The Engagement - Regency Brides 02

by Kimberley Comeaux

  She refused to wonder why her heart seemed to pound so as his beautiful eyes met her own. She did not dare contemplate how handsome he was and how stately he appeared standing there against the dark blue wall of the room. She would not dare let herself believe she was attracted to the very man she had vowed to ruin by securing his affections, making him think she wanted to be his wife, then leaving him at the altar.

  Tonight she would begin to avenge her honor. .

  Tonight Thomas Thornton would regret the day he ever met her.

  With a slow curve of her lips, she smiled at him and began to walk his direction.

  The plan was in motion. There was no backing out now.

  Katherine had almost reached Thomas when suddenly Lord Malcolm Paisley, a tall, meticulously dressed man whose snobbery and condescension were only surpassed by his waspish tongue, blocked her path. A calculating smile curved his thin lips as he made a sweep of her figure while tugging on the delicate lace of his sleeve.

  His eyes made her skin crawl.

  "Dear Lady Katherine," he purred with sarcasm. "You appear quite a bit older since last we met. I should not have known you had I not heard your name announced."

  Katherine felt the barb as she was meant to, since she'd seen him only two months ago, but was far too sophisticated to let Paisley know he'd hurt her. "Hmm." She gave him equal measure, letting her eyes scan his flashy attire. "I don't believe I shall take the opinion of a man who mixes pink with yellow."

  He smiled, but Katherine could tell her words had irritated him. "Perhaps you should dull your tongue, my lady; otherwise, not even a poor farmer will want you for a wife." He made a snorting laugh that was not at all attractive. "Of course, after they hear of your scandalous past, they'll be likely to turn and run anyway."

  "Tsk, tsk, Paisley.“ A deep voice sounded behind Katherine, and she knew right away it was Thomas Thornton. "I believe you've forgotten the correct manner in which to speak to a lady."

  The sneer fell from Paisley's face as if someone had taken a big swipe and wiped it away. In its place was a simpering smile, typical behavior for him when he was confronted by a

  "favorite" of the ton. Paisley knew exactly whom he could sharpen his claws on and who would destroy him socially and, in all probability, physically.

  Thomas Thornton, former navy lieutenant and brother of the Earl of Kenswick, was one such man.

  "Thornton! Can't tell you how glad we all were, to know you were alive and well. Why, I was telling Crowler the other day-"

  "I believe you owe Lady Katherine an apology, Paisley," he bluntly interrupted, causing the smaller man's neck to burn fiery red with anger.

  Paisley tugged at his cuffs again. "I see you don't quite know the way of things, Thornton; but that is understandable since you have been away for quite some time."

  "I understand if an apology is not offered in the next minute, then I shall be forced to--"

  "Don't you dare say it!" Katherine hissed, cutting off what she knew was a threat of a duel between the two men. She glanced around and was somewhat relieved they had not drawn too much attention. "My reputation, as tattered as it is, cannot survive another scene between gentlemen. I beg you, please, Mr. Thornton-let this go!" she implored Thomas.

  A moment of strained silence passed as the two men contemplated one another; then Paisley backed down, grudgingly nodding to them both before turning away. They watched Paisley slink back to his circle of friends. As for Katherine, she was trying not to be move4 by the way Thomas defended her.

  "I thank you, Mr. Thornton, for desisting in your argument with him. I have to be careful since-" She faltered as the bitterness rose up and threatened to make her cry. How could she go through with this charade when he was a constant reminder of what she'd lost?

  "Since my brother broke your engagement," he finished for her with a weary sigh. "Would you like to take a turn about the terrace? I believe the fresh air would do us both good."

  Katherine nodded, grateful for the chance to compose herself.

  But when they began to walk together toward the terrace doors, she realized they had become the object of everyone's attention.

  He must have sensed her panic, for he put a steadying hand under her arm and guided her to their destination. "Relax," he whispered. "They shall soon lose interest."

  He guided her to a stone bench, and when she had sat down, he stood beside her, leaning against the smooth railing.

  "Shall I get you something to drink?"

  "No," she answered quickly. ''I am fine, thank you."

  He raised a brow as if he didn't believe her but refrained from saying so. "How long has this been going on?" he asked bluntly, forgoing any of the meaningless talk she'd expected.

  She didn't pretend to misunderstand. "For quite a few months now, just before your brother remarried," she said, wincing that her words had sounded so bitter. Would the hurt of the situation ever go away?

  "I wish I could help, Katherine. You know I have always held you in the highest esteem."

  She turned her face away from him with a brittle smile.

  "That is what Nicholas wrote in a letter to me, right before he married that little vicar's daughter!" She stood and paced around the bench. "Of course, he also said he was sorry and wanted to make restitution. Well, if he truly wanted to do that, he could have reinstated the engagement and married me instead of that commoner!" she cried softly with her arms held out to her sides.

