He smiled. “It’s Peter, my lady. My father has six sons; all six are named after apostles.’’
“Peter is a fine name,” she said. “Thank you, Peter, for all your care of me.”
“I will take the coaches with me to the George, my lady. If you should need transport or my services for any reason, you need only send a message to the inn.”
“Thank you, Peter. I should like the coach tomorrow afternoon. I am going visiting. Shall we say two o’clock?”
As the coaches rumbled away down the drive, Katherine returned to her host and hostess.
“It is unfortunate your husband could not travel with you,’’ Lord Harrington said. “He could deal with Sir Humphrey in the task before you now.”
“This is a busy time for him,” Katherine replied, “and I asked to come alone. Serena is my responsibility and Sir Humphrey my problem. I wish to deal with him on my own.”
“You have never been one to shirk your responsibilities, Katherine,” his lordship responded. “Nevertheless, I would be happy to lend you my support when you speak with your stepfather.”
“Thank you, my lord. But I truly believe I must go alone. Did you procure the documents I need?”
“Yes, I did. I had my solicitor set forth all the provisions you described.”
“When will you go to see him, Katy?” Charity asked.
“Tomorrow morning. I see no reason to delay.”
“We have less than an hour until dinner,” Lady Harrington offered. “Let me show you to your room, Katherine, where you can refresh yourself and change from your traveling dress.”
After Katherine had been shown upstairs, Lady Harrington excused herself, leaving her daughter behind. When the maid left the room, Charity asked, “Did you really wish to come alone? You
have
told Lord Rudley about Sir Humphrey, have you not?”
Katherine faced her accuser guiltily. “I have not. I intended to, but the longer I waited the harder it became, and somehow I just never found the right time.”
“Katherine!”
“Charity, I know you are right, but you must understand. The man I married, the family I married into—family is everything to them. I know the Countess of Finley was not pleased when her brother chose me. Can you imagine what she would have said if she had known she was gaining Sir Humphrey as a relative—even as a step-relative? He is lewd, a drunkard, a reckless gambler. He is lazy. He spends income that belongs to his stepdaughters! How can I tell my husband that I lived for nine years in this man’s house? What would he think of me?”
“He would think you had no choice, for in fact you had none.”
“I could have left sooner,” Katherine argued. “I had offers, but I was selfish. I preferred to endure Sir Humphrey than spend all my days wed to a man I did not love. I do not see why my new family ever needs to know about Sir Humphrey. If he agrees to my terms tomorrow, he will be out of my life forever. I want to forget him.”
“But, Katy, someday someone is bound to make the connection.”
“Why should they? No one has so far. Sir Humphrey never goes to London, and no one who knew me in Lincolnshire moves in the same circles as the Seaton family. Even Lady Finley, who I am certain looked into my background, did not discover my mother’s second marriage, for surely she would have told Rudley if she had.’’
Katherine paused as she slipped a pale lilac evening gown over her head and turned for Charity to fasten it for her.
“There is one problem that arose just before I left Rudley Court, but if all here goes as I planned, then I think I have a solution.”
“What problem is that?” Charity asked.
“Rudley saw some of my outgoing post, and before I left he asked me who Sir Humphrey Corey was.”
“What!’’ Charity exclaimed. “How did you answer him?”
“I did not answer. An interruption saved me, but I am certain that eventually he will ask again.”
“What will you say?”
“I will say he is someone from my past whom I would prefer to forget.”
“And you believe your husband will accept such an explanation?”
“I believe he will.”
Charity finished with the dress and walked away, shaking her head in doubt. “I cannot like any of this, Katy. A wife should tell her husband everything.”
“Everything? I agree she should be honest about herself, but must she share the shame of her family?’’
“I think so, yes.”
“Tell me this, Charity. If you were so fortunate as to make a match with Oliver Seaton, would you follow your own advice?”
“I would,” Charity affirmed.
“You would tell all?”
“Yes.”
“Would you tell him about the bastard your father sired in the village after his marriage to your mother?”
“But, Katherine, that was years ago—a youthful indiscretion. I am certain he has been a faithful husband since.”
