Unexpected Earl (Hearts and Ever Afters)

by Joyce Alec

  Catherine lifted her chin a notch. “As I said, this is not your business.” She made to leave to walk back to the ballroom, but he caught her hand, holding it tightly. “Lord Linton!” she exclaimed, trying to wrench her hand from his as anger burst into her veins. “What do you think you are doing? Unhand me!”

  Lord Linton did not do as she asked, his brows settling low as he frowned at her. “I do hope you were behaving sensibly with Lord Kerr.”

  She glared at him. “Coming from you?”

  “Yes, coming from me,” he bit out, his own expression angry. “Regardless of my own behavior, I do care for you still, Catherine.”

  Snorting in derision, Catherine shook her head. “After how you treated me in the bookshop, I would say the only person you care about is yourself. You have no right to quiz me on anything I do, especially when it comes to matters of the heart. Leave me alone, and I will be glad to do the same to you!”

  A silence spread between them as Catherine continued to glower at him. Lord Linton’s expression did not change. He appeared enraged and frustrated, but what he had against Lord Kerr, Catherine could not tell.

  “He is not a good man.”

  Thinking that she had heard quite enough, Catherine pulled her hand from his grasp, spun on her heel, and marched along the hallway back towards the ballroom.

  “I will force you to see the truth if I have to!” Lord Linton called, making Catherine’s hands curl into fists. “He is not worthy of you, Catherine!”

  Flinging the door open, Catherine walked into the ballroom and was immediately enveloped by the sound of music and conversation. Her anger faded, her anxiety evaporated. Soon it would be time for her second dance with Lord Kerr, and she did not want anything—or anyone—to spoil her time with him.

  Catherine purposefully made her way towards where Lady Hewson stood, able to hear her voice even through the rest of the noise around them. She cringed inwardly as she heard her mother declare that Catherine was bound to be wed before the year was out, and she chose to stand a little away from where Lady Hewson was, not wishing to be caught up in her conversation.

  She sighed to herself, thinking how different things would be after this evening. Lord Kerr would not be present for some time, but the way he had kissed her ensured she certainly would not be able to forget about him. She touched her lower lip absentmindedly, her cheeks blooming with color as her eyes landed on Lord Kerr himself, who was looking at her with a glint in his eye whilst he stood with an acquaintance of his.

  Catherine dropped her hand at once, though she could not help but smile. It was only when her gaze drifted away from Lord Kerr and found Lord Linton that her smile faded, her stomach churned, and she found herself turning away from them both in search of Alice.

  Yes, tonight had certainly been most unsettling!

  Chapter Six

  “Catherine! Catherine!”

  Catherine groaned and flung one hand over her eyes as the maid pulled back the drapes. The sunlight was most unwelcome, and Catherine groaned aloud as her mother rushed over to her, shaking her hard.

  “Catherine! Will you please rise and explain yourself!!”

  Her mind still fuzzy, Catherine opened her eyes and looked at her mother, desperate to sleep once more. Lady Hewson was still in her night things, her hair falling wildly about her shoulders and a horrified look in her eyes. She held a newspaper in her hands.

  “Whatever are you talking about, Mama?” Catherine muttered, trying to push herself up on her elbows. “What is it that I need to explain?”

  “I thought you and Lord Kerr had an understanding!” her mother exclaimed, her shrill voice echoing around the room.

  Wondering if Lady Hewson had somehow discovered what she had been doing with Lord Kerr in the small, dark room yesterday evening, Catherine turned her head away and swung her legs out of bed in the hopes that her mother would not see the heat rippling into her cheeks.

  “Lord Kerr and I do share an understanding, Mama,” she murmured, pushing her feet into soft slippers and pulling a robe around her shoulders before walking over to sit by the fire. A tray of chocolate and warm croissants waited for her, and Catherine felt her stomach growl in anticipation.

  Her mother, who had lapsed into silence for a few seconds, now hurried towards her.

