Beguiling the Earl

by Suzanna Medeiros

  Rose leaned back in her chair, making no attempt to hide her pain. “That’s because he doesn’t attend the usual evening entertainments, and when he does, he doesn’t dance. Not with me and rarely with anyone else.” She laughed, clearly seeing that Catherine was trying to sift through all the men she’d met during her time in London.

  “I’m sorry for prying,” Catherine said.

  Rose considered her closely. “We don’t know one another, but I have a very good feeling about you. If there were even the slightest chance… Well, there’s no point in discussing something that will never happen.”

  Catherine’s heart ached at the look of hopelessness on Rose’s face. Given how well the past day had gone for her, she wished she could help the woman the whole ton saw as Kerrick’s all-but-in-name fiancée. This was such a different side to the Rose Hardwick everyone had seen since the season began, and she was no less than stunned by the revelation. She was also very glad that she’d chosen to call that afternoon. She had a feeling the two of them could be great friends.

  “If you ever change your mind and decide you want to talk to someone, I’ll be there for you. I’m afraid I’ve never tried my hand at matchmaking, but maybe between the two of us we could come up with some way to capture this man’s interest.”

  The smile that Rose gave her was a hollow one. “With any luck, I might take you up on your offer. But until that day…” She stood, her brave mask back in place, and swept a hand over the overgrown garden. “I’ve heard that you’re very knowledgeable about plants. Our gardener fell ill recently and hasn’t been able to tend to the garden properly. To be honest, I’ve never been particularly fond of it. Too ordinary. What say you we take inventory and come up with a new layout to present to my parents?”

  Catherine’s critical eye moved over the simple landscape before returning to settle on Rose. “Simple or elaborate?”

  “Oh, elaborate, of course. The more flamboyant, the better.”

  Somehow Catherine kept from leaping up and hugging the other woman. An entire garden to plan? Given what she’d seen during her visit to Kew Gardens, her mind was already brimming with ideas for plants to introduce and possible configurations. It would also give her reason to visit the Worthingtons’ town house often and perhaps learn something that would help Kerrick.

  “This is going to be great fun,” she said, standing and following Rose down the two steps of the terrace and into the garden proper.

  Chapter Eight

  When she returned after her visit with Rose, Catherine was surprised to learn that Kerrick was visiting. He hadn’t said anything about it when they’d parted early that morning.

  She entered the drawing room a little too quickly, heart racing at the knowledge she’d be seeing him again so soon, but was disappointed to find only her sister there. Louisa was working on a needlepoint pattern she planned to turn into a decorative pillow for the nursery. Louisa looked up at her entrance and sighed with barely contained exasperation.

  “Kerrick is in the study with Nicholas. He’s staying for supper tonight before we go to the theater.”

  Catherine sat on the settee beside her sister and looked down at the needlework on Louisa’s lap. Only a small corner of the pattern was completed. “What did you finally settle on?” she asked.

  “A lamb.”

  Catherine frowned. “A black one?”

  Louisa shrugged, a wry smile playing about her lips. “Given Nicholas’s reputation before he settled down, I figured it was a fun idea. And I know you’re trying to change the subject.”

  “There was a subject? I only just arrived.”

  Louisa peered at her closely, and it was all Catherine could do not to look away in embarrassment.

  “You’re in a good mood today,” she said finally. “Who did you visit this afternoon?”

  “Rose Hardwick,” Catherine said, knowing that was the last name her sister expected to hear.

  Louisa raised a brow. “Care to tell me why?”

  Catherine shrugged. “We’re of an age and she seems nice.” She hesitated before adding, “It turns out she was glad for the diversion. It would appear she doesn’t have many friends.”

  “Perhaps not female friends, but half the men of the ton would love to be much more.”

  Catherine found herself feeling defensive on Rose’s behalf. “I quite like her.”

  Startled by her vehemence, Louisa said, “I didn’t mean offense.”

