by Vikki Vaught
Miss Kathleen's Scandalous Baron
by
Vikki Vaught
Miss Kathleen's Scandalous Baron
Copyright © 2016 by Vikki Vaught
Cover design by Dawné Dominique
All rights reserved. This book, or any part of it, cannot be reproduced or distributed by any means without the express permission in writing from the author.
All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.
DEDICATION
This has been such an exciting journey. I Have had many people who have helped me along the way, from contest judges to my fellow members of the Beau Monde chapter of RWA. This is a chapter of fantastic Regency authors. Whenever I have a historical question, they always have the answer.
I want to thank my critique partners, Layna Pimentel and Tracy Dunn for their valuable feedback. It helped tremendously. I also want to mention my fantastic editor and friend, Tammy Souch, her advice and suggestions always make my books so much better. Thank goodness for my awesome team of beta readers. Your feedback helped immensely.
My heartfelt thanks goes to readers everywhere, for your willingness to give me a chance by reading my books. Last, but by no means least, I want to thank my incredible husband for putting up with me when I’m lost in my world of books. The man truly has the patience of a saint.
I want to thank you for reading Miss Kathleen’s Scandalous Baron, Book 2 in my Honorable Rogue series. The Viscount’s Salvation, Book 3, should be available by the end of 2016. Reviews are the lifeblood for authors. If you enjoyed my story, I hope you will take a few minutes and write a review. Fellow readers will appreciate your words of wisdom.
CHAPTER ONE
March 1803
Kathleen Hawks fumed all the way to her brother’s study. Alex must have talked to their mother. Again, she had allowed her emotions to overrule her actions. When she arrived at the door, her heart fluttered, but knowing she had to get this over with, she tapped on the door.
Her brother’s voice bade her enter. She purposefully turned the knob and opened the door as she inhaled and exhaled slowly to prepare herself for what she suspected would be an unpleasant conversation. “Good morning, Alex. You wanted to see me?”
Her brother moved behind his desk. “Please, take a seat.” His set features shouted his displeasure.
Once she settled back in her chair, Alex sat in the chair behind his large desk. “Kathleen, I spoke with Ma and she told me the two of you argued at breakfast. She’s concerned over your defiant attitude, and she feels I may have made a mistake regarding Mr. Jones.”
Oh, dear, when will I learn to control my tongue? “I’m sorry I was disrespectful, but she made several derogatory comments regarding my betrothed. I let my temper get the best of me.”
Her brother’s stubborn expression did not bode well, and she waited for the proverbial axe to fall. “I agree with Ma. I want you to reconsider your betrothal to Mr. Jones. You’re only eighteen, and he’s ten years older than you. I don’t believe you are well-suited. Your temperaments are vastly different. His only concern seems to be his responsibilities at his father’s bank. You were always so playful and vivacious. You’ve changed since you began spending more time with him, and I do not like it.”
She gripped the arms on the chair. The last thing she needed to do was agitate her brother, but she couldn’t sit passively by while another member of her family spoke ill of William. “You’re wrong, Alex. So what if we have a few differing interests? We love each other and that is what is important. You gave William your permission for the marriage before we left last fall.”
Alex stared her down. “I realize that. However, I should never have given it. As you well know, I had quite a few grave issues to deal with at the time. I should have taken more time to consider a decision that involves your future happiness. I’m seriously contemplating sending him a letter telling him I am withdrawing my consent.”
She clasped her hands together to keep them from trembling. It was all she could do to remain seated. “Please, you can’t do this to me. I love William, and he loves me.” Then, throwing caution to the wind, she stood and shouted, “I. Know. My. Own. Mind!”
“Kathleen.” Alex’s flushed face resembled a storm cloud as he stood and placed his powerful hands on his desk. “I will not tolerate your disrespect, young lady. Ma is ashamed of your behavior, and so am I. When you arrive in London for the season, you either promise to take full advantage of this opportunity the Barringtons are offering you, or I will write the letter withdrawing my consent today.”
Her stomach clenched as she tried to rein in her anger. Alex was serious, and if she was to have any hope of continuing with her plans to marry William, she had to placate him. “Please, don’t write the letter. I’ll go to London, and I promise I will participate fully in the parties. I’ll even keep an open mind.”
Alex resumed his seat. “Good. That’s more like it. I do have your best interests at heart, Darlin’. I want you to be sure Mr. Jones is the right man for you. He’s the first man to show you any attention. Please take this time to be sure of your love for him. That’s all I ask.”
Whenever her very American brother grew angry, their mother’s strong Virginian upbringing took over, and his southern drawl came through. Now that he had to spend much of his time in England, he had worked hard to minimize it.
“I suppose it can’t hurt, but I will not change my mind. Now if you will excuse me, I’ll return to my packing, so I will be ready when the duke and duchess arrive tomorrow.” She stiffened her spine, turned, and left his study. Once she was beyond the door, she fled up the stairs and stormed through her bedchamber door, startling the maid. “You may go. I will finish the packing.”
“Yes, miss.” The maid curtsied, then scurried from the room, closing the door behind her.
