Ruse & Romance (The Beaucroft Girls Book 1)

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Ruse & Romance (The Beaucroft Girls Book 1) Page 6

by Rogers, Suzanne G.


  They returned the way they had come, and he waited in the entryway while Kitty went upstairs to fetch her letter to Eve. He slipped the envelope in his coat pocket and promised faithfully to deliver it.

  “Thank you for the outing,” he said. “Let’s do it again.”

  “Yes, let’s. After all, the engagement announcement should be published soon, and we must be seen in public together.”

  “I’ve been invited to Lady Lovejoy’s ball this Wednesday night,” Philip said. “I was going to beg off, but if you would accompany me, I can be persuaded to change my mind.”

  “I’d be pleased to attend the ball with you. We were planning to go anyway, but I’d much rather go with you than with my parents.”

  “I’ll pick you up in the carriage at eight. And would you like to go riding Wednesday morning, before breakfast?”

  “I’d adore it!” She laughed. “This playacting is going to be so much fun, Philip! During our temporary engagement, I’ll be able to flirt with you to my heart’s content! You won’t take it seriously, will you?”

  “I wouldn’t dare. And I’ll practice wooing you as ardently as possible, as long as you aren’t offended.”

  “I wouldn’t dare.”

  He gave her a smoldering glance as he straightened from kissing her hand. “I’ll see you Wednesday morning, then.”

  “Ooh, that was good. The way you looked at me just now made a little shiver go down my spine.”

  “Really? Then it stays in my repertoire.”

  Humming under his breath, Philip left the Beaucroft residence and set off for Trestlebury House. His footsteps slowed when it suddenly occurred to him that a girl like Kitty deserved a ring of engagement. A family heirloom would be made available to Augustus to present to his intended, but Philip had no such bauble at his disposal. He hailed an approaching cab.

  “I’m in the market for an engagement ring,” he said to the cab driver.

  The man touched his hat. “I know just the place, Guv’nor. Climb aboard.”

  Augustus and Beaucroft met at their Pall Mall gentlemen’s club, to present a united front in their quest to clear Philip’s name. Augustus kept one eye out for Lord Gryphon, and at length the man strode in as if he possessed the establishment. Ordinarily, Augustus viewed himself as imperturbable, but he felt a surge of antipathy at Gryphon’s presence.

  He blocked his path. “Excuse me, sir, but I believe you owe my brother an apology.”

  Gryphon laughed. “I can’t imagine why, unless he feels the thrashing he received was insufficient to teach him a lesson.”

  Beaucroft joined Augustus. “You mistook the situation entirely. I’d given Lord Philip permission to speak to my daughter, you see. She’d just agreed to become his wife when you happened upon them.”

  Gryphon’s eyes narrowed. “That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard. It didn’t happen that way, and you know it.”

  “Indeed, I do not,” Beaucroft said. “My daughter is engaged to Lord Philip, and you’ve slandered an innocent man.”

  “In fact, unless you withdraw your accusations and apologize, I’ll be forced to seek legal counsel on my brother’s behalf,” Augustus said. “Since we’re all gentlemen, such recourse shouldn’t be necessary.”

  Several members of the club had clustered around the trio as the confrontation unfolded. After Augustus made his demands, voices rang out, urging Gryphon to apologize. His face deepened in color, as if his head would explode, and a muscle in his jaw quivered. Augustus kept an impassive expression as he watched a myriad of emotions flit across the man’s visage. He’s cornered, and he knows it.

  Finally, Gryphon gave a curt nod. “My concern for Miss Beaucroft’s welfare was uppermost on my mind. If I mistook the situation, I apologize. I wish Lord Philip a speedy recovery, and every happiness with his engagement.”

  The surrounding gentlemen breathed a collective sigh of relief. Neither Beaucroft nor Augustus moved to shake Gryphon’s hand, and he made no effort to shake theirs. Instead, he collected his hat and left the club. His posture was ramrod straight, and he was quivering with suppressed rage.

  When Augustus and Beaucroft were alone, they exchanged an amused glance.

  “Shall we dine?” Augustus suggested.

  “Yes, indeed,” Beaucroft replied. “After such a satisfying experience, I believe I’ve worked up a tremendous appetite.”

