A Viscount for Lucy

The Harcourt Sisters

Book 2

A Sweet & Clean Historical Regency Romance

By

Ava Rose

A Viscount for Lucy (The Harcourt Sisters) © Copyright 2023 Ava Rose

All rights reserved

Published by Flourish Books (Jen Katemi)

Cover design by Covers by Combs

This book is a work of fiction. Any names, characters, places and events portrayed in this work are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, places or persons, living or dead, is coincidental. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any form whatsoever in any country whatsoever without the express written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.

Table of Contents

Part 1 – Milcheston Hall

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Part 2 – The Season

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Part 3 - Thick as Thieves

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-one

Chapter Twenty-two

Chapter Twenty-three

Chapter Twenty-four

Chapter Twenty-five

Chapter Twenty-six

Chapter Twenty-seven

Chapter Twenty-eight

About the Author

Part 1 – Milcheston Hall

Chapter One

Do the sights and sounds of spring not bring excitement to your heart, daughter? It is delightful weather in which to be paying a visit to your sister and her new husband.

Lucy Harcourt brought her attention back to the inside of the coach, where her mother was studying her intently and awaiting her answer.

Indeed, Mother. It is lovely outside at present. Her tone lacked conviction, but she was finding it difficult to summon her usual joy for life. March was not a particularly enjoyable time of the year for her. Not since last year.

Although the flowers were in bloom and brand-new foliage on the trees provided fresh new life to the countryside after the grueling winter, it also signaled that the new season was underway. Lucy had been dreading it since the end of the previous season, where she had failed to make a suitable match.

Her eldest sister, Charlotte, on the other hand, had managed to snare her childhood sweetheart, Hugh Dempsey, otherwise known as Lord Milcheston.

Their mother was not letting Lucy forget the fact that she had failed in her duty to secure her own husband.

It was her own fault, really. She had not taken the season seriously, and had spent much of her time sneaking off to spend time with her new brother-in-law’s friend, Captain Springer. The captain was merely a jolly friend, nothing more, but Lucy’s lack of interest in finding a husband had not gone unnoticed by her family. Luckily, her mother did not know of the unchaperoned visits with the captain.

She wished, not for the first time, that women were not so reliant on men for their wellbeing and future security. A wry smile hovered on her lips as she told herself not to be so silly.

She leaned forward and tried harder for her mother’s sake. I am very much looking forward to seeing Charlotte again. I miss her company dearly.

What about me? Am I just sitting here to be ignored, then?

Her younger sister, Georgiana, spoke up, but the sparkle in her eye told Lucy she was merely jesting. They shared a quick grin.

We all know no one could ever ignore you, sister, she said. The brightness of your hair and the smooth perfection of your skin will surely catch everyone’s eye when it is your turn to shine.

Georgiana snorted, and Lucy ducked to avoid the cushion thrown her way.

Children! Their mother chided them as if they were very young, even though Lucy was now eighteen and Georgiana seventeen. Behave. We have arrived.

Lucy looked out with genuine curiosity at the manor house, where her eldest sister and Lord Milcheston resided. The estate neighbored their own in Essex, but she had rarely visited. It was a magnificent manor home surrounded by trees and meadows, the setting quiet and peaceful.

But of most importance to Lucy were the stables, which she knew from conversing with Charlotte contained some of the most sought-after horses in England.

Lucy adored horses and was quite a skilled rider, much to the dismay of her mother who would have preferred she spend her time on needlework or reading.

Like Charlotte, Lucy loved the outdoors. She enjoyed the fresh air of the meadows around their home far more than a stuffy library, and would much rather spend her days on the back of a horse instead of attending afternoon teas where she was required to act appropriately under the watchful eye of her mother.

Lucy followed her mother and Georgiana out of the carriage and up the front staircase to the enormous double-doored entrance. The butler escorted the trio of ladies through to a sunny terrace at the rear of the house, where Charlotte and Hugh were seated.

She started forward to embrace her sister when she noticed they were not alone.

Another gentleman sat with them, taking tea, though he hardly looked the type to enjoy it. He was tall and broad, darkly handsome with strong features and an intelligent look in his blue-green eyes. He looked like he would be more comfortable in the midst of action than taking tea on the terrace.

Her heart beat faster when she realized who it was. Lord Brackley, a viscount she had met during last year’s season. Unfortunately, she hadn’t seen a lot of him after that first introduction, otherwise she may well have enjoyed the season a whole lot more. He had been a fine dancer, and she recalled with instant pleasure how his deep voice had wrapped around her like a warm cloak when they spoke.

Her cheeks heated slightly at the direction of her thoughts and she dragged her gaze away from Brackley and focused on her brother-in-law.

Good afternoon, Marian, Hugh greeted her mother. They had all agreed that, when it was just family, they would call each other by their first names.

Though Lord Brackley was hardly family...

And a good afternoon to the lovely young ladies, Miss Lucy, and Miss Georgiana. Ladies, this is my friend, Lord Brackley. Lucy, I believe you and the viscount met last season.

Lucy smiled noncommittally, not wanting to admit that anyone from the season—this year or last—had made an impression on her.

Thank you for the warm welcome, Marian said in a simpering tone to Hugh. And lovely to meet you, my lord. I hope we will see more of you during this season. She directed that last at Lord Brackley, and Lucy only just stopped herself from wincing in embarrassment.

