The Perils of Love and Courtship

Chapter 2

It's the third ball of Lambert's final obligatory season and he's hugging the wall near the drinks table, wishing he could indulge in one of the many bottles of fine alcohol instead of the lemonade in his hand. The music of the string quartet across the room soars around him as he dully watches various couples twirl about the dance floor.

Every ball it's the same boring people and tedious conversation. Lambert is sure that if he has to listen to one more person talk about the weather he's going to throw up. His only comfort is knowing that this will be the last season he must endure events such as these. After that, he'll be comfortably into his spinsterhood and able to focus his attention on more important pursuits. The old man does give him a substantial monthly allowance; perhaps he'll invest in some business opportunities.

Speaking of the old man...

Vesemir is standing next to him, sipping a glass of scotch and repeating the same conversation he attempts to have every time he is Lambert's chaperone for the evening.

"Are you sure there are no alphas that catch your eye, son?"

The omega scoffs. "No one who isn't a pompous asshole."

"Lambert," the Duke's voice is a low hiss. "Not so loud. That kind of language is fine within our estate, but here... people could talk."

"What's the matter? Worried I'll besmirch your good name?"

"My name will be perfectly fine. It's your prospects I'm worried about. If you keep scaring off the new suitors how will you ever find someone you enjoy the company of?"

"I suppose I shan't," Lambert replies, voice dripping with sarcasm. "Pity."

"Would finding someone with whom you are in love really be so bad?"

"Considering the parade of alphas I'll have to sift through? Probably."

The old man lets out a sigh. "Lambert. Son. I just want you to be happy--"

Whatever he was about to say is lost as soon as an unfamiliar figure approaches the pair.

"Pardon my interruption, your Grace," the stranger says in a voice as smooth as silk, "but might I trouble you for an introduction?"

It's an alpha; tall, with tanned skin, stunning green eyes, and dark wavy hair that reaches his shoulders. He's dressed in a dark blue jacket and a waistcoat in a lighter shade of blue that's embroidered with a floral pattern. As much as Lambert hates to admit it, this alpha is incredibly handsome. Great. The handsome ones are always the worst. They think their looks will make any omega swoon the moment they so much as glance in their direction.

Vesemir smiles as he turns to face the other man. "Ah, Lord Blackmore, I wasn't aware your family was back in town."

"We just returned this past week, your Grace. My father had some business to attend to with his banks that should take the greater part of the year, so he had us move to the town estate for the season."

The intrigued glint visible in his father's eye suddenly gives Lambert a bad feeling about this.

"Excellent. I would be delighted to facilitate an introduction. This is my youngest son, Lambert Wolfe Rochefort. Lambert, this is Lord Aiden Blackmore." The Duke gestures to Lambert and the alpha turns his attention on him, giving a polite nod and a brilliant smile.

"It is lovely to make your acquaintance," Aiden tells him.

Lambert waits for the moment that Aiden's eyes will leave his face and sweep over his body, inspecting his would-be-conquest, but it never comes. Instead the alpha holds his gaze until Lambert replies, "charmed."