“Would you tell Mr. Seaton about the time you disappeared with Henry Sprague and no one could find you for more than two hours?”
“But we were lost in the maze—and I thought I was in love with him.”
“But would you tell Mr. Seaton about it? Would you tell him, as you say, everything?”
Unable to face Katherine’s accusative stare, Charity turned away to the window. After several moments she replied quietly, “Perhaps not.”
“Just so,” Katherine replied. “I believe I have set the question to rest.”
* * * *
Early the following morning Katherine borrowed a horse from the Harringtons and, taking only a groom with her, rode to her old home. She avoided the main highway, following instead the farm roads and cart tracks. Along the roadside wild hyacinth bloomed in profusion, the drooping purple heads swaying gently in the breeze. One small meadow she rode across was a yellow sea of buttercups.
When she arrived at Sir Humphrey’s house, Katherine left the groom and the horses at the stables and walked to the front door. She sounded the knocker and Martin’s familiar face soon appeared. The butler’s somber expression was replaced by a bright smile as he saw who waited on the doorstep.
“Miss Katherine!” he exclaimed, then corrected himself. “I should say Lady Rudley. How good it is to see you again. We did not expect you.’’
As he glanced behind her to discover the conveyance that had delivered her, she said, “I am staying with the Harringtons. I rode over to see my stepfather. I came early, because I know he is at his best at this time of day. Is he at home?”
“Please come in, my lady. Sir Humphrey has come down to breakfast. Should you like to join him?”
“Perhaps you had best take him my card, Martin, and ask if he will see me.”
“Certainly, my lady.”
As she handed him her visiting card she asked, “How are you getting on with him, Martin?’’
“Much the same as always, my lady. Things have changed little since you left. He no longer has you to vent his anger on, and for that I am grateful. We were so pleased to hear of your marriage; your husband is said to be a fine man.”
“He is, Martin, and I am content with him.”
“Mrs. Green and the others will be pleased to hear it. Excuse me, Lady Rudley, I will take your card in to Sir Humphrey.’’
Martin returned in a few moments and led Katherine to the breakfast parlor, where he nodded to the servants to leave the room, then closed the door, leaving Katherine and her stepfather alone.
“And to what do I owe this honor?’’ Sir Humphrey asked, stuffing his mouth with a slice of beef.
“You must have known I would come,” Katherine answered, seating herself at the table. “We cannot continue with things as they are. Serena finishes school in a week, and you do not want her here any more than I want her to be here.”
“She will not stay long; she weds Postlethwaite in September.”
“Serena does not wish for the match,” Katherine replied, “nor do I. I will not permit it.”
‘‘
You
will not permit it? You have no say in the matter! It shall be as I have arranged.”
“Why do you insist upon such an inferior match for her, sir? If she comes to me now, she can do much better for herself. She can be brought out, meet eligible men—”
“Oh, yes, you are very well-connected now, are you not, my lady,” he said scornfully. “A countess, no less. Moving only in the best circles. The date is set, the settlements are arranged. Serena will marry Postlethwaite.”
“There is the heart of the matter,” Katherine said. “The settlements are all that concern you, not Serena’s happiness nor the unsuitability of the match.’’
Still chewing his breakfast, Sir Humphrey started to speak again, but Katherine forestalled him. “Before you fly up into the boughs, I have a proposition to put before you,” she said. “Please hear me out. If you follow through on your plans with Archie, you will receive a fixed amount, which will in time be gone. The plan I am proposing will guarantee you an income for the rest of your life.’’ She paused to see how this information would be received.
Sir Humphrey stopped eating for a moment, one eyebrow raised, before he said gruffly, “Go on. I am listening.”
Taking a deep breath, Katherine plunged into the speech she had prepared with great care. “I should like you to resign your guardianship of Serena in favor of me.”
“I won’t do it. Her income would come to you.”
“I realize that. Therefore, I, in return, will assign
my
total income to you
permanently.
” He stopped chewing once again as the meaning of her offer became clear. “In our present situation,” she continued, “you would have the benefit of Serena’s income only three more years, until she turns twenty-one. If you accept my offer, you would have the same amount indefinitely.’’
