The Viscount's Wicked Vow

THE VISCOUNT’S WICKED VOW DEREPUTABLE LORDS SERIES BOOK TWO VERNA CYRIL DARKAN PRESS INC. The Viscount’s Wicked Vow is a work of fiction. While reference might be made to actual historical events or existing locations, the names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales are entirely coincidental. For information regarding subsidiary rights, please contact the Publisher: [email protected] All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form by any electronic or mechanical means—except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews—without written permission. First Edition July 2023 Edited by AuthorsDesigns and Haleigh Mills Proofread by Alyssa Nazzaro @Hundred Proof Services Cover Art by Forever After Romance Designs Cover design and formatting by AuthorsDesigns Copyright © 2023 by Verna Cyril CONTENTS Prologue Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Epilogue Acknowledgments About Verna Cyril PROLOGUE Wiltshire, Thompson Manor, 1815 Caleb lost all sense of time as he remained seated in his study, consumed by grief. Sleep, food, and movement seemed inconsequential as he wallowed in his sorrow. Days had passed, and he numbed himself with alcohol, hoping to escape the pain. Instead of expressing his anguish through shouts, tears, and swear words as he wished, he found himself staring at the green wallpaper that his late wife, Rebecca, had chosen two years ago when she refurnished the room. Back then, she had aimed to bring life and brightness to the room, but now it only appeared bleak and lifeless, a haunting reminder of her untimely death. An urgent knock on the door disrupted Caleb's solitude once again. He had grown weary of the constant interruptions, desiring nothing more than to be left alone. "My Lord? My Lord?" the voice called out persistently. The door creaked open, and someone stepped inside. "What is it?" he snapped, shifting his gaze reluctantly toward the intruder who dared to invade his sanctuary. "What in the world do you want? Did I not explicitly instruct that no one should disturb me?" Caleb's own voice sounded harsh and gruff in his ears. "Indeed, my lord, you did request solitude, but we are all deeply concerned about your well-being.” The voice lowered, tinged with fear and subservience. “You haven't left this study in days, and Lady Hereford would have—" "Don't presume to know what she would want! Leave me be. Get out!" Caleb bellowed, seething with frustration. His valet, Jesse, hastily retreated from the room. Caleb took a long swig from his whiskey bottle and finally rose to his feet. "Damn it!" he yelled, hurling the bottle against the wall. Overwhelmed by the agony twisting through his heart, he sank to his knees, emitting a guttural cry that tore through his being. He covered his face with his hands and succumbed to uncontrollable sobs, his tears flowing freely. "Why? Why did you have to leave me, Rebecca? Why?" he said, his mind filled with images of her radiant smile. "I will never cease to love you, Rebecca," he said fiercely, his voice barely above a whisper. After CHAPTER ONE The delicate drop of tiny snowflakes outside the carriage window captured Caleb's attention, pulling him back to the breathtaking view of snow-covered trees. He found himself lost in the tranquil beauty that stretched as far as the eye could see. It had been snowing for days and as much as he hated traveling in such unpleasant weather, he could no longer delay his trip to London. His sister and mother were expecting his arrival in the next two days as they had travelled to London two weeks prior. His sister, Layla, had been restless and longed to escape the confines of the countryside, claiming that each passing day spent in the country was like an exquisite form of torture. A vivid image of his sister’s lovely features returned to him as she sulked, Oh Caleb, I fear that the mere thought of enduring more of this boredom threatens to diminish my spirit entirely. Caleb smiled. His sister’s exaggerated expression on what could diminish her spirit was alarming, but he had placated her anyway, for fear he would hurt her delicate feelings. It was clear that she had missed the attention she had received from her several admirers’ last season. His sister, who was eighteen at the time, had been the belle of the ton. Everyone had been captivated by her poise and beauty, but he and his mother were in no hurry to marry her off. Layla too was not ready for marriage which relieved Caleb as he still considered her the baby of the family. His mother had agreed to his sister’s plight, saying that their early arrival in London was a wonderful opportunity for them to prepare for the upcoming season. Caleb sighed, his breath creating a faint mist on the glass. He had been very reluctant to return to London for this upcoming season. He much preferred his time in the countryside, but he knew that it was no place for him to find a viscountess. His mother had insisted that he should partake in the season. The lady’s unwavering persistence made it impossible to escape. Yet, he knew deep within that he could never truly love another woman, for it