Page 18 of Always the Bridesmaid, Never the Duchess
“Come sit with me awhile, Tibbs. I am sure you’re exhausted, too. New smells and people milling about the estate. It’s too much at times.” Kate scratched Tibbs behind his ears once he settled himself next to her.
Kate opened the volume to her favorite poet, John Donne, but his words brought her no comfort. Instead, they returned her to the last time she’d read his works when Andrew and she had their confrontation in the garden.
She sighed and flipped the page to another poet who wrote of the sea rather than relationships and love. Infinitely safer, but far less satisfying. Her eyes soon fluttered and before she hadfinished reading a page, she was fast asleep with Tibbs by her side.
“Don’t fuss, Andrew!” the Dowager Duchess exclaimed. “I simply stated that I was tired from my journey, and I wished to rest. I don’t need you hovering like a worried old aunt by my side. Go and find Miss Avery. I am quite sure she has her hands full with all of the guest arrivals and finishing touches for the ceremony.”
Andrew reared back. His grandmother usually indulged his worries about her health and at times, seemed to revel in the attention. Since they had arrived at Renwood Castle, however, she had been in a foul temper and wished to be free of his company.
“Fine. I shall leave you to rest. As you said, Miss Avery is sure to need my assistance, although she’s proven herself quite capable the past week. I’ve scarce heard more than a peep of argument from her with regard to the wedding. We have worked together hand-in-hand, and I truly hope Harry appreciates my sacrifice.”
What Andrew did not share was that he did not look forward to the end of the wedding as much as he first thought. As the memory returned of their harsh words to each other prior to their truce, he also remembered how enticing Kate had looked with the anger sparking in her warm, brown eyes and the flush of her skin when he touched her.
Shaking the memory from his mind, he leaned down and kissed his grandmother on the cheek. “I’ll check on you shortly.”
The Dowager Duchess shooed him away with his hand. “Out!”
Andrew strode down the steps. When he saw Mr. Scoville, he stopped. “Mr. Scoville, where might Miss Avery be?”
Mr. Scoville, his face impassive, said, “I believe she has secreted herself away in the library, Your Grace.”
“Thank you.” Andrew nodded his thanks.
“Pardon me, Your Grace. I hope I am not being too bold when I suggest saving a small tidbit for Tibbs. It might go a long way to winning the furry beast over to your side.” Mr. Scoville bowed and turned to head to the door as the sound of an arriving carriage called him to his duties.
Kate’s servants are efficient and astute.Andrew decided to make his way to the kitchen to see what small morsel he could acquire to soothe the snarling little dog that Kate clearly held so dear.
In the kitchen, he discovered Mrs. Humphrey, rosy-cheeked and scurrying about preparing for the mid-day meal. He considered turning and leaving rather than disturbing her, but she looked up from her task and smiled. “Your Grace! My goodness, what brings you down here? Where is Mr. Scoville, he should not have--”
“Please do not fuss. The impropriety is mine. I apologize for interrupting, Mrs. Humphrey, but I don’t suppose you might have a morsel for Tibbs? I seem to be on his wrong side.” Andrew felt silly, but he was determined to complete his plan to win over the little dog first.
Mrs. Humphrey nodded her head. “He’s quite the devil at times, he is. Tibbs likes a bit of bone, so I save them in a crock in the larder.” She wiped her flour-covered hands on her apron. “One moment, Your Grace, and I shall get one for you.”
Mrs. Humphrey fetched a small bone from the larder and handed it to him wrapped in a bit of cloth. She bobbed a curtsey, and he nodded his thanks to Mrs. Humphrey before returning to the library. When he opened the door, he thought at first it was empty, but then he spied Kate asleep on the chaise, a green book resting upon her bosom. Sally had nodded off to sleep in the corner, so he quietly eased the door shut behind lest the noise from arriving guests wake them both.
Tibbs's dark head popped up and his lips pulled back to show his small, white teeth. Andrew pulled the bone from his trouser pocket and offered it to the dog. Tibbs leaped down from the chaise and trotted over to Andrew.
Squatting down, Andrew held out the treat. “You may have this, you furry devil, but only if you promise to be friends from this point forward.”
Tibbs wagged his tail in response and sat down on his haunches to wait for the bone. His dark eyes had lost their glint of malice,so Andrew smiled and gave up the bone. “A truce reached between us as well, old boy.” He reached out and patted Tibbs's head, and the dog’s tail swished his agreement.
With his first mission accomplished, Andrew moved stealthily across the wide oak floors. Still fast asleep, Andrew gazed down at her face. In repose, Kate’s face was pretty, but it did not hold the fire that made her so appealing and so frustrating. He watched the rise and fall of her bosom and felt a stirring. How would it feel to lie next to her following a rousing night of passion?
He pushed the thought from his head. It would be foolish to entertain such a thought. Kate may stir the heat in his loins, but she was frustrating and stubborn. He certainly did not need such an obstinate woman in his life nor in his bed.
Andrew glanced down at the title of the book resting upon her chest. It was a book of love poems. Andrew smiled. Perhaps Kate hid more passion behind her outspoken ways than he realized. A curl had escaped and lay against her rosy cheeks. He carefully reached down and tucked it behind her ear, careful not to awaken her. Taking one last glance at her, he left without waking her.
Kate felt the smile on her face grow weary as she greeted another arriving guest. Although she enjoyed speaking with her peers and seeing familiar faces arrive, her nerves were stretched from worrying over the wedding and checking every detail to ensurethat everyone would be happy Kate wished nothing more than to retire to her bedchamber and awaken the morning of the wedding.
“Greetings, Miss Avery.” Viola DeClancy stepped forward with her sister, May, scurrying behind her. May was the lovelier of the two sisters, but Viola had the more forceful personality.
“Miss DeClancy, how delightful of you and your sister to attend.” Kate inclined her head toward May.
“It is a lovely setting for a fall wedding. I, myself, will host a winter wedding for my upcoming nuptials,” Viola said, giving Kate an expectant look.
Kate felt a lump form in her stomach. Another friend to marry. Forcing a wide smile, Kate grasped Viola’s hands. “Are you to wed, then?”
Viola tittered and nodded her head, causing her golden curls to bounce along with her giving her an unfortunate resemblance to a hen. “A Christmas wedding!”
