Beguiling the Earl (13 page)

“Why does he desire this match so much? It would not be exaggerating to say that you could have any man you want.” When Rose frowned, Catherine continued, “I don’t know who your mysterious man is, but I’m sure he wouldn’t be immune to your charms if you decided to set your cap for him.”

Rose looked away. “Lord Kerrick is immune.”

Catherine sincerely hoped that was true. “Fine, then. Almost any man. Is not one of the men in your group of admirers the heir to the Marquess of Cranley?”

“Yes, but his family is not as wealthy as Lord Kerrick.”

Given her own family’s recent poverty, Catherine could well understand the motives behind Lord Worthington’s desire to secure his daughter’s future.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize wealth was a consideration.”

Rose pulled her into the small space between two shops and indicated to their maids that they should wait on the other side of the street before she turned to face Catherine again.

“That is what I least understand. A few years ago we were in a bad way. Two years ago, Mama talked to me about how I probably would not receive a season. But then things changed. Mama said something about certain improvements Father had made and that our income had increased as a result.”

The hair at the back of Catherine’s neck rose. The Worthingtons had undergone a sudden increase in fortune. Until that moment, she’d been hoping to learn that Kerrick was wrong and that Lord Worthington was innocent of whatever he suspected he’d done. But if there was one thing Catherine had learned, it was to trust her instincts. And right now her instincts were telling her that there was more to this change in the Worthingtons’ fortunes than improvements being made to their estate.

“That is most interesting,” she said, her voice carefully neutral. “Did you ever learn what was done?”

The look Rose aimed at her told her that her friend thought she had lost her mind.

“Father doesn’t discuss the running of the estate with me. In any case, that is beside the point. Two years ago I would have understood his desire to see me marry a man with a title and a wealthy estate behind him. But now?” She shook her head. “It makes no sense to me. We haven’t been lacking for anything, and while I know he wants to see me marry well, there are many other men who could provide for me in a more-than-adequate fashion. I don’t understand why he’s so insistent that I concentrate all my attention on securing Lord Kerrick’s interest.”

“Was there not an understanding between your mother and Lord Kerrick’s? I overheard him say something about the two being very good friends.”

Rose shrugged. “Yes, they imagined a future where the families would one day be united, but there was never a formal betrothal between us… Thank Heavens!”

That would explain why Kerrick was so willing to pursue a future with her instead of Rose. But that still didn’t solve their current predicament. Catherine was at a complete loss as to how she could help turn the current situation to the advantage of all of them.

“This man who has captured your interest… does he have no money?”

Rose laughed, the sound filled with genuine amusement, but there was a hollowness behind it. “He puts even Lord Kerrick’s wealth to shame. But since he rarely so much as glances in my direction, I can hardly count on his interest putting my father off from trying to make sure Lord Kerrick and I are wed before the year is over.”

That news startled Catherine. “This is your first season, surely there is no hurry.”

Rose shook her head. “I don’t understand his urgency, but I fear he is quite determined to see us wed very soon.”

Catherine wanted to assure her that would never happen, but she couldn’t stop a hint of doubt from creeping into her own mind. What if Kerrick tired of her as he had the many other women he’d been with? They’d made love, but that was no guarantee that he would stay with her. Especially since no one knew about their liaison. Of course, if she let it slip to Louisa, she had no doubt that Nicholas would make sure that his friend offered for her. But was that what she wanted? To force Kerrick’s hand? And would he come to hate her for if she did? The thought sat heavy in her belly, creating an almost fathomless pit of despair at the possibility.

“Catherine, did you hear what I said?”

Rose’s hand on her arm, shaking her gently, roused her from her thoughts.

“I’m sorry,” she said, hoping her apologetic smile didn’t appear as empty as it felt.

“I understand,” Rose said, squeezing her hand before releasing it. “I imagine the thought of Lord Kerrick and me marrying is quite as unpleasant to you as it is to me. That is why we must make sure it will never come to pass.”

The look of determination on Rose’s face had Catherine afraid to ask what she meant. “And how will we do that?”

