by Dawn Brower
“I don’t think I understand what you’re trying to tell me.” She tilted her head to the side.
“I don’t have any real claims on you. If they see I have an interest in you, they’ll want to understand why I am suddenly paying attention to a marriageable lady. They’ll see it as a challenge and want to steal away the one lady I might want to keep.”
And Shelby didn’t stay with any one lady longer than a night… “I see.” She really did understand. “What if there is a particular gentleman I’d like to notice me?” An idea was forming in her head. She needed a man to court her that Shelby might see as his equal and spark a hint of jealousy in him. There was a chance it wouldn’t work, but she had to try something.
“Then we will work toward you securing that match,” he insisted. “Will you allow me to help now?”
“You don’t want to know what gentleman I wish to court me?” She would never tell him that it was him she wanted. It would spook him.
“The whom doesn’t matter tonight.” He winked. “The first step is gaining every gentleman’s attention.”
“How do we do that?” If this little plot of his kept him at her side, she would do as he asked. At least until she had no choice but to tell him the truth. She loved him, and he was the sole man she’d ever agree to marry.
“The waltz,” he said. “And the strands of one is about to start.” He held out his hand. “Lady Kaitlin, will you do me the honor of partnering me in the next set?”
He wanted her to dance with him? Her heart leapt in her chest as she placed her hand in his. “It would be my honor.”
They walked to the dance floor, and he twirled her around it. This was something she’d dreamed of, and the reality was far better than she could ever have imagined. Shelby had a plan, but so did Kaitlin. Time and perseverance would determine which one prevailed.
Chapter 5
The afternoon sun shone bright in the sky and helped warm the chill left over from the morning. Lady Silverly had planned a picnic for that day, and Kaitlin intended to take a carriage to her estate. It was located on the outskirts of London and had a lovely pond she found tranquil. Considering how many members of the ton Lady Silverly invited, that was no easy feat. Kaitlin appreciated any opportunity to escape from the crowd that congregated at any social gathering.
She’d been jubilant since the Loxton ball. Dancing with Lord Shelby had been even better than she could have imagined. He refused to discuss any potential suitors with her. After their dance he deposited her next to Marian and then left the ball. Considering he never danced with any lady eligible or not, that one dance had the gossip mills buzzing. She hadn’t really believed him when he’d suggested that gentleman would flock to her side because he deigned to dance with her. Not long after he departed, her dance card had quickly filled up. Why did dancing with the Earl of Shelby make that much of a difference?
“Where are you off to today?” Her Uncle Charles asked.
She turned and smiled at him. “Lady Silverly’s picnic. How are you feeling today, Uncle Charles?”
“It’s been a good day.” He stared past her as the door opened and Marian entered. “Ah, there’s my girl.” He walked over and hugged his daughter. “Is Harrington attending this picnic with you?”
Marian stepped back and smiled up at her father. “He’ll join us later. He had some business to take care of at the club.”
“Good,” he said. “I don’t like my two girls being alone.”
“We’re capable of seeing ourselves to and from a picnic,” Marian chastised him. “But you needn’t worry. We won’t be alone.” She turned to Kaitlin. “Are you ready to depart?”
Kaitlin picked up her straw bonnet and tied the dark blue ribbon around her chin. “I am,” she answered her cousin. She hugged her uncle and followed Marian out the door.
Marian had a phaeton with a matching pair of grays parked in front of the entrance to the Coventry Townhouse. She hopped inside and waited for Marian to do the same. “Your husband trusts you to drive his precious phaeton?”
“Jonas has come to realize it is in his best interest not to disagree with me when I decide I want to do something. It’s much easier to let me have my way.” She winked and then flicked the reins to make the horses move. “I can be, um, persuasive.”
“I’m not certain I wish to know the methods you utilize to influence your husband to your way of thinking.”
