The Engagement - Regency Brides 02

by Kimberley Comeaux

  Thomas threw his head back and laughed. “If you ask my brother, he will agree with you!”

  His words were like a shower of cold water suddenly thrown on them. Only young Ty seemed not to be disturbed by it as he laughed at his father, clapping his little chubby hands together.

  Thomas reached out and fluffed his sonʼs hair affectionately.

  “I did not mean-“ he began.

  “No, please,” she interrupted. “I do not want you to feel as if you cannot mention him when we are together. I am quite over our breakup, I assure you,” she lied, all the while wishing her words were the truth.

  He smiled, but his eyes told her he wasnʼt quite convinced.

  “Well, I see you have become acquainted with my son,” he said, changing the subject. “What do you think of him?”

  Katherine smiled down at the little boy, who was once again trying to reach the pearls around her neck. “I think heʼs quite the little gentleman.” She paused for effect while glancing up at Thomas. “Despite having a father who loves to tease defenseless women!”

  Thomas put a finger to his lips. “Shh-he thinks Iʼm the perfect father. Wouldnʼt want to spoil the illusion, you know,”

  he added with a wink.

  Ty suddenly wanted his father and, giving a disgruntled cry, held out his chubby arms to Thomas. Katherine was startled when Thomas plucked the toddler out of her arms and swung him up in the air making “da-da” noises, causing his son to laugh with glee.

  She had never seen a gentleman carry on like that with a baby. Not even her own father. Most left the rearing to the mother or nannies until the child was of age to learn, and then it meant hunting or schooling.

  She was ... enchanted …

  Thomas found himself intrigued with the elusive Katherine.

  When heʼd come up and seen her holding his son with that much affection, heʼd hardly been able to bear it.

  It had been his main worry—whether Katherine would accept his son. Heʼd even worried she might not care for children.

  But all those fears had dissipated the moment heʼd walked up and found her holding Ty as if he were her own.

  Thomas had missed her in the three days they had been apart, but heʼd been so confused at her odd behavior. He wanted to pursue her but sensed a strong pull inside him urging him to be careful.

  Heʼd been praying lately about the course he should take and where God was leading him. It was the reason heʼd stayed home at Rosehaven. Until he knew what God wanted him to

  -do, he did not want to chance meeting Katherine, letting his attraction to her override Godʼs will.

  The more he sought Godʼs council, however, the more he felt God had brought Katherine into his life and he should try to discern her true feelings for him.

  So, with the latter thought in mind, heʼd finally ventured out and journeyed into town on the sincere hope of seeing Katherine there.

  His hopes had soon become a reality.

  There, under the cover of the large elms, she stood out like a glistening gem in her pale green dress and her hair swirled up in curls with some falling about her face. He knew the moment she looked up at him with her mysterious golden eyes that heʼd fallen in love with her.

  It stunned and humbled him all at once.

  He hardly knew her. Heʼd known her only as his brotherʼs fiancée, then the few moments heʼd spent with her at the ball and at her parentsʼ home.

  But he so much ʻwanted to know her better.

  If only she werenʼt so ... elusive! If only she were consistent with her actions and outward emotions, then he might not hesitate to ask for her hand, even at this early stage.

  It wasnʼt uncommon, even for those couples who had met only once, to enter into an agreement of marriage. Heʼd done it himself with his first wife.

  But he wanted this marriage to be different. He knew he loved Katherine and would do all he could to show his love to her, but he couldnʼt be sure of her feelings. He wouldnʼt enter another marriage where love was only one-sided, as his first marriage had been. It wouldnʼt be fair to either of them.

  After Thomas had taken Ty from Katherineʼs arms and had him settled onto his side, he noticed she was smiling at him in wonder.

  “What?” he asked curiously.

  She shook her head. “Iʼm just amazed at your freedom of expression with your son.”

  “You donʼt like it?”

  She smiled a smile that made his heart ache. “I think itʼs quite wonderful. Iʼd love to know the father of my children would treat our children the way you do yours,” she explained, her voice wistful.

  Thomas took a chance. “Perhaps you will have what you desire after all.”

  A strange moment passed between them when he spoke those words. A million emotions seemed to play across her expressive, dainty features. Thomas thought among them were happiness, wonderment, and—uneasiness? But that made no sense. What would cause her to feel uneasy with him?

  “Perhaps,” she finally answered, her eyes no longer focused on him but on his son, instead.

  Thomas wanted to shake her as he realized sheʼd once again distanced herself from him.

  “It has been good seeing you this morning, Mr. Thornton, and meeting your son.” She backed away. “I believe Dora must be wondering what has happened to me.”

  Thomas didnʼt want her to leave, not before he could figure out why she behaved the way she did. “Tea!” he blurted out, then winced when he realized how silly that sounded.

  “I beg your pardon?”

  “Have tea with me-at Rosehaven-this afternoon,” he stammered. “You may bring your sister and your mother, also.”