  Chapter Five

  The Romance

  WHEN MRS. BEAUCROFT AND JULIET RETURNED from the dressmaker, Kitty told them about Philip’s visit. Her mother gave her a horrified look. “You went for a walk with Lord Philip, unchaperoned?”

  Kitty bit back a laugh. Her mother made it sound as though she’d skipped through East End with her skirts hiked up over her ankles.

  “Why of course, Mama. We’re engaged.”

  “In name only! Furthermore, the announcement has not yet appeared in the paper. What if someone we know saw you?”

  “Their curiosity will soon be satisfied when they learn Philip and I are engaged.”

  Her mother’s lips tightened. “I forbid you from seeing the man.”

  “You can scarcely do that when we wish to convince the world the engagement is genuine, Mama,” Juliet said. “Besides which, what harm can it do? Kitty will be leaving London after Lady Trestlebury’s engagement party, and she’ll probably not see Philip for a long time—if ever.”

  Kitty gave her sister a smile of gratitude for her support. “Quite so.”

  “Well, I suppose if you put it that way, I must concede the point,” Mrs. Beaucroft said. “But keep contact with Lord Philip to a bare minimum, and only when it’s strictly necessary. We should encourage Lord Elbourne’s interest, not give him the impression you’re becoming overly attached to his brother.”

  “Philip is escorting me to Lady Lovejoy’s ball.”

  “What?”

  “We must attempt to act affianced, Mama, if only for a little while.”

  Mrs. Beaucroft threw her hands up in the air. “I give up!”

  Juliet edged toward the stairs. “Come see my new gown, Kitty.”

  The two sisters closeted themselves in Juliet’s room, ignoring the new gown hanging on a wall hook.

  “What was it like to walk with Lord Philip without Bridget or Mama tagging along?” Juliet asked.

  “I’ve never felt more relaxed and free in my life. Philip and I talked half the morning, and I feel it wasn’t long enough. Being engaged is absolutely heavenly.”

  “I’m so envious! You’re able to go to Lady Lovejoy’s ball with an escort and I must attend with Mama and Papa.” Juliet pouted.

  “Don’t tell Mama, but Philip and I are going riding Wednesday morning. I’ll be home before breakfast.”

  Juliet gave her a sidelong glance. “You’re fond of him, aren’t you?”

  “We’re good friends, nothing more.”

  “I should tell you…according to Violet, Lord Philip was quite smitten with her last year.”

  Kitty was not inclined to listen to anything Miss Haver had to say about anything. “Such gossip can be of no consequence to me.”

  When Kitty joined her family in the drawing room before dinner that evening, she was pleased to discover her father had returned from his club in a rare good humor.

  “I gather from your expression that Lord Gryphon’s slander has been successfully addressed?”

  “Indeed it has, and it gave me untold pleasure to set that rascal down. Lord Elbourne and I worked Lord Gryphon over thoroughly, and he was forced to apologize in front of dozens of our acquaintances. He left the club in a fit of apoplexy, but I believe Lord Philip’s reputation has been redeemed. Furthermore, your engagement is the talk of London.”

  Kitty threw her arms around him. “Oh, thank you, Papa!”

  He chuckled. “You’re quite welcome. Lord Elbourne is a very steady fellow, and I should like to see you properly wed to him, when the time comes.”

  Her smile slipped only a l
ittle. “Yes, sir.”

  The butler appeared with a small box and envelope on a silver salver and presented it to Kitty. “This was just delivered for you, miss.”

  “Thank you, Watson,” Beaucroft said.

  “A gift from you, Papa?” Kitty asked.

  “Why, no.” Beaucroft seemed genuinely puzzled.

  She opened the envelope. “It’s from Philip!”

  Juliet hastened over to watch her open the box. Inside was a gold Claddagh ring with two deep red stones forming the heart in the center.

  “Are those garnets?” Juliet asked. “Garnets are Her Majesty’s favorite stones!”

  As Kitty slid the beautiful ring onto her finger, she felt tears sting her eyelids. The traditional Irish symbol, with its hands of friendship, the crown for loyalty, and the heart for affection, seemed to embody her relationship with Philip in every regard.

  “It’s perfect.”

