by Joyce Alec
“Mama, why do you not just tell me what it is that has you so upset?” she asked quietly. “I cannot read it if you keep shaking it about like that!” A small smile caught the corner of her mouth as she saw her mother splutter for a moment.
“You will lose that smile once I tell you!” Lady Hewson declared, her eyes flashing. “Here now, let me read it to you.”
Catherine took another bite of her croissant and looked up at her mother expectantly.
“‘This paper is proud to announce a surprising betrothal.’” Her mother lifted one eyebrow, but Catherine simply waited, not sure who she was about to announce. It could not be Lord Kerr, could it? A sense of uneasiness coursed through her as she waited for her mother to continue.
“‘It is between Robert, the Earl of Linton and Miss Catherine Hewson, daughter of Viscount Hewson. This paper understands that they have long been close friends, and we wish them nothing but happiness in their future lives together.’”
The croissant suddenly tasted like ashes in her mouth. Catherine stared at her mother, her hands beginning to tremble as she put the remainder of the croissant down on the plate. Her mind was screaming, but she simply could not take in what she had heard.
“How dare you engage yourself to a man without seeking your father’s permission!” Lady Hewson cried, slamming the paper down on the table. “He is quite furious—your father, I mean—and demands that you speak to him at your earliest convenience!”
Hot tears burned in Catherine’s eyes. “I did not— He did not—” She tried to speak, feeling moisture trickle down her cheeks. “Mama, I am not engaged to him.”
Her mother opened her mouth only to close it again, a puzzled frown on her face. “Whatever do you mean?”
“He did not ask me. I have barely spoken to the man!” Catherine continued, suddenly reaching for her mother’s hand. She needed some reassurance, such was the shock racing through her body. “I do not understand!”
Thankfully, her mother’s shrewd gaze took in Catherine’s astonishment and realized that what her daughter said was true. Keeping a hold of Catherine’s hand, she sat down next to her and regarded her carefully.
“Are you trying to tell me that Lord Linton has done this of his own accord?” she asked, more gently than her previous question. “That you are as surprised as I am?”
“Indeed,” Catherine replied, sniffing heavily. “I do not know why he has done this. I… I cannot marry him!” Her eyes widened, panic racing through her heart. “Oh, my goodness! If Lord Kerr reads this, then…” She dropped her mother’s hands, raced to the corner of her room, and began to prepare a piece of parchment.
“Catherine!” Lady Hewson exclaimed, rising at once. “What are you thinking?”
“I have to let him know this is entirely false!” Catherine cried, writing as quickly as she could. “He is due to leave this very day and I must catch him!” Finishing her letter, she rose to ring the bell, leaving it to dry. “Oh, Mama! Whatever am I to do?”
For the first time in her life, Catherine felt as though she might give in to hysterics, as though she were about to weep and wail all over her astonished mother.
“Well,” Lady Hewson murmured as the maid came in. “This is quite extraordinary.”
Catherine, wiping her eyes, managed to give directions to the maid about her note, repeating multiple times the urgency of its delivery to Lord Kerr before hurrying her from the room. Then she shut the door, leaned back against it, and began to cry in earnest.
“Oh, my dear!” Lady Hewson came over to give her distraught daughter a warm embrace. “Do not cry so. We shall sort this whole matter out, I am sure of it.”
“How can we?” Catherine wept, her body racked with pain. “An announcement such as this shall bring gossips and rumors, and were I to break it—even though I never acquiesced in the first place—there would be a scandal! My name will be sullied!”
Her mother patted her back reassuringly. “Now, that will only be until something of a greater scandal comes along,” she said, as if that was comforting. “We might go to the country and try again next Season.”
“No!” Catherine exclaimed, horrified at the idea. “Lord Kerr and I…” She trailed off miserably, not knowing what to say. “I am not sure what the situation will be with him now, I confess,” she whispered, her head dropping. “Goodness, this is all such a muddle.”
