The Accidental Elopement (Scandalous Miss Brightwells Book 4) Page 22

  “Lordy, I don’t know how that went,” muttered Bertram when they’d gone. “But at least they’re alone.”

  “And at least I’ve sown the seed.” Antoinette, who was more than ready for an aperitif, searched for the bell pull. “This is just the kind of estate Odette would aspire to. And don’t you think Odette is just the kind of wife Derry needs? One with a great fortune—regardless of where it comes from. Katherine, by contrast, brings nothing.”

  Betram nodded gloomily and Antoinette exhaled gustily before adding, “We know Jack and Katherine are perfect for one another, but will they discover it in time?”

  While Antoinette was determined not to lose hope in her plan to achieve her niece’s happiness through throwing Derry and Odette together, her sister was fast losing hope as she stared through the Quamby House’s rain-flecked drawing room window and took in the expressions of her daughter and the handsome young gentleman she’d hoped would be her husband.

  With a sigh she turned to her husband who was reading the newspaper in his favourite wing back armchair before the fire. “I’d so hoped sending them to the apple tree would rekindle memories that couldn’t be denied. But Katherine and Jack look as if they’re carrying the woes of the entire world upon their shoulders. Oh Fenton, darling, I can’t bear it!”

  At the first hint of genuine distress, Fenton was always Fanny’s greatest stalwart. Now he was at her side in an instant, his arm about her shoulders as he followed her gaze. He sighed and when he spoke his tone as bleak as Fanny’s. “Honourable fellow’s just ended anything there might have been between them,” he muttered. “I can see it on his face.”

  Fanny turned into her husband’s embrace. Fenton was her rock. He teased her when she took things too seriously but he was always the first to understand the gravity of something like this. “Oh Fenton, darling! Katherine has been miserable for seven years! She deserves to be loved as she loves. To see her last opportunity snatched away is just too terrible. Oh, George!” She stopped abruptly, uncomfortable to discover her sister’s son hovering in the doorway. It wasn’t often George looked ill at ease. He had the kind of bravado that meant he brazened anything out, and walking in to see his aunt looking distressed was likely to do the opposite of tugging at his heartstrings, she thought.

  He took a few steps forward as he followed the trajectory of their vision through the window. “Jack didn’t tell me he was coming back,” he said.

  “I’m sure Jack doesn’t have to inform you of his movements,” Fanny said tartly. She disliked George intensely and was sure he would revel in Katherine’s unhappiness if he knew.

  “No, of course not.” George frowned as he took up position at the next window and Fanny wondered what he thought of the scene. It seemed suddenly prurient to be observing Katherine and Jack when they had no idea they were being watched. They were walking side by side, heads lowered, expressions glum. There was none of the joyful luminosity Fanny had hoped to see wash over her daughter’s face.

  George cleared his throat. “I thought I should mention that Lady Hale is back again. She’s in the hall asking after Diana.”

  Fanny shot George a sharp look. “We could well do without that meddlesome creature at such a time, couldn’t we?”

  Fenton was more ameliorating. “Come now, Fanny, she’s the girl’s grandmother. Of course Lady Hale would want to learn news of Diana. And here she is,” he added in a lowered tone before saying expansively, “Good afternoon, Lady Hale. Yes, what good news Diana has been found, isn’t it? And you look as up to the mark as ever.”

  Katherine didn’t think she could bear it. No sooner had she and Jack parted, Jack to go to the stables in preparation for leaving, and she to return to the house, than she was hailed by the unwelcome tones of her mother-in-law.

  The black bombazine-clad figure with her black spotted net veil was like a harbinger of doom

  “You’ll be pleased to know, Lady Hale, that Diana has been found, safe and sound,” Katherine pre-empted the old lady who was advancing towards her on the gravel path. She forced a smile even though her heart was breaking. Jack was about to leave and he was never coming back.

  “I heard the naughty child climbed into a stranger’s carriage and was whisked miles away!” Lady Hale cried, her voice shrill. She looked like a formidable galleon in swathes of grey and black silk bearing down on her. “What is she being taught of common sense and how to make wise decisions, I ask? That girl needs a firmer hand.” Lady Hale drew level as she continued to berate Katherine.

