “I thought I noticed a spark. Don’t get me wrong, she’s very easy on the eyes and I’ve heard she’s very welcoming in the bedroom.”
They still saw me as the same old playboy, chasing after any woman who caught my eye. The weight of their judgment bore down on me. I struggled to maintain my composure, acting like I said nothing controversial. But deep down, I knew their suspicions held a grain of truth. Maybe a part of me did still long for the thrill of the chase, for the excitement of having multiple women vying for my attention. It wasn’t like I could just stop something I’d been doing since I was about thirteen. I liked women. I hated the idea of being settled with one woman for the rest of my days.
Even though there was a desire to continue my usual enjoyment of beautiful women, there was a pull to change my ways. Victoria was different. She was special, and I was determined to prove that to everyone, including myself.
I just hoped that I hadn’t already sabotaged my chances with her by defending someone like Sophia. Only time would tell if I could truly be the man Victoria deserved. There was no doubt in my mind this little conversation was going to get back to her. It would undoubtedly be embellished upon.
I sat there amidst the chatter of the gentlemen’s club, listening to the other guys talk about the young women. It seemed like every few minutes someone would ask me about a woman, like I knew every single one.
Was my reputation really that bad? Would I ever truly outrun it? Was it futile to even try to change people’s perceptions of me? I showed up with people already thinking they knew everything about me.
Part of me was tempted to just do what they all expected me to do. Maybe I should just be the charming rogue that society seemed to expect. I wasn’t sure I was good enough for Victoria. She shouldn’t have to be saddled with a husband with my reputation. There would always be rumors surrounding our marriage.
But the very idea of letting her go made me want to hold on tighter. She was the perfect wife for a king. I needed a woman with integrity and a good heart. I would have to elevate my reputation to meet hers.
10
VICTORIA
Sara helped me put on the spring dress I had brought along for this particular event. I left my hair down, wanting to be casual. I wasn’t as nervous as when I had first arrived at Lady Hamilton’s estate, but I was a little worried I would look like the outsider since I didn’t spend a lot of time with these people.
“I’m so sorry you can’t go,” I said to Sara.
She smiled and shrugged. “I don’t mind. I’ll have my turn next year, assuming you marry Warren.”
I couldn’t give her the guarantee she needed. I wasn’t sure I could marry him. That was still yet to be seen. “Do I look okay?” I asked. “I don’t want to look like I’m trying too hard.”
“You look very pretty,” she said with a nod. “Just remember, there are always going to be the catty few, but you don’t have to be their friends. Ignore anyone that’s mean. You don’t need them.”
“Thank you.”
“Now, go.” She smiled. “I’m going to be spending some time in the garden with my book. This chaperone thing isn’t so bad at all.”
I found my way to the outdoor area where the tea was being held. Of course, because this wasn’t just any tea, this wasn’t just any regular outdoor tea setup. I entered the elegant garden. The tinkling of laughter and the soft murmur of conversation filled the air. The atmosphere was light and cheerful, with colorful flowers blooming all around.
I couldn’t shake the feeling of being out of place among the other girls. Sure, I knew many of them from previous parties and summers in London, but I didn’t really know them. I took a seat in one of the white chairs and poured myself a cup of tea from the many pots perfectly spaced on the table.
“Hi,” a young woman greeted me.
“Hi.”
“You’re Victoria Ashford, right?”
I wasn’t sure if it was a good or bad thing that she knew who I was and I didn’t know who she was.
“Yes, that’s me,” I replied with a polite smile, trying to hide the unease bubbling within me.
The young woman seated across from me had a mischievous glint in her eye, and a sense of foreboding washed over me.
“I’m Alexandra.” She sipped her tea delicately. “I’ve heard about you.”
A flush crept up my neck and I shifted uncomfortably in my seat. “Oh, really? Is that good or bad?”
She laughed. “It’s good. You’re the one matched to Warren.”
“I am.”
“You’re brave,” she said.
“Brave?” I asked. “What does that mean?”
“It means he’s—well, is he really marriage material?”