  Then as an afterthought, he added, “Oh, and your cousin may come along, too.”

  She paused, then shook her head with regret. “I fear I will have to decline your kind offer. My brother is coming home for a small holiday from Cambridge and will arrive at Ravenhurst today. I must be there to greet him.”

  “Ah, I understand. Perhaps another day,” he told her, disappointed he would not see her later on.

  Indecision played across her pretty features, and Thomas could tell she was trying to decide something. “Mr. Thorn-“

  she began.

  “Please, call me Thomas.”

  She sighed. “Thomas,” she repeated. “I would extend to you an invitation to our small gathering tonight, but-“

  Thomas held out his free hand, palm toward her. “Please, do not explain. Your family will want to be alone with your brother.”

  She shook her head and reached out and took hold of his hand, surprising him to his core. “It is not that, Thomas. I fear what Cameron might do if he sees you. Heʼs been very upset about the whole scandal, you see. Weʼve always been close, and he blames your brother and your family for what has befallen me.”

  Thomas lowered his hand, turning it slightly so he could hold onto hers. “Might I try to talk to him? Perhaps I could ease some of his anger.”

  “I donʼt know, Thomas. He grows furious every time your familyʼs name is mentioned.” It was then she realized she was holding his hand. Her eyes widened as she viewed their hands, and her cheeks were burning when she finally looked up at him.

  Hastily, she pulled her hand away and backed up a few steps. “I-I think per—perhaps Iʼd better go,” she stammered, clearly out of sorts from the encounter.

  Thomas felt oddly elated by her reaction to him-first the spontaneity of holding his hand, and now the embarrassment of being caught.

  “Of course. Give my regards to your family,” he replied smoothly, holding back a grin.

  She kept backing up until she bumped into a tree. She was quick to regain her composure as befit a dukeʼs daughter. “Yes, uh…good-bye.”

  “My, she is quite a stupendous young lady, Mr. Thornton,” Mrs.

  Sanborne spoke as they both watched Katherine dash back to where her cousin was waiting for her. Thomas had completely forgotten about his sonʼs nanny and wondered if sheʼd over
heard their conversation.

  “Indeed, she is, Mrs. Sanborne. Indeed, she is.”

  “It is a pity you will not be able to take tea with her this stupendous afternoon. Perhaps you should call on her tomorrow.

  I would be stupendously surprised if she is not hoping for such a visit.”

  Thomas hid a smile as he continued to look in Katherineʼs direction. Mrs. Sanborne didnʼt seem to realize servants were not supposed to converse with their employers as if they were good friends. He rather liked it, though.

  “I think I shall not visit tomorrow, Mrs. Sanborne, but wait until church on Sunday,” Thomas replied. Perhaps seeing her family in a safe haven like the church would put the future Duke of Ravenhurst in a better frame of mind for their first meeting.

  “Oh, indeed, sir!” Mrs. Sanborne cried. “Absence does make the heart grow fonder, my mother often said.”

  This time Thomas laughed aloud, unable to hide his mirth at his governessʼs unusual way of looking at things. “Perhaps your dear mother was correct, Mrs. Sanborne. We shall see, wonʼt we?”

  He took one last glance at Katherine before leaving the park. At that moment, she, too, looked back at him. One second passed; then two. Thomas caught his breath for the brief span that she gazed at him, and his heart felt as though it were racing away.

  It was soon over when she turned and followed her cousin deeper into the wooded area of the park. Thomas turned, also-his heart filled with hope she would soon be his bride.

  “God must surely be vexed with me,” Katherine whispered to Theodora as they sat in the small village abbey on Sunday morning.

  Theodoraʼs patience was clearly reaching the straining point as her thin nostrils flared. “It is only a sermon,” she stressed.

  Katherine shook her head, a panicked feeling building in her chest. “It is a sign, Dora! It must be!”

  “Shh!” Lady Montbatten admonished, causing both ladies to face immediately toward the vicar.

  As the vicar spoke on how Joseph forgave his brothers for their betrayal and how it paralleled the betrayal of Jesus, and yet He also forgave, Katherine leaned again toward Theodora.

  “It is a sign from God!” she repeated in a whisper.

  “Angels appearing out of nowhere are a sign. Dreams as Joseph had are a sign. Sermons are not!” She shook her head.

  “Now hush and peek around to see if Thornton has arrived.”

  Though not convinced by Theodoraʼs words, Katherine pretended to adjust her bonnet, giving her the chance to glance about. Upon meeting Thomasʼs gaze, Katherine turned back so quickly, she earned another disapproving look from her mother.

  Thomas, as usual, appeared very handsome sitting beside North. She had noticed he wore a dark green coat and his hair was slightly disheveled, possibly done so by the breezy morning sheʼd also experienced when riding in their open carriage to the abbey.

  43

  “Heʼs here,” she told her cousin under her breath.

  “Excellent,” Theodora answered, still giving the impression of listening to the vicar, her lips curved in a satisfied grin.