Charlotte rose to her feet to greet her mother and sisters with a warm smile and hugs. She looked happy and healthy; her skin fairly glowing in the sunlight.

You look lovely, Lucy whispered in her older sister’s ear. Marriage clearly agrees with you.

It does, Lucy. Especially with the right person.

Charlotte squeezed her tight before releasing her and gesturing to a seat at the table.

She found herself seated next to Lord Brackley.

Miss Harcourt, how lovely to see you again, he murmured politely, as his eyes wandered to the tea cakes.

Likewise, my lord, she reciprocated with a bland smile, and how are you enjoying the cakes?

His brows rose slightly, but beyond that he showed no reaction to her subtle jibe.

You must be terribly excited for your first season, Georgiana, Charlotte said, beaming at their younger sister.

Indeed I am. Georgiana’s cheeks were already flushed a delicate pink. She seemed to find joy in everything, and for a moment Lucy envied her. Mother told me of all the balls and events that we are certain to be invited to. I cannot contain my excitement.

A tiny groan spilled from Lucy.

Lucy? Charlotte asked. Are you all right?

As Lucy parted her lips to answer, her mother interjected.

She is sulking, of course.

I am not—

There is no need for sulking. We are guests here at Milcheston Hall, and I am certain that neither Lord Milcheston nor Lord Brackley are in the mood to entertain a young lady who is sulking because she does not wish to participate in the season, her mother said.

Lucy lowered her gaze to the table, wishing to be anywhere else but here.

An uncomfortable silence fell across the group, until Lord Brackley’s deep yet calming voice broke through the quiet.

Miss Harcourt, I was informed that you are an equestrian lover, he said. Grateful for something to take everyone’s attention off her so-called sulking, Lucy forced a smile.

I am. I adore horses. There is nothing more fun than galloping across the meadow, the wind in your hair and the thrill of maintaining control of a giant, sometimes contrary beast.

She didn’t add that she sometimes borrowed a pair of men’s breeches and rode astride, when she was home on their estate in Essex. Somehow, she didn’t think the present company would be impressed by that fact.

Brackley blinked a couple of times, as if her answer had surprised him, and then his features split into a wide grin. An evocative response, indeed. I, too, love horses and riding. Have you toured the stables here at Milcheston?

Not yet, my lord. But I hope to get the chance to have a look today.

A speculative gleam appeared in Lord Brackley’s eyes. He turned to Hugh and Charlotte. Would you permit me to accompany Miss Harcourt on a tour of the stables? We could view the two new thoroughbreds you were telling me about, Hugh.

At Hugh’s slow nod, Lord Brackley turned to her mother. My lady, would that carry your approval?

Indeed, her mother said, as long as you are accompanied by a suitable chaperone.

Of course, he said smoothly. Perhaps there is a maid who can accompany Miss Harcourt?

Lucy’s interest in the day suddenly grew brighter. She told herself it was the thought of touring the stables and meeting two thoroughbred horses, but a tiny part of her realized that her newfound enthusiasm had something to do with the handsome and slightly mysterious viscount with his intriguing eyes that changed from green to blue and back again whenever he glanced her way.

Chapter Two

Sinclair, known in society as Lord Brackley, walked beside Lucy Harcourt as they made their way to the stables. One of Charlotte’s maids trailed behind them as a chaperone. He had been pleasantly surprised by Lucy’s enthusiasm at the table, and found himself looking forward to the next hour or two in her company.

The pathway was flat and easy to walk on, presumably so as not to thwart anyone wishing to visit the stables. Although he suspected that, even if the path were rocky and difficult, Lucy would likely rise to the occasion and not require the assistance of a man. She strode along beside him with admirable confidence.

Sinclair recalled meeting her during the previous season, and though their contact was fleeting, he remembered her as rather delightful. She was much easier to converse with than the usual society debutante, and he felt at ease in her presence. It was as though there was no sense of expectancy for marriage, with Lucy.

Although he was a personable gentleman with a title, and had received his fair share of attention from young ladies as well as their mamas, Sinclair had no intention of marrying. Not only did he enjoy his freedom, but he also carried a secret that would make starting a family rather difficult.

He wondered what Lucy would think if she discovered he was secretly a private investigator to the elite of London high society. Would she be impressed, or horrified?

His services were rendered with the utmost discretion and he had investigated high profile robberies and missing person cases, as well as the occasional murder. He had fallen into it almost by accident and discovered he was very skilled at it. It fed his need for action and adventure, but the lifestyle was not conducive to having a wife and children.

Walking beside Lucy toward the stables, though, he found he had to fight to stop himself sharing the fact with her, simply to gauge the reaction of this lively and energetic young woman with the dark brown hair and bright eyes that reminded him of a clear summer sky.

Lucy was a witty young lady, not as staid as the other young ladies he had encountered in society, and he found her energy and honesty refreshing.

Lovely weather, is it not? he said, wanting to fill the silence.

Lucy stared at him and chuckled. I was under the impression we were past the stage of discussing the weather.

Sinclair responded with a nod. Indeed. I was merely allowing us to place more distance between ourselves and the terrace before we converse properly. Your mother seems annoyed with you for some particular reason.

You are observant, my lord, Lucy said dryly. "Though that