The Care and Feeding of Your Captive Earl (What Happens In Scotland Book 3) (17 page)

“We need to discuss how we will announce the news of our marriage. Your parents spread the tale that you were away, tending to a sick cousin. To deviate from that account will surely invite speculation.”

Gwen lowered herself into the chair situated in front of his desk. “I don’t see how it can be avoided. How likely is it that I would leave to tend to a sick relative and return married? And to
you,
of all people.”

He scowled at that last remark. “The only people who are aware of our intimate connection are my servants and your parents.”

She lifted a brow. “And your mistress,” she reminded him.

He didn’t look amused. “
Former
mistress.”

“Well,
whatever
she is, she knows. Does she not?”

“Yes, perhaps you are right. Even if I ask her to remain silent, there is no assurance she will do as I ask. Katherine is a woman of her own mind. She is not easily governed.”

His tone was so confident that it left Gwen in little doubt of his and Katherine’s connection. “You admire that about her.”

“On the contrary,” he said smoothly. “I find it maddening.”

She wasn’t sure what to make of his reply. Was he merely placating her? Or was he in earnest? His relationship with Katherine was a tad too peculiar for Gwen’s liking.

“This is what we will say—I traveled to Yorkshire, asked for your hand, and we were married in Gretna Green before returning to London.”

“And why, might I ask, wouldn’t we just wait and have a proper wedding with friends and family in attendance—especially given that you are now an earl?”

He shrugged. “We couldn’t wait another day to be married. We twist it into a romantic tale of eager, impatient love.”

Impatient love.
How badly Gwen wished that were the truth, and not just a tale to divert the gossips. What would it feel like to be loved like that? To be so desired that he would follow her to such a far-flung place? Perhaps she would never know.

Gwen swallowed past the thickness in her throat. “I think that will work.”

“Good. I will place an announcement in the
Times
to circumvent the gossip rags. God willing, we can avoid any speculation.”

“Yes, that is a good plan.”

He glanced at the timepiece on his desk. “I’ll be leaving for White’s shortly, and I don’t expect to be home until quite late. Will you be all right on your own?”

Newly married and already he was escaping to his club. She flashed him a tight smile. “I will be quite well, I assure you. I shall ask Mrs. Reid to bring a tray upstairs.”

He stood and came around the desk, took her by the shoulders and placed a warm, lingering kiss on her lips. Dizzied, she swayed slightly as he pulled away.

“I will be home tonight.” He brushed his thumb across her lips. “Indeed, I look forward to sleeping beside my wife.”

She imagined his warm, naked body sliding beneath the covers and his large frame enveloping her. Her gaze fluttered up to meet his. “Perhaps. If you are not
too
late, then I shall put it under advisement.”

His lips turned up—flashing her that striking, heart-melting smile. “So magnanimous, ma’am.” He kissed her on the forehead. “I am much obliged.”

Hours later, Gwen had just stepped out of the library on her way back up to her bedchamber when a knock echoed through the foyer. Langley sprang to the door, swinging it open to reveal a woman standing in the doorway, her large feathered hat silhouetted against the dark sky.

In low tones, Langley invited the woman inside, taking her cloak. She was beautiful, perhaps a few years older than Gwen. She was curvaceous, dark-haired with almond-shaped eyes, and perfectly bowed lips. Polished and elegant. There were no other words to describe such a woman.

Who in heaven’s name could she be? Whoever she was, it was awfully bold of her to call at this late hour.

Gwen stepped forward, tucking the book against her chest. “Good evening—”

The woman lifted her head and glared—actually
glared
—at Gwen. “Lady Hastings, I presume.”

Gwen scowled, unsure how she could be aware of such an intimate detail. Clearly news had already circulated about her and Matthias’s marriage. London really was a hotbed of gossip.

“You presume correctly. But now you have me at a disadvantage, ma’am, for you know my name, but I do not have the pleasure of knowing yours.”

Her perfectly shaped lips turned up into a faint smirk. “Mrs. Katherine Grant.”

Gwen felt all of the blood drain from her face.
Katherine Grant.
Matthias’s
former
mistress. Gwen blinked, taking in the woman’s appearance with new eyes. She was curvaceous where Gwen was not, dark and exotic where Gwen was fair and plain.

