Wedding Night With the Earl (21 page)

But that wasn’t likely to happen. He’d made it clear that he was not in the market for a wife, and taking her innocence wasn’t going to happen, either.

Two days had passed since she’d seen him. How long did it take to figure out a way to be alone with her?

She’d kept hoping she would see the earl walk inside the ballroom before the night was over and tell her he had a plan for them to meet and dance. The hours were passing, the evening was getting later and later, and there had been no sight of him.

She didn’t know why she had thrown down her gloves at Lord Greyhawke’s feet other than, at the time, it seemed the right thing to do. She was angry with him. Not so much because he wouldn’t take her innocence when she so blatantly offered it, but because he would be leaving London.

Even now, the thought of him going away and her never seeing him again caused a stabbing pain in her chest. Everything would be perfect in her life right now if—and it was a big if—seeing and being with Lord Rudyard made her feel the same way as when she was with Lord Greyhawke. She could then happily agree to marry the viscount as soon as possible and start her family. But those exciting and thrilling feelings were not there with Lord Rudyard, and she knew they never would be. He had many qualities to admire, but she didn’t even have a needlepoint of desire for his touch.

Uncle Quillsbury had returned from Kent while she was at the orphanage. She’d expected to be summoned to his book room to explain herself, but that order had never come. He must have been satisfied with what Aunt Leola had to say about the gossip. Everyone else seemed to be, too.

At the parties, the first night after the scandal sheets had printed their gossip, she and her aunt had expected her to experience some measure of censure from several of the older ladies in the ton, but rather than condemn her, she had ladies coming up to her and commending her for being so observant as to see the chip in the plate before the earl had a chance to see it.

There had also been unexpected comments of pity that set Katherine’s teeth on edge. Though she’d never given anyone reason to be solicitous toward her concerning her limp, some of the ladies made it clear they were, and it bumped Lord Greyhawke up a notch in their eyes because he’d helped the crippled young lady in her hour of need. If she hadn’t been so annoyed by the comments, she would have laughed.

Katherine didn’t want people thinking she was that frail, but in the end, she supposed it was better than speculations that she and the earl had been doing exactly what they’d been doing two days ago at the orphanage—kissing madly.

She rubbed her palm against the handle of her cane and leaned heavily on it, as she was prone to do at times. A server approached her and said, “Miss, would you care for a glass of champagne?”

Remembering Lord Greyhawke telling her that it was the champagne bubbles in her head that caused her to get a headache if she drank more than one glass made her smile. She looked at the man and shook her head.

“Begging your pardon, but I would like for the miss to take the glass and the note beside it. A gentleman paid me quite handsomely to take the risk of getting it to you without anyone’s knowledge but yours.”

Katherine’s stomach tightened. Her mind swirled. The note must be from Lord Greyhawke. Maybe he was here and wanted her to meet him on the terrace or in the garden.

“Yes, thank you,” she whispered to the man. “I believe I would care for another glass.”

He lowered the tray, and she carefully picked up the note and the glass at the same time. The server left, and suddenly Uncle Quillsbury was standing in his place.

Katherine jumped and spilled the champagne down her hand and over the note. She was caught.

“Good heavens, Katherine, you aren’t usually so clumsy.”

Instead of reaching for the note, he reached in his pocket for a handkerchief. She realized he hadn’t seen the piece of paper. She sucked in a deep, silent breath, thanked her lucky stars, and closed her fist around the message and the stem of the glass.

“Here, let me hold your champagne while you dry your hand.”

“No, that’s not necessary, Uncle,” she said, refusing the handkerchief and holding tighter to the glass. “It was only a drop. Nothing to worry about.”

“Then perhaps you should sit down. You’ve probably been standing too long and you’ve overly tired your leg.”

“I’m quite fine. Tell me, where is Uncle Willard?”

“Hmm. I should have thought to tell you he went home half an hour ago. Said he couldn’t stand the noise any longer.” The duke gave her a rare smile.

Katherine laughed. “I don’t believe he said that. You are teasing me, Uncle, and I love it.”

