“Still want that whisky?” Benjamin asked.
“No, thank you. Not with dinner ready to start.”
The earl nodded to him, then smiled at his wife. “I’ll see Katherine in.”
For some reason, the thought that a very married Benjamin would escort Katherine into the dining room made Christian breathe easier.
Good God, he was spending too much time thinking about her. Thankfully, they arrived at the table, and Christian helped Helen to her chair at the end. Benjamin helped Katherine to her seat at the opposite end of the table.
Their seating positions meant that Christian and Katherine sat diagonally across from each other. Too far to have any conversation, but each could see the other’s every move.
Katherine’s attention was diverted to the man who sat to her right. A man in his early forties, Bryce Merriman, the Earl of Shelton, cut a striking figure at the table. Head of a committee that allocated extra monies for road improvements, he was someone Christian needed to become better acquainted with.
Christian’s privilege was something he hadn’t earned, but he was determined he’d use it for others less fortunate. He had his entire future mapped out. In the next critical months, he would become friends with various powerful men, like Shelton. With Christian’s fortune, military experience, and the vast wealth of his estate, he was a man of influence. Members would want to woo him for his vote to swing their way.
Christian would be more than delighted to support worthy causes. In return, he’d expect those members to support him with his own agenda, namely finding employment, a sense of belonging, and hopefully happiness for the men who had returned from the war.
He fisted his hands at the unfairness of it all. After what his men had sacrificed, they should be able to depend upon their country for assistance.
At least he had one thing to thank his father for—his title. And being a duke would certainly help.
Perhaps that was why Christian was put upon this earth. It was a question he’d always asked himself. It was like a compass and helped him ensure he was on the right path in life.
And the right path was certainly not toward Katherine’s eyes or her delightful laugh.
As he leaned back in his chair, Christian had a clear view of her. She seemed to be enjoying herself this evening with her attention equally divided between Benjamin and Shelton. A skill necessary if one was to be a successful hostess.
Her gaze settled on his, and she smiled that same impish smile again.
“Your Grace.” Helen smoothed her serviette in her lap. “I’m hoping that my brother, Lord Miles Abbott, will attend this evening. If only for a little while.”
Christian reluctantly dragged his attention from Katherine to his hostess.
She smiled sweetly, then glanced briefly at Katherine. “I hope you don’t mind me asking, but were you expecting Katherine to adhere to the strict mourning customs?” She turned her steady gaze to him. The determination in her eyes made them shine like forged steel.
“Why do you ask, my lady?”
“Please, call me Helen.” She scooted forward in her chair and turned her head in such a manner that they wouldn’t be overheard. “I ask because I’d like to see Katherine make a match with my brother. That’s why I invited him here this evening. I’d like for her to meet him. They’d get along famously.”
Christian didn’t move. He’d been taught as an officer never to give away any hint of what he was thinking. Any unease or anger could be used against him. It wouldn’t do when confronting the enemy.
But who exactly was the enemy?
More importantly, who was he fighting for? Katherine?
The whole idea was absurd.
He inhaled as deeply as he could without giving away the disquiet that rolled through him like a cool ocean wave. Slowly, he released his breath. With the calmest façade he could muster, he said, “I wasn’t aware that she is seeking to remarry so soon after my brother’s passing.”
For the first time in three years, he’d referred to Meri as his brother. Slowly, he placed his serviette beside his plate. What in bloody blazes was happening to him?
It would be easy to blame Meri as he was the reason Christian joined the war. He had proclaimed himself finished with anything in this world related to his father, his stepmother, and Meri. Yet, his half brother’s spirit seemed to haunt him at every move and every turn.
But the undeniable truth? It was Katherine who haunted him tonight.
Helen reached out and placed one hand over his. The warmth of her skin did nothing to melt the ice that churned through his veins, fighting to take control.
“I’m sorry if I’ve taken you by surprise, Your Grace.” She withdrew her hand slowly and turned her gaze to Katherine. A warm smile of true friendship graced Helen’s face. “Katherine is dear to me. She’s a new friend, but one of my closest. I’d give anything to have her be part of my family. My brother is heir to my father’s earldom. He could offer her security.”
“Of course, the sanctity of marriage offers security for those who respect the institution. But what about the notion of to love, honor, and cherish? You don’t want either of them to risk a hasty marriage without anything in common.” Christian could have cringed at the irony he spoke. There were no guarantees that the notion of “love, honor, and cherish” was accepted universally. His own family had thrown those words into the pig trough. His father didn’t love his mother. Nor did he honor her when he kept a mistress. Meri didn’t honor or cherish Katherine or the other women he had married. It only proved that Meri loved himself.
For God’s sake, why had he turned down that whisky? He’d trade his dukedom for that drink right now.
“Miles is a good man. I think he and Katherine would make each other happy.” Helen’s tone turned more direct. “Your brother’s early demise demonstrates that none of us should dally when it comes to marriage.”
That statement Christian could agree with. He stole a glance in Katherine’s direction. She laughed at something Woodhaven said. The look of happiness was becoming on her. He’d never seen her look so pretty.
For the life of him, he couldn’t understand why she married his profligate brother. What better opportunity than to be sitting next to her best friend to discover the truth?
