“This evening before dinner. As a ruse, the plans for their pavilion will be here.” He pointed to the low table separating him from his mother. “That way, when I lower myself to one knee, Kathleen shouldn’t expect me requesting to marry her. Then, if she says yes I’ve a topaz necklace that I will present to her, thus starting a new Rathbourne tradition.”
“Son, I love your suggestion and bestowing the jewelry here. I would recommend though, when you return to London take the necklace to our jeweler, and have him add the viscount crest.”
“Mother, your idea has great merit, and I, if Kathleen will part with the necklace, will do what you recommend. Now, as Kathleen said the eve will be long, I’m going to retire to the office. Not to work but to read for an hour or so before dressing for an interesting evening,” Matthew declared and then stood and bowed.
“And I will retire to my suite, which by the by is excellent, and I love the view of the garden out to the ocean. Shall we say a little before seven, here? That way we can make sure the drawing is in place.”
“That is exactly what I was thinking.”
With a nod, he marched out and down to the office. There he retrieved the book he’d been reading, took a seat in a chair, and started to read.
When he heard the clock in the corridor strike six times he closed up the book then made his way to his suite. There he bathed and changed into his dark-blue jacket, vest, and trousers. As he started to leave he stopped, turned back, and from the armoire brought out the necklace. All he now needed was the ring and Kathleen to agree to marry him. Making his way to the office, he rolled up the drawing then went to the parlor only to see his mother waiting for him, a deep-blue velvet box in her gloved hand.
“Thank you,” he said, taking the ring from its container and putting it in his pocket.
Chapter Eight
On the drive back to the estate Kathleen continued to mull over in her mind not only Matthew’s words but actions. She knew something wasn’t right about either. Was he planning to finally offer for her, now that his mother had arrived? Peering over to her father, she noticed an unusual expression on his face. One she didn’t recall ever seeing before.
Helped down by her father, she turned to her mother.
“Do you have a few moments as there’s something I wish to privately discuss with you?”
“Certainly, my dear. Let’s adjourn to my parlor.”
Following her mother into the mansion then to the sitting room, Kathleen started pacing the room while her mother took a seat.
“All right, darling, I can tell from the way you’re acting you are worried. About what?”
“Matthew and father. In the few meetings to discuss the pavilion they only were together for a short time. Today, they talked privately for almost fifteen minutes. Granted, one of the topics had to have regarded the structure. Could another have been Matthew seeking father’s permission to offer for me?”
“Most definitely. We have discussed this specific topic several times on seeing how well you both got along. Not to mention the way you both act when in the same room. We are aware this is a love match. You and I have talked about how you feel for him.”
“Yes. That is very true, and my emotions grow stronger each time we are together. Now, when do you believe he will ask for my hand?”
“Tonight, before dinner. Now I want you to rest and while you are, have Pattie make sure the wrinkles are out of that lovely pastel-yellow gown.”
“I had already planned to wear the gown, and I have an idea how she can do my hair. Exactly like the first night when Matthew came for dinner, except with yellow roses braided in. If anything, that will, once again, leave him speechless. Of that I’m sure.”
After giving her mother a kiss on the proffered cheek, Kathleen made her way up to her suite. Walking in, she was met by a smiling Pattie.
“Welcome back, m’ lady. Let’s get you out of that gown and into your robe, for I’m sure Her Ladyship desires you to relax.”
“She does, and so do I. Make sure my bath water is here at six of the clock. I’ll be wearing the pastel-yellow gown, so see if Wats will willingly part with several roses of the same color.”
“And I know how I will fix your hair. Similar but not the same as when you wore your coming-out gown.”
“Perfect.”
Turning about, Kathleen waited while her maid undid the buttons down the back of her dress. Letting the gown pool at her feet, she stepped out then slipped on a comfortable robe. She then strolled over to the window seat overlooking the garden, picked up a book, sat, and started reading.
“M’ lady, wake up. You fell asleep again.”
“I’m awake,” Kathleen declared, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.
She hoped her face didn’t tell Pattie of her dream about lying naked with Matthew’s arms wrapped around her. Peering up to her maid, she saw the woman wore a frown, telling her she had pink cheeks.
“Another of those dreams?” Pattie demanded.
“Yes, and please make sure mother doesn’t find out,” Kathleen pleaded.
“Trust me, I won’t. Just remember, what you dream as a young lady will come true soon.”
Kathleen stood the slipped off the robe and her undergarments. Sweeping into her private room and into the hip tub, she let the warm water wash over her.
A short while later, bathed and with her hair washed, Kathleen stepped from the tub and wrapped a thick towel around herself. After drying off, she put her robe back on then returned to her suite with a smaller cloth to dry her hair.
“Pattie, I’m ready to put my undergarments on.”
Once partially dressed, Kathleen took a seat at her dressing table and patiently waited while her maid worked magic on her hair. As everything slowly came together, Kathleen was sure Matthew would once again be speechless. Instead of one rose over her ear, Pattie had placed one over each which helped create a devastatingly marvelous look.
“M’ lady, I’m sure when Lord Matthew sees you later he won’t be able to speak,” Pattie stated.