“Of course he didn’t. I’m sure he was tired of trying to hear what others were saying above the music and other chatter. Just as this will be your last Season, I’m sure it will be the last we attend as well. Concerning your aunt, I have no idea, but we brothers no longer have the fortitude to handle nights such as this for weeks at a time.”

Her uncle’s words pricked her heart. He was her guardian, and he felt it was his duty to escort her to the parties each evening. She became tired of the endless weeks of parties, too. Katherine pressed her palm harder onto the handle of her cane as a huge attack of guilt for not having already settled on a husband mingled with her fervent desire to be alone so she could read the note. What if right now Adam was waiting for her in the garden?

“Tell me, have you spoken with Mr. Whittenfield tonight? I saw he was here.”

“Yes, earlier we had a chat, but…”

“But what? He’s young, suitable, and well-heeled. His brother has been generous with him. He’s not a gambler who gets in too deep, nor does he wallow in the bottom of his tankard.”

“Thank you for reassuring me on those points, Your Grace. And you forgot to add that he’s quite handsome, too. You’ll be happy to know I am considering him.” At this point, she probably had to consider every eligible bachelor. “But he seems exceedingly young to me.”

“He’s your age, is he not?”

“I believe so. Now if you don’t mind, I think I will go sit down for a while.”

The quadrille that had been going on ended, emptying the dance floor. Katherine saw Lord Rudyard looking her way. He smiled at her as he escorted a young lady back to her chaperone. Katherine wished she could feel longing for the viscount.

“Yes, you do that,” her uncle said. “I’ll find your aunt and see how much longer she wants to stay. If she’s ready, we’ll plan to escape from this ball shortly.”

Katherine had to read that note. She couldn’t leave now if the note was from Adam, asking her to meet him somewhere in the garden or one of the three terraces. To the duke she said, “All right, you find Aunt Lee and see what she is thinking.”

“Good evening again, Your Grace,” Viscount Rudyard said as he walked up to join them. “Miss Wright, I hope I’m not intruding on a private conversation.”

Katherine cringed.

“Not at all, my lord,” the duke said. “In fact, you have perfect timing. I was just going to speak to someone, so I’ll leave you to entertain my niece for a while, if you don’t mind. I think she may want to sit down. You don’t mind escorting her to a chair, do you?”

“Not all, Your Grace.”

Botheration,
Katherine thought as her uncle walked away. Just when she’d thought she was going to get away from her uncle, the viscount arrives.

“Should we find a place to sit, Miss Wright? I’m sure your leg is bothering you. I think you’ve been standing all evening.”

She had been, but her leg was tired before she ever arrived at the ball. She had been practicing in her room standing and taking a few steps without her cane. It wasn’t easy, but with time, she knew she would get better at it.

“Perhaps in a moment,” she said, afraid that if she sat down with him, he would never leave her side so she could read her note. Time was passing and she was feeling anxious. “I’m really fine right now. His Grace worries too much about my comfort.”

“He only wants to care for you, as do I,” he added softly.

“That’s very kind of you both, but I’m beginning to believe I am stronger than anyone thinks.”

“You don’t need to be strong. You need a husband to be strong for you. Now, I was wondering if I might be fortunate enough to have you agree to another ride in the park with me tomorrow afternoon or perhaps another day if it would be better.”

“That’s very kind of you, my lord, but I’m not certain of my schedule for the week.”

The viscount’s smile faded. “I understand.”

Katherine looked at her uncle’s retreating back and remembered her promise to him to settle on a husband. The one man she wanted, didn’t want to get married.

“But no matter my schedule, my lord,” Katherine added quickly. “Perhaps you can come over one afternoon and we’ll have tea in Uncle Quillsbury’s garden. May I send a note around to you tomorrow about a day and time?”

His eyes brightened again. “That would be lovely, Miss Wright. I would be pleased to accept.”

“Good.”

He took a step closer to her. “You know, I saw you watching me on the dance floor. I’m sure it bothers you when I dance with other young ladies, and I want you to know that I will not dance with any of them again once you have made a commitment to me.”

“What?” Katherine hadn’t been watching just him. She’d been looking at everyone and mostly at their feet. “Why would you do that? Lord Rudyard, I don’t care if you dance with other young ladies. I wouldn’t even if we were engaged or married. I can’t dance, but I enjoy watching others have fun doing it. So no, I certainly wouldn’t want you to not dance because of me.”

