Читать книгу Regency Affairs Part 2: Books 7-12 Of 12 - Ann Lethbridge - Страница 23

‘What is going on here?’ Kit asked when he arrived back at the Lodge and saw a stand off between Rupert and Johnson. Rupert physically blocked the door to his bedroom while Johnson glowered at him. Kit controlled his temper. The last thing he wanted to do was to have to deal with Rupert and Johnson. All he wanted was his bed and sleep. After he rested, he knew he’d come up with a viable plan to win Harriet.

‘A slight misunderstanding, sir,’ Johnson said. ‘Mr Hook wishes to prevent me packing your things.’

‘Returning to London would be a mistake, Kit. I beg you to reconsider.’

‘Sir Christopher never reconsiders, Mr Hook. I have explained this to you several times,’ Johnson said with a long-suffering sigh. ‘I know my gentleman, begging your pardon. You should allow me to do my duty.’

‘Unpack the bags, Johnson. I want the rose bedroom made ready as well.’ Kit looked hard at his manservant. ‘We are staying … for the foreseeable future.’

Both men’s jaws dropped open. Johnson recovered himself first.

‘Very good, sir. The rose bedroom will be made ready.’ Johnson bustled off, shaking his head.

Kit fought hard not to laugh. He had never seen his manservant as flummoxed before. Seeing Johnson shaken out of his usual reserve was the sole moment of merriment he’d been able to derive from the catastrophe.

‘We are not going to London?’ Rupert squeaked.

‘Are you deaf, Rupert? To repeat myself—we are staying.’

‘Truly?’ Rupert’s voice cracked. ‘We are staying. Here in Northumberland? I’m about to start believing in miracles.’

Kit raised an eyebrow. Miracles? Right now he needed one, but he would not allow himself to lose hope. He intended to prove to Harriet that he was worthy and worth taking a risk on.

‘I simply saw the error of my ways,’ Kit said in a tone that allowed for no further questions. ‘I regret that I haven’t been able to speak to you about the lecture before now. Perhaps going on about the mating habits of the newt while staring directly at Miss Parteger was not the best strategy. There was rather a shocked ripple which ran through the crowd. Next time, think about your audience’s sensibilities.’

Rupert had the grace to flush. ‘I adore her. The words came tumbling out.’ He pressed his hand to his heart. ‘Kit, do you think I have a chance? Her parents want a title and I have none.’

Kit pursed his lips. Once he would have told Rupert to forget Miss Parteger and move on, but now knowing Harriet, he knew that moving on was the wrong tack. There were times in a man’s life when he had to dig in and fight.

‘You are determined on this course?’

Rupert gave a slow nod.

‘Titles are not everything, Rupert. It is more important that you two get on. Sometimes you have to hope.’

‘Without a title I am nowhere.’

‘Your great-uncle might die without an heir. You’d have a title then.’

Rupert looked dubious. ‘He has just married a woman young enough to be my sister.’

‘It remains a distant possibility, I grant you, but it might get you a hearing.’

‘How will I convince her father and, more importantly, her mother of that? Mr Parteger only found the lecture of passing interest.’

‘To a truly determined man, you should see this as an opportunity rather than a door closing in your face.’ Kit repeated the words he’d told himself over and over on the way back to the Lodge.

‘She is an angel, Kit. I swear. Every man jack will be after her when she has her Season.’

‘Then you shall go to London when she goes, but for now, you can remain here.’ Kit gritted his teeth. London right now held no attraction. He had to hope that Harriet would see sense before he had to take Rupert to London. ‘I promise, Rupert.’

Rupert nodded, digesting the news. ‘Who is going to use the rose bedroom?’

Kit noticed the distinct change in subject. A small prickle of concern went through him. What precisely was Rupert planning? ‘My mother.’

‘Your mother?’

‘Even I have a mother, Rupert,’ Kit said drily. ‘She was lost and now she has been found again. I intend for her to live out the remainder of her days in comfort. And I shall be making my home here, for absence of doubt.’