  Catherine sank back against the settee and took a deep breath to steady her nerves. She wasn’t used to keeping things from her sister, and now she found herself keeping all sorts of secrets. She also had to admit that she felt a small stab of shame for her behavior the previous night. She knew now that Rose’s affections were engaged elsewhere, but that hadn’t been the case the previous night. In pursuing Kerrick, she hadn’t even considered whether she was hurting the other woman. She’d cared only about herself and what she wanted. It was an eye-opening experience to realize she could be capable of such selfishness.

  “Rose would like me to plan a new garden for their town house. She hopes to present it to her parents once I’ve come up with and drawn a design.”

  Louisa was silent for a moment before saying, “Won’t that complicate things? I thought she’d be the last person you’d want to befriend. Especially given the understanding that seems to be between Kerrick and her family.”

  Catherine looked away, knowing she could betray the confidences of neither Kerrick nor Rose. Kerrick seemed to think it was vital for his inquiries that people continue to believe he was hoping to marry Rose. She picked up the needlework her sister had cast aside and traced a finger along the stitches in what she hoped was a casual movement.

  “I can be friends with both of them.”

  Louisa was silent for almost a full minute. Catherine looked up finally, careful to keep her expression neutral. The confusion and concern on her older sister’s face made her feel a twinge of guilt.

  “Everything is well, Louisa. Trust me.”

  Her sister sighed. “I’m trying to, but I don’t want to see you hurt if things turn out as everyone seems to believe they will.”

  “I’m all grown up now. You can’t shelter me forever.”

  Louisa leaned sideways and bumped a shoulder against hers. “Old habits die hard.”

  They were laughing when Kerrick entered the room and Catherine had to glance away. After what they had shared the previous night, she was aware of him in a way she’d never been before. Somehow she was going to have to keep others from suspecting that anything had happened between them, and she wasn’t sure if she’d be able to accomplish that feat.

  When she did look back, she managed a small smile that was a pale shadow of the one she wished to give him. His expression was carefully neutral as he returned her greeting. He turned to listen to something her sister was saying, and Catherine felt a painful flash of doubt. Had the previous night meant as much to him as it had to her? She knew he’d had paramours before her, and for a moment she wondered if she was just another in a long line of women.

  She pushed back the depressing thought. She’d never been one to dwell on the negative and she wouldn’t begin now. Kerrick wasn’t free to reveal his feelings for her, but she knew he cared for her. She would have to hold on to that belief.

  Kerrick turned his attention to Louisa. “Your husband has requested your presence in the study. I think he just received a number of bills from the dressmaker.”

  Louisa rolled her eyes and stood. “I can’t imagine why he’s surprised. There are two of us, and I’ve seen some of his bills from the tailor.”

  Catherine remained seated. She wanted—no, needed—to speak to Kerrick. Louisa arched a brow as she looked down at her and Catherine returned a sunny smile. Her sister was shaking her head as she departed the room, leaving her alone with Kerrick.

  When she was gone, Kerrick turned his attention back to her. She hoped he would sit next to her on the settee, b
ut he lowered himself into the same chair again. Now that they were alone, Catherine was free to drink in his appearance. Relief coursed through her when he dropped the polite mask he’d been wearing and gazed at her with the same longing she felt.

  “How are you feeling today?” he asked.

  She knew he was asking about physical pain, but waved a hand in dismissal. “Fine. Happy.”

  “You don’t appear happy.”

  She exhaled a frustrated sigh. “It is more difficult than I imagined, seeing you again and having to pretend there is nothing between us.” She paused for a moment, considering whether she should admit her worries. In the end, she merely hinted at her primary concern. She didn’t think she’d ever be ready to learn how he really felt about Louisa.

  “But that isn’t all that’s troubling you.”

  She shook her head. “You are very good at keeping your feelings hidden. I feared last night meant no more to you than any other night…” Unable to finish the thought, she let her voice trail off.

