Catching the Baron

by Jenn Langston

  As she made her way down the well-traveled path, she only sought one person. When her eyes touched his, the world faded away. His answering smile made her heart flip. Why did she have to have such feelings for him? With any other available man she wouldn’t have any trouble. Dropping her gaze, she silently cursed her situation. And his mother.

  “Lady Samantha,” he greeted in his warm, welcoming voice. “Such a nice coincidence for us both to be here together.”

  “Quite,” she responded dryly as she lifted an eyebrow at his lack of acknowledgement of this being an agreed upon meeting.

  “Since we are both here, would you care to take a walk with me?”

  She inclined her head, then took his offered arm. The rich fabric struck her again. Where did he accumulate such wealth to purchase a wardrobe and alleviate Berwick as well?

  Clearing her throat, she examined her surroundings. “Your coat is very lovely. Practically screaming of quality.”

  His answering chuckle warmed her to her toes. Why did his every action resonate within her so strongly?

  “Still wondering after the state of my finances? Do you have another theory for me?”

  “Gambling.” The word fell from her tongue before she could censor herself. Judging by his stiffened posture and lost humor, he didn’t care much for her speculation this time.

  He shook his head. “You think so little of me. Your first guess puts me as a villain preying on a helpless woman. Now you paint me as the inexperienced fool I once was.”

  “I’m sorry.” She gripped his arm, willing him to believe her sincerity. “I meant nothing by it. I simply . . . I don’t know what else to think.”

  His body relaxed as he emitted a long sigh. “Then I suppose I should put an end to your wondering. Let’s suffice it to say, the money was left for me by a distant relative.”

  “Oh. That’s so . . . normal. And here we concocted these fanciful stories.” She laughed.

  “Sorry to disappoint.”

  “No. I like it this way.”

  Drawing her gaze to his face, she froze to see his eyes on her. The intensity in the depth of the sea of chocolate made her knees weak. Everything and everyone disappeared as her attention fell to his mouth. His soft lips parted slightly, making desire coil in her stomach.

  A bird’s distant call broke the spell, and she forced herself to turn away. When the two of them were alone together, nothing good could arise from it.

  She tugged on his arm and continued their stroll. “I forgot to ask you why you wanted to meet me here today.”

  “I thought the day would be lovely, and Froste wants back in my good graces.”

  “The two of you covertly arranged this meeting because you thought the weather would be fine? I don’t believe you.”

  He grinned. “Do I need to have a specific reason to want to spend time with a beautiful woman? I don’t know a man alive who would pass on such an opportunity.”

  “Then why me? Have you already forgotten my request for you to remain away?”

  “I have not. I simply wish to retain your friendship. There are not many people who know me well enough to have earned the distinction. In light of that, I’d hate to lose one.”

  “And the secrecy? How can we be friends without your mother discovering? Do you believe all the people here will say nothing of seeing us together?”

  He winced as he cast a weary glance over to the other patrons. “What will they say? We shared a stroll and a conversation upon a chance meeting? My mother can’t take offense at something so small.”

  “What does she have against an arranged stroll?”

  Samantha knew she was pushing, but she needed to know what the baroness said to Kenneth. Did the woman tell him she knew Samantha paraded as Sam? Or had Lady Berwick done something else to make her son wary?

  “I have found it beneficial to keep my mother out of my dealings with my friends. She has a bad habit of making conclusions and acting upon them.”

  Samantha’s heart pounded. Did he know the baroness had threatened her? Looking deep into his eyes, she didn’t see any hint he knew. As she slowed her breathing, her mind conjured impossible scenarios. Could they be friends again?

  The arrival of Miss Doutree saved her from responding. After making her excuses, Samantha left them. Her legs shook as she made her way back to the townhouse. She didn’t know how much of Kenneth she could have, but she would take any part of him she could.

  Kenneth let out a long sigh as he rubbed his forehead. The curiosity of Society surprised and irritated him. Never before had so many people approached him seeking answers to questions they had no business asking. Many had been more discreet, but this pushed the limits of his patience.

  “Why do you ask?” Kenneth pinned Hockley with his most formidable stare.

  The two of them had been friends for a long time, so Kenneth wouldn’t allow this to come between them. But he still didn’t like it. Why did Hockley have to be the one picked to fish for answers?

  His friend shifted in his seat and tugged at the collar of his shirt. “Don’t play ignorant with me. Your past financial situation has been no secret to anyone.”

  Leaning forward, Kenneth put his elbows on his desk. “Yes, and that has changed. Why such an interest?”

  “I . . . Well, if you found some great opportunity, why not share your secret? My estate could always use the extra funds.”

  “No investment. Put your curiosity aside. The money came from a relative.”

  Suspicion flashed across Hockley’s face. “You must have been quite favored to be so well compensated.”

  Gritting his teeth, Kenneth tried to contain his anger. “What is your purpose for visiting?”

  “Can’t I simply come by without a reason?” His innocent smile didn’t fool Kenneth. “All right. I’ve been hearing lots of talk, and I knew it would be best to ask you before I gave in to the rumors.”