‘And Mrs Wilkinson? The way you cut her at the lecture was the talk of the village.’

‘I never discuss ladies, Rupert, you know that. Now get on with your studies. You have a reputation to maintain.’

Rupert’s face broke into a wide smile. ‘You are right.’

Kit turned away. Rupert might have a reputation to maintain, but he had a reputation to change. Right now, he wasn’t sure which was the harder task.

Late the next morning, Hattie discovered Stephanie in her drawing room, with a cloth over her eyes as she lay on the chaise-longue.

After Kit left, Hattie had been unable to summon the energy to do little more than sob. The sobbing had given way to steely determination late in the night. Going and unburdening herself to Mrs Reynaud was now impossible. She shuddered at the thought of explaining the situation to Kit’s mother.

The only real option had been to go to Stephanie and hope she could bury herself again in trivial tasks, anything to keep from thinking and wishing that it could have been different, that Kit had really meant his proposal.

‘You are bold coming here, Hattie,’ Stephanie pronounced without removing the cloth when Hattie announced her presence. ‘After what you did!’

‘Is there some problem?’

‘Yes, my nerves are torn to shreds.’ Stephanie waved a hand. ‘Yesterday, dear Mrs Hampstead informed me that Sir Christopher was at your house late on the night of Mr Hook’s infamous lecture on the habits of newts. You entertained him. Goodness knows how many other people saw him go in. Your house can be seen from the road. Imagine what would happen if this news gets out! You can’t claim that he was being heroic this time.’

‘I’d rather not think about it.’ A shiver went down Hattie’s spine. Of all the times to be seen and remarked on. Right when she was finishing with Kit. She pinched her nose. It was, though, another explanation of why Kit felt the need to offer. ‘It wasn’t what you think, Stephanie.’

Stephanie tore the cloth from her eyes. ‘You promised, Hattie. My sister! Think about what this will do to poor sweet Livvy!’

‘You are not waiting to hear my side.’

‘I have been comforting Mrs Hampstead, who is in floods of tears. She told me all about how you used to go out riding and return with grass stains. She thought she knew you!’

‘Mrs Hampstead should have spoken to me. I would have explained.’ Hattie removed her bonnet with a trembling hand. Never had she been so angry with herself. She had been foolish in the extreme to think the affair would remain undiscovered.

‘Your lover reappeared yesterday morning and you entertained him alone.’ Stephanie’s lip curled. ‘Not content with the other night, was he? He had to make doubly sure that everyone knew what sort of loose woman you are. My sister! You were a widow with a spotless reputation until that man came along. One come-hither glance and you forget your principles. Everything that is important to you.’

Hattie summoned all of her dignity. Stephanie had no right to speak to her like that. Ever. But screaming at her like a fishwife wasn’t going to solve anything. ‘Sir Christopher made an offer of marriage.’

‘And you accepted?’ Stephanie clapped her hands and her entire face changed. ‘You might have said, Hattie, you sly puss. I have been worrying so. I couldn’t eat all yesterday and my head pains me. You were really too bad not to think about my nerves.’

Hattie waited a heartbeat. ‘I refused.’

‘You … what?’ Stephanie’s shriek could be heard in two counties. ‘Are you destined for a room in Bedlam?’

‘It was an infamous offer, made in such a way that he knew I had to refuse.’ Hattie tapped her foot, feeling her hard-won self-control starting to slip. ‘What sort of woman did he think I was?’

‘It was an offer, an offer that could have saved your life.’

‘I know the difference between a genuine offer and a pastry crust, easily made and easily broken off, Stephanie. Sir Christopher’s was one of the latter.’ Hattie lifted her chin proudly. ‘I told you after Charles died that I had no intention of marrying anyone and I meant it.’

‘I declare, Harriet Wilkinson, you carry your devotion to your dead soldier too far. I know Charles was the love of your life, but you are facing ruin. Ruin of the most public kind. You couldn’t afford to turn him down. Livvy can’t afford to have you turn him down.’

