Page 5 of In Search of a Husband
For a man who had only moments earlier burned brighter than the August sun, March settled in and froze Kate to her core as the marquess retreated another step. His honey-brown eyes, normally filled with warmth, lost their fire, setting her adrift.
“In my office,” Lord Cranbourne repeated.
The marquess removed a cheroot from his jacket, then struck a match, focused solely on that one pleasure, leaving Kate to volley her attention between the two men stuck in some power struggle. No, she wouldn’t allow this to happen. She wouldn’t stand by while everyone else determined her fate.
She ran up to the marquess, grabbed the cheroot from his mouth, and slapped him across the face, before turning to Lord Cranbourne. “Whatever you have to say, you best say it here. I don’t believe he will be joining us inside.”
“Ow,” the marquess muttered from behind her. “I want that back.”
Kate glanced over her shoulder, heaved a sigh, then stood akimbo as Lord Cranbourne studied them both.
“Brookhouse, there is a lady present, and it’s cold out. Not that you seemed to care earlier, but perhaps this would be best discussed inside.”
“I don’t wish to discuss it at all.”
Kate quickly shot her foot backward into his shin.
“Act like that if you wish,” he hissed, coming to stand beside her. “But I have no intention of marrying you. And since Lord Cranbourne here is insisting on making a fuss of what he discovered instead of turning his back”—he turned to stare the older gentleman in the eye—”as he should have, then I will be the villain. Kate, go back inside. See that she is warm. And stuff whatever speech you were about to make about a special license. It’s not necessary. I have another engagement, and I don’t wish to be late.”
“Another engagement? You just compromised Miss Bancroft. What more can you possibly do tonight?”
“A duel.”
The Marquess of Brookhouse narrowed his dark eyes on Kate, once so full of passion for her, yet void of any feeling now because they had been caught. Then with a nod, he spun and took off through the garden, exiting out into the London night, free to do as he wished.
“Miss Bancroft, come inside. Is there someone I can fetch for you?”
“The duchess, please.”
“Of course.” And Lord Cranbourne held his arm out, ushering her up the stone stairs, back into the grand house. “Come this way so no one will see, and we can slip quietly into my office.”
“I wish to return home.”
He nodded, clearing his throat. “In due time, yes. Tonight, however, we must discuss how best to handle what just occurred. I will have your father summoned.”
Her father?
Kate was cold and miserable and didn’t wish to speak to Lord Cranbourne, never mind Charlotte, who would likely have much to say about tonight’s events. But at the mention of her father, her stomach sank. He would be furious, but worse, he would be disappointed.
She was led inside and settled in a chair, but after a moment, sitting was insufferable. Kate sprang to her feet and paced in front of the fire, fussing with the sleeve of her dress and adjusting her shawl.
The marquess refused to marry her? He would change his mind. He was embarrassed, surely. They had allowed their passion to cloud their judgment. That was all. It was nothing but young love. And he would come back and make things right.
“Please, will you have a seat?” Lord Cranbourne asked, entering the room and walking to the sideboard.
“I would prefer to stand, please.”
The older man paused and pressed his wide lips together in annoyance, before pouring himself a drink. “I expected better from you and the marquess.”
Lady Cranbourne and Charlotte swept in next.
“What’s happened?” The older woman cried, reaching her arms out toward Kate. “I will not tolerate such horrible behavior.” Then she turned to her husband and glared. “I knew we should have left the marquess off the guest list.”
Charlotte stood a few paces away, her arms folded. It turned out it wouldn’t be her father’s disappointment that gutted Kate, but rather her dear friend’s.
“I witnessed the Marquess of Brookstone and Miss Bancroft in a rather compromising situation.”
Kate gripped the mantel as Lady Cranbourne gasped. “Oh, that is most disappointing to hear. Your mother! Your poor mother! What a scandal.”