Her mother gently led her back to the seats by the fire, encouraging her to drink her chocolate. “I just cannot fathom what Lord Linton meant by such a thing,” she said, handing Catherine her cup. “He is a long-term acquaintance, certainly, but he has not often been in your company.”
“I have actively avoided his company!” Catherine yelled, a streak of ire suddenly racing through her. “Mama, might you go explain this situation to Father, so as to assuage some of his anger? I… I must go for a walk.”
Catherine managed to keep a somewhat morose expression on her face, despite the anger burning in her veins.
“Oh, of course, my dear,” her mother said immediately, looking entirely sympathetic. “I shall speak to him at once. Take your time outside, but ensure you are back home before the fashionable hour.” She frowned, her mouth a thin line. “You will be the talk of the town, and it is best not to be seen.”
“Of course, Mama,” Catherine mumbled, waiting impatiently for Lady Hewson to leave the room before bounding to her feet as an unexpected bout of energy began to course through her veins. “I must go speak with him.” Her hands clenched into fists as she stormed to the window, her brows furrowed. “He will see that I am not to be trifled with!”
The memory of his words from last evening came back to haunt her, reminding her that he had vowed he would force her to see Lord Kerr’s true nature. Was this how he intended to do it? Her jaw set, her anger was burning through her like a furnace growing hotter and hotter with each passing moment. Ringing the bell, Catherine waited impatiently for her maid, ignoring her mother’s protests. She would speak to Lord Linton herself, demand that he rectify the situation somehow and, hopefully, return to discover that Lord Kerr had received her note and quite understood the entire situation. She would not allow her reputation to be sullied in this way.
Lord Linton had a great deal of explaining to do.
Catherine made her way down the street with her confused maid in tow. Thankfully, it was early enough for the streets not to be particularly busy, which meant that Catherine did not have to avoid unwanted whispers or knowing looks.
However, as her steps began to slow, Lady Hewson’s warnings began to dig into her mind, reminding her that she could not exactly walk into Lord Linton’s home and demand an audience with him.
“Then again,” she murmured to herself, “I am his ‘betrothed.’” Glancing back at the maid, Catherine smiled to herself and pushed her unease to one side. She would do as she had intended and ignore the potential consequences. She would simply have to make sure to leave his home before town began to grow too busy.
Hailing a hackney, Catherine and her maid climbed in, and Catherine gave directions as to where to go. Knowing where Lord Linton lived, she gave an address one street away, thinking it would be best not to appear on his doorstep. The hackney rolled through the streets of London, giving her time to think about what was to come.
What was she going to do if Lord Kerr had not received her note? She did not know where his country estate was, exactly, so she could not write to him there. She would then have to wait until he was able to return in order to explain things to him, and it mayhap be too late. Biting her lip, Catherine’s anger began to boil once more as they drew closer to Lord Linton’s home.
Alighting from the hackney, Catherine paid the driver and began to hurry along the street towards Lord Linton’s townhouse. However, on rounding the corner, she discovered that there was a carriage outside it, and as she drew closer, she recognized that carriage to be none other than Lord Kerr’s.
“Oh, goodness!” she whis
pered, her eyes widening as she hurried closer and saw the carriage was empty.
“It seems that he has gone inside, Miss Hewson,” the maid said to her unspoken question.
Catherine could only stare at her maid for a moment, her heart sinking into her boots. This could not be good. Giving herself a slight shake, she made her way to the front door. Her knock was answered almost immediately by a frazzled-looking butler, and much to her dismay, Catherine could hear two very loud and very male voices floating down the hallway towards her.
“Good morning. I am Miss Hewson and I come in search of Lord Linton,” she told the butler, attempting to keep an innocent look on her face. “I must see him at once.”
The butler bowed and opened the door for her. “Of course, Miss Hewson.” He took her things from her. “However, I must ask you to tarry here for a moment. His lordship is currently speaking to another gentleman.”