  “Than any other night I’ve spent with a woman.”

  She felt heat creep into her face and had to look away. She was surprised when he moved to sit next to her and reached for her hands.

  “Look at me, Catherine.”

  She didn’t want to, but he cupped her cheek and turned her face to him. His thumb stroked her lower lip, and she didn’t miss the way his eyes darkened slightly before he dropped his hand. He still held one of her hands in his.

  “Last night was like no other night I’ve experienced. You affect me like no other woman has before. You know I’m not in a position right now to offer for you, but I would if I didn’t have this damned investigation to look into.”

  Her heart had started to race when he first touched her, and when he mentioned offering for her it actually seemed to skip a beat. He hadn’t said he loved her, but she’d always been a good judge of character and she could tell now he wasn’t lying. He did care for her. Still, she couldn’t help prodding.

  “You’re saying…”

  “I’m asking you to be patient with me.”

  The corner of Kerrick’s mouth quirked up in amusement when she answered his plea with an exaggerated sigh. She was frustrated when he dropped her hand and shifted away from her on the settee, but she understood why he needed to place distance between them. Given that a servant, or Heaven forbid Louisa or Nicholas, could walk in at any moment, she really couldn’t blame him. The door to the room stood open and she had no way of telling if anyone had already seen them.

  “I called on Rose this afternoon,” she said.

  His eyes narrowed. “I asked you not to.”

  “I quite like her. She and I are embarking on a project together. A gardening project,” she was quick to add when she saw his obvious concern. “I’ll be safe. Unless, of course, you fear Rose is also involved in whatever it is you are investigating?”

  He merely shook his head in exasperation. “I doubt very much that Rose Hardwick has it in her to be capable of any duplicity.”

  “You might be surprised about that.” At his open disbelief, she added, “She has hidden depths.”

  “Really?”

  She gave him a look of mock reprimand. “You are forbidden from considering her hidden depths.”

  He was laughing when Louisa returned to tell her it was time to dress for dinner and their evening out.

  ooOoo

  It took all his acting ability to survive the meal. Seated opposite Catherine, Kerrick found it almost impossible it keep from devouring her with his eyes. She clearly had no idea how she affected him if she thought it was easy for him to appear oblivious to her charms.

  He suspected she’d dressed in such a way as to ensure he’d have a difficult time keeping up that pretense. The low-cut bodice of her gown was well within the bounds of propriety, but that didn’t mean he hadn’t been surprised when he’d first set eyes on her in the pale yellow gown. Against her fair hair, the color made her appear to glow, and her breasts were offered up like treats to be devoured. He’d seen her smile of satisfaction at his shock when she came down for dinner. He’d wanted nothing more in that moment than to whisk her off to a quiet corner of the house where no one would find them, strip that gown from her, and uncover the delights he knew lay beneath.

  When he’d turned to greet Louisa, he’d noticed her frown and responded with a small shrug of helplessness. He was only a mortal man, after all. How did she expect him to react when presented with such a feast for the eyes? Fortunately, Nicholas hadn’t seen his reaction. He counted himself lucky his friend was so preoccupied with worry for his wife’s delicate condition that he had eyes for no one but her. If Nicholas learned about what had passed between him and Catherine the night before… His mind skittered away from completing that thought. They might be the best of friends, but he wouldn’t be surprised if his friend called him out over the matter.

  They made their way to the theater in the Overlea carriage. He hadn’t thought to ask what play was showing since the ton generally went to the theater not for the entertainment but to be seen by others. If the play being shown was an enjoyable one, that was merely a side benefit. He almost laughed aloud when he saw the playbill.

  The Taming of the Shrew.

  How appropriate that the shrew in question was named Katherine, Kerrick thought. Not that Catherine was shrewish, but she could certainly do with some taming. The last thing he needed was to worry about her unintentionally putting herself in harm’s way. He knew she was likely correct in her assumption that there was little danger in befriending Rose Hardwick. Still, he wanted her as far removed from the Worthingtons, and even the faintest possibility of danger, as possible. He didn’t think Worthington was a violent man, but the same might not be true about the others with whom he was involved.

