The Viscount's Tempting Seductress (PM #2) (Completed)

Chapter 1. 1813 

The ballroom of Morgan Park was bustling with activity. Young ladies and gentlemen were dressed in their finest, ready to find their perfect match. It was the beginning of April, and Vivian was putting her matchmaking skills on display.
Standing against the far wall of the ballroom, Delilah Martin felt relieved that no one was speaking with her. For the last hour, she had been politely conversing with several gentlemen, and she now had a headache because of it. She needed some air, needed peace and quiet.
Vivian. "My dear, are you quite all right? You've been standing here alone for the last 15 minutes."
Delilah shook her head. "I am quite well, just a bit of a headache."
Vivian raised one eyebrow, her crystal blue eyes becoming concerned. "Why do you have a headache?"
Delilah rolled her bright blue eyes. "Because I have been speaking with several gentlemen over the last hour, and all of them wish to have me simply as their bedmate. They do not wish to have me in any other way shape or form. I have dealt with that before, as you remember."
Vivian nodded slowly. "I certainly do. Baron Victor Darcy was a monster to you. However, he is gone now, and you deserve someone better."
Delilah cast her eyes downward to the marble floor. "I am relieved that he has left so abruptly. I did not want to see him for a minute longer. Our three month affair was enough."
Vivian placed her gloved hand on Delilah's shoulder. "Precisely my point. I am going to match you with someone who will treat you the way you deserve to be treated."
Delilah lifted her head, her eyes widening. "Vivian, do you believe you have someone in mind for me?"
Vivian smiled. "My dear, I certainly do. And he is in this very room."
Delilah looked around. "Where? I do not see him."
Vivian. "Keep looking, you will find him."
Delilah's eyes traveled around the ballroom again, not sure exactly who she was looking for. Her gaze swept across the selection of gentlemen who were speaking around her, none of them capturing her interest. That is, until her eyes landed on a single gentleman standing alone at the drink table.
He was incredibly handsome. He was a few inches taller than she was, possessing caramel brown hair and chocolate brown eyes. He was wearing a three-piece black silk suit with a white button up shirt cravat and black boots. And he was gazing directly at her.
Delilah felt her heart begin to race. She swallowed hard. "Vivian, who is that?"
Vivian followed her eyes toward the object of her attention. She smiled softly. "Ah, that is none other than Viscount Gregory Lennox."
Delilah's eyes widened as she recognized the name. "Viscount Gregory Lennox, the gentleman that was at the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Richmond last year?"
Vivian nodded, smiling. "Exactly. Did you ever get to speak with him at the wedding?"
Delilah shook her head. "Sadly I did not."
Vivian looped her arm through Delilah's. "Well my dear, I believe we must change that."
Delilah was about to respond, but then noticed yet another gentleman making his way toward her. "Oh no."
Vivian glanced at her. "What is it?"
Delilah inclined her head toward their unwanted company. She plastered a smile on her face. "Good evening Lord Chatsworth."
Vivian tried not to wrinkle her nose. Lord George Chatsworth, the third son of the Duke of Devonshire. She plastered a similar smile onto her face. "Good evening Lord Chatsworth."
George gave both ladies a dashing smile. "Good evening to the two of you. Miss Martin, I do hate to interrupt, but I was wondering if I could have a private moment alone with you?"
Delilah politely shook her head. "I apologize, but I have a bit of a headache at the moment and would like to be alone. I think a bit of fresh air might do me good."
George. "Of course, might eye escort you to the garden?"
Delilah shook her head once more. "No, thank you. I can easily find it myself. Good night Lord Chatsworth."
Before George could say another word, Delilah turned away, the skirts of her powder blue silk gown swirling around her, and departed the ballroom. Stepping out onto the terrace, she took a deep breath and allowed her shoulders to relax. At last, she was alone.
***
Once Lord Chatsworth had finally left, Vivian turned her eyes toward Gregory Lennox, the dashing Viscount who had followed Delilah's every move. A smile spread across her face as she moved elegantly toward him. "Good evening my Lord."
Gregory gave her a smile, not a dashing or debonair smile, but a simple and genuine one. "Good evening to you Miss Morgan. You have quite the splendid soirée."
Vivian. "Why thank you. I do believe this is the first time you have stepped foot into my ballroom."
Gregory nodded. "It is. I was involved in the previous London season, but did not have any luck when it came to finding a match. I was told to come here."
Vivian's eyes began to dance. "Who told you of my matchmaking ball my Lord?"
Gregory chuckled. "The Duke of Richmond. He sought your help."
Vivian. "Oh yes, he certainly did. I had quite the wonderful time matching Lord Julian Sinclair with Miss Olivia Rochester. With their story at an end, it is time for me to match the next bachelor."
Gregory raised one eyebrow. "Do you have a bachelor in mind?"
Vivian took a step toward him. "I do indeed my Lord. You. And, before you ask, I do have a young lady who would be perfect for you."
Gregory. "Do you? It would not by chance be the young lady who stepped out into the garden not moments ago would it?"
Vivian nodded. "It certainly is. Why not go and speak with her? She is a delight."