Marian nearly glowed with happiness. Soon she’d have a baby and her family would be complete. Kaitlin wanted that. She craved it in ways she hadn’t thought possible. Not long ago, she’d been ready to give up and accept her life as a spinster. She had hope now. Somehow, she’d managed a moment of courage, and while it hadn’t yielded the results she’d hoped for, it might lead to something better. The Earl of Shelby wished to help her find a husband. She hoped to convince him he was perfect for the role.
The carriage rolled across the graveled path. It rocked back and forth in a motion that lulled her. Marian remained silent as she focused on keeping the grays on the path. Kaitlin was all right with that. It gave her time to think and plan her next move. Should she tell Shelby she’d decided upon a gentleman as she’d indicated the night before or play coy. Perhaps it would be best to wait and decide.
The trip from Mayfair to the outskirts of London where the Silverly picnic was being held took at least a half hour. Kaitlin had been so lost in her own mind that time passed without her realizing it. Marian pulled the carriage up to the front entrance. A footman greeted them, “My ladies.” He bowed. “Would you like me to see to your conveyance?”
“Yes, please,” Marian said. She handed him the reins and exited the carriage. Kaitlin followed behind her.
“If you follow the stone path around the house, you’ll find where the tents are set up with food. There are servants there to assist you.” The footman nodded at them. “Be careful on the path. It can be steep in some places.”
Marian looped her arm through Kaitlin’s, and they walked together along the path. “What has you so quiet?” She nudged her with her shoulder. “Are you thinking about the Earl of Shelby?”
“What?” she asked in a surprised tone. “Of course not.” Did Marian know Kaitlin loved him? No, that couldn’t be it. She’d never voiced her feelings aloud with anyone, and she’d been as careful as possible to ensure no one suspected the truth. “I’m always quiet,” Kaitlin answered.
“That is true,” Marian agreed. Her tone suggested she didn’t believe her though. “But something is different, and Shelby doesn’t usually dance with anyone. It’s strange he chose to at the Loxton ball. Do you think he plans on courting you?”
Kaitlin wasn’t about to admit that she’d spent the entire trip to the Silverly picnic thinking about Shelby. She had hoped he’d be there, but didn’t actually expect him to attend. The earl didn’t often attend a social event unless he was required to. Most of the time, he left chaperoning Samantha to Marian since her marriage. Sometimes, though, he felt the need to make an appearance. Probably to remind the young bucks of his wishes regarding any courtship of his sister. He had to realize that at some point he would have to loosen his restrictions. Samantha deserved to find love and have a family of her own.
“He hasn’t given me indication he wishes to do so. Shelby isn’t the sort to allow anyone to be privy to his thoughts, and he often chooses to do things that baffles everyone.” She shrugged. Marian was asking too many questions that she didn’t wish to ponder too much over. She also didn’t want to admit that the Earl of Shelby had essentially danced with her out of charity. “I’ve been considering my future.” She had to tell Marian something. Kaitlin wasn’t ready to admit she hoped Lord Shelby would be a part of that future.
“Have you made any decisions?”
Many and yet none…. “I haven’t done well since our come out several years ago.” She breathed a little easier now that it appeared Marian had given up interrogating her about the Earl of Shelby’s decision t
o dance with her.
“That doesn’t mean anything. You might still find love. I didn’t believe I ever would.”
“No,” Kaitlin agreed. “The difference is you weren’t looking. You wanted to be a doctor and didn’t care if you ever married.” Kaitlin had always craved a family. Uncle Charles and Marian had done their best, but she’d always felt as if something was missing. Her parent’s death left a hole in her life, and she’d wanted to fill it with a family of her own.
“All that tells me is that you don’t find love; it’ll come to you when you least expect it.” Marian smiled encouragingly.
“I agree.” Because, up until that night at the Loxton ball, she’d been resigned to a life of spinsterhood. “And if I never have love, I’m all right with that.” At least she’d find a way to accept the loss… “Now let’s see what food they have for this picnic. I’m suddenly famished.”
Marian dropped their topic of conversation, and they headed to the tents. Later she’d break away from her cousin and sit near the pond. She had a lot to think about, and it would be better if she did it alone.
