Page 26 of The Truth about the Rogue
“Yes, that is so.”
“Capital! I know that we have not been formally introduced, but I do not believe that it is needed,” the gentleman said, grasping Andrew’s hand and shaking it firmly. “My daughterhas told me all about you, telling me that I need not fear your reputation, for you are quite determined to turn your back upon all of that now. To think that a gentleman such as yourself would find yourself so caught up with Charlotte is quite remarkable, I must say!” He finally released Andrew’s hand, his eyes still bright and his smile wide. “Of course you have my consent, Lord Kentmore! I could think of nothing better for Charlotte, I assure you.”
A small wave of guilt rose up in Andrew’s soul, only to break down over him.
“I am not quite certain that I am the very best sort of gentleman,” he said, surprised at how much feeling rose up within him as he spoke, as though to rebel against what he knew to be the truth. “But I shall do my best as regards Miss Hawick.”
The gentleman’s smile – which had never faded – grew larger still.
“I am certain you shall. My goodness, what a delight this is to me! To know that you have been quite captured by the beauty and the nature ofmydaughter is quite remarkable, I must say, especially given that she can be so very quiet and reserved.”
“What is that I hear?”
A voice that Andrew did not recognize came from behind him and, glancing over his shoulder, he saw a lady coming to stand beside Miss Charlotte Hawick and Lady Morton.
“Oh, it is just that the Marquess of Kentmore has sought out my husband’s permission to court Charlotte,” Lady Morton answered, as the other lady gasped in evident surprise. “My husband has given his consent, so now Lord Kentmore shall be courting my daughter! Is that not wonderful?”
“It is indeed!” the other lady replied, pressing Lady Morton’s arm before turning and, as Andrew watched, scurrying across the room to spread the news.
His heart sank. Yes, he knew that this was what had been expected of him, what he’d had no choice but to do, but all the same, the reluctance within him grew steadily. He did not want to become betrothed to Miss Hawick, did not want to spend every day with her by his side. All he wanted was to free himself from her, but now, with the news spreading through the room, that seemed nothing but impossible.
“You will wish to spend time with her this evening, I am sure.”
Andrew turned back to give his attention to Lord Morton, who was still beaming at him, his whole face wreathed in smiles.
“Spend time with Miss Hawick?”
“Yes,” Lord Morton answered, a slight dimming of his smile following. “I presume that you–”
Andrew cleared his throat.
“Yes, yes of course.” Forcing a smile, he turned to the lady who was still standing by her mother, her face a little pale. “Miss Hawick,” he began, hating every word that came out of his mouth. “Might you wish to take a turn about the room?”
Miss Hawick closed her eyes, a slight tremble about her lips.
“No, I do not think that it would be proper to do so.”
The answer made Andrew recoil, taking a slight step back as he regarded the lady. He had not expected her to refuse him, had thought that she would see that there was nothing for them to do but to accept what was now before them, and to act as it required.
Her mother, clearly a little shocked, blinked quickly, then trilled a laugh.
“My dear, you must not think that there is any sort of concern here about propriety or the like! So long as you do not leave the room, you are permitted to walk with Lord Kentmore for a time, without a chaperone.”
Miss Hawick looked to her mother as though she were desperately trying to get her to read her thoughts, but Lady Morton merely lifted an eyebrow. With a small sigh, and not even the smallest, flickering smile on her face, Miss Hawick stepped forward and looked up at him.
Her eyes were red-rimmed, and a heavy weight dropped into Andrew’s stomach.
“Very well, Lord Kentmore,” she said, her voice dull. “A walk around the room it shall be.”
Andrew offered her his arm without saying anything further but, much to his surprise, the moment she took it, he was filled with a flush of heat, as though he were secretly delighted to have her so near him. That in itself was foolishness, he told himself and, as they walked away from Lord and Lady Morton, Andrew’s heart began to sink all the lower. There was naught but tension, strain, and upset here, and he had not even a single hope that there would ever be any sort of happiness between them. Not today, not tomorrow, and certainly not in their future.
Chapter Nine
“Miss Hawick, your father wishes to see you in the study.”
Charlotte, who had been attempting to read, looked up at once.
“My father?” She had not seen him since the previous day and, given that she had barely slept, only to then fall asleep at the time the maids rose to start the day, Charlotte had not been very present with any of her family. Part of her had hoped that her sister would forget about the entire situation, that Lord Kentmore would not move forward with his responsibilities, and that all would be well. Thus, she had tried to put the whole thing out of her mind, had determined that she would speak to Lillian whenever she saw her next and to beg her not to speak to their parents about what had taken place.