Kathleen threw herself on the bed and buried her head in her pillow. Her eyes burned with angry tears, and she wanted to scream. Of course, that would bring her mama, and she wasn’t ready to face her yet.
How could Alex be so unreasonable? He had always been overly protective, but nothing like this. She was glad to be going to London, so she could get away from him. Releasing her pillow, she sat on the side of her bed. Not one to give in to tears, she swiped them away and drew in a shaky breath.
The face of the maid flitted across her mind and shame washed over her. While she did lose her temper occasionally, it had never come out so strong before. Now she needed to apologize to the maid, along with her mother and brother, for her unladylike behavior.
Guilt and remorse plagued her as she resumed packing for her trip. She would go to London, but when she returned to Baltimore this summer, she would marry William. Surely, her brother and mother would agree to her marriage when they saw that her feelings had not wavered.
After she finished her packing, she went to see her sister-in-law in the back garden. After taking a seat on the bench next to Anissa, she sighed. The sister of her heart asked, “What is troubling you?”
She had no business bothering Anissa with her problems, especially with her lying in so near. But, she had to talk to someone. “I let my tongue get away from me this morning. I argued with Mama.”
Her friend gave her a sympathetic smile, one Kathleen had grown to love as well. “What did you argue about?”
Heat rushed to her face when she remembered their conversation. “Mama said some things about William that weren’t very nice, and so did Alex.” Her anger rose up and threatened to overwhelm her. She fisted her hand
s in her pockets. “Both of them think I’m too young to get married. Alex threatened to write William and break our engagement.” Taking her seat next to Anissa, she told her everything her mother had told her, and what Alex had said as well.
“Oh, dear. I’m sure that did upset you,” she commiserated. “Perhaps it would be wise to at least enjoy your time in London. Let them see you are taking advantage of this opportunity. Just because you dance with other young men doesn’t mean you are betraying Mr. Jones. I’m sure he would want you to have a good time.”
“I guess you’re right, but I will not change my mind. I love William.” Knowing her friend had the right of it, she conceded. “All right, I’ll try to keep an open mind.”
Anissa beamed at her. “That is the best thing you can do. Is there anything else bothering you? You still seem a bit agitated.”
She recalled the other part of her argument with her mother, and it got her riled again. “We talked about me going to London. I don’t know how we got on the subject, but we started talking about Andrew Grainger, Baron Billingsley.” Feeling her ire rise even higher, she sharply said, “When I told her how much I detested him, she actually defended him. Can you believe it?”
Anissa looked at her and mused, “Your mother always does look for the best in everyone. What happened to cause you to dislike the man?”
Recalling her dance with Lord Billingsley, her pulse sped up. “Remember we met the baron at his mother’s ball last fall? I overheard some of the matrons discussing his atrocious behavior.”
“That was such a stressful time,” she replied. “I don’t recall much from that evening. Refresh my memory.”
Kathleen fidgeted with the ribbons hanging from the bodice of her gown. Just thinking of the man agitated her. “Those women said he goes to gaming hells, and he chases after opera singers and dancers. His flirtatious attitude toward me when we danced was most inappropriate. The man didn’t know me at all, yet he teased me the entire time we were together. Some of the audacious comments set my cheeks aflame.”
Anissa squeezed her hand. “That’s the way young men behave when they are attracted to a girl, Kathleen.”
Standing, she began to pace. “I don’t care. His behavior is appalling. He’s the epitome of what is wrong with the aristocracy. I’m sure he’s never done an honest day’s work in his life.” Then realizing her sister-in-law’s late husband had been a marquess, she tempered her tone. “I’m sorry. I hope I haven’t offended you.”
Anissa laughed, “Not at all. I will admit that some of the young men do tend to live a bit decadent until they inherit their fathers’ titles and settle into their roles. You know, Kathleen, one can never paint all individuals with the same brush. How old is this baron?”
“Old enough to have outgrown that stage, I’m sure,” she retorted. “And besides, he’s already inherited his title.”
“I’m still not understanding why this young man irritates you so much,” she mused. “He seems to unsettle you quite a bit.”
Kathleen stopped her pacing and put her hands on her hips. “He does not. I just don’t like him, that’s all. He’s not anything like my betrothed. William would never flirt with me. He respects me too much.”
“I do recall your Mr. Jones was quite respectful.” Anissa stood. “I’m sure that once they see your regard for him has not wavered when you return to us, they will accept your decision.”
She placed a hand on her sister-in-law’s arm. “You always seem to know what to say to me. I shouldn’t be troubling you with all this, though. I know you grow very tired as you await the birth of your babe.”
Anissa sighed. “I will admit I will be glad once the babe is here and I no longer feel so out of sorts, but I am always glad to help. Now, shall we take a turn around the gardens before we go back inside?”
Kathleen arose, and linking arms with her confidant, they strolled and talked of more pleasant things. It did much to restore Kathleen’s normal good spirits.
After luncheon, Kathleen made her way to the schoolroom and retrieved her niece and nephew to take them to the beach. A vigorous jaunt along the shore was what she needed to clear her head.