Hattie stared at her sister, torn between laughing and crying. What she felt for Charles was a schoolgirl crush that had long since vanished. The Kit-shaped hole in her heart would take far longer to mend. Until the night of the lecture, she’d really believed in him. But there was little point in explaining this to Stephanie. Stephanie only heard what she wanted to hear.

‘He made the offer with the expectation that I’d refuse,’ she said carefully. ‘He knew my feelings on marrying again.’

‘Was your first marriage that idyllic?’ Stephanie snapped. ‘People get married for reasons of duty and then make the best of it. Will you ever marry again, Hattie? Do you truly require perfection?’

Hattie regarded her hands. The old Hattie would have simply allowed the assumption to stand, but it was time she stopped hiding behind a façade. ‘You were always wrong about my marriage to Charles. It was a sham from start to finish and I only found out too late.’

‘Sham?’ Stephanie looked perplexed. ‘You were so in love with him.’

Rapidly and with as few words as possible, Hattie explained about her discovery and what she had done about it. Stephanie listened in absolute silence. Telling her proved far easier than telling Kit.

‘And now you see why I can’t marry Kit,’ Hattie finished.

‘Oh, Hattie, you should have said something!’ Stephanie held out her hand. ‘You are my sister. You should have trusted me enough to explain. I want the best for you.’

‘There was nothing you could do.’ Hattie gave a shrug. ‘And I thought if I pretended that it had never happened that it would go away.’

Stephanie rolled her eyes. ‘Perhaps you were right. If I had known, maybe I would have been more determined that you marry.’

Hattie glanced at Stephanie. A huge weight fell from her shoulders. Stephanie was behaving remarkably well. And she was right. She should have had enough courage to say the words years ago. ‘I most definitely wouldn’t have wanted more matchmaking. You’ve done enough as it is.’

Stephanie tapped a finger against her lips. ‘Do you love Sir Christopher?’

‘Yes … or rather I thought I did. I thought he was a different man.’ Hattie pressed her hands together. Her feelings for Kit were all jumbled up. She wanted to hate him, but a tiny piece of her kept trying to convince her that he was the sort of man for her. ‘Don’t you see, Stephanie? I have done the same thing again—fallen in love with an illusion.’

‘Sometimes, Hattie, you have to take a chance. You would have done everyone a favour. Think of the doors which would have opened for Livvy.’

Hattie shook her head. Trust Stephanie to be thinking of herself and her family’s advancement. ‘I refuse to marry simply to satisfy society, Stephanie.’

Stephanie pressed her lips together. ‘This is the first time Sir Christopher has offered marriage?’

‘To me? Yes.’ Hattie pleated her skirt between her fingers. ‘He only did it because of his mother, I am sure. He was adamant two days ago in his opposition to marriage. It is the only reason I can think of. Imagine being married because his mother forced the issue.’

‘His mother?’ Stephanie made a face. ‘Surely Sir Christopher is old enough to decide what to do without his mother’s input. Who is she that she commands such respect? If Sir Christopher is half the man he seems to be, he will have made the offer because he is worried about your reputation. This is typical of your excuses, Hattie. You see problems where there are none. You must trust me on this. I am your older sister.’

‘Mrs Reynaud is his mother. They are no longer estranged.’ Hattie clasped her hands together to stop them from trembling. Stephanie had to understand why she had refused the proposal. She was not some desperate young miss grateful for the smallest crumb to fall from his table. ‘You should have heard the proposal—all about how he didn’t want this and how he was breaking all his rules. It was ungracious. He expected me to refuse. It certainly deserved a refusal.’

Stephanie sat in silence. ‘And where is Sir Christopher now?’ she asked finally. ‘I would like to speak to him.’

‘Do not interfere, Stephanie. Allow me to run my life for once. I am a grown up and fully capable of doing so.’

Stephanie opened and closed her mouth several times. ‘If that is what you desire, Hattie. I wash my hands of you. I will not interfere again, even if you go on bended knee to me.’

