Kitty hastened down the stairs, followed closely by her mother and Juliet. When she reached the bottom, Beaucroft took her by the arm and practically dragged her into the drawing room. She winced when she saw the vein pulsing at his temple.
“Whatever is the matter, Papa?”
“More scandal and gossip! Did Lord Philip attempt to ravish you in the garden last night?”
Juliet and Mrs. Beaucroft gasped.
“Heavens, no! Who would say such a despicable thing?” Kitty exclaimed.
“Lord Gryphon.”
Her blood ran cold. What a wicked, wicked man! “It isn’t true, Papa. Lord Philip never touched me.”
“Furthermore, Lord Groton and Mr. Miller have vouched for his account of events. Why would the three of them invent such a slander?”
Her knees began to shake, and she sank onto a settee. There is nothing to do now but confess. No matter what the consequences to me, I cannot let Papa believe the worst of Lord Philip. With a sigh of resignation, Kitty related the story, showing the bruises on her wrists as proof.
“Why didn’t you tell me, child?” Beaucroft asked, aghast.
Her lower lip trembled. “I was afraid of the scandal. I’ve managed everything badly and now both Lord Philip and I are ruined.”
A tear traced a path from the inside corner of her eye down her cheek. To Kitty’s surprise, her father patted her shoulder and pressed his handkerchief into her hand.
“Don’t cry. I deserve most—if not all—of the blame. I shouldn’t have pushed you to accept Lord Gryphon. My goal of having you marry well blinded me to his bad character.”
Her father’s admission took some of the sting away, but nothing could improve the situation except for her departure.
“Thank you for that, Papa. I’ll take the train to Grandmama’s house in the morning.”
“Yes, you must leave London, but you can’t go without first clearing Lord Philip of these charges.”
“Of course, but how am I to do so?”
The butler appeared. “Excuse me, but Lord Elbourne and Lord Philip have come to call.”
“What propitious timing. Please show them in, Watson,” Beaucroft said.
As Philip and his brother were ushered into the drawing room, he was apprehensive. Miss Beaucroft would certainly exonerate him, but would her father be more inclined to believe his daughter or the rumors? He could see at a glance Miss Beaucroft had been crying and his heart went out to her. Far from being bellicose, Mr. Beaucroft had almost a sheepish expression as he shook Philip’s hand.
“Sir, my daughter has confessed everything to me. Lord Gryphon has slandered you in the worst possible manner, and we’ve just been discussing how best to refute his allegations.”
“Thank you. I can assure you, I’m quite grateful for your help.” My faith in Miss Beaucroft was not misplaced; she’s forthright and honest where many women would have dissembled.
“I’ll merely tell my side of the story and expose Lord Gryphon as a scurrilous reprobate.” Kitty shrugged. “It’s as simple as that.”
“No, you can’t,” Philip said. “To admit you were alone with the man will damage your reputation.”
“Yours has been sullied far worse!” she exclaimed. “My reputation doesn’t matter anymore anyway. As soon as you’re exonerated, I’m to leave London.”
“Your offer is admirable, Miss Beaucroft, but even if you take Philip’s side, it’s still the word of two people against three,” Augustus said. “People may choose to believe Gryphon.”
Kitty looked stricken. “Do you have any other solution to our dilemma, milord?”
“I haven’t, I’m afraid.”
The wheels began to turn in Philip’s head. “I do, but you mightn’t like it.”
“By all means, sir, please share your thoughts,” Beaucroft said.
“We fight a lie with a ruse,” Philip said. “We’ll invent a plausible story to prove Gryphon and his friends merely misinterpreted what they supposedly saw.”
“How on Earth can we manage that?” Kitty asked.
“We announce our engagement. Gryphon happened upon us just after you accepted my proposal of marriage, you see, and misunderstood our passionate kiss. Since you’d never willingly agree to marry a man who’d attempted to ravish you, Gryphon will come off as a blundering, jealous idiot.”