“Yes, Lord Kerr,” Catherine said. “I am well aware of that, and I believe I must see him regardless. Now, if you could just tell me where they are?” She looked enquiringly up at the butler, lifting her chin and keeping her stance firm so that he would not attempt to delay her any further.
Thankfully, the butler did not seem inclined to do so, and he led her down the hallway.
“Just in the study, Miss Hewson,” he murmured, indicating the door in front of them. “Might I get you some refreshments?”
“No, thank you,” Catherine replied crisply. “I can show myself in, I thank you.” She did not give the butler any time to argue, stepping ahead of him and opening the door at once.
Two pairs of eyes met hers the moment she stepped inside. Lord Linton was standing behind his desk, his hands planted firmly on top of the mahogany wood. His cheeks were red, his eyes were filled with anger, and his dark hair was in a state of complete disarray. Lord Kerr, on the other hand, looked immaculate in every way, aside from how his hands were clenched into fists. He was standing opposite Lord Linton, and had been in the middle of bellowing something when Catherine had walked into the room.
“Catherine!” Lord Kerr exclaimed, coming towards her immediately. “Whatever are you doing here?”
Catherine caught his hands, relieved beyond measure that he had not left. “Oh, Lord Kerr, did you receive my note this morning?” she asked desperately, looking into his eyes. “Please tell me you did not believe a word of what was written in the paper!”
Lord Kerr looked back at her with uncertainty in his eyes. “I am not quite sure what to believe, Catherine,” he murmured. “This is all very peculiar.” He squeezed her hands gently. “What are you doing here?”
“I came to ask Lord Linton what on earth he was thinking in sending in such a notice to the newspaper!” Catherine answered, turning to frown at Lord Linton, who was, much to her surprise, still glaring at Lord Kerr. “Linton, what is the meaning of this?” Her fury had her dropping Kerr’s hands and marching to Lord Linton’s table, her fingers itching to slap him. “We are not engaged! We have never been engaged, and yet you go and do this! Do you need me to get you out of yet another situation, is that it? I told you before that I would not be your plaything, to use as you wish!”
Lord Linton lifted one eyebrow, his gaze drifting from Catherine to Lord Kerr. “My dear Catherine,” he murmured, his gaze still fixated on Lord Kerr. “I consider it my duty to marry any lady I kiss in public.”
Catherine’s mouth fell open, her heart practically stopping in her chest.
Lord Kerr slowly turned to look at her, his expression growing severe. “Is this true, Catherine?”
“No!” Catherine exclaimed crossly. “I mean, yes, but not in that particular way.”
Lord Kerr sighed heavily and passed one hand over his eyes.
“Is it not as Lord Linton is suggesting, I swear to you!” Catherine protested weakly, grasping onto Lord Kerr’s arm in desperation. “He is correct in saying he kissed me, but I did not accept his attentions, nor did I want them.” She turned her head to look at Lord Linton, who stood with a small smirk on his face. Her anger grew, mingled with nervousness and anxiety as she looked back at Lord Kerr. “Please,” she continued quietly. “Please, do not think of this as love or affection between myself and Lord Linton. He kissed me so that I might save him from three gentlemen who were chasing him.”
Lord Kerr closed his eyes for a moment, looking thoroughly confused. “I am not quite sure what to make of all this.”
Catherine held her breath, moisture beginning to cling to her lashes. “Do not believe him,” she pleaded, terrified that she might lose the man she cared so much for. “I promise you he means nothing to me. His reputation alone should tell you that I would not allow myself to even consider him as a potential husband. I have even pushed myself away from his acquaintance. Please, trust me. Believe what I am saying, I beg you.”
Lord Kerr’s expression softened, his eyes meeting hers. Catherine heaved a sigh of relief as he briefly ran his fingers along the curve of her cheek.
“I do believe you, Catherine,” he murmured gently. “I am still mightily confused, but you are quite right to remind me of Lord Linton’s reputation. I do not know much of him, but what I do know is not particularly good.”
Catherine let out a long breath, pressing away her tears with shaking fingers. “I am so glad.”