A knot of jealousy tightened beneath Gwen’s ribs. This woman had been intimate with Matthias. How could Gwen possibly compare?

“Mrs. Grant,” Gwen said. “If you are here to see my husband, I am sorry to disappoint you. He is at his club this evening.”

“Yes, I know. He is always at his club on Tuesday evenings.” She laughed. “He is nothing if not predictable, is that not right?”

“I…would not know. We have only been married a short while.”

“Ah.” Katherine smirked. “Well.”

The very idea that a mistress would call on a gentleman’s wife was…unfathomable to Gwen. And to make no secret of their intimate association was so beyond the pale that it was utterly uncivilized. If she weren’t so astonished, she would have been outraged.

A long, awkward silence stretched between them before Katherine finally spoke. “A hot drink, perhaps?”

“Oh,” Gwen said, emerging from her daze. “Yes. Of course. Please come through to the parlor.” She turned to Mrs. Reid, who was hovering by the doorway. “Some tea, Mrs. Reid.”

“Yes, ma’am,” she responded before turning to leave.

Gwen led Katherine into the parlor. Katherine took the sofa, while Gwen chose an upholstered chair directly across from her.

Gwen stared at the other woman steadily, determined not to be intimidated in her own home. She couldn’t countenance it. “What can I do for you, Mrs. Grant?”

She would not feign politeness. There was no reason for pretense. This woman was not her equal and did not merit Gwen’s deference.

“I am here because I feel it is my duty to put you on your guard.”

Gwen blinked, baffled. “We are strangers. What duty could you possibly have to me?”

“We share a commonality, you and I.” She shifted on the sofa, folding her gloved hands demurely in her lap. “And thus, I feel a sort of sisterhood toward you.”

Every instinct in her demanded she stop this conversation directly. And if not for her deep curiosity, Gwen would have done so. Regrettably, curiosity had always gotten the better of her—often to her cost.

“And how do you know my husband, precisely?” Gwen asked, feigning ignorance. She wondered how Katherine would explain her and Matthias’s “connection.”

“We are…
friends,
” she replied meaningfully.

“Interesting,” she said, persisting with her role of ignorant wife. “He has never mentioned you.” Another lie.

Her lips curved up at the edges. “Perhaps he doesn’t wish to excite your more protective feelings for him.”

“Or perhaps he feels that the impetus for such feelings is not worth my time or reflection.”

Katherine laughed a little under her breath. “Dear sweet child. Do not mistake anything he does for kindness or concern for you. Men are inherently selfish creatures. And I’m afraid nothing—not even marriage—can cure them of that unfortunate defect.”

“Not
all
men, surely.”

“All. Men,” Katherine said forcefully. “I have yet to meet an exception to that rule.”

“You have been
acquainted
with many gentlemen, I gather. Quite impressive for a woman so young. Such labors must be depleting.”

Katherine glared at Gwen, now fully aware to what she was referring. Though, truthfully, Gwen had made little effort to conceal her meaning.

A footman carried in the tea tray and set it on the low table between them. It wasn’t until he bowed and left the room, clicking the door shut behind him, that Katherine spoke.

“Years ago, that may have been true,” she said evenly, unashamed. “I know of what I speak. Allow me to impart my knowledge unto someone less experienced in such matters.”

Gwen just barely managed to keep her eyes from rolling heavenward. “Very well,” she said impatiently, straightening her spine. “What is it you wish to say?”

“Matthias and I are in love.”

Katherine said the words with such force and certainty that it took Gwen by surprise. She blinked, attempting to understand. In
love
? No, that simply wasn’t true. Matthias had
ended
their association. Surely, if he loved Katherine, he would never have done such a thing.

“If that is true, then why did he marry me?”

Katherine shrugged her slender shoulders. “Pity, perhaps?”

The comment struck Gwen in the chest—perhaps because it was the truth. He had ruined her. Well, in actuality, Gwen had ruined herself—and he had married her to remedy the situation. True affection had played no part in it.

“That is rather unkind.” Gwen swallowed. “Particularly from someone who is not acquainted with me at all.”