“I’m not sure I know what you mean?” I asked innocently.
“Well, he likes the ladies,” she whispered. “He’s probably slept with half of the women here. If the rumors are true, it might be half the women on the continent. Considering how much he traveled before his father died, maybe more.”
I bit back the revulsion I felt at the idea of him touching another woman. “I don’t give a lot of weight to rumors.” I smiled. “Rumors can be exaggerated.” I was trying to keep my thoughts in check. “I’m here to make up my own mind about him. Besides, I’m not much of a gossip.”
“Well, I always like honest people.” Alexandra grinned, leaning forward. “And I’m sure you’ll find a way to make your own decision about Warren. But remember, he’s got a reputation. He seduced his way into many beds. There are a lot of women here that thought they were going to get to be his bride. Some are bitter, some are resentful, and others are very jealous of you.”
Another woman leaned over. “Not me. I wouldn’t want to be married to a man like that.”
“Why is that?” I asked.
“You’ve heard the rumors about his father,” she said. “That guy had a temper. I’ve heard Warren is as bad as his father, if not worse.”
I found myself surprisingly defensive of Warren, much to my own surprise.
“He can’t be that bad,” I said, my voice more forceful than I intended. “Roman considers him a good friend, and I trust my brother’s judgment.” Especially over the opinions of these catty gossips.
To my relief, some of the other girls nodded in agreement.
“I don’t think Warren’s mean,” Alexandra said. “But I know for a fact he’s gotten around. My sister hooked up with him a couple of times. She still wishes he’d call her back.”
I refused to flinch. These women all wanted to get a rise out of me. I refused to give them the satisfaction.
Until that moment, I had not noticed Sophia sitting a few chairs down. She gave me a look that said she was about to make my life hell. Would she really punish me for my brother’s rejection? A knot formed in my stomach.
“Well, I don’t think he’s changed much,” Sophia said with a sly smile. “I intend to make him my match, so watch yourself, Victoria. You don’t want to get in my way.”
Her words sent a chill down my spine, but I rolled my eyes at her. Sophia was trouble, that much I knew, but I wasn’t about to let her intimidate me. But still, her threat lingered in the air, casting a shadow over the rest of the conversation.
“Sophia.” Alexandra giggled. “You’re not supposed to come right out and say what you’re going to do. That’s not very sporting, darling. Subtlety is a lost art.”
I masked my unease like an old pro, but I felt it just the same. It seemed like everyone here had their eye on Warren, and I was just the unwanted punching bag in their way.
“I know you’re all thinking it,” I said, trying to sound confident. “But Warren and I have something real. I can feel it.”
A few of the girls nodded, but others just gave me skeptical looks. Alexandra’s eyes sparkled with mischief, and I could tell she was enjoying the tension, feasting on it like the other girls filling up on pastries.
Sophia was laughing and whispering with one of the other girls. “We’ll see about that,” she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “I’ve seen the way he looks at other women when he thinks no one is watching. You’re just another conquest to him. Mark my words.”
“I appreciate your concern, Sophia,” I replied evenly, meeting her gaze head on. “But Warren and I have a connection that goes beyond what you see on the surface. I trust him, and that’s all that matters.”
Sophia’s laughter grated on my nerves, but I remained expressionless.
“You’re a fool, Victoria,” she spat. “Do you really believe Warren is any different from his father? He’s a manipulative, selfish man, and he’ll break your heart if you let him.”
I refused to let her words get to me. “I appreciate how freely you give out relationship advice, but maybe it’s time to focus on your own Wed season, don’t you think? Or should I say, you should focus on your third Wed season? Any longer and you’re going to break the society record. No wonder you’re after everyone else’s matches.”
Alexandra laughed and clapped with glee. “Ladies, ladies, put the claws away,” she said, clearly hoping we would continue. “You’re both stubborn and determined. That’s a good thing. But be careful, Victoria. The game we’re all playing is much bigger than just Warren and his reputation. If you do marry him, everything you do and say will have consequences.”