  Katherine, too, looked back at the vicar, but unlike her cousin, she could not sit there calmly and not feel the meaning of his sermons and the guilt it rained down on her soul.

  And now that she knew Thomas was only a few feet from her, the feelings were compounded. She tried to take calming breaths but found it did not help. Suddenly, she could take it no more. Jumping up from her seat, Katherine all but stumbled past her family to the aisle, then hurried out the door, not daring to acknowledge Thomas as she passed him.

  Katherine ran until she reached a small grove of trees, then with a heartfelt groan fell to the fresh green grass. Covering her face with her hands, she wished she could cry and release all the pent-up feelings that had been building in her heart the bitterness, anger, betrayal, and, lately, guilt.

  But she couldnʼt, and she thought maybe she didnʼt deserve the luxury of a good cry-not when she was set ʻon a course that was so contrary to her character.

  “Are you all right?” a voice asked from up above her. A voice she knew was Thomasʼs.

  And for some reason, Katherine became highly irritated at his presence. Lowering her hands, she peered up to find his handsome face swathed with worry and concern. “Are you always like this?” she blurted out, her tone none too friendly.

  He froze for a moment, seemingly stunned by her abruptness.

  “I beg your pardon?”

  She stood up, ignoring his outstretched hand. “Do you always do the right things?” When he continued to appear puzzled, she let out a breath of frustration. “Are you always such a gentleman? Do you ever do anything---well-wrong?”

  He studied her, then asked carefully, “Katherine, are you feeling all right? Perhaps I could see you home so you might lie down for a-“

  “I am not sick!” she interrupted, childishly stomping one foot. “What I am trying to ask is if you are always this nice?

  Do you ever say the wrong thing or do something you are not proud of-“

  “Are you saying you want me to act ungentlemanly?” he interrupted this time.

  Katherine rolled her eyes as she threw her arms up in frustration.

  Are you mad? Why would I want that?”

  Thomas opened and closed his mouth twice before any words came out. “I donʼt think I am the mad one!” he finally answered, his deep voice calm though highly strained.

  Katherine knew she was sounding like a lunatic, but like a cart rolling down a hill, she could not seem to stop! “Ha!

  There, you see! You have insulted me!” She folded her arms and smiled smugly, glad finally to find some nibble of ammunition she could use against him. “You do not always do or say the right thing after all!”

  Thomas surprised her by letting out a wry chuckle. “My lady, are you always this conflicting? First you are dropping gloves at my feet and crashing into vases; next yeu are cuddling my son as if he were your own.” He paused. “A sight, I might add, that took my breath away and gave me great hopes for the future.” He smiled and reached for her gloved hand. “Then finally you are berating me for being a gentleman and smile when you think I am not one. All this makes no sense to me, but I must say I find it quite enjoyable!”

  Katherine took a swift breath as he bent his head over her hand, kissing her knuckles gently, sending a wave of excitement to her heart.

  Then a loud voice, which could only belong to her bratty sister, broke their moment. “I see Mamaʼs fears are to be realized!”

  Lucy declared as she stood there with her arms folded and her eyes narrowed suspiciously upon their clasped hands.

  Katherine quickly stepped back, snatching her hand away and holding it behind her as if she were hiding it. “Lucy!

  Why arenʼt you in church?” she demanded, chagrined to find her voice slightly breathy. She could only hope she wasnʼt visibly blushing!

  “Why arenʼt you?” her sister shot back.

  “I had to, well, I”-she stumbled for an excuse-“I had to get a bit of fresh air!” She lifted her chin and gave her sister equal measure on her stare.

  She should have known better than to get into a verbal challenge with her sister. Lucy, though only twelve, could outsmart and outtalk most of the Montbatten family when she chose to.

  “And I suppose you needed Mr. Thornton to help you find the fresh air?” she questioned smoothly while shifting her sharp gaze to Thomas.

  Katherine now knew she was blushing. Her cheeks were practically on fire! “Lucy! Can you please go back to the abbey-“

  “If I go, you must go with me,” she interrupted. “Mama and Papa sent me to be your chaperone.”

  Katherine groaned and looked over at Thomas, who grinned. “There is a very fine incline over there that is shaded and grassy. Why donʼt we wait over there until your parents can join us?” Thomas suggested.

  Katherine was surprised when he extended his arm, not only to her but to Lucy as well. F
or the first time, Katherine saw Lucy blush as she took his arm, gazing up at him with adoring eyes. Even Lucy, apparently, was not immune to Thomasʼs charm.

  Fine, Katherine thought. Not only would she have to deal with her parents after the whole ordeal was over with, but sheʼd also have to contend with her sisterʼs feelings.

  Once they were seated, Lucy stated, “You do know our parents are all quite giddy about your interest in my sister.”

  “Indeed!” Thomas sputtered with a shocked laugh.

  Katherine was behind him, dismayed as well, but she was not laughing! “Lucinda Ann Montbatten! Ladies do not say such-“