‘I suppose Mr Hook will go to London,’ Hattie said, trying to change the subject. ‘Now that he has given his lecture, do you think he is suitable?’

‘Livvy needs a successful Season before she thinks about marriage.’ Stephanie shook her head. ‘I fear Mr Hook is not for her. Did you hear what he said in his lecture? Poor Mr Parteger was beside himself with rage.’

‘I thought it was laughter,’ Hattie said, remembering the snort. ‘Livvy will have to choose her husband carefully.’

‘No, Livvy will marry who I tell her to. Honestly, I don’t know what possesses that child these days. She keeps going outside to think. Portia says that she goes to the cedar of Lebanon and sits.’

‘Do you want me to have a word with her … now that you are satisfied that I remain respectable in society’s eyes?’ Hattie asked. ‘Put it in terms she might understand? Remember how you chafed when our parents forbade you meeting Mr Parteger?’

‘I suppose a refused marriage offer is better than nothing.’ Stephanie gave a loud sniff. ‘As long as I have your word that nothing untoward like this will ever happen again, you may speak to Livvy and see if you can reason some sense into her.’

‘I am through with romance and all other affairs.’

‘Good to hear.’ Stephanie fluffed out her skirts. ‘Then we can discuss more interesting matters such as what will Livvy wear for her Season which now won’t be ruined.’

Hattie’s head throbbed so much by the time she left Stephanie’s that she decided to walk straight home, rather than seeking out Livvy.

Later after the baby was born, Hattie decided that she would go abroad. Livvy could go with her. Between the excitement of a Season and going abroad, Mr Hook’s charms didn’t stand a chance. Hattie tucked her head down and started to increase her pace. She had a trip to plan.

‘You need to watch where you are going, Harriet. You nearly walked straight past me without saying hello. Hopefully we are not that far out of civility.’

Hattie stumbled. Strong hands caught her. Instantly a pulse of heat coursed through her. Kit here and dressed in his day clothes with tan breeches and high-topped boots.

Her body wanted to melt against him. She kept herself perfectly rigid.

She stepped away from temptation. Kit might not have left, but things were finished between them. It bothered her that her headache melted away under the heat of his gaze.

‘I thought you’d be well on your way to London,’ she said around the sudden tightness in her throat.

‘I told you that I was staying here, so why is it that you are so insistent on sending me to London?’ Kit’s mouth quirked upwards. ‘One would almost consider that you wanted to be rid of me.’

Hattie clasped her hands together as the warmth of his voice flowed over her. This time, she’d be strong. She’d resist the lure of his voice.

‘We have nothing more to say to each other.’

He inclined his head. ‘And here I thought you were more neighbourly than that. We are close neighbours after all.’

Hattie regarded him suspiciously. Neighbourly? Was he really staying? ‘You were serious before and intend on living in Northumberland? What about your urgent business in London?’

He snapped his fingers, dismissing the notion. ‘My mother is unable to travel. She enjoys the neighbourhood. Then there is the Lodge, which needs fixing. Pressing matters. The business can wait.’

‘Then I shall have to get used to seeing you at various functions.’ She tilted her head upwards so that her bonnet shielded her eyes.

‘I’ve no plans to be a hermit.’

‘The entertainment around here is a bit more tame than you are used to.’

‘I have found it adequate thus far.’ He touched his hand to his hat. ‘I trust it will continue.’

‘Why are you out this way? And on foot?’

His body stilled. ‘Rupert is about to meet Livvy in the woods. I came across a note from her this morning.’

Hattie’s mouth dropped opened. She should have expected it. Livvy was headstrong, but she also was young. ‘How long has this been going on?’

Kit carefully shrugged. His fingers itched to straighten Hattie’s bonnet. He hadn’t anticipated coming on her like this. Alone. He wanted to pull her into his arms and kiss her soundly, but he’d made a mess of things yesterday. Today was about proving that he was worthy. Discovering the note had been an answer to his prayers. It was his one chance to show to her that he cared about her and her family.

