Page 50 of The Scandalous Love of a Duke
‘I am sure His Grace has better things to do, Kate. You should have said.’
The censure in his voice struck John and he saw it hit Katherine too. She turned an exquisite pink and her gaze dropped suddenly to her father’s shoes.
‘It was no trouble.’ John spoke up before her father could hurt her again. ‘I was coming past your door.’
‘We are hardly en route to Pembroke Place, Your Grace.’
‘True, but I am going to London, sir.’
The man visibly bristled. Apparently her father was as suspicious as her reverend. He had been so the other day but John had smoothed things with a little flattery. Katherine had accused him of manipulating people. He knew how to. He had learned that from his grandfather too.
‘You are going to London today?’ Katherine looked at him.
He had intended telling her when they walked to the door. Her father had stolen that opportunity. But John needed to speak to Harvey and sort out the mess Wareham had created.
‘I will return on Wednesday, for your sister’s celebration.’
Her eyes shimmered with uncertain emotions as she looked at him.
‘Go indoors, Katherine,’ her father said.
Had her father seen her sad look? Had she given them away?
She sent John a swift apologetic smile, full of insecurity, the Katherine he had met in town, and bobbed a curtsy. ‘Your Grace. Thank you for driving me home,’ she added more quietly.
‘You are welcome.’
After that, she was gone in an instant.
‘May I speak with you privately?’ Her father’s words sent a chill running down John’s spine. He nodded, and then followed the man inside.
There was a sense of the absurd in this moment. Katherine’s father was a meaningless nothing of a man in John’s world and John was at least three inches taller than him. Yet he was treating John like a schoolboy about to get a telling-off. Laughter tickled at the back of John’s throat.
He was led into Spencer’s study and the door was shut behind him.
‘I am no fool, Your Grace,’ her father opened, standing before the window.
John stared at him, not sure what he was saying.
‘You may leave my daughter alone after today. I do not wish to see you speaking with her privately nor showing her particular attention. You will leave her be, do you understand?’
The foolish man. John did not like being told what he could and could not do, yet, speaking against him took courage. ‘You of all people, sir, are aware of my long-standing connection with Katherine. She values my friendship and I hers.’
‘And do you take advantage of that friendship, Your Grace?’ There was a bitter challenge in Spencer’s voice.He spoke as though he knew what had happened.
‘No.’ John denied it.
‘My daughter is judged enough for her birth, Your Grace. She does not need vultures circling over her to add to her pain. If you have any conscience, cease preying on her and leave her be.’
‘I would not hurt her,’ John answered instinctively.
‘Then is it marriage you are thinking of?’
A painful fist braced about John’s heart, winding him and preventing him from answering. Of course it was not marriage. She could never be his wife.
‘I thought not,’ Spencer answered, looking at John as though John were the carrion. ‘Then I ask again – please leave my daughter alone.’
No. He was not letting her go, her father and her reverend be damned. ‘If Katherine wishes for my friendship, sir, she shall have it.’ John turned away.