  “Diana is only six, and she knew the carriage belonged to someone visiting.” Katherine tried to keep her tone mild. “It was unfortunate that we had the worry of it, but she was never in any danger.”

  “Ah, but she might have been, Katherine. She might have been in very grave danger. A husband is what you want, Katherine. A husband with a firm hand is what you and the child both need.”

  It was hard to pay attention, for Katherine could hear the shouts of the stablehands and clink of harness from the stables behind as they prepared the conveyance Jack was taking back to Patmore Farm. She knew he’d have preferred to have ridden. He’d have covered the distance in a very short time, and his riding would be confined to his own pleasure. Odette was not a horsewoman. She disliked horses, and a carriage that shielded her as much as possible from the creatures would have to be the consideration from here on. Jack would expend a lot of effort to ensure his bride enjoyed the creature comforts with which her indulgent papa had showered her, but Katherine doubted he’d even look out of the window to wave in parting to the woman he loved. For she knew that he loved her.

  “Yes, but I’m not looking for a husband,” Katherine said, tightly. “I’m still in mourning for your son.”

  Lady Hale made some noise that denoted disapproval. “Not that anyone would know it,” she said, looking pointedly at Katherine’s gown that, while black, was brightened by the colourful Indian shawl Jack had sent her during his travels.

  “Well, I don’t know how you can suggest I marry again at this juncture of my life when Freddy is barely cold in the ground.” The words sounded cruel and harsh as they fell upon the air, frosting in front of Katherine’s face like a reproach in the gathering cold. She raised her face quickly to Lady Hale to apologise but met a beetling look and the surprising response, “Freddy was a good-for-nothing. We both know that. It’s why you need to find a replacement who’ll treat you with the respect you deserve.”

  Katherine gasped out loud as Lady Hale went on, “Freddy was an inveterate gambler and had no compunction in taking his pleasure without conscience. The night I heard he’d eloped, I felt both pain and pleasure, Katherine, I’ll be honest.”

  Katherine’s heart beat quickly. She could hear the sound of carriage wheels on gravel behind her and knew it must be Jack, but Lady Hale was facing her down with words that were so painful and loaded with prophecy and portent she couldn’t turn around. She might crumple into a heap of despair if she did.

  She bunched her hands into fists to give her strength, and closed her eyes as the irony of the situation engulfed her. Jack—the future she’d wanted the whole of her adult life—was passing behind her at this very moment, and she couldn’t feast her eyes upon him one last time because the mother of the wastrel she’d married pinioned her like a butterfly with the words that revealed her estimation of her own son was as bad as Katherine’s.

  “Pain…because I wondered how long it would take before the young woman he’d tricked into marriage realised the deadly error of her impulsiveness, and pleasure…because at last I could share the worry over Freddy’s antics with someone else.”

  “I was married to Freddy for seven years…” Katherine took a deep breath and sent Lady Hale a combative look. “And I do not think I’ll marry again.”

  “You have a child to consider, Katherine. Freddy’s daughter and Freddy, as a husband, is as strong beyond the grave as he ever was in life. His dictates will be taken very seriously in a c
ourt of law, and you know what his wishes were as regards Diana.”

  For a few moments, Katherine had believed her mother-in-law stood in solidarity with her. Some of her dislike had melted away, but now it hardened, encasing her heart as she muttered, “Freddy ceded decisions surrounding Diana to you, it is true, but you’ve never shown any great interest in her. Why would you take her away from me?”

  Lady Hale drew back her shoulders. “I don’t want the care of the child, it’s true. But I want to see her future is guided well, Katherine. I want a responsible man at the helm. Not a string of fly-by-admirers who’ll mire both you and Diana increasingly in scandal and erode my granddaughter’s chances of making a good marriage.”

  “You have so little regard for my morals?” Katherine asked, outraged.

  “Your family has not been renowned for lofty morals, Katherine.”