  Forcing himself to appear at ease, Kenneth leaned back in his seat. “Then you should take solace in knowing the truth.”

  “Certainly.” Hockley rubbed his hands up and down his thighs while his eyes darted around the room. “You don’t have any to spare then?”

  Kenneth took a deep breath, realizing his friend’s purpose. He wasn’t surprised and hoped Hockley would be the last one bold enough to ask. His mother had already approached him with several gentlemen who sought her out in hopes of acquiring her favor. And her money.

  “Not a cent to spare.” Kenneth rose to his feet. “Would you be so kind as to excuse me? I have a young lady expecting me.”

  After parting with Hockley, Kenneth made his way out the door. He’d agreed to join Miss Doutree on a shopping trip and now was running late. Although not a normal avenue he took enjoyment from, he found it difficult to refuse Miss Doutree anything.

  Locating her at the agreed upon location, he offered his arm and began the excruciating trip toward the shops.

  “This is nice,” she said, looking around at the pleasant day. “We have not had many opportunities to share a day with just the two of us since you returned to London.”

  “I’m sorry, my schedule-”

  “There is no need for apologizing. I only intended to indicate the significance of our meeting now.”

  Kenneth inclined his head before he turned to observe the patrons passing by. Many of them nodded to him or in some way acknowledged his presence. The rush was heady. Before his wealth, these people took no notice of him, but they did now. Although he’d never before desired their deference, he enjoyed the feeling.

  “You have changed.”

  At the comment, he turned to see Miss Doutree watching him with narrowed eyes and her lips pressed to one side. He looked away, for her scrutiny made him uncomfortable. Could she read his mind? See how he accepted his new situation in Society with pleasure?

  He cleared his throat and offered a half-smile to no one in particular. “You say that as if it were a bad thing.”

  “No. N
ot bad.” She tapped her finger on her chin. “But not good either.”

  Stopping in front of her favorite tea shop, he took in her unreadable face. “Do you care to elaborate, or do you intend to keep me in the dark?”

  “Well, you have a newfound confidence and self-assurance I find refreshing and, if truth be told, long overdue. However, you carry yourself with indifference, as if you are putting distance between you and everyone else. You no longer speak with ease and have lost the carefree air you lived with before.”

  Keeping a smile pasted on his face, he inclined his head to Lady Minor who slowly moved past them. He hated the eavesdropping and gossip that ravished London. Miss Doutree was right in that respect. He wanted to remove himself from it.

  Speculation had run rampant after his newly acquired wealth, and he had no desire to be caught in the middle of a scandal. Wasting time on people who would cause him trouble no longer remained a necessity.

  “I put no distance between us and can only see how the changes within myself have been for the better.”

  “That’s sad.”

  On the verge of asking Miss Doutree what she meant by her statement, Kenneth stopped. Samantha and Grace were coming their way. His heart ached simply gazing upon Samantha. Their last meeting she had looked at him with such an intense hope in her eyes, it brought him pain. Then she’d excused herself and practically ran from him.

  His mind rebelled against the chore of deciphering the complicated signals she sent. He knew she wanted him, but something held her back. What was it? Should he push her in order to find out? Or should he give up?

  “Miss Doutree. Lord Berwick.” Samantha’s voice held surprise as her mouth curved in a heartwarming smile. “We didn’t expect to see you here.”

  “But we are pleased,” Grace chimed in. “Where are the two of you headed?”

  “Nowhere in particular,” Miss Doutree answered. “I enjoy taking in the sights and stopping occasionally to visit a shop.”

  Grace’s face brightened. “May we join you? We have already visited the seamstress and have no other plans.”

  “We’d be pleased.” At Miss Doutree’s response, Grace took her arm, and they began walking. Leaving him with Samantha.

  He offered his arm. “Shall we?”

  No hesitation existed in her posture when she took his arm. “Do you and Miss Doutree frequently shop together?”

  Was that jealousy he heard? He liked that idea. Straightening his back, he couldn’t contain the half-smile forming on his face.

  “We try but don’t always have the availability.”

  “I see.” Her eyes scanned the gathered crowd. “Did you receive my grandmother’s invitation to dinner? Lord and Lady Linwood have already indicated their consent to come but, we have yet to receive your response.”

  Her uninterested stance only betrayed her. His heart leapt. She wanted him to come. Previously, he hadn’t been sure he should attend, especially since his mother had been invited, but how could he refuse now? Her rigid stance told him so much.

  “I have no intention of passing up on an opportunity to spend time with you.”

  A charming blush colored her cheeks. “I’ll be sure to pass the message along to my grandmother.”

  “Thank you.”

  Her relaxed body said what her tone did not. If she needed time, he would give it to her. But he wouldn’t rest until Samantha became his wife.

  “I know, but I still don’t understand why young people today are so caught up in getting married,” the baroness declared to everyone at the table using her self-important voice.

  Samantha wanted to groan. Why had her grandmother insisted on inviting the horrid woman simply because she lived with Kenneth? Not only had Lady Berwick commented on every conversation held by the dozen guests, but her eyes continually fell on Samantha. Not unlike the dinner at Lord Linwood’s.

