Page 19 of Always the Bridesmaid, Never the Duchess
“And who, pray tell, is the lucky gentleman to win your heart?” Kate asked.
“The Viscount of Hampshire. He proposed a fortnight ago, and I am beside myself with joy. Soon I shall be the Viscountess of Hampshire. Isn’t it wonderful?” Viola bounced on her heels she was so happy.
Kate wished she did not feel jealous. She was happy for Viola, for she was a kind girl, if a trifle insipid, but it only served as a reminder of her own continued spinsterhood. She looked over Viola’s shoulder. “I apologize. I must greet my other guests. Let’s talk this evening. I want to hear all about your wedding plans.”
Viola and May moved on, both giggling and whispering as they talked and shared their happiness over Viola’s engagement. Asher Darby, the Viscount of Surry, stepped forward. He gave Kate an appraising look.
“Miss Avery, you look quite fetching today. Renwood Castle is the perfect place for a wedding ceremony. I understand your brother, the Viscount of Pembrooke, has gifted it to you.” He peered around the room over his sharp nose. “It’s quite a grand estate.”
“It is. Thank you. I believe you are a distant cousin of Miss Roves, correct?” Kate searched her memory for his lineage but found herself at a loss.
“Quite right. On her mother’s side.” The Viscount strode over and looked into the front parlor and nodded before returning to stand by Kate. “I hope you don’t think me too bold, Miss Avery, but I hope you will do me the honor of being my dinner companion this evening.”
“Oh! I have so many guests arriving…” Kate’s voice trailed off. An eligible bachelor had asked her to be his companion and she was hesitating? She gave him a gentle smile and flutteredher lashes as she had watched her friends do so many times. “I would be honored.”
The Viscount clapped his hands. “Excellent. Well, I shall excuse myself. I’d like to stretch my legs after the long carriage ride from town. I shall take a turn around the rear gardens.”
Kate watched him walk away. The Viscount of Surry was slim in build and his hair was the color of bleached linen. Kate couldn’t help but compare him with the Duke of Devonport. The Viscount came up wanting, but as she had no prospects, compromises had to be made.
A low voice behind her startled her from her musings. “He has no money to speak of.”
Kate whirled around and found herself facing the Duke. She blushed and looked away from his piercing blue eyes. “Why do you care, Your Grace? I thought you despised idle gossip and said you had little time for the pastime of old aunts?”
Andrew gave her a sardonic grin. “Touché, Miss Avery. I simply felt the need to inform you that the Viscount of Surry is in need of a wife and a home. He has gambled away his family’s fortune and is looking for an infusion of cash to sustain his addiction. In the spirit of our truce, I felt the need to warn you. Do as you wish.”
Kate felt a small frisson of happiness that he was concerned for her welfare. Lest he realize the effect his words had on her, shescowled and said, “I hardly see how his asking me to be his dining companion is akin to taking me as his wife.”
Andrew frowned. “Clearly, I overstepped my bounds, Miss Avery. I apologize.” He turned and strode away before Kate could say another word.
“Well, that did not go well,” Kate said quietly. She composed her face and then went to greet her remaining guests.
Chapter Nine
Kate knew she had laid her book of accounts somewhere. If only she could remember where. All the guests had been settled into their rooms, and she had a few spare moments to review her remaining list of wedding preparations. If only she could find her book! She scanned the shelves of her library to see if she had accidentally placed it on one, but the large, brown book was nowhere to be seen. She sat down upon the corner of her chaise and that is when she spotted it. It had fallen behind the large leather reading chair in the corner.
She hurried over to retrieve it, but it was wedged between the chair and the shelves. “Oh, what a dreadful place to fall!”
She considered asking for Mr. Scoville to retrieve it, but she knew her butler had been quite busy all day with the arrivals of the majority of the wedding guests. It would be cruel indeed for her to interrupt his mid-day break to fetch a book for her. No. She could do this herself.
Kate grasped the chair and tugged, but it failed to move. It was quite heavy with wooden feet the shape of a lion’s paws. It had been her father’s chair, and despite its fall from fashion, Kate held onto the massive thing. She tried again and this time found favor when it moved an inch.
“What are you doing?” Kate jumped back from the chair and as she did, a small curl escaped from the bun at the nape of her neck. It tickled against her cheek. She tried to sweep it away, but it fell right back down.
Andrew leaned against the doorframe. “Are you moving furniture as part of the wedding preparations? It seems a poor time to do so.”
Kate shook her head. “No. I am simply trying to move this chair so I can retrieve my book of accounts. It has all of our lists for the wedding, and it's gone and wedged itself between the chair and the shelves.”
Andrew sauntered into the room. He surveyed the large chair with the book tucked behind it. “I see your dilemma. This is quite a massive piece of furniture, isn’t it?”
“Yes, but it was my late father’s chair, and I could never part with it. He spent many an evening seated here reading stories to Nicholas and me.” Kate pulled again at the chair. “It is near and dear to my heart.”
“Let me do it.” Andrew removed his coat and handed it to her.
Kate grasped his coat and could smell a faint hint of leather and musk. She breathed it in while she admired his shoulders beneath his white linen shirt. His shoulders were wide then narrowed at his hips forming a pleasing V-shape that Kate imagined led to strong thighs. A trickle of delight ran through her and warmed her private region at the thought of seeing him naked.
He moved the large chair with ease and turned back to her. The top buttons of his shirt had come undone revealing his muscular throat and chest. Kate’s breath caught. Andrew heard her intake of breath and reached out and pulled her to him. He reached down and gently pushed the errant curl from her cheek.
“Your Grace, I—” Kate started to say, but he leaned in, and the words died on her lips. As his mouth moved closer to hers, she pressed herself into him. As his lips slowly touched hers, there was athumpand he quickly pulled away from her.