‘I was occupied with other things and failed to pay attention. They have been communicating by leaving notes for each other in the circulating library,’ he said and watched her cheeks colour. ‘These clandestine liaisons need to stop.’

‘As I have discovered, clandestine does little good to anyone.’

‘Has something happened?’ Kit asked, every nerve on alert. She had to want him, rather than being forced into the marriage. He knew that now.

‘Mrs Hampstead complained to Stephanie, but I explained your proposal and my reasons for refusal.’ Her lips turned up in a mocking smile. ‘All is well.’

Kit frowned. All was not well. Hattie was being utterly stubborn. She refused to hear what he had tried to say. He simply had to figure out another way. And the first piece was discovering what Rupert and Livvy were up to.

‘In the note I saw, Livvy asked Rupert to meet her in the usual place. Do you have any idea where the usual place will be?’

Hattie frowned. ‘What are you going to do?’

‘Find out what is going on. The last thing I want to do is to panic them into taking drastic action.’

Harriet paled and he saw that she understood precisely what might be at stake. ‘My sister and brother-in-law wish Livvy to marry a title. Mr Hook seems like a perfectly acceptable man, but Stephanie is immovable on this.’

‘So Rupert informed me.’ Kit stroked his chin. ‘He might inherit a title if his great-uncle dies without an heir, but he has just married a young woman. He feels it wrong to make mention of something that might not happen.’

Harriet nodded. ‘I understand the difficulty, but it might do for my brother-in-law. What is your solution?’

‘A long engagement and Livvy doing a Season before the marriage,’ Kit said, watching her like a hawk. He had to hope that she understood why he wanted to do this.

Harriet clapped her hands. ‘Pure genius. It might work. I’m impressed.’

‘I can be impressive, given the opportunity,’ Kit said, making his voice become silk. ‘The alternative is a quick elopement. Rupert appears very determined. You know what young lovers can be like when they feel thwarted.’

‘Stephanie would never recover from the shame,’ Harriet retorted decisively.

‘Now are you going to tell me where they might meet?’

‘By the cedar of Lebanon. It is where Livvy goes to think. Stephanie complained about it when I spoke to her today.’

‘Now we know where they go.’ He shook his head. ‘I never thought Rupert had it in him.’

‘It sounds like Livvy. She loves intrigue.’ Her mouth twitched. ‘You have to admit that it was a pretty good scheme. I suspect even Portia didn’t guess. She can never keep a secret.’

‘Is there a vantage point where we can see the tree?’

‘Yes, up by the folly.’ Harriet pointed towards a gentle hill. ‘It is a bit far away.’

‘I brought a spyglass.’

Her mouth dropped open. ‘You are well prepared.’

‘We observe and take action as necessary,’ Kit explained. ‘I’ve no wish to interrupt an innocent flirtation.’

‘You seem to know all the tricks.’

‘How do you think I learnt to avoid them?’

She laughed. The sound rushed through him and the tight place in his heart eased a little. The crisis had passed and he started to hope that he could triumph. ‘I’m coming with you. If there is any confrontation to be done, I want to be there.’

‘I shall be glad of the assistance.’

Hattie walked alongside Kit. Her entire being hummed with nerves. She couldn’t tell if it was because she was apprehensive about discovering what Livvy was up to or because Kit was striding alongside her. She did trust Kit to put things right.

When he reached the crest of the hill, he withdrew his spyglass.

‘Are they there?’

‘Yes, holding hands and looking soulful.’

Her shoulders relaxed. She had feared the worst.

‘Then something can be done. I blame myself for this. I had all the clues and did nothing about it. Livvy’s sudden liking for the circulating library and your stories about the mountains of books that Mr Hook got out. I just don’t understand why Portia kept silent.’

‘What about her parents? What will they think?’

‘But I’m her aunt.’ Hattie hugged her waist. Panic started to claw at her stomach. A thousand what-ifs ran through her brain. ‘How am I going to solve this?’

