Page 5 of Seeking Ruin

Chapter Two

Kitty stared down at her eggs, only half paying attention to her aunt’s ranting.

“I knew I shouldn’t have let you go to that ball without me, as if Miss Berrington is anything near a suitable chaperone for you. That friendship should have never been

allowed.”

“Do not insult her,” Kitty snapped back, looking up to glare at Lady Smythe as the woman raised an incredulous eyebrow.

“Surely you are not so naïve to think that she didn’t know all about this sordid plot to snag your dowry?”

Kitty burned with shame at being unable to call her aunt out for such an accusation, as she herself had thought the same, if only briefly and under the influence of her anger. The carriage ride back with Sophie had been an ugly affair, with Kitty letting loose all sorts of accusations that had likely speared her friend’s heart. Sophie had remained silent and dignified the entire time, merely retiring to her room without a word, even as Kitty attempted to apologize. It was foolish to think that her friend had anything to do with James’s plot, and she had realized this only seconds after their one-sided argument ended.

“We have no proof that she knew,” was all she could say, the guilt of last night still weighing on her.

“Then why did she run off in the night without a word, if not to rendezvous with the couple and make a grand escape?”

ThatwasSophie’s goal, as she had stated to Kitty in the letter left on her bed, but not for the reasons Lady Smythe thought. Her friend was traveling with Lord Amberwood in order to put an end to the elopement, and the marquess’s escort was the only reason Kitty hadn’t rode like a hellion after her. Only she knew about that note, and it would remain that way until Sophie returned. A part of her wished she had been invited along, as foolish as such a request was, so she could confront James herself. A knot formed in her throat at the thought of him. Today should have been one of celebration, not one spent listing to her aunt’s outraged raving. Kitty eyed the scandal sheet sitting on the dining table, the one that Lady Smythe had thrown down after sailing into the room a few minutes ago.

“An affair with James Berrington!”

“It wasn’t an affair,” Kitty grumbled back. “We were betrothed.”

“And then he ran off after finding out about the dowry and ruined you beforehand to boot.”

“I never even kissed him,” she replied with a sigh, too exhausted to get angry again. She had no idea how her lack of dowry had gotten out in the span of an evening, but that had been the only truthful tidbit in the column. She supposed she should have wondered at his lack of physical enthusiasm after their betrothal, even when she had pressed for intimacy and he gently denied her. Perhaps it had just been a shred of guilt on his part. A very tiny shred, apparently.

“I don’t believe you.”

“I’ve never been kissed by a man in my entire life, Aunt.” Well, that was a bit of a lie. She could still remember every detail of a certain night two years ago and of the man whose kiss she had stolen, a man who was now embroiled in this mess.

“And he punched the Duke of Ashford right in front of everyone,” Lady Smythe bemoaned, seemingly ignoring Kitty’s attempted defense of herself. Though, in this instance her aunt’s histrionics were somewhat justified. The duke was a dangerous man, or so she’d heard from anyone who ever spoke of him. The Ton seemed to be in both awe and terror of the man, and she had always been curious to meet someone with such a reputation. Little had Kitty known, she already had.

“Yes, I know. I was there after all.”

“You cannot be salvaged after this. I hope you know.” Lady Smythe looked hard at her face. “Your prospects are gone.”

“I am aware.” She’d been aware from the moment she’d woken up in the morning, though having it stated so plainly in front of her brought on a fresh wave of grief.

“That is also why I am here.” Lady Smythe sighed, not meeting her eyes. Kitty had a vague idea of what was coming next. “My daughter is making her come out next year, so you understand how our association might ruin her prospects, do you not?”

“Yes. I know you must abandon me.” Kitty replied sullenly.

“That is such an ugly way of putting it.”

“It’s the truth,” Kitty glared up from her plate. “Reputation is thicker than blood in London, or so you have told me in the past.”

Lady Smythe pursed her lips at the insult but then smoothened her face as she rose from the table. “I am happy that we are clear on the matter. Your father will be expecting you back home soon enough, I am sure. You’d best begin packing.”

“Good day, My Lady.” Kitty replied, the thought of returning home making her day even bleaker than it already was.

“Good day, Kitty.”

She waited for the door to shut before giving in to her burning eyes. They’d never got on well in the least, but her aunt’s departure only solidified how alone she would be in the coming years. She wondered if her father would even let her remain in the estate, or if he would pack her off to some cottage in the middle of nowhere to live her days in ignominy. The thought hadn’t bothered her before, as Kitty had always envisioned her and James cozied together in such circumstances, living their life in content obscurity. She hugged her middle and squeezed her eyes against the fantasy that would never come to pass. A cough shook her from her thoughts.

Her butler stood at the threshold. “The Duke of Ashford is calling, Miss Highbridge.” The older man peered at her in barely disguised concern. “Shall I inform His Grace you are not at home?”

Kitty stood, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. “No, please show him into the parlor, Halston.”

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