“Considering I have three brothers, you have nothing to worry about.”
“Have you no pride? How can you sit there, in that chair, knowing you will fail at the most important task for Linwood?”
Before he could respond, the door burst open, bringing both Darin and Lawrence rushing in. His younger brothers’ smiling faces and carefree attitude resonated with Jonathan. Although his life no longer held those qualities, he would accept any opportunity to live in the past.
“Are you done yet?” Darin asked.
“You promised to take us fishing, but you’re taking forever,” Lawrence added.
Aunt Mildred clapped her hands. “Boys, did your father not teach you manners? Leave at once and do not return until you are summoned.”
Two pairs of eyes darted to Jonathan. Although he wanted to ignore his aunt and leave with his brothers, he knew he couldn’t. She would make him pay for it. He nodded toward the door, hoping Aunt Mildred wouldn’t expect his compliance in the future.
“Aunt Mildred,” Jonathan began when the door shut. “I will agree to host a ball, and I give you my permission to invite whoever you wish. However, I do not give my consent to wed any lady of your choosing. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have pressing matters to attend to.”
As he strode from the room, he felt her glare following him. She couldn’t complain as he offered her a compromise, but he knew she wouldn’t end her pursuit. After all, the whole Alastair family had a reputation for stubbornness.
An hour later, Jonathan sat on the bank with his brothers as they held their fishing rods over the rushing water. Had Aunt Mildred not been at his house, his return would have been a welcome change from London. The only problem being he couldn’t rid himself of her. If her threatening letters to Stanwick were to be believed, she intended to remain with Jonathan until he secured a bride. It would be an exchange of one unwanted woman for another.
“Why didn’t you come home sooner?” Lawrence complained. “When Barry takes us out here, he never allows us to get this close to the water.”
“Stanwick said it wouldn’t be easy. That you didn’t want to come home. Is that true?” Darin asked.
“Of course I wanted to come home. I’ve missed you two. Tearing myself away from London wasn’t as easy as I hoped.” Jonathan ruffled Lawrence’s hair.
“Because of the women?” Darin’s voice held a hint of interest.
Sighing, Jonathan set his fishing aside and studied his brother. Apparently Father hadn’t saved the young boys from his tirades about him. In addition, Darin’s curiosity brought a lump to his throat as he realized how swiftly time had passed. Over the past seven years, he’d allowed his father and Catherine’s rejection to keep him away from his home. Darin stood on the verge of manhood, and Jonathan refused to leave him to make the journey alone.
He needed to uncover the details regarding the monetary shortfall at Linwood and establish a life for himself here. As Aunt Mildred acted in no rush to leave, he’d keep her busy by making her run the house.
“It doesn’t matter now. I’m here now, and I don’t have any plans to leave.”
Lawrence jumped to his feet, almost losing his fishing pole in the current. “Can we go fishing every day?”
“Maybe not every day, but we can make a habit of it.”
“What about Aunt Mildred? Can she leave now?”
Not surprised to hear of their shared distaste for the woman, Jonathan had trouble containing his amusement. “Lawrence, she is family, and we look out for our own.”
“But she’s mean. She punishes us for doing nothing wrong,” Darin chimed in.
Jonathan thought twice about his decision to never marry. Did he owe it to his brothers to rid them of their aunt? Could he marry a meek woman he didn’t love in order to appease his family? He had nothing better to do with his life.
“Well, in that case, I might be able to help you.”
“I don’t understand why you can’t complete a simple task,” a male voice whispered angrily. “And I hate leaving London.”
Catherine pressed her body further down into the stall. She hoped Daisy wouldn’t grow concerned over her position. Something in the man’s tone told her she would be safer to keep unnoticed.
“You didn’t have to come,” Kenneth replied. “I told you in my letter that I have everything under control.”
“I don’t read,” the man practically growled. “But I’m here now, so I’m taking over.”
Kenneth sighed. “This isn’t going to work. They’re too stubborn.”
“Are you forgetting what it takes to get paid? Perhaps I don’t need you after all. Your uselessness is beginning to show.”
“If I can’t get their consent, what am I supposed to do? Rob them?”
“Whatever it takes. Or I will. And that option will not be good for you.”
Hearing footsteps trudging away allowed Catherine to release the breath she held. However, not knowing if both men departed, she remained crouched. She had no idea what Kenneth had gotten himself into, but it didn’t sound pleasant. She wanted to tell her uncle about it but wasn’t sure she should.
When her back began to ache due to the uncomfortable position, Catherine peeked over the stall only to find Andrew cleaning the stall across from Daisy. Inching further out, she made eye contact with him.
“Mrs. Gates, what are you doing in there?” Andrew asked, dropping his rake and hurrying to hold the stall door open for her. “You know it isn’t safe sitting under a horse’s feet.”
“I know. I only wished to brush Daisy.” Her voice shook.
Andrew nodded and went back to his work. “Heard the men, did you?”
“Didn’t you?” She clutched the sides of her skirt in an effort to prevent herself from wringing her hands. Rumors about the house would only create more problems for her cousin.