“We must make sure that everyone realizes it is you Lord Kerrick cares for and not me. And if we’re lucky, perhaps we can get him to compromise you.”

Her words, so close to the thoughts that had just been going through her own mind, had Catherine almost reeling in shock.

“No, we can’t…”

“Of course we can. In fact, we must. I’m sure that between the two of us we can manage it.”

Now that she had decided on a plan of action, Rose was back to being her lighter, carefree self. It was a facade, of course, but it was clear that Rose’s resolution to see her and Kerrick together had filled her with new life. Catherine, on the other hand, was filled with dread at this new turn of events. Kerrick was not going to be happy when he learned of Rose’s plan.

When Brantford was in town, he made it a point to visit White’s daily to cement his reputation as an idle member of the aristocracy. It also allowed him the opportunity to meet with many of his connections without calling undue attention to himself. Many sought out his company just for the prestige of being seen with him, which meant no one thought it unusual for Kerrick to approach him there.

Kerrick crossed the sumptuously decorated front room and stopped at the entrance to the salon where Brantford was sprawled in a winged armchair. The other man noticed him right away—there wasn’t much that escaped his attention. With only a casual glance from Brantford, the two men he’d been speaking to rose from their chairs and moved away, allowing Kerrick the privacy he needed for this meeting. He had no idea how Brantford did it, but he’d long since given up trying to guess who was on the payroll of the Home Office and who was merely trying to curry favor with the holder of one of the oldest and wealthiest titles in all of England.

“Worthington is definitely hiding something,” Kerrick said after taking one of the vacated seats.

“And good afternoon to you.”

There was a sharpness to his tone that had Kerrick pausing to examine the other man. Brantford had assumed his usual pose, leaning back in his chair, a half-empty snifter of brandy dangling from his fingers—one that Kerrick knew wouldn’t be refilled—but something was wrong. He couldn’t say how he knew since the other man had always been impossible to read. Today was no different, but somehow he knew that Brantford was not happy to see him.

“Did I interrupt something important?”

Brantford raised a brow. “With Bryers and Carlson? Definitely not.”

Well, this was an interesting occurrence. It wasn’t often that Kerrick was witness to Brantford’s feathers being ruffled. He leaned forward, bracing his elbows on his knees as he made no effort to hide his examination of the other man.

“Is there something you’d like to share with me?”

Brantford’s eyes narrowed. It was almost imperceptible, and Kerrick would have missed it if he hadn’t been watching him closely.

“And here I thought you had information to share with me.”

The corner of Kerrick’s mouth lifted. “Anything I could possibly have to share with you can wait. What I want to know is why the Unaffected Earl is showing himself to be less than aloof.”

A hint of something that might have been amusement lit Brantford’s eyes. “Much as I am enjoying this conversation, I fear I have another appointment and must be leaving soon.”

Kerrick released an exaggerated sigh. “And we were having so much fun bantering.”

“You were bantering,” Brantford said, his neutral mask once again firmly in place. “I was enduring.”

“You are, of course, completely correct. I fear I must be losing my touch. It might be best if you found someone else to replace me.”

“Soon, Kerrick. After you complete this last mission.”

He sobered at the reminder. That time could not come soon enough for him.

“At the theater last night I happened to see Worthington returning to his theater box, but he wasn’t himself. He never loses an opportunity to stop and speak to me, but yesterday he brushed by me and was visibly shaken. I think he was returning from a meeting, but I couldn’t identify the person he was speaking to. He was too far away and headed in the opposite direction before melding into the crowd. There were too many people around to attempt to give chase.”

“Pity,” Brantford said.

“Yes. I arranged to go riding with Worthington this morning, and when I mentioned it, he was visibly shaken. Tried to say he was speaking to a footman.”

“So our suspicions about him appear to be correct.”

“Yes.” He barely refrained from swearing.

Brantford’s eyes narrowed. “You appear to be upset.”

