The Earl's Inconvenient Wife

by Ruth Ann Nordin

  A slight frown crossed his face, but he turned back to her and smiled. “Please accept my apologies. I’m responsible for my cousin. Perhaps I can pay you a visit sometime?”

  “Most certainly,” her father spoke before she had the chance.

  Her father told him where they were staying while in London for the Season, and she wondered if Lord Clement was being polite or if he would, in fact, pay them a visit.

  As he limped away, her mother chuckled and gave her arm a light squeeze. “I believe you just might do well this Season.”

  “A fine match,” her father agreed, his chest puffed up with pride.

  Her mother scanned the people in the room and told her father, “While the situation with Lord Clement is promising, perhaps we’d do well to find other notable gentlemen who might take an interest in Claire?”

  Her father nodded. “Having your pick of gentlemen would be to your advantage,” he told his daughter.

  Claire hid her disappointment. She’d hoped that this would be the extent of how many gentlemen she was expected to interact with during her Season. Her stomach tensed into knots as her parents discussed possible matches, and she was, once again, fiddling with her gloves.

  Her father looked at Claire in excitement. “I think I have a possible match for you.” Before she could even see the gentleman he had in mind, he was hurrying off to talk to him.

  With a sigh, Claire waited as her father retrieved another gentleman to introduce her to.

  Chapter Two

  A half hour later, Nate was no closer to finding a wife than he had been when he arrived at this obnoxious ball. It wasn’t that the ladies weren’t attractive, but it was nearly impossible to find a suitable match. He should have known that the Season was the perfect grounds for fathers who were so eager to see their daughters marry up that they spent the entire conversation flattering him.

  What made matters worse was that Perry had been called away to rescue his ward from another round of drinking with his friends. Had the youth not had a penchant for making poor gambling decisions while drunk, the matter wouldn’t be an issue, but as it was, Perry left in haste, leaving Nate without someone to vent his frustrations to.

  He scanned the room and saw a gentleman he hadn’t spoken to yet. Perhaps this gentleman would steer him in the right direction. Skirting around the area where the couples danced, he reached the gentleman who spoke to Mister Morris.

  He waited for the two gentlemen to notice him and offered a slight bow. “Gentlemen.”

  Mister Morris’ grin widened as he and his friend bowed in return. “Lord Roderick, I didn’t think you took an interest in the Season.”

  “My brother’s untimely demise a year ago changed that for me,” he replied.

  “I heard the unfortunate news about your brother,” the gentleman standing by Mister Morris said. “He was a good person.”

  If he had left an heir, he would have been perfect, Nate thought for the thousandth time since he learned of his death. To the gentleman, he offered a smile. “Thank you. I assure you, he’s greatly missed. I am Nathaniel Buford, Earl of Roderick.”

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you, my lord. I’m Enoch Morgan, the Duke of Rumsey.”

  Nate smiled with relief in knowing he was talking to a gentleman who appeared to be of the age where he might have daughters looking to get married—daughters who weren’t likely to consider him only for his title since their father was a duke. But to be sure, he asked, “What brings you here tonight?”

  “This is my daughter’s first Season.”

  “Really? And where is she?”

  The duke pointed in the direction of a young lady dancing the waltz with her partner. Nate tried to determine whether she was interested in the gentleman she was currently dancing with or not. She was smiling and seemed to be talking amiably to him.

  “Isn’t that Lord Edon she’s dancing with?” Nate asked.

  Rumsey frowned. “Hopefully not for long. His most notable accomplishments are gambling and women of ill repute. I fear he’s taken an interest in her dowry.”

  Mister Morris chuckled. “I doubt she’ll entertain his affections. She’s much too smart for that. In fact, if I wasn’t already interested in someone, I’d be happy to dance with her.”

  “I would prefer it if you would,” Rumsey told him. “Ideally, my daughter would have a marriage based on more than convenience, but a gentleman who’d treat her well would be best, even if they didn’t love each other. A love match might not be common but is ideal.”