He took a long draught of ale, then asked, “And what does your fine husband think about you tossing away the only income you brought to the marriage?”
As carefully as Katherine had prepared for this interview, she had failed to foresee this question. In the brief space before she answered, Sir Humphrey’s eyes narrowed as he watched her carefully.
“He understands that I desire guardianship,” Katherine said, “and he does not mind what I do with my own money.”
“He knows nothing about this little plan of yours, does he?”
“Of course he does.”
“No, he does not, and there is no use lying to me, girl; I can see the truth in your eyes. That, of course, explains why your husband is not here with you. What business do women have dealing with money matters and issues of guardianship?”
“It is my money,” Katherine returned angrily, “and it will be my guardianship. Who has more right to deal with it than I?”
“Don’t get on your high ropes, girl,” Sir Humphrey replied. “I have not said no to your proposal now, have I? If I could trust you to keep to your part of the bargain . . .”
“I have no intention of leaving anything to trust,” Katherine said. “I have had a document drawn up by a solicitor. It states all the conditions I have mentioned. If we both sign it and have it witnessed, it will be a legal and binding agreement. I also have a document here that irrevocably assigns my income to you.”
Katherine drew the papers from her reticule and handed them to her stepfather. He perused them for some minutes in silence, then rang the bell at his elbow. When the butler appeared, Sir Humphrey said, “Lady Rudley and I are about to sign some papers, Martin. We wish you to witness our signatures. Fetch quill and ink at once.”
“Very good, sir.”
When the butler left, Katherine asked, “You agree, then, to all the conditions stated?”
“I would be a fool not to. I have nothing to lose and much to gain.”
“You will break off the arrangement with Archie Postlethwaite?”
“I will.”
“And I will receive no further communications from you asking for money?’’
“Well, perhaps occasionally—”
“No,” Katherine interrupted, “not occasionally, not ever. Once I have signed my income over to you, there will be nothing to send you.”
“Surely your husband is generous—”
“I will not support you with my husband’s money.”
“You will have your sister’s income.”
“Which I will put aside for her. I will not bend on this point, sir. If you sign the agreement, you must manage on your own from now on. I can no longer help you.”
By the time Martin returned with the writing implements, Sir Humphrey had made his decision. He set about signing the several copies of each document. Katherine signed after him, then Martin.
When all was done and Martin had left them alone again, Katherine said, “Lord Harrington has agreed to send the documents to both my solicitor and yours. He has assured me that once this is done, the Midsummer Day payments will be rendered according to the new agreement. Is this arrangement satisfactory with you?”
“I trust Harrington; I have no objection.”
“Very well.” After carefully returning the documents to her reticule, Katherine rose from the table and pulled on her riding gloves. “I appreciate your cooperation, sir. I think we have both profited from this morning’s work.”
As Katherine rode away from Briarwood Place, she prayed she would never see it again. The interview had gone much better than she had imagined it would. She knew she had been successful because she had found her stepfather sober. She wondered if Sir Humphrey would regret his decision the next time he was disguised.
* * * *
When Katherine returned to Harrington Manor wreathed in smiles, her host and hostess and her dear friend knew her mission had fared well.
“Did he agree?” Charity asked.
“He did,” Katherine answered. “To everything.”
“I was certain he would,” Lord Harrington added. “He is much too shrewd to pass up such a good bargain, but I still think you were too generous, my dear.”
“It was worth every penny to have Serena safely in my care at last.”
He nodded approvingly. “That is true. His latest scheme to wed her to Postlethwaite was madness. I cannot imagine what he was thinking.”
“He was thinking of the money,” Katherine said, “but he has agreed to end it, and I will rely upon you, my lord, to make sure he follows through on his promise.”
“I will certainly do so. You may depend upon it.” Then changing the subject he added, “You young ladies had a busy Season.” Putting his arm around Katherine’s shoulders and directing her to a comfortable sofa, he said, “You must tell me all about your new brother-in-law, who I understand was my daughter’s riding instructor. Charity has been reluctant to share details about him.”