  Katherine turned on her heel and began to walk away. There was no answer to this. Her mother-in-law had gone too far by tainting the entire Brightwell clan with her outrageous claim. As she raised her head, she saw Jack’s carriage turning out onto the main road that led north towards Patmore Farm. She stopped to stare.

  What was left for her now? If she couldn’t have the man she loved, she had only her daughter to brighten her dull days.

  “Marry Lord Derry and I’ll not instigate a claim for Diana!”

  Lady Hale’s harsh words carried from the path where she still stood. Katherine halted, but she didn’t turn. A fury greater than she knew she could control was threatening to overcome her. She had to breathe very carefully and steadily before she could turn to look the old woman in the eye. Otherwise, she’d run, screaming, across the short distance that separated them and put her hands around Lady Hale’s neck.

  “Marry Lord Derry? You want me to marry Lord Derry so much?” Katherine shook her head. She squeezed shut her eyes and clenched her fists. Then she picked up her skirts and walked steadily along the path and disappeared around the corner of the house, leaving Lady Hale standing where she’d left her.

  “Oh my, Katherine! I’m sorry!”

  Katherine stepped backwards after bumping hard into her cousin George’s chest. She was going to continue onwards with no word, but he put his hand out and gripped her wrist, drawing her round to face him.

  She didn’t need this right now and struggled to release her arm.

  “You’re forgiven, George,” she muttered, about to move on, but he angled himself in front of her.

  “You look upset, Katherine. Can I help?”

  Katherine raised her face to see his eyes, small and calculating, boring into hers and a great revulsion made her tremble.

  With an effort, she tried to normalise the encounter. It wasn’t appropriate to slap his face when that would simply be an outlet that would give her great satisfaction and provoke him—with good reason. “Jack’s gone to Patmore Farm where Miss Worthington has no doubt made her way with Aunt Antoinette and Uncle Bramwell. Did he say goodbye to you?” She phrased it like that to give him greater pain—like the pain she was feeling.

  George shook his head. “I came out to wish him Godspeed, but he was talking to you so…I didn’t want to interrupt. And then he was gone.”

  “That was surprisingly thoughtful of you, George.” Katherine picked up her skirts and moved past him. “And now I should check that Diana hasn’t run away again. Lady Hale has a dim view of my mothering abilities.”

  He put out his arm to stay her, and as Katherine swung around, she was glad to note that Lady Hale was no longer where she’d left her, so that was one objectionable person out of the way. Now she just needed to get rid of George.

  “She’s just worried about Diana, I’m sure.” His voice carried in the cold air behind her. How she wished he would just go.

  “And what would you know about such concerns, George?” Katherine snapped. She could feel the tears starting behind her eyes and hated that George should witness her weakness.

  “I feel concern, Katherine. I feel concern for you, though you might not think it.”

  Katherine breathed in through her nose. “Really, George. Do you? Then find a way to get Lady Hale out of my life so I can keep Diana in it!”

  Suddenly he sounded urgent. “You could marry me, Katherine. That would solve that problem. Lady Hale wants you to have a husband who can steer both of you in the right direction. She’s concerned by your propensity to court scandal, that’s all and—”

  “Oh, shut up, George! I did not court scandal. It was thrown at me like a.…mud pie.”

  He put his hands on her shoulders. “I just asked you to marry me, Katherine.” His voice was softer, and his eyes held something she’d not seen before and which she couldn’t identify, until he put a hand to his heart. “I’ve loved you all my life, Katherine.” His voice was soft; his words surprisingly heartfelt.

  “A strange way you had of showing it,” Katherine responded warily. She really didn’t know what to say.

  “You know I wanted you. You did, Katherine. Do you remember when you were preparing for your come-out and we’d practise dancing? You knew how much it meant to me that I could hold you on the dance floor. How I hoped we could be more than just cousins.”

  “But…” Katherine shook her head. “How could I take you seriously, George? You were so young and…always trying to cause trouble for me.”

  “I wanted to cause trouble for anyone who might have a superior claim to your heart.”