  “You were lucky that way,” Mister Morris commented.

  Rumsey smiled at whatever memories crossed his mind. “Yes, I was.” He glanced at Nate and asked, “Are you looking to get married?”

  Taking that as his cue, Nate nodded. “I’m hoping to find a lady whose primary motive isn’t marrying up, if you know what I mean.”

  “You’re hoping for a love match?”

  He shrugged, unsure if that was the right way to term it. “I’d like someone who can value me for me and not the appeal of my wealth and title.”

  Rumsey’s eyes lit up with appreciation.

  “If you’ll excuse me, my lords,” Mister Morris began, “I think I’ll dance.”

  After they exchanged slight bows, Rumsey shook his head. “You can’t blame him for trying, but he’ll never win her.”

  “Win who?” Nate asked, his curiosity piqued.

  “I don’t know her first name, but her last name is Lowell. He proposed to her last year, but she declined. Between you and me, I believe the reason she declined had to do with his social standing.”

  “He has no title, you mean?”

  “Exactly, though he does have a rather impressive sum of money. Unfortunately, that sum won’t buy him a title.”

  “Poor fool.”

  “Yes. Poor fool, indeed.” Rumsey shrugged. “I tried to explain to him that her father will never agree to the marriage, and she won’t run off to Gretna Green so he has no hope of being with her.”

  “Who is her father?” Nate asked, needing to know which father to avoid in case Rumsey’s daughter didn’t take a liking to him. He’d already decided he’d pursue her because he liked Rumsey, but he wouldn’t force her to marry him.

  Rumsey’s gaze traveled across the room before he pointed to a round fellow with a jovial laugh who was drinking some wine and talking to a couple of gentlemen. “That’s him. Mister Lowell. He saved up a pretty sum of money for his daughters’ dowries to attract a suitable husband, but if he thinks money will make his daughters happy, he’s sorely mistaken.”

  “I can’t argue with that.”

  Rumsey turned back to him. “I see the music has stopped. Might I introduce you to my daughter?”

  “I would be delighted.” As he followed Rumsey to his daughter, who bid farewell to Lord Edon, Nate hoped this would be it. He’d love nothing more than to be done with the blasted search for a wife.

  When they reached her, Rumsey motioned to him. “Catherine, this is Lord Roderick.”

  Nate bowed and she curtsied, and though she wasn’t exactly the prettiest lady he’d ever seen, she greeted him in a manner that indicated she’d been brought up to be a proper lady of her future estate. That meant she would ensure her duty in giving him an heir and run the home smoothly. Given that her father was a duke spoke even more in her favor, so he dismissed her homely appearance. Despite what Perry thought, this decision was too important for him to be concerned about a lady’s looks.

  “I was wondering if I might have this dance?” Nate asked as the music began.

  “It would be my pleasure, my lord,” she replied in a pleasant tone she most likely employed in all situations.

  “I’ll leave you two to the waltz,” Rumsey said before he left them.

  Nate offered his hand to her, and they began the dance. She was light on her feet, proving she was familiar with the dance. “Do you know all the dances?”

  “Yes, my lord,” she replied.
>
  He couldn’t be sure, but he thought she was looking at him the same way she’d been looking at Lord Edon. Not sure how to take that, he cleared his throat and smiled. “Your father tells me this is your first Season.”

  “Yes, my lord.”

  “I suppose this must be overwhelming then.”

  “No, my lord.”

  He waited for her to continue, but she kept looking at him with the same polite smile that she’d had when she danced with Lord Edon, and it was beginning to make him uneasy. When she didn’t explain further, he ventured, “Have you seen the sights in London?”

  “Yes, my lord.”

  Again, he waited, but she didn’t volunteer any information nor did she ask him anything. “So what is your favorite sight in London?”

  She bit her lower lip as if she was thinking of an appropriate answer before she finally said, “I like them all, my lord.”