  “If you have such an understanding, then explain this to me!” She jabbed at something in the newspaper, and Catherine, who had taken a large bite of the croissant, narrowed her eyes to look at it. Unfortunately, Lady Hewson was shaking it as she continued to mutter under her breath that Catherine simply could not make it out.

  “Mama, why do you not just tell me what it is that has you so upset?” she asked quietly. “I cannot read it if you keep shaking it about like that!” A small smile caught the corner of her mouth as she saw her mother splutter for a moment.

  “You will lose that smile once I tell you!” Lady Hewson declared, her eyes flashing. “Here now, let me read it to you.”

  Catherine took another bite of her croissant and looked up at her mother expectantly.

  “‘This paper is proud to announce a surprising betrothal.’” Her mother lifted one eyebrow, but Catherine simply waited, not sure who she was about to announce. It could not be Lord Kerr, could it? A sense of uneasiness coursed through her as she waited for her mother to continue.

  “‘It is between Robert, the Earl of Linton and Miss Catherine Hewson, daughter of Viscount Hewson. This paper understands that they have long been close friends, and we wish them nothing but happiness in their future lives together.’”

  The croissant suddenly tasted like ashes in her mouth. Catherine stared at her mother, her hands beginning to tremble as she put the remainder of the croissant down on the plate. Her mind was screaming, but she simply could not take in what she had heard.

  “How dare you engage yourself to a man without seeking your father’s permission!” Lady Hewson cried, slamming the paper down on the table. “He is quite furious—your father, I mean—and demands that you speak to him at your earliest convenience!”

  Hot tears burned in Catherine’s eyes. “I did not— He did not—” She tried to speak, feeling moisture trickle down her cheeks. “Mama, I am not engaged to him.”

  Her mother opened her mouth only to close it again, a puzzled frown on her face. “Whatever do you mean?”

  “He did not ask me. I have barely spoken to the man!” Catherine continued, suddenly reaching for her mother’s hand. She needed some reassurance, such was the shock racing through her body. “I do not understand!”

  Thankfully, her mother’s shrewd gaze took in Catherine’s astonishment and realized that what her daughter said was true. Keeping a hold of Catherine’s hand, she sat down next to her and regarded her carefully.

  “Are you trying to tell me that Lord Linton has done this of his own accord?” she asked, more gently than her previous question. “That you are as surprised as I am?”

  “Indeed,” Catherine replied, sniffing heavily. “I do not know why he has done this. I… I cannot marry him!” Her eyes widened, panic racing through her heart. “Oh, my goodness! If Lord Kerr reads this, then…” She dropped her mother’s hands, raced to the corner of her room, and began to prepare a piece of parchment.

  “Catherine!” Lady Hewson exclaimed, rising at once. “What are you thinking?”

  “I have to let him know this is entirely false!” Catherine cried, writing as quickly as she could. “He is due to leave this very day and I must catch him!” Finishing her letter, she rose to ring the bell, leaving it to dry. “Oh, Mama! Whatever am I to do?”

  For the first time in her life, Catherine felt as though she might give in to hysterics, as though she were about to weep and wail all over her astonished mother.

  “Well,” Lady Hewson murmured as the maid came in. “This is quite extraordinary.”

  Catherine, wiping her eyes, managed to give directions to the maid about her note, repeating multiple times the urgency of i
ts delivery to Lord Kerr before hurrying her from the room. Then she shut the door, leaned back against it, and began to cry in earnest.

  “Oh, my dear!” Lady Hewson came over to give her distraught daughter a warm embrace. “Do not cry so. We shall sort this whole matter out, I am sure of it.”

  “How can we?” Catherine wept, her body racked with pain. “An announcement such as this shall bring gossips and rumors, and were I to break it—even though I never acquiesced in the first place—there would be a scandal! My name will be sullied!”

  Her mother patted her back reassuringly. “Now, that will only be until something of a greater scandal comes along,” she said, as if that was comforting. “We might go to the country and try again next Season.”

  “No!” Catherine exclaimed, horrified at the idea. “Lord Kerr and I…” She trailed off miserably, not knowing what to say. “I am not sure what the situation will be with him now, I confess,” she whispered, her head dropping. “Goodness, this is all such a muddle.”