  But as soon as those words left her mouth and she saw the dismay on Thomas's face, she regretted her outburst. What was she doing? She was supposed to be cozying up to him and drawing him into her life, getting him to like her.

  Dropping back down to the bench, she covered her face with her hands, wishing she could leave. She knew, deep in her soul, she was not cut out for this revenge business. "I'm sorry. I should not have said-"

  "Shh," Thomas whispered as he sat beside her, taking one of her gloved hands. "I know it has been a trying time, and I am truly sorry for it." She looked up at him, breathing in the light fragrance of his cologne and feeling the warmth of his closeness.

  Thomas was different from Nicholas in the way most second sons usually were. He did not have the seriousness or regal bearing the earl did; instead, he seemed more friendly, a man who didn't dwell too heavily on the problems around him. He was kind and had a ready smile, even after all he'd been through.

  And this revelation again made her want to abandon the crazy plan to ruin him.

  Suddenly Theodora was there, as if she'd sensed Katherine wavering. It was uncanny, really.

  "Ah! There you are," Theodora spoke up in her nasal tone, though she was staring at Thomas and none too friendly.

  Seeing Thomas's reaction to her was something like watching a cat's back bow up when a stranger approaches--only he never moved a muscle, except for the tightening of his jaw.

  He didn't like either her cousin or her interruption.

  Thomas came instantly to his feet. "I don't believe we've been introduced," he announced imperially while peering down his nose at Theodora.

  Katherine almost smiled when she realized Thomas could act like his brother when he wanted to.

  She was musing over his extremely good looks when Theodora snapped her back to reality. "I am Theodora Vine, Mr. Thornton."

  Katherine's cheeks grew hot as she realized she'd been staring at Thomas and totally ignored his question. "Uh-yes! This is my cousin, Mr. Thornton. She has been staying with us in town and will be going back with us to Ravenhurst Castle."

  Thomas gave her a knowing expression and a grin. The scoundrel! He'd known she was admiring him! He looked back to Theodora, and all manner of pleasantness was gone from his face as he gave a short and snappy bow. "Miss Vine."

  "I believe you, too, will be retiring to your country home, is that not right, Sir?" Theodora asked, and Katherine could tell he did not appreciate the prying question from one he knew so little. But after a pause, he answered, though
not to Theodora.

  He gazed directly into Katherine's eyes. "Indeed, I shall be there late tomorrow. I find it a most fortunate circumstance that you shall also be returning to your home, since they are but a stone's throw from each other." He glanced at her cousin as if annoyed she was there and listening so intently but then brought his attention back to Katherine.

  Thomas paused a moment as if he wanted to say more, then decided against it. Instead, he picked up Katherine's hand and kissed the satin-covered knuckles. "It has been a pleasure, my lady."

  To her cousin, he barely nodded his head. "Miss Vine," he murmured, then walked away.

  Theodora waited until Thomas had entered the ballroom before she began her tirade. "What do you think you were doing out here alone with that man?"

  Katherine was confused. "Dora, is not that the whole point of the evening-becoming reacquainted with him so he will begin courting me?"

  Theodora's lips tightened, and her nose flared with displeasure.

  "Reacquainted, yes-but it seemed as though you two were almost in an embrace when I walked out here! Is your reputation not black enough?"

  "What do you care of my reputation? It will be in tatters anyway after our plan is finished."

  "But you will have the satisfaction of knowing vengeance has been served upon the Thornton family! Remember why we are doing this!" Theodora took a deep breath as if calming herself.

  “You want to appear interested in Mr. Thornton so he will want to call on you once he has settled into Ravenhurst. He all but implied that was his intention, anyway! If you persist in coming on too strong, he will believe the rumors that have been spread about you!”

  Theodoraʼs words cut her deeply, as her cousin knew they would. She didnʼt deserve what had been done to her. She didnʼt deserve to have her hopes and dreams dashed.

  But does Thomas deserve to have his own life trampled upon, either? A voice whispered in her head.

  “Perhaps he already does believe them,” Theodora said softy. Katherine looked up, her gaze going to the window through which her cousin was staring.

  There she saw Thomas standing with Miss Claudia Baumgartner, an American girl who had just come to England to live with her grandfather, theʼ Marquis of Moreland. At first she had been considered an oddity—a rustic. But, according to local gossip, she had charmed her critics and won over more than one heart of the elite ton.

  Thomas Thornton appeared completely captivated by her.

  Katherine swallowed and refused to examine the strange feeling coursing through her as she watched Thomas smile at the girl.

  It felt a lot like ... jealousy.

  “Donʼt just stand there, Kate!” Theodora charged, giving her a stern look. “Go in there! Charm the man!”