Kitty’s blue eyes became wide pools of emotion. “That’s a terribly clever ploy, sir, but it’s unfair to you. And I can’t agree to enter into an engagement in such a manner.”
“I understand completely, but I don’t mean to suggest an actual engagement. It will secretly be a temporary engagement. Six months from now, society will be talking about some other scandal and we may properly break it off without any harm done to either of us.” His gaze slid to Augustus. “Unless you give us away.”
“Considering what’s at stake, I’ll keep your secret.”
Kitty glanced at her father. “A ruse seems like our best chance to sidestep a scandal, Papa.”
“It’s an extremely audacious maneuver!” Mrs. Beaucroft exclaimed. “What will your family say, Lord Philip?”
“Although it pains me to mislead them, I don’t plan to tell anyone outside this room that the engagement is temporary. The fewer people who know of the ruse, the better.”
“I agree with you, Philip,” Augustus said. “Absolute secrecy is paramount. If the truth becomes known, it would be devastating to the reputations of both our families.”
Beaucroft nodded. “We are agreed, then. Mrs. Beaucroft and I will officially announce the engagement of our eldest daughter to Lord Philip Butler. Although Lord Gryphon deserves to be set down in the strongest possible terms, we must settle for publicly dismissing his account as a terrible mistake.”
Kitty stood and extended her hand to Philip. “Thank you, sir, for coming to my rescue last night. You certainly deserve better thanks than a trumped-up engagement.”
He brushed his lips across the back of her hand. “Not at all, Miss Beaucroft. I was honored to be of service in your hour of need.”
A warm glow followed her sweet smile.
When Philip broke the news to his extended family over dinner that night, Eve was confounded.
“Did I hear you correctly? Miss Beaucroft and you are engaged?”
“I can scarcely believe it,” Trestlebury said.
Despite their somewhat insulting reactions, Philip found he was enjoying the ruse immensely. “I know it’s a bit unconventional, but I think we’re made for each other.”
“It’s incredibly romantic.” A dreamy expression transformed Prudence’s face. “I must knit Miss Beaucroft some lace for her trousseau.”
“How did you get her father to agree?” Eve asked.
“When he was presented with the sincerity of our feelings, he could not deny his permission for us to wed,” Philip said.
“What an extremely laudable and fair-minded position for Mr. Beaucroft to take,” Prudence said. “He must love his daughter very much to put her sentiments over his ambition.”
Eve’s glance shifted to Augustus. “What say you to all this? I thought you had your eye on the girl.”
“A better man got there before me. I wish my brother and Miss Beaucroft every happiness.”
Augustus’ long-suffering air was a nice touch, in Philip’s opinion.
Trestlebury frowned. “Lord Gryphon deserves to be censured for making such a dreadful mistake, and for involving his friends, too! I can only assume his good judgment was clouded by jealousy.”
“The only judgment he possesses is bad judgment,” Philip said.
“His actions were unforgivable,” Augustus said. “Just look at my brother’s injuries!”
A wry smile tugged at Philip’s swollen lips. “I’ll heal, but Gryphon will always be a pompous idiot.”
“Well, I am surprised,” Eve said. “But now that I think about it, Philip and Miss Beaucroft make an absolutely beautiful couple.”
“I
thought so last night, when they were dancing together,” Prudence said. “They caused a bit of a commotion, actually.”
“How could you possibly notice?” Trestlebury asked. “Lord Kirkham was monopolizing you.”
“He did not monopolize me!”
“Furthermore, when he inserted himself in the brawl, he demonstrated a singular lack of breeding.”
“He was coming to Philip’s aid!”
“Never mind that now,” Eve said. “Prudence and I are attending a ladies’ tea tomorrow morning. I don’t want to steal Miss Beaucroft’s thunder, but considering the rumors about Philip, I hope you don’t mind if I reveal this news to our acquaintances?”
“Actually, the sooner everyone knows the facts about what happened, the better,” Philip said. “I was reluctant to say anything until the announcement of the engagement appears in the paper, but I’m told Gryphon is spreading lies.”