“On that, I pray you may be correct. Now, help me into the gown.
Finally dressed to perfection, Kathleen took a final look at herself in the mirror, smiled, and then accepted the matching shawl from her maid. Giving Pattie a smile, Kathleen glided from her suite and down to her mother’s parlor.
“My dear, you are absolutely ravishing tonight,” her mother declared, patting the cushion on the settee.
“Thank you, and I can’t wait to see Matthew’s reaction.”
“Yes. On that your father and I were talking. We will have Connor announce us then, once we are settled, he will introduce you. This way we can judge his response.”
“Then ladies, shall we see how he reacts,” her father declared from the door.
Standing, Kathleen followed her parents down and out to the waiting, closed carriage. She suspected he’d selected this particular one as the eve had started to take on a slight chill. Not cold enough to warrant capes but cool enough where her shawl would keep her shoulders warm.
As the carriage got closer to Radcliffe Hall, Kathleen could feel a slight nervousness start to overtake her. Glancing across the coach to her mother, she tried to relax on seeing the smile given to her. This made Kathleen wonder if Matthew might, if what was suspected to occur shortly, be having the same apprehension.
When the coach came to a stop at the steps of the Hall she waited while her mother was assisted down then accepted her father’s help. What had her wondering was why Matthew wasn’t here. Was he waiting their arrival with the countess in the parlor?
“M’ lord and ladies, welcome,” Connor proclaimed as they stepped into the manor.
“Thank you. When you announce us please first only the countess and myself. Then, once we’ve greeted our host and hostess, introduce Lady Kathleen,” Roger directed.
“M’ lord, it will be my pleasure to see him nervously wonder what happened to Lady Kathleen,” the man stated.
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If Kathleen wasn’t mistaken, she thought she detected a hint of the devil in the man’s voice, of which she greatly approved. Behind her parents, who were following Connor down the hall, she stopped short of the parlor and waited for them to be made known. Then, taking in a calming breath on seeing the butler nod, she stepped forward, still hidden from those in the sitting room.
“M’ lords and ladies, Lady Kathleen.”
Easily, considering the panic of earlier had returned, Kathleen swept into the doorway only to hear a crash as she saw a glass hit the floor. Glancing to were Matthew stood, she saw a pool of liquid spread about his feet. That didn’t surprise her as much as the slack-jawed, eyes-widened look he presented to her. From what she saw, Kathleen knew he wasn’t able to speak, so she did.
“Countess Stratham, Viscount Rathbourne, thank you for the invitation this eve,” she declared, then curtsied.
Her formal pronouncement had the desired effect on Matthew. Or could the slap from his mother with her fan on his arm have brought him out of his trance. Whichever was the case, she didn’t care as he finally stepped up, offered his arm, and started to guide her to the settee where his mother sat.
“M’ lady, is your son, the good viscount, always this tangle-tongued?”
“Not that I can recall. However, I must say having him silent is a pleasant miracle.”
Kathleen smiled when she watched Serena glare up at her son. The quiet coming from her parents Kathleen had expected as they’d seen his reaction to her sweep into the parlor.
“Matthew, don’t you have a question to ask?” his mother demanded.
“Ah, um, yes. Lady Kathleen on the table is the final rendering for the pavilion your father commissioned me to do.”
She glanced to where he was pointing but more importantly noticed he dropped to a knee as if he wished to point something out.
“Yes, you have done a wonderful job, and I can’t wait to see the final building,” she said, suspecting what was coming next.
“I’m happy you approve, but I’ve a question. Lady Kathleen would you consent to be my viscountess and wife?”
Should she give him a long drawn out reply or one word. She chose-
“Yes.”
“My dear, if I may use that endearment, you have made me the happiest gentleman in all of England,” he declared, slipping the ring on her finger.
She next watched him stand and withdraw a long, narrow box from inside his jacket and open the case.
“This, Lady Kathleen is the start of a new tradition. I present to you the Rathbourne necklace. When we return to London I will take it to the family jeweler who will add the Rathbourne crest. This then will be passed from the sitting viscount to the future viscountess on accepting his offer to wed.”
She waited while he handed the box to her, to which brought another gasp from her, not to mention her mother as well.
“Lord Matthew, it’s breathtaking. I’m not sure if you are aware, but topaz is my most favorite. I also love this new custom. Just think, generations of future viscountesses will be presented with this treasure.”
“Daughter, you must wear the gift for the rest of the evening. Serena, shall we adjourn to your suite?” Elsie requested.
“Most definitely, for I can’t wait to see how the necklace compliments the gown my dear Kathleen, you are wearing this eve,” Matthew’s mother pronounced.
With a mother on each side, Kathleen smiled to herself as she was guided to Serena’s suite. Stepping in, she went directly to the dressing table, sat, then waited while the simple pearl necklace was taken off and the topaz one set around her neck. Seeing it on her, she gasped in awe.
“This is the loveliest necklace I’ve ever seen or worn. And on that note, shall we return to the gentlemen? As I’m sure Matthew has fully regained his voice,” Kathleen announced.
“My dear, I most certainly hope he has. Then he can explain why I had to learn of the two murders from my maid and not him,” Serena stated.