  Exasperated, Katherine shook her head. “First Iʼm coming on too strong, and now you are throwing me at rum! He will think I am a lunatic if I seek rum out now. It has been only a couple of minutes since we met.”

  Theodora shrugged her bony shoulders and tilted up her chin. “Do you want to have your revenge or not?”

  Katherine sighed. “Of course, I do.”

  “Youʼre correct, though, in saying you cannot just walk up to him.” Theodora tapped a long, thin finger on her pointy chin, then smiled.

  Katherine was disturbed at the coldness radiating from that smile.

  “Give me your gloves!” she demanded, holding out her hands expectantly.

  “What?”

  Theodora all but growled, “Give me your gloves! I have a plan!”

  Katherine reluctantly did as she bade. “I donʼt understand why—“

  “Because you are going to walk past Thornton and ʻaccidentallyʼ

  drop your glove. Heʼll pick it up, drawing attention away from the little American and onto you,” she explained while straightening Katherineʼs gloves, then handing them back to her.

  “Thatʼs the oldest trick in the book, Dora! Heʼll know right away it was no accident!”

  “Itʼs the oldest trick because it works, Kate,” she explained as if she were talking to a child. “And it doesnʼt matter if he knows the truth or not. He will still be flattered you attempted such a ploy to grab his attention.”

  Katherine felt as though every eye in the room were watching her walk toward Thomas and waiting for her to make a fool of herself She was mortified she was reduced to performing such tactics to draw a manʼs attention. Two years ago she had only to walk into a room and the gentlemen would be instantly at her side, competing for even a moment of her time.

  How she longed for that life again.

  Miss Baumgartner was staring up into Thomasʼs face, laughing at something he had just said, when she reached them. She had been hoping the glove trick would not be needed, that he would acknowledge her presence and be drawn to her side.

  It was clearly not going to happen.

  So, with a fortified breath and a glance about the room to make sure no one was looking, Katherine opened her hand, letting one of her long satin gloves drift to the ground at Thomasʼs feet.

  She took one step, then two, and by the time she took the third, it dawned on her that he was not corning after her or calling out that sheʼd dropped her glove.

  Nonchalantly, she stopped, and pretending to study the arrangement of flowers beside her, she carefully took a peek at where Thomas was standing.

  There he was---still standing by Miss Baumgartner—still talking and smiling at the woman-completely ignorant of the fact her glove was lying at his feet.

  Then it was under his feet as he moved a bit to take a glass of punch from a servant passing by.

  Katherine wanted to cry. She peered past Thomas and saw Theodora glaring at her, then she truly wanted to cry.

  With a resolve to go home no matter what her cousin said about it, Katherine turned quickly and took only one step before she crashed into the flower arrangement and the ceramic pedestal it sat upon.

  The sound it made crashing into the marble floor was akin to the blast of a cannon. Now she had not only Thomasʼs attention, but everyone elseʼs as well.

  “Are you all right?” Thomas asked as he put a steadying hand upon her back, his voice filled with concern.

  Katherine glanced at him, then uneasily scanned the room at the curious and scandalized faces staring at her in fascination.

  Is this what happens to those whose reputation is destroyed? Does their dignity leave them as well? She thought wildly.

  “I believe I feel faint,” she lied and for the first time in her life fell into a pretend swoon.

  Thomas, just as she knew he would, caught her perfectly, swept her into his arms and out of the Beckinghamsʼ ballroom.

  ~

  “You can open your eyes now. We are quite alone,” Thomas whispered into Katherineʼs ear, as he stood in an empty corridor of Beckingham Hall, still holding the beautiful lady in his arms.

  Her eyes came instantly open and gazed at him with unbelief.

  “You knew?”

  Thomas grinned as he reluctantly lowered her to the ground. I deduced you considered it the best possible action to take. And it worked. It got you out of the room and away from the curious stares of the ton,” he said with a shrug.

  Katherine laughed. “Am I that transparent?”

  Thomas grinned. “Not a bit. I would never have imagined you would have dropped a glove at my feet, or I would have noticed it when it happened!”

  He saw Katherineʼs face turn red, and she opened her mouth as if to speak, but nothing came out. He continued, “I found it after your dance with the flower arrangement.”

  Katherine covered her face with her hands. “That was possibly the stupidest thing I have ever done!”

  Thomas stood staring at her for a moment, trying to sort out the feelings that were swirling around in his mind where this enchanting woman was concerned. Never could he remember being so captivated.

  He put his hand in his pocket and closed it around the smooth silk of the glove heʼd
scooped off the floor after her fall. He started to give it back to her, but for some reason unknown to him, he let it go.

  “I would never call you stupid, my lady. Clever, smart, beautiful, and even enchanting maybe,” he teased as he pulled her hands away from her face.

  Katherine glanced up at him, then quickly turned away with embarrassment. “I suppose you are wondering why I would do such a thing.”