  Mrs. Beaucroft examined the ring with a critical eye. “The lad has good taste in jewelry, I’ll grant you. No doubt his brother advised him.”

  “Well, then, all the trappings of an engagement are complete.” Beaucroft nodded. “After your engagement party, we may put this hideous nightmare behind us.”

  Philip’s ride on Rotten Row with Kitty Wednesday morning wasn’t vigorous exercise, but he enjoyed it nonetheless. The engagement announcement had appeared in the paper the day before, and it seemed everyone who was anyone was out riding and had heard the news. They were obliged to rein in their horses every few yards or so, to chat with well-wishers and friends. Philip found himself the recipient of many appraising glances, and he hoped the last yellowed vestiges of his bruise gave him a devil-may-care appearance. Kitty’s engagement ring was much admired, and he inwardly thanked the jeweler who’d provided it. A lesser gold band would have sufficed, but from the way Kitty’s eyes had sparkled when she thanked him earlier made him glad he’d gone to the trouble and expense.

  When he returned to Trestlebury House for breakfast, Philip was surprised to discover his parents had come to town on the morning train. Lord and Lady Trestlebury, Prudence, Augustus, and Lord and Lady Moregate were assembled in the dining room.

  “Well, hullo. I’m not sure I expected to see you quite so soon,” Philip said.

  As he gave his mother a kiss on the cheek, his mother frowned at the sight of his battered face. “You’ve been getting into trouble again.”

  “Er…it’s a long story.” Philip slid onto a chair.

  “It always is.”

  “You’re looking uncommonly well, Mother.”

  Lady Moregate snorted. “Flattery will not dissuade me from the task at hand. Your father and I came as soon as we could. We wish to talk some sense into you.”

  A smile played on Augustus’ lips, but Eve, Trestlebury, and Prudence immediately fixed their attention on their plates.

  Philip gave his mother and father bewildered glances. “In what way?”

  Moregate almost glowered at him. “We’re determined to dissuade you from this course of action!”

  “Your father sent you to get a suitable bride, not the most famous beauty in all London!” Lady Moregate exclaimed. “Are you sure Miss Beaucroft knows you’re the second son?”

  “I told her almost straightaway.”

  She shook her head in disapproval. “Be under no illusion, your father won’t increase your allowance just because you’re marrying a girl like her. Don’t you realize Miss Beaucroft won’t be satisfied with your income? Your marriage is bound to be a disaster!”

  Although Philip understood his parents’ concerns were for naught, their objections rankled. He’d resisted matrimony for just the reasons they’d stated, and had made no secret of it. Now that he’d supposedly acquiesced to their demands, his parents seemed to be rubbing his nose in his lack of status. Despite his anger, he bit back a sharp retort. He still needed his father to sell Grovebrook to him, and being disagreeable wouldn’t help matters whatsoever.

  “Kitty and I don’t intend to rush into matrimony, I can assure you. I have much to do as far as Grovebrook is concerned, and she’s in no hurry. We’ve plenty of time to contemplate what sort of future lies ahead of us as a couple, and I wouldn’t dream of asking you for an increase in my allowance. In fact, I’d far rather live on the income from Grovebrook.”

  “What’s all this about Grovebrook?” Trestlebury asked.

  “An idea has lodged in Philip’s mind and he won’t let it go,” Moregate said. “He’s asked me to sell him a poorly performing property in the country, consisting of a small town and a handful of farms. He believes he can turn it around.”

  “I expect he can,” Augustus said. “Philip usually accomplishes anything he sets his mind to. He was first in his class at Oxford.”

  Philip was grateful for his brother’s loyalty. “Thank you for that, Augustus. I want to own land, and I’m willing to work for it.”

  “It’s a lofty and worthy goal,” Prudence said. “And why shouldn’t a man of modest means be just as entitled to love and happiness as a rich one?”

  Trestlebury rolled his eyes. “How very democratic.”

  “Please, Daniel.” Eva turned her attention to Philip. “Grovebrook is a backwater hamlet, isn’t it? You may have quite a challenge on your hands to make it a success.”

  “Oh, I don’t know,” Philip replied. “It’s well-situated midway between Leeds and Lancaster, and there’s a train station to serve our needs not two miles from the center of town.”

