Page 28 of The Viscount's Unwanted Bride
“Don’t pay them any heed,” Blackwell said, loudly enough to encourage the nearest group to turn away, tittering and pretending they hadn’t been gawking.
“The river has a good flow today,” Sophie said, gesturing toward the waterway that ran through the park. The edges were green and grassy, and the flow was higher than usual. “Do you think it might flood?”
“I doubt it,” Blackwell replied, glancing over. “From my understanding, the weather is expected to clear tomorrow.”
Good lord.
Kate was on the verge of being ruined, this man had proposed to her even though he clearly didn’t wish to marry, and they were discussing the weather?
How dreadfully British of them.
She looked around, searching for something of more substance to discuss, but stiffened as her gaze landed on Lady Talbot, who was holding court among a group of women whom Kate recognized as the mothers of other debutantes, many of whom were also seeking husbands this season.
Sophie’s arm brushed Kate’s as she moved slightly closer. “Don’t let her upset you. She’s just a spiteful old shrew.”
“Lady Talbot,” Blackwell mused. “I should have known.”
What on earth was that supposed to mean?
Kate glanced at the women again, noting that at least one of them had her daughter with her. The girl met Kate’s eyes and grimaced, although she couldn’t tell if it was with sympathy or disdain.
“Do you have children, my lord?” Kate asked. The rumors about him would indicate that he didn’t, but if he hadn’t intended to wed again, then perhaps they were false. Why would a viscount opt not to wed if he didn’t have an heir?
“No, I don’t.”
She bit her lip to stop from asking further questions. His brusque tone didn’t exactly invite them.
A speck of water landed on Kate’s cheek, and she tilted her face up to the sky. Another drop landed.
“I suspect we ought to leave unless we wish to get wet,” she said in case neither of her companions had noticed.
“Very well.” Lord Blackwell stopped abruptly and turned.
Both women hastened to do the same.
They made the short walk back to the carriage without further conversation. They climbed into the carriage and drove back as silently as they’d arrived. When they parked outside the Drake residence, Lord Blackwell focused the full force of his dark gaze on Kate.
“Have you come to a decision?” he asked.
CHAPTER 9
Theo watchedthe play of emotions across Lady Katherine’s face. They weren’t very decipherable, but it was obvious that she was conflicted. His fingers tightened on his thighs, and he drew in a slow breath and forced himself not to fidget while he awaited her answer.
She glanced at her friend, Lady Sophie, and seemed to arrive at a conclusion. “May I think on the matter further? Not for long. Perhaps we could meet again tomorrow? I know that we’re pressed for time, but I’d prefer not to rush into making a decision that could completely change my life.”
He gaped. Exactly how terrible was his reputation that she was willing to risk a scandal to avoid marrying him?
He’d always known that thetongossiped about him and that he wasn’t a sought-after guest at their parties, but was his reputation really so dire that Lady Katherine would throw away her future rather than become Lady Blackwell?
It was, to a certain extent, the outcome he’d been hoping for, but it shocked him, nonetheless.
“My lord?” she asked, worrying her lip.
“That’s fine, Lady Katherine. I’ll call on you tomorrow.” He got out of the carriage like an automaton, offered her his handto help her down, and then did the same for Lady Sophie. He waited for them to enter the house, and when the door closed behind them, he got back into his carriage and called, “To the Regent.”
This called for a drink at his club.
Upon arrival, he entered through a little-known side door and slipped silently down the corridor to the room Nicholas usually favored. He had a suspicion he’d find his brother here—if he’d managed to recover from the consequences of overimbibing the night before.
