Beguiling the Earl (12 page)

“When?” she asked, clearly not content to let the matter drop.

“When this is all over.”

Catherine’s eyes moved to look over his shoulder, and he turned to find Nicholas had come up behind them. He had a moment of panic, afraid his friend had overhead the entire conversation, but his next words put that concern to rest.

“When what is all over?” he asked.

“The season,” Kerrick said since he clearly couldn’t have been talking about the play that had already ended. “Catherine was just asking me if I planned to visit Overlea Manor again. Of course, that would also depend on whether I’d still be welcome there.”

Nicholas’s gaze shifted to Catherine, then back to him.

“I suppose that would depend on how the rest of the spring goes. And on whether hearts are still intact.”

Nicholas didn’t have to say the words, but Kerrick heard the warning as clearly as if his friend had spoken.
Stop toying with Catherine’s obvious affection for you
. He would like nothing better than to assure his friend that he wasn’t toying with Catherine, and once again cursed the fact he wasn’t in a position to do so.

Kerrick had high hopes for his meeting with Worthington, but it wouldn’t do to appear overeager, so he made sure to arrive exactly at the appointed hour the next morning. He noted with satisfaction that the other man was already waiting when he turned his mount on to the fashionable path in Hyde Park. At this early hour, though, the park was frequented mainly by grooms exercising the mounts of the aristocracy.

Worthington visibly puffed up when he caught sight of Kerrick. “It is an excellent morning to ride,” he said by way of greeting when Kerrick’s mount drew abreast.

And it was. The sun had chosen to make one of its rare appearances, setting the tone for what promised to be a pleasant day.

The horses trotted side by side for several minutes, the men saying very little, before Worthington turned the conversation to the subject that Kerrick knew was uppermost in his thoughts.

“I appreciate you doing me this courtesy.” Worthington leaned toward him and lowered his voice before continuing. “Between the two of us, you must know that asking my permission to propose to Rose is only a formality. You will be so much better for her than those other boys who seek out her attention.” The relief that accompanied those words was almost palpable.

Kerrick couldn’t prevent the cynical thought that it was likely his own fortune that Worthington had his eye on. He inclined his head in acknowledgment of the compliment before going about his task of throwing the other man off guard. “I am not here to ask for permission to propose to your daughter.”

Worthington tensed at his statement. He started to speak twice and had to stop before finally managing, “But you do intend to marry her? Everyone expects it, and to slight her would cause gossip. And we both know it is the dearest wish of your mother and Lady Worthington.”

Kerrick gritted his teeth against the rejoinder that everyone expected such a union only because Worthington was dropping hints in every ballroom and at every social event in London.

“I have no intention of causing your daughter any distress.” His words were true because he was beginning to suspect that Rose Hardwick did not desire a union between them any more than he did. “You can rest assured that no negative gossip will arise from my actions toward Miss Hardwick. Watching her, however, it is very clear to me that she is enjoying her season very much. I wouldn’t wish to take away from that enjoyment by declaring my intentions prematurely.”

“A formal betrothal wouldn’t end her enjoyment.”

“Perhaps not, but I do have a confession to make.”

The expression on the other man’s face was a comical mixture of fear and hope, and Kerrick had to work to keep the corners of his mouth from lifting in amusement.

“I’ve never been fond of the social whirl.”

He could hear the breath of relief that Worthington released at his statement.

“No man your age really is,” Worthington rushed to say. “You’re not yet thirty years of age, and I’m sure there are many more enjoyable ways you’d prefer to spend your evenings. I was a fan of gaming myself. But alas, once you have been married a few years…” He shrugged. “It’s worse when you have a daughter. No way to stay away from all the events. But now and again you’ll be able to drag yourself away and pursue your own interests. And fortunately no one expects a married man to dance attendance on his wife during all those balls.”

Worthington must have realized he was babbling, for his mouth closed with an almost audible snap after his last pronouncement.

