Page 21 of Always the Bridesmaid, Never the Duchess
Viola, her eyes innocent and wide, picked up her glass, then asked, “And what of you, Miss Avery? Any prospects? Or have you decided that you prefer the company of your books instead?”
Kate glanced at her dining companion. The Viscount of Surry had a bit of carrot from his soup that had found its way onto his black cravat and nestled there. She sighed.I have no prospects either.“I—I—”
“Miss Avery has many prospects. She has had to put her own interests aside as she plans for her dear friend’s joyous occasion. A truly generous act, as I am sure you’ll all agree,” Andrew chimed in.
Kate gave him a small nod of thanks. Beside her, the Viscount of Surry cleared his throat. “I say, you have saved me a dance for me, have you not, Miss Avery?”
Kate plastered on a smile.No prospects indeed.
The next morning, Renwood Castle buzzed with excitement. Kate and Andrew had previously arranged for a game of Pall Mall for the guests. The day had kept its early morning promise of fair weather, and the sun shone down upon the lawns.
May DeClancy had begged Kate and Andrew to play, too. She had pouted so prettily that Andrew would be a poor sport if he failed to participate, so he found himself, mallet in hand, attempting to hit his ball down the alley and through the iron arch. Thus far, Kate’s skill at the game had been poor. He, however, had played admirably well.
After his last shot that rolled the ball through the iron gate, he turned and said, “Miss Avery, if you are able to win this round, I shall take back every cross word I said whilst we planned this wedding.”
Kate looked up from where she had been concentrating on her shot and grinned. “You know that I am usually quite a fair player at Pall Mall. Perhaps I have been holding back to secure a later victory.”
Andrew arched a brow and inclined his head toward the iron ring. “I hope you are.”
Kate prepared to take her shot when she heard a murmur of surprise from several of her guests. She looked up and saw her brother, Nicholas, striding across the green toward her, greeting guests as he passed by them. Several of the women turned their heads away.
When Nicholas arrived at her side, he gave her a cheeky smile. “Dearest sister Kate. This is a fine wedding you’ve planned for my former fiancée.” He leaned down and kissed her on her cheek.
Kate leaned in and hissed, “Why are you here? You promised to stay away.”
“Not now, dear sister. It wouldn’t do to make a scene. Not with so many people watching,” Nicholas whispered. He straightened and when he did, he saw Andrew standing nearby. He scowled and said, “I shall leave you to your esteemed guests, Kate.” He turned on his heel and stalked across the grass.
With his departure, the whispers from the guests returned in earnest with covert glances toward Kate. She sighed.Why would Nicholas do this to himself and to Julia? What game is afoot with him?
“Your shot, Miss Avery,” Lord Radford said, returning her attention to the game.
Lord Radford stood nearby and gave her a warm smile of encouragement. At the moment, Kate was grateful that he hadn’t commented on her brother’s unexpected arrival. His swarthygood looks and tall figure had many of the female guests whispering and sending bold glances in his direction. If Kate were to believe the gossip mills, Lord Radford left a trail of broken hearts in his wake. He was an acquaintance of Julia and her family, and Julia had explained that he had traveled extensively on the Continent over the years and enjoyed fine wine and food. When describing him, Julia had turned pink, so Kate assumed he would be handsome. Upon his arrival the previous evening, Kate discovered her assumption had been correct. He was an arresting figure.
“I should like to see you win this game, Miss Avery.” Lord Radford hoisted his mallet and let it rest upon one shoulder.
“Lord Radford, you honor me with your confidence in my skills,” Kate said. She tapped the ball with her mallet and gave a small laugh of triumph when it rolled within easy distance of the hoop.
Lord Radford stepped forward and gave Kate an appraising look. “My dear Miss Avery, you are not only an excellent player, but lovely, too.”
Andrew frowned.Is Radford flirting with Kate? Perhaps this is why Kate felt bold enough to ask for a dalliance with him. Maybe there is something between them.
Andrew watched as Lord Radford gave Kate a crooked smile, then stepped forward, and with a swift crack of his mallet against his own ball, it bounced across the lawn striking hers and sending it off behind a hedgerow.
“Lord Radford, you have sent my ball flying from the field of play,” Kate exclaimed.
“Come, Miss Avery. I shall help you fetch it.” Lord Radford held out his arm and Kate slipped her gloved hand into the crook of his elbow.
Andrew narrowed his eyes and opened his mouth to speak, but then stopped.Would she see my words as jealousy? Ridiculous notion. I am simply concerned about her safety. Radford is a depraved man. If not for me, Kate would be ruined now.
“Your turn again, Your Grace,” May DeClancy said. She waited as close as propriety would allow for him to take his shot.
Startled, he dropped his mallet and said, “I just remembered that I forgot to ask the gamekeeper to prepare a shoot for the men tomorrow.”
He hurried off at a discreet distance to where he had spotted Kate and Lord Radford slip between the hedges The maid, Sally, was close behind them, but her dress had snagged on a branch widening the gap between her and her mistress. Kate, engrossed in conversation with Lord Radford, failed to notice she was no longer accompanied by a chaperone.
“God’s truth! What can she be thinking?” Andrew muttered under his breath. He felt anger rise in his chest. Kate worried about her brother’s honor but cared too little for her own.
He heard voices near the fountain hidden within a secluded hedgerow. A pretty place for an illicit meeting between lovers.Or a naïve wallflower with no experience or sense enough to know when she has placed herself in a dangerous situation.