  Besides, the idea of throwing a dinner party simply because of the success of Lord Linwood’s didn’t sit well with Samantha. Combined with the arrival of the reverend, she didn’t see this coming to a good end. The close of the evening couldn’t come soon enough for her.

  “I feel that choice preferable to the wildness some young gentlemen take to.” The reverend regarded Lady Berwick closely. “Don’t you feel marriage helps to settle them and set them on the right path?”

  “Mr. Wilson, your vision holds true for the sedate gentlemen. The wild ones, however, don’t ever feel settled in marriage.”

  Beside her, she noticed Kenneth’s body stiffen. “I believe we can all agree on the individuality of each person, as well as the choices they make.”

  “Well said,” Grace added, shooting Kenneth a mischievous smile. “Lady Berwick, you must tell me who designed your gown. The style is lovely.”

  The baroness sat taller as she jumped into the conversation with pleasure. She, like Kenneth, donned a new wardrobe with the latest fashions. Grace seemed adept at her ability to steer the conversation and avert disaster.

  “Sometimes I wish I could make her listen to me,” Kenneth muttered under his breath.

  Samantha smiled, enjoying the private comment only intended for her ears. “Perhaps you should try locking her away.”

  “I’ve tried that. She screams too loudly and tests the limits of my sanity.”

  Her jaw hurt as the urge to laugh overtook her. How wonderful it would be to benefit from his wit every day as she once had at Berwick. Unfortunately, the time for such luxuries had passed. Not to mention those memories were ones she shouldn’t have enjoyed in the first place.

  “I suppose that’s for the best. One never knows what promises she would make, or secrets she would spill in order to escape her captivity.”

  His eyes immediately caught her. “Secrets? What secrets?”

  Heat flamed her cheeks as she realized what she’d revealed. Then, to make matters worse, Lady Berwick took the opportunity to glare at her. Samantha’s chest constricted. She couldn’t handle this any longer. The dream of seeing Kenneth and protecting her secret at the same time was impossible. She had to give him up. For good this time.

  Her throat clogged. How could she tell him? The other day she’d been certain he hadn’t intended to accept the dinner invitation until she asked. He wanted her. And clearly not for her dowry any longer. His need for an heiress had vanished.

  “Gentlemen,” her grandmother said as she stood. “We shall leave you to your port. Please excuse us.”

  Never before had Samantha been filled with such gratitude as she followed her grandmother out of the room. What would Kenneth do if he discovered his mother had threatened her? Regardless, he couldn’t do anything to protect her secret.

  “So, who should I thank for the invitation tonight?” Lady Berwick asked as she settled herself in the chair beside Samantha.

  “My grandmother is responsible for putting together this gathering.”

  “And for the seating arrangement?”

  A chill ran through Samantha’s body. Would the woman give away her secret simply because of a short conversation over dinner? As dread filled her, she drew her shoulders back and glared at the baroness.

  “Of course. If you have any complaints, you may take them up with her.”

  Lady Berwick pinched her lips tightly as she met Samantha’s stare. “You have no respect to take such a tone with me. Do you not worry over your reputation?”

  “I have upheld my end of our agreement,” Samantha whispered, thankful no one else stood too close. “Therefore, I have no reason to believe you would break yours.”

  “I saw no indication you intend to keep to yourself. It makes me wonder if you are testing my resolve.”

  Samantha sat back in her chair and observed the woman with a new understanding. The baroness was as trapped as Samantha. Her desire to see her son happily unwed ran deep. Fear swam in Lady Berwick’s eyes.

  “Do as you will, but know, if you betray your word, I will do whatever necessary to ensure your son and I wed.
”

  Lady Berwick’s eyes flashed. Samantha smiled. She won. The secret would never be passed from the baroness’s lips. All Samantha had to do was convince Kenneth she no longer desired him. That should be simple.

  “I’ll be watching you closely.” With the parting remark, Lady Berwick stomped off to join the other guests.

  Barely a minute passed for her to regain her bearings when the gentlemen entered the room. Not to her surprise, Kenneth’s attention fell to her. Taking a few breaths, she tried to calm her heart down. Why did he have to be so wonderful?

  “May I join you?” His gravelly voice sounded like he was asking a different question.

  “Yes,” she squeaked.

  He slid into his seat, pressing his body much closer to her than necessary. Desire cut through her. As the notes of the pianoforte filled the room, she shifted to the edge of her chair. The setting was too romantic for what she had to tell him.

  “I’m sorry about my mother’s dinner topic. She tends to allow her mouth to get away from her when she is in public.”

  “No need to apologize.” Samantha noticed the reverend and Lady Berwick deep in discussion. “Her views clearly only gained her a new person to debate with.”

  Kenneth shrugged. “Perhaps. Now about those secrets . . .”

  After a cleansing breath, she ran her hands over the creases on the front of her skirts. “It was a general statement intended solely to maintain the conversation.”

  “I don’t believe you.”

  His mouth came much too close to her ear. She only needed to lean a small bit and his lips would touch her sensitive flesh, already awakened by his breath. No. She couldn’t give in to her desires.