“It isn’t the first time my ears took in something that’s none of my business. You’d best forget it. That’s what I do.”
“But what if Kenneth needs help?” she blurted out, unable to keep her worry to herself.
The older man paused in his work and leaned his arm on the top of his rake. “Then he will seek out the proper people to aid him. Your interference now would not help him. Trust me.”
As Andrew continued on his task, Catherine left the stable, hanging her head low. The man Kenneth spoke to sounded dangerous, and she refused to idly sit by and leave Kenneth to handle the trouble alone. However, Andrew was correct about one thing. She couldn’t help him.
But Jonathan could.
Tonight Lord Dudgery and his mother were hosting a ball. Although she hated the idea of appealing to her betrothed to invite her former lover, she saw no other option. If she approached Jonathan in a private location, she feared she would be unable to resist him. Her heart already ached too much at the mere thought of him.
That night as she entered the sparsely decorated ballroom, she surveyed the crowd for Jonathan. Lord Dudgery assured her he had already sent an invitation to Jonathan after having discovered he currently resided at Linwood.
“Mrs. Gates, I’m so pleased you could make it,” Lord Dudgery greeted her. “Please allow me to introduce my mother, Countess of Dudgery.”
The old woman slid her gaze to Catherine without bothering to make eye contact or lower her nose that practically faced the ceiling. Her disdain for Catherine couldn’t be mistaken. Trying to keep her opinion to herself, Catherine clamped her mouth closed as she curtsied.
“I don’t like her, William. Why is she here?”
“She is our neighbor, Mother. Daughter to the late Baron Berwick.”
“I didn’t like him either.” The countess turned away from Catherine. “Why, they are almost commoners. Honestly William, you must think before you add to my guest list. Next time I will have to monitor your selections more closely.”
Catherine stared as the countess walked away. She could hardly believe the woman would act in such a manner to her guests. Wou
ld she stay away after she wed Lord Dudgery, or would she remain to be a thorn in their side?
“You must excuse my mother,” Lord Dudgery apologized. “She has spent too many years away from polite society.”
“Tis all right, my lord. I just hope her opinions of me change once we’re wed.”
The earl’s eyes darted around quickly. “You must not speak of that here. Don’t you remember we agreed not to make any announcements at this time?”
“I will be more careful in the future.”
At his nervous reaction, she remembered how Jonathan questioned the earl’s decision. Although originally believing his thoughtfulness toward his cousin to be sweet, it no longer made sense to her. Wouldn’t the cousin be pleased to know the line would be secure before his death? In addition, if he wanted the title so bad, surely he would do more than sit back and hope the earl never married.
With a promise to dance with her later, Lord Dudgery moved on to the next guest. She wished they’d have an opportunity to speak about announcing their betrothal soon, but she didn’t imagine the conversation would occur tonight. A part of her felt anxious to have the whole wedding ordeal over with. Until then, she had no way of knowing if she had, in fact, broken the curse.
“Catherine.” Jonathan’s low voice came from behind her.
She didn’t turn around. She simply allowed the pleasure of his presence to prickle her skin and speed her heart.
“May I have this dance?”
Feeling grateful the dance wasn’t a waltz, she accepted. As they moved through the motions, Catherine caught sight of Evelyn dancing with Lord Dudgery. Her presence in the country presented a mystery, but even more compounding was her appearance in the earl’s house.
“You seem preoccupied tonight,” Jonathan observed.
As her cheeks heated, Catherine forced her attention back to her dance partner. “Not anymore, my lord. I’ll offer you my full attention now.”
“I require nothing else.” His gaze fell to her lips. “Well maybe a little more,” he whispered before they parted to conduct the next few steps with the person on their right.
Catherine’s heart pounded to see herself paired with Lord Dudgery. Her face flamed as she felt as though he’d caught her being unfaithful to her promise. His mouth opened slightly when his eyes made contact with hers.
“Catherine, I didn’t realize you were beside me.” He offered her a smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes.
Had she come upon him in a similar situation to her own? “Quite the coincidence.”
When the steps took her back to Jonathan, and Lord Dudgery back to Evelyn, her mouth almost dropped to see how bright red the girl’s face had turned. What could they possibly be discussing to give both of them such a reaction?
“I fear I have lost you again.” Jonathan’s voice interrupted her thoughts. “And right after the promise to bestow your attention upon me.” Jonathan slowly shook his head.
“I’m truly sorry. This evening isn’t . . . well, right.”
“Is it anything I can assist with?”
His offer brought back her intention to speak with him tonight. Glancing around, she knew it wouldn’t be wise to speak here. They needed privacy.
She dropped her voice as low as she could while still allowing him to hear. “Actually there is, but we can discuss it later.”
“I understand,” he assured.
When the song ended, he took her in the direction of her uncle, not the garden as she assumed. She tugged on his arm, knowing she didn’t have many opportunities to speak with him. He smiled down at her but didn’t change his direction.
“Relax, my dear,” he soothed. “After I leave you with your uncle, I will take a walk down that hallway. Two minutes later, you should do the same. You will find me in the first room on the right that has the door cracked open.”