  He doubted very much that he could convince the Overleas to take Catherine far away from London. Not without explaining the reason for his concern. It was vital that no one suspect his interest in the Worthingtons lay with the father and not the daughter. His actions over the past day had already jeopardized his mission.

  Louisa and Catherine had just relinquished their wraps to the waiting attendants when Miss Hardwick approached them. He hoped Worthington wouldn’t be far, but when he looked beyond her he saw, instead, the ever-present coterie of young men who seemed to follow her everywhere she went.

  He was surprised to see what appeared to be genuine affection between the two young women when they greeted one another, and he wondered what miracle Catherine had wrought to make that happen.

  What almost jostled him out of his equanimity, however, was the flirtatious glance Rose aimed his way as he took her hand and bowed over it. This was new. Rose normally appeared to barely tolerate his company. Just what had gone on between the two women that afternoon?

  After they’d exchanged a few pleasantries about the weather, Rose asked for permission to whisk Catherine away. He became alarmed when the girl started to lead Catherine to the group of young men waiting for her return.

  “Miss Hardwick,” he called out after them.

  Rose turned to face him. “Yes, my lord?”

  He wanted to tell her to leave Catherine alone. To keep her away from the wolves who would descend upon her if given even the slightest encouragement, which so far this season she hadn’t seemed to offer. What he said, instead, was, “Are you here with your parents tonight?”

  He ignored the frown both Louisa and Nicholas aimed at him. The only thing that mattered was that Catherine knew he was putting on a show of courting the Worthingtons’ favor.

  Rose glanced at Catherine before replying. “They’ve gone ahead to our box. Mother has a touch of the headache and wasn’t up for the noise of the crowds.”

  “That sounds like a great idea,” Louisa said, smiling up at her husband. “I feel a little tired this evening as well.”

  If Nicholas could have carried her the rest of the way, Kerrick had a very strong suspicion
he would have done so. His wife wouldn’t have been pleased at the extra attention such an action would have earned them, though. After extracting his promise to show Catherine up to their box, Nicholas and Louisa left him.

  It was still twenty-five minutes before the performance was due to begin. Kerrick made the rounds, greeting acquaintances along the way and stopping not far from where he’d started only a few minutes later. He’d been trying to appear unconcerned that his would-be fiancée and the woman he really wanted were both surrounded by young bucks eager to impress. The first was easy to accomplish, but the second was decidedly more difficult. He heard Catherine laugh at something one of the men said, and he knew the scowl that momentarily appeared before he could smooth it over would be seen as yet another indication of his intentions toward Miss Hardwick.

  “She’s lovely, isn’t she?” Lord Standish had come to a stop beside him and was staring with almost eager interest at Catherine and Rose.

  He hoped Standish was referring to Rose, but his next words told him otherwise.

  “It’s a pity you’re promised to the other one. But your loss is my gain.”

  Kerrick’s blood turned to ice and he turned to face Standish. Despite the fact that he managed to keep from baring his teeth, no one would miss the threat implicit in his words. “You would do well to set your sights elsewhere.”

  Standish made a soft tsking sound. “Don’t you think you’re being greedy?” His gaze turned again to Catherine and there was no mistaking the lasciviousness in his expression. “Rest assured, Miss Evans will be mine.”

  When he turned to leave, Kerrick let him go without another word. Standish was known to thrive on conflict, and he’d be damned before he gave him the satisfaction of seeing that his words had struck terror in his heart.

  He knew Nicholas would never allow Standish anywhere near Catherine. Still, he had to wrestle back the urge to march over to the group of young people—all of whom made him feel much older than this twenty-nine years—and drag Catherine away. Instead, he forced himself to make another circuit, even allowed himself to be dragged into conversation, before returning to collect Catherine.