He turned his attention to his hostess. “May I ask you a question? Was their marriage a love match?”
Helen silently placed her fork across her plate. “What do you think?” Before he could respond, she answered her own question. “It’s not for me to say. They married quickly, then he left her,” she hissed quietly.
“What’s your speculation?”
Helen narrowed her eyes, clearly taking his measure.
“Your brother was a fool.” No one else could hear, but the anger in her voice was unmistakable. “Your brother left her shortly after the ceremony. That’s not a love match in my estimation.”
“How shortly did he leave?” he asked, dreading the answer.
“You should ask her.” She shrugged slightly. “It’s painful for Katherine, as you might imagine. But I ask you, what kind of man would leave a woman like that?” Her voice turned sharper. “She’s fashioned one of the most successful shopping emporiums in all of London. She’s created jobs for people who have no other opportunities in life. Her linens are works of art. With a little help and support from a man worthy of her, she could yield immeasurable power over the commercial and economic leaders in this country. She’ll leave a legacy any family would be proud to claim.”
With her cheeks pinkened and her eyes blazing, her attention was devoted solely to Christian. But the rest of the table had turned to look at Lady Woodhaven, who was clearly distressed.
She lowered her voice to a whisper. “Furthermore, she deserves someone who will value her. Not some wandering, roving lout.”
“Darling?” Woodhaven’s brow creased into neat rows.
With a queenly grace, Helen leaned back in her chair, then smiled at
her husband before turning her attention to their guests. “Don’t mind us. We were discussing how those wandering American barbarians prefer their tea without milk. Utterly undomesticated. It’s not worth a single thought in our opinion. Is it, Your Grace?”
“Indeed,” Christian agreed readily.
With a nod to the head footman, Lady Woodhaven signaled she was ready for the next course.
Christian couldn’t help but steal a peek every now and then at Katherine. She was remarkably adept at making those around her feel comfortable if the smiles and chuckles from her end of the table were any indication. Each time her gaze would meet his, she would smile as if she didn’t mind that he frequently glanced her way.
Over the rest of the dinner, the company continued to be in high spirits. A round of toasts were offered on his safe return. Right before the two ladies were set to depart for tea so the gentlemen could enjoy a glass of port, a man entered the dining room with his arms outstretched.
“Helen, I thought you were going to wait for me,” the gentleman crooned, then nodded at Benjamin.
“Miles, you were able to come.” Their hostess stood immediately and quickly closed the distance to the newcomer. “Allow me to make the introductions.” Helen looked around the room. “I believe you know everyone except my good friend, Lady Meriwether, and of course, the Duke of Randford.” Helen quickly brought the gentleman to Christian’s side. “Your Grace, may I introduce my brother, Lord Miles Abbott.”
Christian took a quick but thorough assessment. Well-built and fit, the viscount had height, but he stood several inches shorter than Christian. With blond hair and blue eyes, the man resembled Meri.
Undoubtedly, women would say Lord Abbott’s visage was handsome. Katherine would appreciate a man like that.
Christian automatically disliked him.
With unbelievable forbearance, Christian stood and extended his hand. Lord Miles Abbott took it in a hearty handshake.
“Your Grace, it’s an honor and a privilege to meet you.” Abbott smiled. “Your heroics on the battlefield are legendary.”
A rush of heat scalded Christian’s cheeks from Abbott’s praise. “Thank you, but it’s His Majesty’s army that deserves the accolades.”
“I see you’re modest too,” Abbott quipped, then looked to the other guests and laughed.
“No, I’m not.” He’d not let them forget who made the sacrifices. Christian’s voice sharpened. “The courageous men who worked under me are my betters. None of us should forget their bravery and willingness to serve.”
Abbot’s eyes widened in alarm.
The room immediately fell quiet.
“Some sacrificed everything, including their lives.” His gaze slowly swept the room as he memorized each shocked face. Some glanced away, embarrassed. Earlier, he’d wanted their help and approval, but in that instant, he didn’t give a whit if their delicate sensibilities were bruised by his words. “And the ones who came home to nothing or arrived on our shores with scars, missing limbs, and nightmares as a result of their unselfish service deserve your accolades. Instead, they have received nothing.”
“Are you suggesting we pay them, Randford?” the Earl of Shelton asked.
Murmurs rolled through the room at the earl’s question. Christian’s anger at the unfairness of it all rose with the vengeance of a roaring wildfire.
“Yes. That’s the least we could do for them. I think we should provide for their futures after all they’ve done for us. So we understand one another, it isn’t me or any other decorated officer, general, or Whitehall official who deserve your gratitude. It’s the bricklayers, the farmers, the cobblers, and the cabinet makers.” People like Phillip Reed, who society ignored or tried to sweep from their thoughts. “They served when they could ill afford to do so. But someone had to do it, and they readily stepped forward to protect everyone in this room. Their whole lives upended. They deserve so much more.”
By all that was holy, Christian would see they were given their just rewards. His fists ached from holding them so tightly. It was the only way he could keep his ire in check. He forced himself to breathe. He should have never attended the dinner party. His performance was probably the death knoll for any of these guests to support his cause. But they needed to hear the truth.