She nodded, not surprised by his instructions. Clearly it wasn’t the first time he’d arranged a clandestine meeting with a woman. However, she felt too grateful to be jealous.
After watching him disappear down the indicated hallway, she began to count as she anxiously tapped her foot. Luckily she had yet to fill her dance card and therefore didn’t have to worry about turning a gentleman away. Lord Dudgery hadn’t even removed himself from Evelyn’s side even to secure a dance with his betrothed. The situation with the two of them irritated her more than she wanted to admit.
Once the allotted time passed, she made her way across the room and disappeared inside the slightly open door. To her surprise, she found herself in Lord Dudgery’s study. She felt uncomfortable in there, as she had no idea why the earl would leave it unlocked with the potential of guests stumbling in.
“Catherine,” Jonathan breathed from behind her as he closed the door.
“Thank you for meeting me. The matter is somewhat urgent,” she said quickly in case he misinterpreted her need to see him alone.
“What is wrong? I will help in any way I can.”
His offer nearly brought her to tears. In all her life, Jonathan had been the only person who willingly gave of himself to her whenever she required it. Her heart swelled as she gazed into his earnest face.
“I do want your help, but not for me. Kenneth needs it.”
Jonathan’s eyebrows rose as suspicion crept into his features. “Considering the request is coming from you, I can’t refuse. However, my unconditional assistance only extends to you.”
“What do you mean, exactly?” She crossed her arms over her chest as the pleasant feelings from moments ago drained away.
He shrugged. “That all depends on what you want from me. Why don’t you tell me what your cousin needs, and we will discuss this later.”
Catherine surveyed him with narrowed eyes but could not ascertain anything else. She knew he would reveal his meaning in his own time, but she couldn’t shake the feeling she wouldn’t like what he had to say.
“Very well,” she conceded grudgingly. “I overheard Kenneth speaking to another man who threatened him. I don’t know what it was about, but I can’t sit by and wait for something bad to befall my cousin.”
With a sigh, Jonathan ran his fingers through his hair. “What do you propose I do?”
“Talk to Kenneth. Maybe between the two of you, a plan can be devised to remove him from the situation he’s in.”
“You’re not asking me to do something easy. I don’t imagine he’ll be willing to speak with me.”
“Then you won’t help?” Panic welled up inside of her and flowed into her words. Who could she turn to now?
“I didn’t say that.” He tapped his fingers against his chin. “Now I am tasked with determining what payment I will place upon my help.”
Trepidation snaked up her spine, making her shiver. “You will not give me your help willingly?”
“For you, I would, but not for your cousin. As I’m unsure the scale of work required of me, the payment will have to be given out in portions. I believe we should begin with a kiss.”
He moved toward her, but she held her hand out to stop his progress. “I can’t. Don’t you remember I’m a betrothed woman?”
“Not yet. Until he has announced it to the world, you appear as prey to predators such as myself.”
As his body met up with her extended arm, she felt the warmth of him seeping into her cold hands. The rapid rising and falling of his chest further encouraged her as it spoke of his desire.
Although she wanted his help for Kenneth, she couldn’t betray Lord Dudgery. “Is there not another method of payment I can offer you?”
Jonathan shook his head as his lips tightened into a hard line.
“Can you give me more time to think on this?”
His shoulders sagged as he stepped back and allowed her hand to fall back to her side. Both relief and disappointment filled her, making her knees weak with the force of it. Why did he have to torture her?
“Certainly. In the meantime, I will see if there is anything I can do for your co
usin for free.”
“Thank you,” she breathed, grateful he still planned to offer Kenneth assistance in some way.
“We must return to the ballroom in the same manner. Would you care to leave first?”
“I believe I need a few minutes.”
He nodded, then exited the room.
Staggering over to the sofa positioned directly in front of the fireplace, she slumped onto the soft cushions. The evening had been much too trying. Thoughts of Jonathan and his payment and Lord Dudgery and Evelyn clouded her mind and sent her beyond exhaustion. She couldn’t be sure how long she remained there, but she couldn’t muster the desire to move.
Hearing muffled male voices, Catherine peered over the back of the sofa to see the door opening. Panicked, she lowered herself to lie down while silently praying they would not come this way and discover her here.
“Now what do you need to discuss so urgently?”
Her mouth dropped open. Uncle Toban!
“I wanted to speak to you again about my shipping investment,” Lord Dudgery answered.
Uncle Toban sighed. “That again. I know you’ve been trying to persuade my son, but we’re not interested.”
She winced as a loud sound, as if someone dropped a large object onto the desk, filled the air. “Do you hold no value for our upcoming alliance? Have you forgotten I have proposed to your niece? I would say that alone should encourage you to invest with me.”
“I don’t understand your reasoning.”
“Would you like this marriage to take place or not?”
Chapter 12
Jonathan threw another useless account book onto the floor. Resisting the urge to toss the whole lot of them in the trash, he slid the next book forward. His eyes itched and his back ached after poring over each line for the majority of the day.
His Perfect Lady Page 15