  “Like Jack?”

  “You still love him?”

  The words hung between them; their answer like a portent of doom. Katherine had only to admit it, and he’d wring every last drop from her. He’d make her suffer.

  But how could she suffer more than she suffered now?

  She felt her shoulders slump. “Jack is to marry Odette. He told me just now. Nothing will change his mind.”

  “You could marry me.”

  She shook her head.

  “I know you don’t love me, Katherine, when that is all I ever wanted, but if you can’t marry Jack, what will you do? You need to marry to keep Diana. I heard Lady Hale. Yes, she thinks you’re loose and dangerous without a strong man to guide you, and that you’ll be swept up into worse scandal than the scandal that ensued when you recklessly eloped with Freddy—”

  Angrily Katherine shook her head. “I did not recklessly run off with Freddy. I didn’t know it was Freddy. I thought it was Jack who sent that carriage. I thought he’d changed his mind, and that with the delay caused by the storm, he was offering me one final chance to brave everything to be with him. And I was willing to do that. I didn’t need the glitter and comfort of all this!” She was crying as she encompassed Quamby House and its manicured grounds with a sweep of her arm. “I only wanted Jack. And I still only want Jack!” She began to walk. The rain was heavier now, and the wind had gathered momentum. She raised her skirts to step over the puddles that had formed in the path but George moved quickly to waylay her, gripping her upper arms and pushing his face into hers.

  “Marry me, Katherine!” he cried. “Marry me, and all this will one day be yours. You’ll be Lady Quamby, not some ordinary domestic housewife with an estate that has been bought through trade. That’s all Jack could have offered you!”

  “Good God, I’d rather marry Derry if that was all the choice I had, for I would never… no, not in a thousand years, marry you, George!” She slapped away his hands and began with greater purpose than ever to walk towards the house, turning to cry out as he tried one final gambit, “Get out of my sight. I can’t bear to look at you, George. You always were so filled with malice that this must be meat and drink to you. To see me brought so low. To see me so reduced that if the world ended right now, I’d be happy not to suffer a moment’s torment more of what I’m suffering. Now get out of my sight!”

  She’d hoped to make it silently to her bedchamber where she could cry her eyes out in private, but her mother waylaid her in the passage and brought her into th
e drawing room where her father was solicitous, and her mother tried to say soothing words.

  Some while later they heard loud stamping in the hallway and the sound of slamming doors, and when Lady Fenton asked what the commotion was about, she was told that Master George was in a fury and had gone out riding.

  “In this weather?” Lady Fenton queried for the rain was teeming down from an almost black sky. “George isn’t one for exercise even in the most clement of conditions.”

  “I hope he breaks his neck,” Katherine muttered, unable to bear a moment more of anyone’s pleasant or unpleasant temper as she stepped out of her mother’s orbit and headed towards the door. “Goodnight, Mama. I think I’ll have an early night. Please offer my excuses at dinner.”

  Chapter 27

  George hated the rain. He hated riding in the rain, and right now he hated everything in this world except Katherine.

  Even though she hated him. Oh, she’d made that clear enough. She’d hated him her whole life, it seemed, and no doubt she’d be happy to hear the news that he’d broken his neck.

  Still, he urged his mount on, over roads that were turning into rivulets, across streams that existed when none had but an hour before. Rage and hurt drove him on until exhaustion and self-pity had him slumping in his saddle as he neared the Northcote Arms where he knew Jack and Odette had stopped along the way. Presumably, Lord Derry was with them as he hadn’t passed him on the return journey.

  When he learned they’d in fact headed towards Derry House, George turned his mount in that direction and was announced just as dinner was being served.

  Apparently, the rain had made travelling the final distance to Patmore Farm too much of an undertaking that evening, he was told as he stood, dripping on the flagstones. However, instead of inviting George in to join the others, Lord Derry’s butler seemed to infer that while the inclement weather had been reason enough to offer Odette and George’s mother and uncle accommodation, George might consider taking himself off to the Northcote Arms.