Kerrick couldn’t help thinking about Nicholas and Clarington, who both seemed to enjoy staying at their wives’ sides. Granted, they’d both been married less than a year, but Kerrick didn’t see their behavior changing anytime soon. His thoughts went to Catherine and he knew he would never be content to sit in a card room while his wife danced with men whom he knew preyed upon the women who were feeling neglected by their spouses.

Ruthlessly he dragged his thoughts back to the present. He couldn’t afford to allow himself to get distracted. If he didn’t wind up this inquiry soon, he could end up finding himself a guest at Catherine’s wedding to Viscount Thornton.

“I bow to your superior knowledge on the subject,” Kerrick said, watching as the other man preened visibly at the compliment. With a speed meant to throw the other man off balance, he changed the subject. “I didn’t have the chance last night to ask who you were speaking to outside your box before the play began. You seemed overset by the meeting.”

The color drained from Worthington’s face and Kerrick felt a measure of satisfaction come to life within his chest. Brantford had been correct—Worthington was involved in something deep. But the question still remained as to whether it was also treasonous.

Worthington turned away and Kerrick could see he was struggling to regain his composure. His voice was tight when he replied.

“We always have so many visitors at these things when Rose is present… I can’t recall one man in particular.”

“Miss Hardwick wasn’t yet upstairs at the time.”

Worthington struggled for a few seconds before saying, “I do recall now what you mean. My wife had the headache. Before the play started I sought out a footman and asked him to bring a glass of water to the box.”

Worthington was lying. The man he and Catherine had seen leaving the previous evening was no footman. He longed to press the issue, but experience told him that nothing would be gained by pushing for information when a lighter hand would gain more results in the end. He had the confirmation he needed that Worthington was involved in something he didn’t want anyone else discovering.

He wondered if the man’s wife knew about it and his mind started churning with how he could pursue that line of inquiry. At the back of his mind, the thought surfaced that Catherine’s new friendship with Rose placed her in the perfect position to make discreet inquiries of Rose’s mother, but he refused to give that possibility any serious consideration. The very last thing he wanted was Catherine involved further in this mess. She’d placed herself there, but he would do whatever he could to make sure she didn’t take any risks. Lord and Lady Worthington were not the dangerous sort, but he knew from other missions that desperate people would often act out of character to protect themselves. And if the safety of their family was involved… No, he definitely wouldn’t ask Catherine to involve herself in this.

“I hope that Lady Worthington was feeling better this morning.”

Worthington’s whole demeanor relaxed at the change in subject. “She was still abed when I left. Unfortunately, her headaches are a more common occurrence than she would like, but normally they pass after a night of rest. I thank you for your concern.”

Kerrick gave the other man a smile aimed at putting him at ease. “I am very glad to hear that. Will she be well enough to attend the Hastings’ rout this evening?”

Worthington shook his head. “She normally likes a quiet evening at home after one of her episodes, especially if they occur during an evening out.” His relief that the subject had returned to safer ground was almost palpable.

“I can’t say that I blame her,” Kerrick said. “Since most of these evenings are interminable in the best of circumstances, I can’t imagine having to endure one while feeling unwell.”

Worthington laughed, his normally effusive nature once more at the forefront. “That is where we men are very different from women. I fear very little keeps them from spending every evening out during the season. If she didn’t think tonight’s event would turn into a way to showcase the musical talents of Lady Hastings’ daughters, she would force herself to go no matter how badly she felt.”

Kerrick didn’t have to feign his look of horror. He’d already had the misfortune of hearing the eldest daughter mangle her way through Bach. “They wouldn’t.”

“Consider yourself warned. Of course, Lady Hastings already knows your attention lies elsewhere, so I’m sure you’ll be safe.”

ooOoo

The carriage stopped before the milliner’s shop on Bond Street at precisely ten in the morning, and Catherine stepped down, her maid following behind her. When she didn’t see Rose, Catherine wondered if the other woman had changed her mind about meeting her. The note she’d received a short time ago had said Rose was already on her way out of the house, so she should already have been there.

Catherine was torn about whether to send the carriage away and wait on the street or climb back inside and return home. Rose’s note had seemed important, however, so she told the driver to return in half an hour. As the carriage started to move away, she was relieved to see Rose emerge from a nearby dress shop, her own maid in tow. That relief changed to worry when she took in the tightness of her friend’s features.