  Her mother gently led her back to the seats by the fire, encouraging her to drink her chocolate. “I just cannot fathom what Lord Linton meant by such a thing,” she said, handing Catherine her cup. “He is a long-term acquaintance, certainly, but he has not often been in your company.”

  “I have actively avoided his company!” Catherine yelled, a streak of ire suddenly racing through her. “Mama, might you go explain this situation to Father, so as to assuage some of his anger? I… I must go for a walk.”

  Catherine managed to keep a somewhat morose expression on her face, despite the anger burning in her veins.

  “Oh, of course, my dear,” her mother said immediately, looking entirely sympathetic. “I shall speak to him at once. Take your time outside, but ensure you are back home before the fashionable hour.” She frowned, her mouth a thin line. “You will be the talk of the town, and it is best not to be seen.”

  “Of course, Mama,” Catherine mumbled, waiting impatiently for Lady Hewson to leave the room before bounding to her feet as an unexpected bout of energy began to course through her veins. “I must go speak with him.” Her hands clenched into fists as she stormed to the window, her brows furrowed. “He will see that I am not to be trifled with!”

  The memory of his words from last evening came back to haunt her, reminding her that he had vowed he would force her to see Lord Kerr’s true nature. Was this how he intended to do it? Her jaw set, her anger was burning through her like a furnace growing hotter and hotter with each passing moment. Ringing the bell, Catherine waited impatiently for her maid, ignoring her mother’s protests. She would speak to Lord Linton herself, demand that he rectify the situation somehow and, hopefully, return to discover that Lord Kerr had received her note and quite understood the entire situation. She would not allow her reputation to be sullied in this way.

  Lord Linton had a great deal of explaining to do.

  ***

  Catherine made her way down the street with her confused maid in tow. Thankfully, it was early enough for the streets not to be particularly busy, which meant that Catherine did not have to avoid unwanted whispers or knowing looks.

  However, as her steps began to slow, Lady Hewson’s warnings began to dig into her mind, reminding her that she could not exactly walk into Lord Linton’s home and demand an audience with him.

  “Then again,” she murmured to herself, “I am his ‘betrothed.’” Glancing back at the maid, Catherine smiled to herself and pushed her unease to one side. She would do as she had intended and ignore the potential consequences. She would simply have to make sure to leave his home before town began to grow too busy.

  Hailing a hackney, Catherine and her maid climbed in, and Catherine gave directions as to where to go. Knowing where Lord Linton lived, she gave an address one street away, thinking it would be best not to appear on his doorstep. The hackney rolled through the streets of London, giving her time to think about what was to come.

  What was she going to do if Lord Kerr had not received her note? She did not know where his country estate was, exactly, so she could not write to him there. She would then have to wait until he was able to return in order to explain things to him, and it mayhap be too late. Biting her lip, Catherine’s anger began to boil once more as they drew closer to Lord Linton’s home.

  Alighting from the hackney, Catherine paid the driver and began to hurry along the street towards Lord Linton’s townhouse. However, on rounding the corner, she discovered that there was a carriage outside it, and as she drew closer, she recognized that carriage to be none other than Lord Kerr’s.

  “Oh, goodness!” she whispered, her eyes widening as she hurried closer and saw the carriage was empty.

  “It seems that he has gone inside, Miss Hewson,” the maid said to her unspoken question.

  Catherine could only stare at her maid for a moment, her heart sinking into her boots. This could not be good. Giving herself a slight shake, she made her way to the front door. Her knock was answered almost immediately by a frazzled-looking butler, and much to her dismay, Catherine could hear two very loud and very male voices floating down the hallway towards her.

  “Good morning. I am Miss Hewson and I come in search of Lord Linton,” she told the butler, attempting to keep an innocent look on her face. “I must see him at once.”

  The butler bowed and opened the door for her. “Of course, Miss Hewson.” He took her things from her. “However, I must ask you to tarry here for a moment. His lordship is currently speaking to another gentleman.”