Kathleen glanced in the mirror only to see a surprised look in her mother’s eyes. This told her one or both should inform Matthew’s mother of what had happened. Not to mention what they’d learned, which was basically nothing.
“Yes, on that Countess you are correct. However, I believe he has refrained from saying anything so as not to worry you,” Kathleen said.
“Well, now that I’m aware of the incident, I will until he can explain his actions. So, on that let’s see what he and Roger have to say for themselves,” Serena declared.
As had been mentioned to her earlier, tonight was going to be long. Kathleen started to fall in behind both mothers when hers linked an arm with her only to have Serena do the same with the other. If anything, this would tell the men the three of them were a united front, not to be trifled with.
At the entrance to the parlor, Kathleen whispered, “Would you give me a moment so I may collect myself?”
“Certainly, my dear,” Elsie softly said.
After taking in and releasing several breaths, Kathleen cocked her head to her mother and nodded. Stepping into the sitting room, she was led directly to the settee she’d occupied earlier. Retaking her seat, Kathleen peered over to Serena, who she noted was frowning to Matthew. As she was, someday going to be the countess, Kathleen decided the discussion in regards to the murders should come from her.
“Matthew, we ladies wish to know why you haven’t said anything to the countess about the horrible events of a few weeks ago. Your mother had to learn of the murders from her maid. As we will be marrying in the near future, I don’t believe holding secrets back would be the best way to start our life together.”
“On that point I totally agree with you, Kathleen.” He paused and focused his attention on his mother. “However, in my defense, I had decided to hold off informing you until the morrow. With you arriving so unexpectedly, then with everything which has happened, I didn’t think you needed to have more added to your plate.”
“Son, I can and do appreciate your concern, but as I now am aware of the incident, shouldn’t I learn what you all have found out?”
“I would but as Connor is standing in the doorway, most likely to announce dinner is served, why don’t we wait until afterwards?” Matthew recommended.
Kathleen peered over to his mother who gave Matthew a head bob. Raising her gloved and now bejeweled hand to him, she stood then settled it on his arm. Entering the dining room, Kathleen found the place settings interesting. Three were where they sat when dining with him while the last one was at the foot of the table.
“Mother, do you mind taking the seat opposite me?”
“Not at all. When I noticed the setting, I suspected you’d make that request.”
Once dinner was complete they retired to the office but not before Kathleen inquired about the pavilion for her parents.
“Ladies, while you get comfortable I’ll retrieve the plans from the parlor.”
“Might I ask why here and not there?” Kathleen said.
“With what we will be discussing, I thought this room would be more suitable. I’ve, and mother will agree, never been comfortable discussing subjects such as murder except in a primary male environ.”
“My son is correct, as a ladies’ parlor is more conducive to more delicate topics,” Serena said.
Kathleen waited until Matthew had left then turned to Serena. “To start answering your question of earlier, several weeks ago two bodies were found in the river. What made everything so unusual we learned later they were married, and the wife had a soiled reputation.”
“From his rough hands and clothing, we found out he was a miner. We thought from one of the mines in this district. To that end we, that is Matthew and myself, wishing to properly take care of the bodies, had them buried in our church graveyard. We told Reverend Kent what we had learned, nothing, with the purpose of him spreading the information. You see, he is a gossip,” Roger added.
“Now, this is where the whole thing
gets interesting. As was his habit, the reverend went to the Seafarer Inn for his noon meal. I had my groom eat there so he would be able to learn what was said and their customers’ reactions. That’s when we learned the victims were from the neighboring district under the control of the Earl of Redditch,” Matthew said.
“I’ve heard of them. If I’m not mistaken, they haven’t been in London for about four or five years,” Serena declared.
Now, at least for Kathleen, this was interesting. If she wasn’t mistaken they had a son, of age, so going to the city would, and should, have been normal as he needed to find a wife. For her this mystery started to take on a new meaning. She waited while Matthew set the plans down and joined her on the settee. She then directed her attention to her mother.
“In the past, at the Redditch balls, did you see their son?” Kathleen asked.
“No, not that I can recall,” Elsie stated.
“And you won’t. I remember hearing a rumor, which proved partially true at the time, the son had been expelled from Eton when they learned of a tryst the boy had with an underage girl. To preserve the family name, he was sent to the colonies and ordered not to return until the earl died,” Serena uttered.
“Do you believe the son, considering the strife in America, might have decided not to wait but came back against the command not to?” Kathleen stated.
“I believe I can answer that question,” Roger started. “Simply put, yes. Except for the balls, you ladies haven’t had any dealings with the earl. It surprises me the man actually had the backbone to banish the boy.”
“I’m sorry, Roger, but I don’t understand,” Matthew said.
“The countess is the stronger of the two. She rules her husband with an iron hand which makes me wonder why she allowed her son to be sent away,” Roger explained.
“Father, Serena, other than the countess and possibly the earl, are either of you aware of someone who might have seen the son board the ship?” Kathleen expressed.
“Daughter, not that I’m aware of. Now that Serena has brought up the incident at school, when the boy was brought back no one saw him again.”
The Viscount's Bride (The Radcliffe Family Book 2) Page 8