“I’m so glad you were able to meet me on such short notice,” Rose said, grasping her hands quickly and giving them a slight squeeze before dropping them again. “I wasn’t sure you’d be able to come.”

“My mornings are normally free,” Catherine said, thinking about how her sister was even now lying in bed, suffering from the unsettled stomach so often seen in newly pregnant women. “Your note seemed urgent. Is something the matter?”

“Walk with me a bit,” Rose said, taking Catherine’s arm in hers and starting to stroll down the street at a leisurely pace.

Their maids fell into step behind them. Rose must have already told hers that she wanted privacy because the two women stayed several steps back from them. Catherine wondered what could possibly have happened to warrant the concern on her friend’s face. After all, she’d seen her just the evening before and all had seemed well.

“You are beginning to worry me,” Catherine said.

Rose gave a humorless laugh. “I apologize. I can see how dramatic I’m being, but I was truly concerned and needed to speak with you right away.”

“Has something happened?”

Rose shook her head. “Not yet, but I fear it is about to.” She ignored those who looked their way and would have no doubt stopped to chat if Rose had shown the slightest inclination that she would welcome the intrusion. When she continued, her voice was barely audible. “When my maid woke me this morning, she told me that Father had gone riding with Lord Kerrick.”

Catherine didn’t have to feign her surprise. Kerrick hadn’t mentioned anything to her about going riding with Lord Worthington, but they hadn’t had much time to converse in private. She also suspected he hadn’t mentioned the meeting to her because he was still quite adamant about not involving her in his investigations. She would just have to show him how much help she could be to him.

“I am sure Lord Kerrick regularly goes riding.” As the words escaped her lips, her thoughts went back to the night they had spent together, and she had to turn away to hide the heat she could feel creeping into her cheeks. Fortunately, Rose was too preoccupied to notice.

“Perhaps, but Father likes to ride alone in the morning. He enjoys the solitude and the exercise. If he planned to meet with Lord Kerrick, I know it is because Father hopes he will ask for permission to propose marriage.”

Catherine knew that was unlikely to happen—or at least she hoped that was the case—but she couldn’t tell Rose that her worries were unfounded.

“What will you do if Lord Kerrick proposes?”

Rose gave her a look of disbelief. “I’ll reject him, of course. He seems very nice and he is very attractive…”

“But you have feelings for your mysterious man.”

A whisper of a smile touched Rose’s lips. “It is hopeless, I know. And I have mostly come to terms with that reality. But if I were to accept Lord Kerrick, I would make the lives of three people miserable. Aside from myself, I couldn’t do that to you or to him because it is obvious to me that he returns your affection.”

There was nothing Catherine could say in reply. She only hoped it wasn’t as obvious to others, because Kerrick needed to remain on good terms with Lord Worthington.

Rose’s thoughts must have gone back to the other man, because while she tried to hide it, Catherine could see her despair. Her heart went out to the other woman. If something happened to keep her and Kerrick apart, she didn’t know if she’d be able to bear it.

“How would your father react if you turned down a marriage proposal from Lord Kerrick?”

Rose waited to reply until they passed a young woman and what must have been her mother coming out of a dressmaker’s shop. When no one was near, she said, “He wouldn’t be happy, and I fear he would do what he could to change my mind.”

The stark tone in her voice had Catherine frowning. “He would force you to accept?”

“Until recently I never would have thought him the type of father to force me into a marriage I do not desire, but now…” She sighed. “Yes, I believe he would.”

A shiver of unease went down Catherine’s spine at the thought. Her sister had been in a similar position the previous year—agreeing to marry the Marquess of Overlea to secure all their futures—but from the beginning it was clear she was attracted to Nicholas. Their marriage had been shaky at the start because of Nicholas’s illness, but in the end everything had worked out, and now they were the happiest married couple Catherine knew. She couldn’t imagine what it would be like to marry one man while in love with a different one. And if she were being completely truthful, she did not want to even contemplate a future where Rose and Kerrick were married.