  “Have you been there recently?” Eve asked.

  “Not since I was a child, but I was completely charmed by the town and its people back then and have never forgotten it,” Philip said. “The manor house has been uninhabited for quite some time, so it will need a bit of sprucing up to make it livable, I’m sure.”

  “A great deal of work for little return, if you ask me,” Lady Moregate said. “And since Miss Beaucroft will quite certainly dislike living in the country year ’round, the endeavor will provide yet another reason for the marriage to founder.”

  To avoid making a heated retort, Philip buttered a fruited muffin and took a large bite.

  “Truly, Mother, you are worried for no reason,” Augustus said. “When you meet Miss Beaucroft, her good-humor and sweet nature will win you over. And, as Philip said, the engagement is to be a lengthy one. Let’s see how this all plays out.”

  “I have my doubts about Grovebrook and your choice of bride, Philip, but I’m a man of my word,” Moregate said. “Since you’ve done what I asked and Augustus has endorsed the enterprise, I’ll have my attorney draft up the contract for purchase.”

  Philip’s ill humor evaporated and a broad grin burst forth. “That’s simply marvelous.”

  Kitty was buoyant. Her ride on Rotten Row had caused a rather satisfying commotion, and Philip had cut a fine figure on his beautiful steed. The steady stream of callers at home mid-morning pleased her as well. Since Mrs. Beaucroft was cloistered with the housekeeper, arranging menus for the upcoming month, Kitty and Juliet received callers, all intimate friends, by themselves in the drawing room. Everyone was curious about Lord Philip Butler, naturally, and Kitty entertained them with a myriad of interesting details she’d learned only recently. Few girls departed without making a disparaging comment or two about Lord Gryphon. All agreed that his jealousy had led to the egregious assault on Philip and was unattractive in the extreme. As for Kitty, she was as congenial and magnanimous as possible by expressing her pity for Gryphon and wondering delicately if he ought not consider a lengthy trip abroad to settle his nerves.

  “You’re certainly enjoying yourself,” Juliet said after the last visitor left.

  “Tremendously.”

  “But you’re always the center of attention. Doesn’t it become a little tiresome?”

  Kitty gave a satisfied sigh. “I’m soaking it up for when I’m in exile.”

  “Surely you won’t fail to find admirers in the country, too.”

&
nbsp; Kitty was taken aback at her sister’s flat tone. “You must think me terribly shallow.”

  Juliet’s smile seemed forced. “Of course not.” Another arrival rang the doorbell just then, and she made an exasperated noise. “The Queen herself doesn’t have this many callers in one day!”

  An imposing older woman strode into the drawing room a few moments later, without waiting for the butler to announce her.

  Kitty jumped to her feet. “Grandmama!”

  Mrs. Ivy Beaucroft’s lips were compressed together and her eyes flashed. “Juliet, please go find your mother and tell her I’ve arrived. I’d like to have a word with Kitty alone.”

  “Yes, Grandmama.”

  As her grandmother removed her coat and hat, Juliet hastened from the room.

  “Er…you must have received my letter? I’m so glad you’ve come,” Kitty said.

  “No you’re not. Undoubtedly, I’m the last person you wish to see. Now what’s all this nonsense about marrying Lord Philip Butler? I could scarcely believe my eyes when I read your news.”

  “He’s perfectly charming, Grandmama, and—”

  “I don’t care if he’s the Pied Piper of Hamelin! Your family expects you to marry a duke, marquess, earl, or at the very least an exceedingly wealthy viscount. Lord Philip may have many fine qualities, but the only way he’ll inherit his father’s title is if his elder brother dies without having a son. And since Lord Elbourne is exceedingly youthful and healthy by all reports, that possibility is slim indeed. What am I not being told? Is there a scandal of which I should be made aware?”

  “N-No.”

  “You’re lying to me, Constance. I can always tell when you’re not being absolutely truthful.” Her voice lowered to a whisper. “Are you in a delicate condition?”

  “Grandmama!” Kitty felt the blush clear up to the roots of her hair. “Since you insist on thinking the worst of me, I must tell you everything.”

  After she related how she came to be engaged, Ivy finally took a deep breath and smiled. “I’m so relieved.”

 

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