‘Big gulp of air, Harriet. In and out.’ Kit’s calm voice penetrated through the fog.

‘I am breathing.’

‘Good, now trust me. You are not alone. Your niece won’t be ruined. I promise you.’

Trust him? She had little choice.

‘Stephanie will have a fit.’

‘Better a fit now than a catastrophe later.’ He jerked his head. ‘Run and get her. I want her to see this while it remains innocent.’

Hattie nodded. ‘You had better be right, Kit, or I will never forgive you.’

‘I had better be right or I will never forgive myself.’

‘What is wrong, Hattie?’ Stephanie looked up from her sewing. ‘I suppose you have come to apologise for your behaviour. Very well, I will listen.’

Hattie grasped the door frame and swallowed her quick retort. ‘Apologies will have to wait. Come now, Stephanie. There is something you need to see. Livvy’s happiness depends on it.’

Stephanie put down her embroidery. ‘You are being awfully mysterious.’

‘It has to do with Livvy and your forbidding of Mr Hook’s courtship.’

Stephanie went white. ‘She hasn’t run away, has she? Mrs Smith’s eldest did that. The shame of it. Mrs Smith had to hide her face for weeks.’

‘Livvy remains at Highfield, but I hate to think what could happen. You need to come now. Simply sitting there and expecting other people to act for you won’t wash this time, Stephanie.’

Stephanie opened and closed her mouth several times. ‘Who alerted you to this?’

Hattie rubbed a hand across her face. ‘Sir Christopher. He discovered Livvy’s communication to Mr Hook. Hurry.’

‘If what you say is true, then we shall be in his debt.’ Stephanie grabbed her bonnet.

Kit breathed a sigh of relief when Harriet arrived back at the hill with Mrs Parteger in tow.

‘They remain there.’

He silently handed the spyglass to Harriet, who took a look and passed it to her sister.

‘Is all as it was?’ Harriet asked. ‘Hand-holding and gazing into each other’s eyes?’

Kit pursed his lips. There was no need to describe the passionate embrace he’d witnessed. ‘They are young and in love. And you know what can happen when love is thwarted. It is obvious that they are a resourceful pair. No one guessed until today about their little romance.’

Mrs Parteger gave a slight gasp and leant on Hattie’s arm. Harriet put an arm about her. Kit suddenly understood why she had been reluctant to leave Northumberland. She had shouldered a vast amount of responsibility.

‘Kit has a plan, Sister.’

Mrs Parteger wiped her eyes. ‘I should like to hear it. I never considered my baby girl capable … capable of such things.’

Kit exchanged a glance with Harriet. Her eyes danced.

‘A long engagement, but Miss Parteger should have her Season. I would suggest Mrs Wilkinson would be the best person to accompany her.’

‘I couldn’t possibly …’ Mrs Parteger began.

Harriet cleared her throat and nodded towards where the couple stood.

‘What I mean to say is that it is an excellent suggestion. I can’t speak for my sister, but I would be honoured if she chose to serve as Livvy’s chaperon.’

He watched Harriet’s eyes widen. ‘Of course I’d be delighted to go if the occasion arises.’

‘Shall we break this embrace up?’ Kit asked, giving a loud shout.

He started down the hill. Harriet’s hand touched his sleeve. Kit fought against the urge to cover it with his hand.

‘Do not think this means I have forgiven you, but thank you,’ she said in an undertone. ‘You appear to have saved the day.’

‘Only appear? I have saved the day and allowed two people to have a chance to get to know each other before they are leg-shackled.’

‘And, yes, I did want to go to London with Livvy before you ask.’ Her eyes twinkled with mischief. ‘I hope you are not going to be insufferably smug about the whole thing.’

‘You are speaking to me and that is a start,’ Kit answered. He inclined his head. His fight back had started. This time he intended to leave nothing to luck. He was going to do everything in his power to show Harriet that she should take a chance on him. ‘Do remember to save me a dance at the Summerfields’ ball. It is all the thanks I require.’