“I don’t think we should entertain Lord Gryphon at Trestlebury House in the future,” Prudence said. “He has a sly and untrustworthy manner.”
“I’ll certainly suggest he be dropped socially to everyone who’s anyone,” Trestlebury said. “Trust me when I say my word carries some weight.”
“Lord Groton and Mr. Miller, too,” Eve said. “All three should be censured.”
Philip was touched by his family’s support. “I knew I could count on you.”
“Indeed you may. And I should very much like to host your engagement party,” Eve said.
Guilt seeped into his consciousness. “Oh, you needn’t go to such trouble.”
“Well, of course I must!” She beamed. “I do so look forward to knowing Miss Beaucroft better.”
“I like her very much,” Prudence said. “I think she’s quite nice.”
“She’s very nice indeed,” Philip replied.
“I must write to Ivy regarding Kitty’s engagement,” Mrs. Beaucroft said over dinner.
Beaucroft winced. “Do we have to involve my mother?”
“She’s part of the family, and Kitty’s only surviving grandparent. What if she hears the news from another source?”
“All right, but she’ll be on the next train to town.” An air of resignation accompanied Beaucroft’s assent. “It’s not a bad idea, really, now that I think about it. When Mother returns home, Kitty can accompany her.”
“Must I?” Kitty’s appetite diminished instantly.
“Now that everything’s been managed, must we send her away?” Mrs. Beaucroft asked.
“Exactly.” Kitty perked up, only to deflate again at her father’s response.
“Absolutely,” Beaucroft said. “She’ll stay out of trouble at Mother’s house.”
“And Kitty won’t be subjected to any probing questions in the country,” Juliet said.
“Except by Grandmama,” Kitty said.
With great effort, she kept a note of dejection from her voice. She would miss the unparalleled bustle and excitement of London, as well as the pageantry and splendor of the Season. But she supposed being cloistered in the country with her reputation intact was better than being banished in disgrace.
The following morning, Kitty received a letter from Lady Trestlebury in which she offered to host an engagement party for her and Philip. As she considered her answer, she was torn. Since the engagement wasn’t genuine, could she properly demur without seeming to be ungrateful?
Kitty posed the question to her mother as she was getting dressed to go to the dressmaker’s shop with Juliet.
“How do you think I should respond? Considering the circumstances, to accept would be a terrible imposition.”
“Why of course you must accept! It would look quite strange otherwise.”
“But it’s not right! Lady Trestlebury ought not go to the expense and trouble of a party to celebrate a temporary engagement that isn’t even genuine.”
“Who knows? An actual engagement may come out of this in due course.”
“You want me to marry Philip?”
“Certainly not. I’m referring to Lord Elbourne, whose regard for you will no doubt increase upon closer acquaintance.”
“Using Philip to secure his brother is despicable behavior by anyone’s reckoning.”
“Why take that into consideration if you’re to be a marchioness one day?”
Her mother’s attitude was appalling, but Kitty didn’t want to argue the point. Nothing she would say could change her mother’s mind.
“May I go with you and Juliet on your outing?” she asked.
“Until the engagement is known, your father thinks it’s best for you to keep to the house,” Mrs. Beaucroft said. “Why don’t you write to your grandmother while we’re gone and tell her the news? Afterward, you may answer Lady Trestlebury’s letter.”
“Yes, Mama.”
Long before noon, Augustus and Lord Trestlebury headed off to their respective clubs to refute the ugly gossip regarding Philip and Miss Beaucroft with news of their betrothal. Eve and Prudence went to their ladies’ tea with every intention of doing the same. Meanwhile, Philip dashed off a note to his father, informing him and his mother of the engagement. He debated whether to mention Grovebrook in the same letter, but decided against it in the end. There was no need to be overbearing, and his father was certainly intelligent enough to grasp the implications of his pending nuptials.