I nodded, taking a deep breath. “That’s true for all of us. And I won’t be swayed by gossip or intimidation. I’m not the one doing things that might blow back on me in the future. Grudges can last for generations in the Golden Society.” I gave Sophia a pointed look.
She just rolled her eyes and looked away.
As the tea came to an end and the other girls began to disperse, I couldn’t shake the feeling of unease that had settled over me. Warren may have his flaws, but I saw a different side of him, a side that intrigued me. And I wasn’t about to let anyone, especially not Sophia, stand in the way of finding out if there was something real between us. Sophia was just bitter because she couldn’t seem to land a man. I was going to have a very hard time standing up for her in the future. She didn’t deserve my kindness.
I sought out Sara, finding her in the rose garden on the opposite side of the estate. She was reading a book and looked very tranquil.
“You’re done already?” she asked, frowning at her book. “It was just about to get good. The maid just stumbled on the stable boy taking a bath.”
“I can leave you to it,” I said, smiling.
She laughed. “No, the stable boy can wait. How did it go?”
I sighed and sat beside her on the bench. “I had the pleasure of being the target of Sophia’s passive-aggressiveness,” I replied, shaking my head. “She made it quite clear that she sees me as a threat in her pursuit of Warren. But I won’t let her get to me. I know what I feel for him is real.”
Sara looked at me with concern in her eyes, setting her book aside. “Victoria, you have to be careful. Sophia is not one to be underestimated. She’s desperate and will stop at nothing to get what she wants. It’s year three for her. She might start playing nasty.”
I nodded, grateful for Sara’s insight. “I know, but I’m not going to stoop to her level.”
“Warren isn’t going to want to marry her,” Sara said. “You have nothing to worry about.”
We sat quietly for a few minutes.
“Sara, I don’t know if I can be with Warren,” I blurted out, the words tumbling from my lips before I could stop them.
Sara turned to me, her eyes filled with concern. “Victoria, you haven’t even given him a chance,” she said gently, placing a comforting hand on my arm. “I know it’s hard, but he’s trying. The man I know people are gossiping about is not the man he is now. He was young and wild. Those days are behind him.”
Guilt washed over me. Sara was right. I hadn’t given Warren a fair chance. I had been so focused on his past that I hadn’t stopped to consider the struggle he must be enduring.
“So, I don’t really remember all that much about your father, but…”
“But people are talking about him?” She sighed.
“Yes.”
“Victoria, Warren is nothing like our father,” she insisted. “I know it’s hard to believe, but that apple fell far from the tree. Dad was cruel and quick to anger. Warren isn’t. He’s trying to make amends for his past mistakes, and I think he deserves a chance to prove himself.”
I found myself nodding in agreement. “Okay,” I said. Maybe I had been too quick to judge Warren, too quick to let my fears dictate my actions.
“We should probably get you changed for the next event,” she said.
I frowned. “What?”
“Lady Hamilton arranged a game of croquet for the matched couples. This will be a good chance for you to spend more time with Warren.”
“And for others to see me with him.” I grinned.
She laughed. “Most definitely.”
After a quick change of clothes, we made our way to the croquet field, ready to give Warren the chance he deserved.
Warren was waiting for us, a charming smile gracing his lips as he offered his arm to me. “Victoria.”
“Warren,” I replied. “Or should I say Your Highness?”
“Please don’t,” he groaned. “Warren will do.”
For some reason, that gave me some satisfaction. The touch of his hand sent a jolt of electricity through me.
“Let’s kick some ass,” I said with a wink.
Warren chuckled, the sound warm and inviting. “I like the way you think, Victoria,” he said, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
As we walked onto the croquet field, I saw the stares. I held my chin high and smiled at the ladies watching us. Eat your hearts out.
Warren proved to be a skilled player, his competitive nature matching my own. Croquet was something we played a lot back home. I was pretty good. We exchanged playful banter as we strategized together, our teamwork surprisingly seamless. I found myself laughing more than I had in a long time, feeling lighthearted and carefree in Warren’s company. We worked well together. We seemed unstoppable.