  He sighed. It was apparent Lady Catherine wasn’t one for words, but maybe that was a good thing. He could marry her, enjoy a quiet life, and have an heir. Most likely, he’d continue in his political circles while she… While she… He turned his gaze back to her. “What do you enjoy doing?”

  She shrugged. “I suppose I enjoy the same things all ladies do, my lord.”

  “What kind of things would those be?”

  “I’ve been taught to paint, play the piano, sing, dance, be a gracious hostess…”

  As she rambled off the list of things she could do, he wondered if any of it truly appealed to her. Her polite smile didn’t waver a bit, but he didn’t detect the slightest bit of enthusiasm in any of the things she mentioned. He debated whether to ask her anything else, but he figured he already knew how life with her would be. She’d do whatever things proper ladies did with their time. Whether she truly enjoyed those things or not was up to her. As long as she fulfilled her role in running the house, he figured that was all he could expect.

  By the end of the waltz, he decided she would do just fine. Sure, she wasn’t much of a talker, but really, what gentleman needed the headache of a yapping lady? He needed a lady who would make a good wife, and Lady Catherine met all the requirements. Better yet, she had a father who could be a friend. Life would undoubtedly be easier since he got along with her father. Yes, Lady Catherine would be his wife.

  ***

  “Not that I mind knowing what Napoleon is doing next, but there are so many other things I could be learning instead,” Lord Edon said. “Don’t you agree?”

  Claire kept pace with him during the waltz easy enough, but he talked so fast that she had trouble understanding everything he was saying. One minute, he discussed the weather, the next he was fascinated with the candles in the chandelier, and now he rambled on about how boring political talk was. It didn’t help matters that she was beginning to feel overwhelmed with all the new gentlemen she’d been meeting tonight.

  She glanced at her sister who was dancing with a viscount, if she remembered the gentleman’s title right. Her sister giggled and replied to whatever her dance partner said. Claire sighed. Lilly loved this. The people, the dancing, the merriment… Lilly didn’t mind that it was crowded and hot. Lilly didn’t feel as if the walls were pressing in on her or that the room was tilting ever so slightly around her.

  “Miss Claire?” Lord Edon asked.

  She snapped her head in his direction. Since he looked expectantly at her, she decided to agree with him, whatever it was he’d just said. “Yes.” She cleared her throat and forced a smile. “I agree.” Hopefully, whatever she was agreeing with was innocent enough.

  He nodded. “You’re a sensible lady, Miss Claire.”

  She smiled, hoping to hide her apprehension. Just what made her sensible? She really needed to pay attention to him instead of letting her mind wander.

  “Perhaps I should be interested in what the gentlemen in Parliament are doing, but all they do is quarrel. Does God grant kings their authority or is authority chosen by gentlemen? There are better things they could be doing. But no. They argue over things they’ll never agree on. Senseless chatter, if you ask me.”

  Claire thought Lord Edon was engaging in plenty of senseless chatter, too, but kept silent. The thought did occur to her that he might be trying to bore her.

  She shook her head. It was none of her business, and she had more pressing things to worry about. Ever since she was little, she didn’t do well in large gatherings, and though she managed to cope as she grew older, right now the feeling of being closed in from all sides was getting worse. Mercifully, the dance ended, and by the slight sigh that escaped Lord Edon’s lips, she realized he was as relieved as she was.

  This was her chance to escape the crowd, even if it was for a few minutes. She curtsied her good-bye to Lord Edon, and before her father could find her in the crowd, she snuck out onto the veranda for a breath of fresh air. She couldn’t dance with anyone else, not right now anyway.

  For a moment, she leaned against the cool column, thankful for the reprieve. She closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths. As soon as her head stopped spinning, she would be able to go back inside. She kept hoping Lord Clement would return, but so far, he hadn’t and she was beginning to give up hope he would. But perhaps he’d pay her family a visit within the next few days. Then if things went well and he fancied her, she wouldn’t need to attend another ball, at least not to attract a husband. She had no idea how stressful it’d be to go from one gentleman to another in that room and know each one was sizing her up and trying to decide if she was the right one to give him an heir.