“I know women of your character—innocent, sickeningly sweet, and quite determined to snag a titled husband.” Before Gwen could snap back, she continued, “But it matters not. Though you have his title, it is I who possesses his heart.”

Tears stung the backs of Gwen’s eyes, but she struggled to keep them reined in. She did not want this woman witnessing her distress. Instead, she clenched her hands into fists in her lap, her nails digging into her palms painfully. “Is it your belief that I trust everything I am told? I do not know your character. Perhaps your nature is mendacious.”

“I wrote to your husband when he returned to London and he came to me directly. Without hesitation.”

That did not trouble her. Matthias had told Gwen as much himself. “That is hardly a declaration of love. I daresay he called on you to say he will no longer require your
friendship
.”

“Yes, I feared you would see it that way.” Katherine’s lips turned up into a smile that sent chills down Gwen’s spine. “That is why I brought this.” She pulled a folded piece of parchment out of her reticule and handed it to Gwen.

Gwen unfolded the parchment and read the contents. It was a hastily scribbled note—no, a contract—outlining the continuing terms of support for
the child
. It was signed by Matthias and dated yesterday.

She shook her head, staring at Matthias’s signature. “I don’t understand.”

Katherine placed a hand over her middle revealing a slightly swollen belly. “I am with child, and your husband is the father.”

Gwen stood abruptly, a wave of dizziness washing over her. The floor swam beneath her feet as she struggled to remain upright. The parchment fell from her fingers and floated to the blue and red Persian carpet.

The woman continued, “What man can resist the mother of his child?”

Gwen shook her head, trying desperately to make sense of this. “He could never acknowledge the child. And you would be ruined.”

She shrugged. “I will raise the child as my ward—the son or daughter of a distant cousin. But Matthias and I will know the truth. We will be a family. And you…Well, you will be nothing more than the insignificant wife.”

Swaying on her feet, Gwen turned on her heel and left the room. Langley appeared in the corridor. “Please see that Mrs. Grant is escorted out,” Gwen said, struggling to keep her composure.

“Yes, my lady. I will see to it.”

She sprinted up the main staircase. Once inside her bedchamber, she closed the door behind her and fell onto the bed.

We will be a family.

Lying on her back, Gwen closed her eyes and tried to steady her breathing. Matthias had lied to her. He had said nothing about a child, or setting his mistress up in a town house. None of it had been mentioned. How much more was he concealing beneath those honeyed words and handsome smile?

Pain lanced through her. How could she have fallen so easily? Simpleminded. Gullible. That’s what she was.

She’d been a fool, but she would not allow herself to be deceived again.

The hours faded away quickly, giving way to the darkness of nightfall. At length, a soft knock sounded on her door before it opened, revealing Mrs. Reid.

Gwen sat up, blinking as her eyes adjusted to the dim light.

“Good evening, my lady.” Ms. Reid went about the room, lighting the candles and sconces. “Shall I bring a tray up for you?”

“I find I am not hungry tonight.”

“Of course. Would you care to undress and retire for the night?”

Sleep sounded heavenly, but her mind was still reeling, trying to make sense of today’s encounter with Katherine. Did he love Katherine? Why had Matthias lied about her? The only person who could answer those questions was Matthias, and heaven only knew when he would arrive home. Until then, she would be lost in a nightmare of her own making, envisioning every response possible.

“No, I shall wait awhile longer to undress.”

“Very good, my lady. Oh, I almost forgot. This letter came for you.” She pulled a letter out of her pocket and handed it to Gwen.

“Thank you, Mrs. Reid. I will ring when I am ready to undress.”

As soon as Mrs. Reid was gone, Gwen turned her attention to the letter. She recognized Evelyn’s handwriting immediately.

Dearest Gwendolyn,

You must know how relieved I am to have received word that you are well and safe. Please call at the earliest prospect. There is much we must discuss.

-E

More than anything, Gwen ached to see her friend. What would she advise her to do about Katherine? She would offer her sympathies and make a quip about running away to India, or some such nonsense. They would laugh—and for a short while, Gwen wouldn’t feel so alone.

Later, Gwen was sitting in a large wing chair, reading by candlelight when the door opened. Glancing up, she expected to see Mrs. Reid. It was Matthias. He strode into the room, stripping off his jacket as he approached.