After they made it down the steep path to the sand and surf, the children commenced building a sand castle while Kathleen briskly walked along the shore, still keeping her eye on the children.
Nostalgia rose in her as she took in the seashore. While quite different from the beach near her home in Baltimore, she found it entrancing with the moss-covered cliffs above the smooth sand. Devonshire had a stark beauty. She had grown to love the rugged area surrounding her nephew’s lands and thoroughly enjoyed roaming the moors nearby.
Glancing toward the children, Kathleen’s nephew, the young Marquess of Overton, turned toward the surf, and she called out, “Harry, don’t you dare put your foot in the water. It’s entirely too cold. And Melanie, I saw that. If you don’t stay away from the water, I’ll take you back to the house.”
Both children scurried away from the shoreline. While Harry and her brother’s daughter went back to building their sand castle, Kathleen’s heart flipped. When her brother had married Anissa, the late Marquess of Overton’s widow, she had gained her much beloved sister-in-law, and her mischievous, fun-loving nephew.
Melanie was her brother’s daughter from his first marriage. She had adored her niece since the day of her birth. While Kathleen might be young, she longed for the day when she could have children of her own. She would have them once she married William.
She started thinking about her earlier conversations with both her brother and her mother, and her anger began to boil again. It amazed her how her mother could speak so ill of her betrothed and then defend that scandalous baron. William was a far better man than Lord Billingsley would ever be. Andrew Grainger was a notorious rake and gambler. She didn’t want anything to do with him or his cohorts.
Goodness, why do I allow that annoying man a moment of my thoughts?
There was something about him that got under her skin. Just thinking of the baron irritated her to no end. It went against her nature to have such a derisive attitude toward another person, and it dug at her conscience. And how was it that when he’d brushed his lips across the back of her hand when they met, it had started a swarm of bees buzzing around in her belly? Uncomfortable with her thoughts, she shook them off.
Glancing up at the cloudy, overcast sky, she watched the sea gulls flying toward the cliffs. Perhaps, she should take the children back to the house before they got caught in the rain in those clouds.
Catching a movement in the corner of her eye, she watched Harry creep to the water’s edge. “That does it. I’m taking you back to your governess.”
The little lord came running to her. “Please, Aunt Kathleen. Can’t we stay longer?”
“We promise to stay away from the water,” Melanie chimed in.
Raising her brow, she looked at the children. “I’m sure you’re sorry now, but you promised me earlier to stay well away. Yet as soon as you thought I wasn’t looking, you did the exact opposite. It’s time for you to return to your governess anyway, and there’s a storm rolling in. Come, I’ll race you up the path.”
Harry and Melanie yelled as one, “Yea. A race,” and took off running as fast as their short little legs could carry them.
With her much longer stride, Kathleen caught up with the children by the time they reached the top of the cliff. Her friends back in America would admonish her for running, believing the behavior unbecoming for a lady, but she’d never been one to remain idle. Thank goodness she didn’t care to be a slave to today’s fashions, choosing to wear loose, comfortable clothing, instead of the tight pencil skirt gowns so many of her friends wore.
The youngsters made it to the top with Harry in the lead. “I won. I won,” her exuberant six-year-old nephew shouted, as he jumped up and down.
Melanie folded her arms across her narrow chest and stuck out her lip. “It’s not fair. You’re bigger
than me.”
Throwing her niece an exasperated glance, Kathleen reminded her, “You won yesterday. It’s only fair Harry win today. Size doesn’t have anything to do with it. Now, hurry along to Miss Farris. She’s expecting you.”
When she arrived at her chamber, Kathleen penned a letter to her friend Regina. They had been friends since they were babies, and she missed her a great deal. Six months had passed since they arrived in England. While she was excited to see a new country, she missed her home. She also wrote another letter to William. Then she girded her loins and found her mother, and apologized for her behavior at breakfast.
When she returned to her room, her mind would not settle. She dreaded having to see her brother at dinner. Although she still resented what he threatened her with earlier, she loved him and didn’t want animosity between them. She decided to go to the stables and spend time with her brother’s newly acquired horses as a distraction. She missed her mare, Ellie. Her brother had given her another mount to ride, but it wasn’t the same.
After feeding the animals apples, she returned to her room to dress for the evening. As the maid helped her don her gown, she apologized for her abrupt behavior earlier. Dear Lord, she hated having to change clothes several times a day. They never dressed formally for the evening meal at home, but here it was expected.
When she went downstairs for dinner, Kathleen approached Alex in the drawing room and asked to speak with him in private. Once they were away from the others, she told him, “I’ve apologized to Mama for my behavior earlier today, but I owe you one as well. I never meant to be disrespectful. I hope you will forgive me?”
“Ah, darlin’.” The brother she had always adored pulled her into a hug. “Of course I forgive you. I only want what’s best for you. I know you have strong feelings for Mr. Jones, and after your season, if you still want to marry him, I will gladly walk you down the aisle. Now, let us join the rest of the family and enjoy our last meal together before you leave for town.”