Damn, but he needed to leave immediately.
Silence weighed heavy all around the room. After his impassioned speech, everyone stared at their plates, hoping someone would say something. But no one dared.
Except Katherine.
With an innate elegance, she stood slowly. “I, for one, am humbled by that truth. We should never forget their sacrifices. They’ve earned a place where they are welcomed and appreciated. More importantly, all of us”—she waved her hand slowly around the room—“should honor them every day. Thank you for reminding us, Your Grace.”
“Hear, hear,” Benjamin called out. His words seemed to have soothed the others as rumblings of praise for all the forgotten soldiers filled the room.
Christian’s gaze locked with Katherine’s. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears, and in that moment, he knew she heard what he’d been saying. She didn’t look away from him. He gathered every speck of strength he could from her gaze. In that moment, some tether was created between them. He wanted to be bold and pull it tight until he could hold her for a moment of comfort.
God, his brother was a lucky man to have had her in his life. What must it be like to have a person who truly saw what mattered most and felt the same as you?
Their invisible bond broke when Abbott cleared his throat. Katherine glanced toward the newcomer.
Abbott turned to his sister. “I’m ready to meet the other guest of honor.”
Helen escorted him to Katherine’s side.
“I’m pleased to meet you, my lord. Your sister has told me so much about you.” Katherine extended her hand.
“Likewise,” Lord Abbott purred. Immediately, he brought her fingers to his mouth as if they were already intimates. When he lowered Katherine’s hand, the viscount continued to hold it. “If I’d known such beauty was to grace my sister’s table, I’d have made my father wait until tomorrow for our weekly meeting.”
Laughter rang through the room.
Christian changed his mind about the viscount. He didn’t dislike him.
He hated him.
“I’m afraid I don’t understand,” Katherine said. If the pink of her cheeks was any indication, she was uncomfortable with the fact that everyone was in on Miles’s joke except her.
“Everyone in society knows that to keep the Earl of Canton-Wells waiting is not something you do if you want to keep your head attached to your body,” Christian announced, keeping his gaze glued to Katherine’s. “The man has a notorious reputation for being punctual and refuses to see any guest if they are even a minute late.”
Helen turned and regarded Christian. “That’s a perfect description of our father. Have you met him?”
“No, but the previous Duke of Randford was once invited to a dinner party your father was hosting, and the earl refused to seat him because my father happened to be five minutes late.” The earlier heat that had flushed Christian’s cheeks marched upward. In fact, it marched so high that Christian could only see red.
The cause?
Lord Abbott had his big paw wrapped around Katherine’s hand and refused to let go.
As Christian walked around the table to reach her side, Lord Abbott drew back and stared into her eyes with a nauseating romantic gaze.
“Is something amiss, my lord?” she asked, clearly less animated than before as she tried to pull her hand away.
“Yes,” he sighed before lowering his voice. “It’s been forever since I’ve seen such beauty as yours.”
But Christian was close enough to hear it. Somehow he managed a straight face as he drew near to Katherine’s side.
The man shook his head as if coming out of a trance. “Helen, why didn’t you introduce us before?”
“Because I don’t socialize often,” Katherine answered instead. With a forceful tug, she successfully broke Abbot’s hold of her hand.
By then, Christian had sidled up to Katherine. “Lady Meriwether—”
“Is it that late already?” Katherine interrupted. “How time flies. Yes, I am ready to leave.” She delivered a wooden smile to Abbott. “Delightful to make your acquaintance, my lord.”
Lady Woodhaven started to protest, but Katherine held up her hand. “Helen, I apologize, but Randford and I have some business to discuss. He has graciously offered to see me home. Thank you and Woodhaven for your generous hospitality.”
With a stunned look on his face, Lord Abbott bowed briefly. “Lady Meriwether, I’ll count the days until I see you again.”
“As will I,” Katherine muttered under her breath.
“Would another lifetime be too soon?” Christian said softly for Katherine’s ears only.
When her startled gaze shot to his, he lifted his eyebrows innocently, then proceeded with his own farewells. The faster they were out of there the better.
However, for Christian, the night wouldn’t end until he found out what Kat’s decision was.
He needed her now more than ever.
Chapter Nine
Katherine followed Christian out of the formal dining room without uttering a word. They traveled down the hall that led to the entry, where they gathered their belongings. Soon, he escorted her outside to the carriage. A footman had already pulled down the steps and opened the coach door.
Christian stopped, then turned. “I’ve heard that Lady Woodhaven has a spectacular garden pond with some unique plants. Would you be interested in a stroll? Unless, of course, you need to return home because of your day tomorrow?”
His voice was smooth but the side-eyed glance he gave her revealed he knew her excuse to leave early had been a ruse.
“That would be wonderful. The pond is one of a kind, rectangular in shape with a small fountain attached.” She still felt riled from the appraisal she had received from Helen’s brother. The man had stared at her as if she were some sweet treat. When he’d held on to her hand while she tried to pull away, it felt as if she were caught in a net. Thankfully, Christian had reached her side and provided her with an escape.
A Duke in Time--The Widow Rules Page 10