He sent his valet off to post the letter, and thereafter cast about for something else to do. Being housebound chafed, but Augustus had cautioned him against appearing anywhere in public until the rumors of his alleged indiscretion had been quashed. Although it wasn’t strictly proper for him to call on a lady before late afternoon, he decided to call on Miss Beaucroft anyway. After all, they were affianced, even if it was a pretense. No doubt she’d been given the same advice as he had—to remain out of view until the engagement was well-known. Her father had mentioned he would be sending an announcement to the newspaper, but there was no telling how quickly it would appear. No matter; whenever gossip was especially juicy, word of mouth was the fastest method of dissemination in society.
Philip donned his hat and set off down the street on foot. That morning, his looking glass had confirmed the swelling in his lips had disappeared. Even though a slight discoloration remained under his eye, he felt far more presentable than he had the day before. As he strode past the luxurious row houses ubiquitous to Belgravia, Philip reflected on what Gryphon’s reaction would be when he realized he’d been outfoxed. Certainly, he’d never admit to having fabricated the entire story out of whole cloth. The lout would be forced to save face by apologizing for his grievous mistake. The thought made Philip chuckle, startling an elderly woman out for a walk with her poodle.
At the Beaucroft residence, the butler showed him into the drawing room. Kitty joined him shortly thereafter.
“Oh, hello! I’m so glad you’ve come. I just finished writing a letter to your cousin, Lady Trestlebury. Perhaps you would be good enough to deliver it for me?”
“I’d be delighted.”
She studied his face. “You’re looking ever so much better, albeit still a little colorful.”
“That I am. Say, it’s rather nice out. Would you fancy a stroll?”
Her eyes widened. “Without a chaperone?”
“No chaperone necessary if we’re engaged.”
“I hadn’t thought of that! How very jolly.”
Her laugh was conspiratorial and he joined in.
“Let me fetch my hat and we’ll be off,” she said.
A few minutes later, they left the house together. Kitty took his arm, and they walked toward the park.
“Did you know Lady Trestlebury offered to host an engagement party for us? I feel a little guilty about accepting, but it can’t be helped if we’re to maintain our ruse.”
“I also feel some regret about misleading my relations. But as you say, it can’t be helped.”
“Speaking of dissembling, I sent off a letter to my grandmother before you arriv
ed. She’ll likely come to town as soon as she receives it. She’s rather fierce, I warn you.”
“Perhaps I can win her over.”
“Maybe so, but you won’t have a great deal of time. Despite our engagement, my father has decided I’m to go live with her after all. We’ll probably leave after the engagement party.”
“How long will you be away?”
“Until I toss you aside, I think. Sooner, perhaps, if Juliet becomes engaged.”
“An eternity to be separated from the delights of town.”
“Yes, but society will have forgotten my scandals when I return…only to cast me in the role of villain for jilting you.” The last part was delivered in a teasing manner.
“I could jilt you, if you’d prefer.”
“No, I must jilt you! It will lend you an air of tragedy and attract all manner of ladies to comfort you in your melancholy.”
“Aha! If I weren’t determined to stay a bachelor that would be exactly what I need.”
“May I call you Philip?”
“Of course.”
“Please call me Kitty.”
“Thank you. I hope we can be friends, despite this silly situation. Our ordeal will be much more bearable that way, don’t you think?”
“I’d like that, but I’m not sure I’d call it an ordeal. Maybe more of an intrigue.”
He laughed. “That’s far more exciting, definitely.”
“Tell me why you wish to remain a bachelor?”
“I’m ineligible. If I can’t court any woman I choose without making an apology for my circumstances, I’ll court none.”
“Seems a harsh business, but I think I understand.”
They found a bench in the shade, and sat talking for over an hour. Finally, she wrinkled her pert nose. “Am I boring you with my girlish prattling?”
“Not at all. Besides which, as your fiancé, I might be expected to know a little about you.”
“So you might.”
He gave her a rueful glance and stood. “As much as I’ve enjoyed our conversation, I mustn’t run afoul of my future mother-in-law by keeping you out too long.”
Ruse & Romance (The Beaucroft Girls Book 1) Page 5