“If you are sure.”

“I am,” she said, suddenly eager for him to be gone. “Now, would you be so kind as to get me a cup of punch?”

He looked at the champagne glass she held in her hand, and so did she.

“I’m afraid this has gotten warm,” she added.

“Then let me take it away.”

Katherine gripped the glass tighter. If she gave it to him, he would see the note in her hand; and though she was sure he wouldn’t ask her what it was, she didn’t want him to know she had it.

“I’d like to hold on to it until you return, if you don’t mind.”

He looked at her oddly, so she smiled and said, “That way no one else will approach me offering to get a drink for me.”

That seemed to satisfy him. “I shall return shortly.”

“Not too shortly, I hope,” she murmured as soon as he was gone.

She couldn’t hold her cane and the champagne and open her note all at the same time. She looked behind her for the nearest table or server so she could get rid of the glass and open the message. Neither was close by, but she did see a large urn of flowers sitting on the floor directly behind her. Maybe she could fit the glass among the flowers and have her note read and safely tucked down the sleeve of one of her gloves before the viscount returned.

With the glass teetering on the edge of the urn, Katherine had just started to open the note when she heard her name called. “Heavens to glory,” she whispered, and crumpled the note in her fist once again. She turned and saw Madeline, Penny, and Melba hurrying her way. She had to be careful. While she didn’t think that Lord Rudyard would inquire about the note in her hand, she was certain her friends would have no qualms about doing so if they saw it.

Angels above! Was she ever going to be able to be alone and read what the note said?

“Good evening again, ladies,” she said in a lighter voice than she was feeling.

“Guess what we heard?” Penny said, resting her hands on her hips.

“You’ll never guess,” Melba added, shaking her head.

“No, she won’t,” Madeline agreed. “So I’ll tell her. We heard that the Earl of Greyhawke has an heir and he is living with him.”

Master Dixon.

“There is always an heir to the title, isn’t there?” Katherine asked, choosing her words carefully as she wadded the note into her palm.

“Yes, but the heir is usually the title’s son,” Penny said. “This boy is not His Lordship’s child.”

“Or so we were told,” Melba said, her words dripping with skepticism. “I find it very—let’s just say that it’s very interesting that the child is living with him.”

“Who told you all this?” Katherine asked.

“Oh, we have it on quite good authority,” Madeline offered.

“It was Lady Littlehaven who told us,” Melba admitted without hesitation. “Her husband is a member of the Heirs’ Club. I’m sure you’ve heard of it. Anyway, Lord Greyhawke applied for membership there a week or so ago. He had to add the child’s name as the heir to the title. He told them the boy lived with him.”

“She also said this is the reason he isn’t coming to the parties. He already has an heir,” Penny said, and then frowned. “He didn’t come to London to make a match.”

“That is disappointing news for those of us who would have liked to see him on the marriage mart,” Madeline commented.

“It is,” Katherine agreed, knowing she would very much like him to be looking for a wife. “Very disappointing for all of us, but, Penny, I saw you with Mr. Underwood tonight. Was he affectionate to you?”

Penny gave her a radiant smile. “He sought me out,” she said, cooling herself with a hand-painted fan. “And he told me I look divine in this shade of pale green. Did you see us dancing? He is very light on his feet and quick with his wit as well.”

“Good evening once again, ladies,” Viscount Rudyard said as he joined them.

Katherine saw the cup of punch in the viscount’s hand and froze. What was she going to do? If she opened her hand and took it from him, everyone would see she held a note. That wouldn’t do.

While her friends and Lord Rudyard greeted each other, Katherine adjusted the paper downward and held it tightly against her palm with her last two fingers. With her other two fingers and thumb, she safely grabbed hold of the cup when Lord Rudyard extended it to her and managed to hold on to both without dropping either one.

Now her objective was to get away from the viscount and her friends as fast as she could, but moments turned into minutes and time slowly ticked by. No one made a move to leave. It was maddening to know she had a note, which she assumed was from Lord Greyhawke, and she couldn’t get a moment alone to read it for her gabby friends.