Kerrick shrugged. “This won’t end well. If we uncover that Worthington is involved with passing on secrets, his entire family will be ruined. His wife and daughter don’t deserve that.”

Brantford was silent for an unusually long time. When he spoke, he said simply, “No, I don’t suppose that they do.”

Kerrick straightened and rested his head against the back of the chair. “I can’t wait to be finished with this whole line of work. I can’t imagine why I ever enjoyed it.”

“If memory serves, you were quite eager to help your country when I approached you.”

“I was also young and stupid.”

“You’ve been a great asset and will be missed.”

The compliment took him aback. For Brantford, it was almost effusive. He inclined his head and waited, sensing that something of great importance was coming. His instincts were rarely wrong, and they did not fail him now.

“How is your courtship of Miss Hardwick progressing?”

Brantford had been occupied with casting his eye over the room when he asked the casual question, but Kerrick zeroed in on the action for what it was. The question was of great importance to the man sitting opposite him, affecting the appearance of one who held only the slightest interest in the subject at hand. It was a tactic Brantford often used to draw attention away from just how interested he was in the answer.

Kerrick’s eyes never left the other man’s face as he replied, his tone equally casual. “I believe Miss Hardwick possesses depths that she tries very hard to keep hidden from others. And I’ve discovered that I like her.”

Brantford’s hand paused for only the briefest of seconds as he drew his watch from a pocket to glance at the time.

Kerrick waited until he’d returned the watch before continuing. “The whole world believes we will be announcing our betrothal at any moment. Given the expectations of society and my own family, I’ve been considering whether I should continue to court her in earnest.”

Kerrick wanted to crow with triumph when Brantford’s jaw tightened. “I take it that wouldn’t meet with your approval?”

Brantford’s gaze settled squarely on him. “I fail to see what your personal relationships have to do with me. But won’t Miss Evans be disappointed?”

Kerrick refused to be baited into changing the subject. “I know, Brantford.” He was bluffing, but every one of his instincts was telling him that the Unaffected Earl had feelings for Rose Hardwick.

“If I find any information that would be of use to you in your investigation, I’ll make sure to pass it along. Until then, I have an appointment I can’t miss.”

Brantford placed his drink on a side table, stood, and without another word strode from the room. His lack of response told Kerrick everything he needed to know.

ooOoo

She’d only been to one rout before that evening, but Catherine found she far preferred them to the formal balls and musical evenings. The smaller house parties were more intimate and, to her, far more enjoyable. She’d been relieved after learning from Rose that her family wouldn’t be in attendance. She didn’t know if Kerrick would be there, but if he was she wouldn’t have to watch him pay court to someone else. Even though she knew the truth of the situation, it was difficult watching her every step and taking care not to spend too much time in his company. But surely with the Worthingtons not in attendance, and with everyone aware of the great friendship between Kerrick and Nicholas, no one would look twice if she allowed herself to enjoy his company.

She did feel a little twinge of guilt about Louisa. Normally the sickness that held her sister in its grips during the morning hours would have disappeared by the evening. And Louisa took a nap most afternoons so that she would be refreshed for their evening entertainments. Catherine couldn’t help but notice, however, that her sister wasn’t her usual self that evening. But since Louisa hadn’t said anything about not attending the rout, and because she had so been looking forward to going, she hadn’t asked Louisa if she wanted to stay home. A good sister, one who wasn’t acting selfishly, would have asked if her somewhat haggard-looking sibling was feeling up to going out. Louisa had always tended to sacrifice far too much for her family, and Catherine couldn’t ignore her suspicion that she was doing the same right now. The fact that Nicholas was being more attentive than normal supported that belief.

She told herself that if Kerrick didn’t show soon, she’d insist they go home.

When Kerrick walked into the Hastings’ drawing room shortly after their own arrival, looking particularly handsome in black and a waistcoat of royal blue that mirrored the color of his eyes, her guilt only increased because she knew they wouldn’t be leaving early. She tried to squelch the feeling by reasoning that her sister would never put her pregnancy at risk and could decide for herself if she needed to leave.