“I am afraid this does cause some difficulties, however,” Lord Kerr continued, returning his steely gaze to Lord Linton. “And whilst I am afraid I must continue with my plans to return to my estate, I fully expect there to be a retraction in tomorrow’s paper.”
Lord Linton snorted. “And what makes you think I would do such a thing? Simply because you ask it? You are not worthy of Kitty.”
Lord Kerr paused, his eyes glinting. Catherine continued to hold onto his arm, feeling his muscles tense beneath his coat sleeves. “You are an arrogant man, to say the least. You will do as I ask, Linton, or I shall call you out. I shall have you know that I am a particularly good swordsman.”
“No!” Catherine exclaimed, clasping Lord Kerr’s arm with both hands. “You cannot!”
“I will, and I shall,” Lord Kerr replied firmly. “Linton, you shall ensure that the retraction is made and that there is no damage to Miss Hewson’s reputation. Do you understand me?”
Lord Linton’s jaw clenched, his eyes narrowing.
“I can stand to be in your presence no longer,” Lord Kerr spat, putting one arm around Catherine’s shoulders. “Do it, Linton, or it will be all the worse for you.”
And with that, he swept from the room, taking a shaking Catherine with him.
7
“Are you all right, my dear?”
Catherine leaned into Lord Kerr for a moment, drawing from his strength. “Yes,” she said. “I believe I am.” She looked up at him, grateful beyond words that he had not let himself be deceived. “I cannot thank you enough for believing my words.”
His expression became grim. “The little I know of Linton told me that I could not trust him. Just as well you appeared when you did, my Catherine! I loathed the mere idea of returning to the country without speaking to you first.”
“My relief is overwhelming,” Catherine admitted as he stepped back and took her hands in his. “Must you still go?”
He nodded, crestfallen. “I am afraid so. As much as I would love to tarry with you, my business cannot be put off any longer. You will write to me, will you not?”
Catherine’s face lit up. “Yes, of course! I was distressed when I realized I did not know where to send my letters.”
Lord Kerr’s eyes widened. “Oh, how foolish of me!” he responded, sounding both horrified and frustrated. “My dearest Catherine, I shall write to you the very moment I reach my estate, so then you will know where to send your replies. I very much look forward to our correspondence.”
Catherine blushed as he pressed his lips to the back of her hands, her heart soaring in her chest when, only minutes before, it had sunk lower than she had ever though
t possible.
“I must go,” Lord Kerr murmured. “Might I give you a ride home?”
“No, I thank you,” Catherine replied, glancing about her. “I realize my maid must still be indoors, and I am quite able to hail a hackney. Do not let me keep you.”
His warm smile delighted her. “You are very good, Catherine. I shall see you again anon.”
Catherine waited until his carriage had turned down the street, waving one last time at him before stepping indoors once more, hating that she had to return to Lord Linton’s home in search of her maid. The butler appeared by her side the moment she came through the front door, looking most apologetic.
“I have just now sent for your maid, Miss Hewson,” he said with a short bow. “Do forgive me for the oversight.”
“There is no oversight,” Catherine reassured him. “I did not expect to be leaving in such a hurry.”
She waited patiently, but just as her maid rushed towards her from the back stairs, Lord Linton appeared in the doorway of his study.
“Kitty,” he said hurriedly. “Do not go. Please. I need to talk to you.”
Catherine felt her anger begin to burn once more, and she turned her back and waited for her maid, refusing to answer him.
“Please!” he begged, sounding more contrite than she had ever heard him. “I have done this for your own good, Kitty.”
She rounded on him, burning with anger. “My good?” she shouted, her voice echoing down the hallway as her maid and the butler melted away almost at once. “There is nothing good about this, my lord! You tried to ruin things between Lord Kerr and myself, and I simply cannot understand why you would do such a thing! You are a wicked, cruel man, and I cannot believe that we were ever truly friends!”
Much to her shame, Catherine felt tears spring to her eyes as she choked back a sob. His excuses would not do. Not this time.