  “Yes, Lord Kerr,” Catherine said. “I am well aware of that, and I believe I must see him regardless. Now, if you could just tell me where they are?” She looked enquiringly up at the butler, lifting her chin and keeping her stance firm so that he would not attempt to delay her any further.

  Thankfully, the butler did not seem inclined to do so, and he led her down the hallway.

  “Just in the study, Miss Hewson,” he murmured, indicating the door in front of them. “Might I get you some refreshments?”

  “No, thank you,” Catherine replied crisply. “I can show myself in, I thank you.” She did not give the butler any time to argue, stepping ahead of him and opening the door at once.

  Two pairs of eyes met hers the moment she stepped inside. Lord Linton was standing behind his desk, his hands planted firmly on top of the mahogany wood. His cheeks were red, his eyes were filled with anger, and his dark hair was in a state of complete disarray. Lord Kerr, on the other hand, looked immaculate in every way, aside from how his hands were clenched into fists. He was standing opposite Lord Linton, and had been in the middle of bellowing something when Catherine had walked into the room.

  “Catherine!” Lord Kerr exclaimed, coming towards her immediately. “Whatever are you doing here?”

  Catherine caught his hands, relieved beyond measure that he had not left. “Oh, Lord Kerr, did you receive my note this morning?” she asked desperately, looking into his eyes. “Please tell me you did not believe a word of what was written in the paper!”

  Lord Kerr looked back at her with uncertainty in his eyes. “I am not quite sure what to believe, Catherine,” he murmured. “This is all very peculiar.” He squeezed her hands gently. “What are you doing here?”

  “I came to ask Lord Linton what on earth he was thinking in sending in such a notice to the newspaper!” Catherine answered, turning to frown at Lord Linton, who was, much to her surprise, still glaring at Lord Kerr. “Linton, what is the meaning of this?” Her fury had her dropping Kerr’s hands and marching to Lord Linton’s table, her fingers itching to slap him. “We are not engaged! We have never been engaged, and yet you go and do this! Do you need me to get you out of yet another situation, is that it? I told you before that I would not be your plaything, to use as you wish!”

  Lord Linton lifted one eyebrow, his gaze drifting from Catherine to Lord Kerr. “My dear Catherine,” he murmured, his gaze still fixated on Lord Kerr. “I consider it my duty to marry
any lady I kiss in public.”

  Catherine’s mouth fell open, her heart practically stopping in her chest.

  Lord Kerr slowly turned to look at her, his expression growing severe. “Is this true, Catherine?”

  “No!” Catherine exclaimed crossly. “I mean, yes, but not in that particular way.”

  Lord Kerr sighed heavily and passed one hand over his eyes.

  “Is it not as Lord Linton is suggesting, I swear to you!” Catherine protested weakly, grasping onto Lord Kerr’s arm in desperation. “He is correct in saying he kissed me, but I did not accept his attentions, nor did I want them.” She turned her head to look at Lord Linton, who stood with a small smirk on his face. Her anger grew, mingled with nervousness and anxiety as she looked back at Lord Kerr. “Please,” she continued quietly. “Please, do not think of this as love or affection between myself and Lord Linton. He kissed me so that I might save him from three gentlemen who were chasing him.”

  Lord Kerr closed his eyes for a moment, looking thoroughly confused. “I am not quite sure what to make of all this.”

  Catherine held her breath, moisture beginning to cling to her lashes. “Do not believe him,” she pleaded, terrified that she might lose the man she cared so much for. “I promise you he means nothing to me. His reputation alone should tell you that I would not allow myself to even consider him as a potential husband. I have even pushed myself away from his acquaintance. Please, trust me. Believe what I am saying, I beg you.”

  Lord Kerr’s expression softened, his eyes meeting hers. Catherine heaved a sigh of relief as he briefly ran his fingers along the curve of her cheek.

  “I do believe you, Catherine,” he murmured gently. “I am still mightily confused, but you are quite right to remind me of Lord Linton’s reputation. I do not know much of him, but what I do know is not particularly good.”

  Catherine let out a long breath, pressing away her tears with shaking fingers. “I am so glad.”