Page 9 of The Virgin in the Rake's Bed
“That is surely the truth,” he said, and the Earl of Westwood grimaced.
“You have not heard the last of this Broderick,” he said, and stormed off across the room.
“He should not have assumed, and neither should you, father,” Catherine said, turning to her father, who seemed quite put out by the matter, though had seemed to realize there was nothing he could do about it except to accept the situation as it was.
“Catherine, what is this all about?” a voice behind her asked, and she turned to find Rebecca and Samantha staring at her.
“I think I shall leave you to explain,” Ian said, and squeezing her hand, he slipped off into the throng, followed by Rickard, who continued to question him.
Rebecca took Catherine by the arm, and she and Samantha led her off to the side of the room, the other guests congratulating her as she went.
“Ian Bennet? You told us nothing about this,” Samantha hissed, as Rebecca shook her head.
“What happened to Hamilton Asquith? Were you not intent on seducing him? This is all very confusing, Catherine,” Rebecca said, shaking her head.
Catherine laughed. She was enjoying this ruse and had evidently succeeded in fooling everyone. “It is not what you think,” she said, and leaning forward, she explained everything which had occurred in the library between her and Ian Bennet. When her explanation had come to an end, Samantha and Rebecca looked at one another in astonishment.
“I am not sure what is worse, Catherine, seducing Hamilton Asquith so that you might create a scandal and destroy your prospects or create the illusion of a false marriage with a man who has no intention of marrying you. What will happen when the truth is known?” Rebecca asked, and Catherine rolled her eyes.
“I have not had a chance to think it through, the suggestion was so sudden, but it has certainly saved me from a far worse fate,” she explained.
It was true, she had not. At some point, the simple act of betrothal – whether real or not – would have to become a plan for marriage, a date would have to be set, the invitations organized and so forth. How long could the illusion last?
But Catherine was not worried about this, all she cared about was the moment, and in that moment, she had got what she wished for – an end to any talk of her marrying the Earl of Westwood.
“But it will soon become common knowledge that the betrothal is a fake,” Samantha exclaimed.
“And by that time, the Earl of Westwood will have married a more suitable lady and will care nothing for what I have done. I have told you before, I do not wish to marry anyone, least of all an elderly aristocrat not long for this world,” Catherine replied, smiling at her two friends, whose incredulity and astonishment she could not readily understand.
As far as she was concerned, the matter was settled. In a few months, the engagement could be called off and quietly pushed aside. It would give Catherine the chance to seek a more suitable match or remain a spinster – something she was entirely happy to do.
For now, she would gladly play along with the game and make out that she and Ian Bennet were very much in love. After all, there were far worse propositions than a handsome man whose kiss she had rather enjoyed.
“And what happens when the truth is revealed?” Samantha asked, and Catherine smiled.
“Well, perhaps it will not be. Perhaps we really will be married,” she said, the thought not entirely without its merits…
Chapter Six
“Marrying my sister, and you thought nothing of telling me?” Rickard demanded, as he and Ian helped themselves from the punch bowl.
“Really, Rickard, what does it matter? She is happy, I am happy, and you should be happy,” Ian replied, dismissing his friend’s concerns with a casual wave of his hand.
“But I thought you… all those rules you spoke of, and the fact that you were hurt by Cassandra. You as much as admitted that you could never trust a woman again, not ever,” he said, and Ian smiled.
“Are you saying that your own sister is not trustworthy?” he asked, and Rickard scowled at him.
“I am not saying that, and you know it. But all that talk about rules and not falling in love. Surely, you are in love if you have asked my sister to marry you,” he said, and Ian shrugged.
“Listen to me, Rickard,” he said, not wanting to expose the truth of the false engagement to his friend. “Marrying your sister has certain… advantages for me. She is a charming, intelligent, and very pretty young lady, and there is no hardship in it for me, but also a convenience is gained, and an advantage in business,” he said.
“Yes, I can see that,” Rickard replied.
Ian was a man of business, as was Catherine’s father; he held considerable investments in the colonies, involved with the Duke of Sinclair, Nicholas’ father. Ian knew that after consideration, Catherine’s father would not be happy with his daughter marrying a business rival, the intrigues of financial matters enough to cause irreparable rifts amongst even the closest of families.
“If I marry your sister, then I gain certain advantages which may be beneficial to us all, for are you not to inherit your father’s assets on his death,” he said, and Rickard nodded.
“What you say is true, I just wish you had told me first,” Rickard replied, and Ian put his hand on his shoulder and smiled.