Gregory stared at all the people at the Silverly picnic and wondered why he’d agreed to attend with Samantha. He should find Harrington and ask him to look after her. He had to be at the picnic with his wife. With her expecting their first child, he wouldn’t let her go alone, and Marian attended most social gatherings with her cousin, Lady Kaitlin Evans.
He hadn’t been able to stop thinking about her. Dancing with her had been a horrible idea. It put ideas inside his head he had been avoiding his entire adult life. She wasn’t for him. Lady Kaitlin deserved someone with less tarnish on his soul. His was completely black and beyond redemption.
Still, he wanted to see her, and if she was at this blasted picnic he could. All he would have to do was locate her and strike a conversation. That shouldn’t be too difficult.
Then why did the very idea of it terrify him?
Because she represented everything he secretly wished for but didn’t believe he deserved. For that reason alone, he should keep his distance. If only she hadn’t asked him to kiss her. He hadn’t. Somehow, he had managed to keep his mouth off of hers, but it had been a close thing. He’d had his arms around her and her body flush against his. For a brief moment, he had even leaned in close enough to brush his lips against her soft golden hair.
He had wanted to kiss her. Do so much more than that but he hadn’t. He regretted it too. Now all he wanted was to discover her whereabouts and press his lips against hers, then touch her until her moans of pleasure echoed around them.
He ran his hand through his hair as lust ravaged his body. He hardened at the thought of having her. Gregory groaned at the idea of sinking his shaft deep into her welcoming softness. Bloody hell… He had to leave this picnic before he did something foolish. Maybe he should find a quiet place to get his body under control. He wasn’t fit for polite society at the moment.
He scanned the area and saw a pond in the distance. A dip in its cold depths might be what he needed. He stalked toward it with purpose. It was far enough back and shrouded by trees to give him an element of privacy. It was a risk, but one he deemed worth it.
“Where are you going?” Samantha asked in a bewildered tone.
He stopped and pinned her with a hard gaze. “Don’t you have friends you can bother instead of me?
“Well, I…” She glared at him. “What has you so testy?”
“Perhaps I’ve spent too much time in my sister’s company. I’ve heard it drives a man to drink.” He was being an arse and didn’t care. He had to leave, and she was making it difficult for him.
“You are the one who is difficult. I’m the epitome of benevolence.”
He snorted. “Sister dear, you really must stop deluding yourself. You’re nothing of the sort. What you are is a veritable shrew—a complete and utter hellion. It’s best you accept it.”
She squared her shoulders and her eyes filled with…hurt. He’d struck a blow he hadn’t intended to. Gregory should apologize… He’d find time to do it later. It was always this way with them. He’d blunder and make it up to her later. His temper always found its way to the surface, and he’d have to make reparations.
That was why he didn’t want a wife. He hated the idea of falling in love and hurting the one who held his heart. He wasn’t a good man, and it would be inevitable he’d do something to cause a woman emotional agony of some sort. He’d blunder and act like an idiot. It was best he didn’t get involved with a woman in that way or ever consider love an option for himself. Gregory couldn’t find himself in that situation. It would gut him.
“If you’re going to be surly, perhaps it is best you wander off. Marian is here with Kaitlin. I’ll find them and have Marian act as my chaperone in your absence.”
Kaitlin had arrived. He had to hold back the urge to search for her. If he saw her, he’d not be able to stop himself from heading in her direction. He had to go to that dratted pond and take a long soak in its cold depths. Maybe then he’d find a little relief from the heat that had become his constant companion since that waltz.
“I will be back,” he told her. “Don’t do anything foolish while I take a moment to myself.”
“You have an assignation planned don’t you,” she accused.
He gritted his teeth. Gregory loved his sister, but he wanted to strangle her. “No,” he said in a clipped tone. “Now run along and find Lady Harrington. Be a good girl for once and not the harpy you’re known for.”