  “You shouldn’t be out here by yourself.”

  Opening her eyes, she turned her attention to one of the few gentlemen she hadn’t already met tonight. He had coarse dark hair and light blue eyes, broad shoulders that fit his dark clothes rather well, and—her eyes went back up—a surprisingly serious expression on his face. “I can’t go back in there right now.”

  “You can’t stay out here unless you have a chaperone. Someone’s likely to think you’re doing something inappropriate.”

  Her cheeks warmed. “I assure you I’m not.”

  “I can see that.”

  “Then can’t someone else see it if they find me out here?”

  His eyebrows rose in surprise. “Not all gentlemen who come out here would warn you to go back inside.”

  “I don’t understand what you’re implying.”

  “This is not the best place for an unaccompanied lady to be,” he said. “Some gentlemen wouldn’t mind enticing you to the gardens.”

  She glanced at the gardens which was a good distance from them. “I see no reason to go there when it’s dark. I wouldn’t be able to see anything of interest.”

  A slight grin crossed his lips before he grew solemn again. “Perhaps not, but I’m sure the gentleman would.”

  She rolled her eyes and rested her head on the column. The gentleman spoke in riddles, and she had yet to clear her head. “I can’t go back inside just yet.”

  He stepped toward her. “I’m not trying to be rude. I’m trying to protect you from scandal. You are aware of what a scandal is, aren’t you?”

  She gasped and snapped her head back in his direction, the sudden action causing her surroundings to spin around her. She gripped the column for support. “I’m not an imbecile. Of course, I know what a scandal is, but all I’m doing is resting against a column on the veranda. I’m not far from the ballroom. If someone tries to haul me off to the gardens, I’ll dart for the doors.”

  “You underestimate how quick a gentleman can be.”

  She narrowed her eyes at him. “Are you such a gentleman? Should I be worried about you?”

  He balked. “Good heavens, no. I wouldn’t dream of doing anything to tarnish a lady’s reputation. Let me escort you back inside, and I’ll talk to your chaperone about coming out here with you.”

  He reached for her but she dodged him. She wavered a bit but held onto the column. “I’ll take myself back in when I’m re
ady.” Really! The nerve of him to think she couldn’t do such a simple thing herself. All she’d wanted was a few minutes of quiet and fresh air to regroup, and she ended up being harassed.

  “You don’t look good,” he said, concern finding its way into his voice. “You need to go inside.”

  His insistence that she couldn’t take care of herself was irritating her to no end. Just who did he think he was to boss her around? When he reached for her again, she stepped away from him and went to the other side of the column.

  “I don’t believe this,” he muttered and took another step toward her. “You look like you’re going to faint. I’m not leaving you out here unsupervised.”

  She managed to dodge him once more, but in doing so, the world tilted around her and she lost her hold on the column. She let out a scream of surprise as she lost her footing on the edge of the veranda and fell onto the grass. For a moment, she didn’t understand what just happened, but then he was kneeling next to her and trying to pull her up.

  “I can get up without your help,” she insisted, swatting at his hands.

  “What is the matter with you?” he asked, partly frustrated and partly baffled.

  “Nothing. I just don’t want strange gentlemen touching me.”

  “Strange gentlemen touching you?”

  Ignoring the indignant tone in his voice, she rolled on the grass and pulled away from him. As she tried to stand up, the bottom of her dress got tangled around her legs. He placed his hands on her shoulders in an attempt to pull her up. Startled, she tried to push him away and fell back down.

  “Stop this indecent behavior at once!” her father shouted.

  They stopped and turned their attention to the veranda where a group of people rushed outside to see what caused the commotion. It took Claire a moment to realize how bad the situation looked. Her dress was up to her knees and the gentleman’s hands were on her arms. Neither one of them moved for a whole five seconds, and then something snapped and she managed to shove him away. At what was less than a graceful movement, she managed to get to her feet and brushed the lower half of her dress down so she was decent.