She stomped her foot and clenched her fists, but she didn’t say a word. Samantha spun on her heels and stormed away from him in a fit of rage. He didn’t really blame her. In her place, he’d be angry with him too. He could have been nicer to her, but at the moment he didn’t have it in him. Gregory shook his head and started toward the pond. Soon he would be immersed in its frigidness, and he’d finally be able to erase Lady Kaitlin Evans from his thoughts. At least he hoped so…
Chapter 6
Kaitlin finally managed to pull herself away from Marian, and not a moment too soon… She’d caught a glimpse of Samantha heading in their direction before she’d slipped away. If she hadn’t done so then she’d have been caught up in whatever drama Samantha had found herself in. Which meant she never would have found a moment alone at the pond.
She hadn’t noticed the Earl of Shelby in attendance, but he had to be there somewhere. Samantha hadn’t traveled with Marian and her, so that meant her brother had escorted her. A part of her wanted to seek him out, but she’d already had too much of the crowd. She needed the time away from them to breathe easier. There was only so much she could handle with social gatherings. She was not in her element at them, and much preferred staying home and reading. She’d stolen another one of Marian’s medical texts and was a quarter of a way through it.
The closer she made it to the pond, the better she felt. Her stomach stopped clenching and her lungs filled with air without being on the verge of panic. No one ever came out to the pond. There was one reason to attend Lady Silverly’s picnic and it wasn’t the food. They came to see and be seen. This was one of the last gatherings of the season and there were still unattached young ladies in search of a husband. Kaitlin was presumably one of those ladies clamoring for a gentleman to offer for her. In some ways, she supposed she was, but she didn’t want just any gentleman. Now that she decided to be brave enough to attempt for something more, only Lord Shelby would do for her. She hoped she hadn’t pinned all her dreams on him to end up disappointed in the end.
The wind blew over her, pushing her bonnet off her head. The ribbon tied around her neck kept it from floating completely away. She kept walking toward the pond but stopped a moment to close her eyes and revel in the silence. A few more steps and she’d reach the tree near the pond’s edge. She could sit under the large oak and enjoy the tranquility.
Kaitlin opened her eyes and headed toward her favorite resting spot. She had a place to hide at all the to
n events. They always attended the same ones, and she found it helped her survive being thrown into the fray of society. As she drew closer, she discovered she wasn’t as alone as she’d assumed. There were men’s clothing hanging from a low branch. A pair of breeches, jacket, and waistcoat were neatly hung and blowing in the breeze. A white linen shirt had fallen to the ground over a pair of black Hessian boots.
Kaitlin brought her hand to her mouth, covering her shock. Somewhere near her was a very naked man, and she should run in the opposite direction, but she couldn’t make her feet move. Her curiosity was getting the better of her. She’d never seen a naked man before. Something so scandalous would ruin her for sure. If she stayed, she’d catch sight of something that she’d only seen as a crude drawing in a medical journal. What would a naked man in the flesh resemble?
She really should stop reading Marian’s medical books… Kaitlin nibbled on her lower lip and considered her options. Trust a rogue to dare to swim naked in a pond a short distance from one of the foremost prestigious social gatherings of the season. There wasn’t another person that would dare risk it. As far as she was aware, one rogue of that caliber had deigned to attend the Silverly picnic.
The Earl of Shelby…
He must be the gentleman swimming, and she’d caught him in flagrante delicto. Well, not yet anyway. She hadn’t spotted him in the pond, but she hadn’t really looked either. It was time to rectify that mistake. Before, she’d been mildly curious about a male’s naked body. Now that she believed it was Shelby, she had to find out if she was correct.
Kaitlin took several more steps, closing the distance between her and the pond. She narrowed her gaze in an attempt to bring the swimmer into focus. He, and she still assumed he was male, swam alone. She was grateful for that too. Kaitlin would have hated to interrupt a tryst of some sort. How scandalous would it be to swim naked with a man? She shivered at the idea. If it was with Shelby she’d be tempted to take a dip in the cold pond with him.