Page 36 of Always the Bridesmaid, Never the Duchess
Kate cut her eyes away from his. Mr. Scoville was discreet and her most trustworthy servant. She had nothing to fear from him, and she knew he would stop any gossip amongst the servants. “Has Lord Radford departed?”
“Yes, m’lady. He left before the sun was up.”
Kate nodded. At least that was one less person for her to concern herself with today. She turned to go to the dining room, but then she hesitated. “Mr. Scoville, if you see my brother, could you tell him I wish to speak with him?”
“Very good.” Mr. Scoville inclined his head.
Kate didn’t hurry to the dining room. She was leery of speaking with the Dowager Duchess after her cutting remarks last night.She had been quick to threaten Kate with dishonor, and it left Kate feeling disgruntled with the older woman.
The Dowager Duchess looked up when Kate entered the room. She had been buttering a piece of bread, but she put down her knife and motioned for Kate to join her.
“Good morning, Miss Avery. I’m surprised to see you up so early after last night.”
Kate sat down and allowed the maid to pour her a cup of tea before speaking. “I felt it best to be present when guests awoke. Quell any gossip before it has a chance to spread. It would never do to have the wedding disrupted tomorrow.”
The Dowager Duchess had been picking up her tea to take a sip, but she set the cup down with a clatter causing the tea to spill. A maid rushed forward to clean it, but a stern look from the dowager stopped the girl in her tracks. “Leave it” She glowered at Kate. “You mean Harry intends to go forward with this sham?”
“Apparently. As a matter of fact, he insisted.” Kate set down her tea. She would not be intimidated by this woman. “It seems the Earl of Winfield was the source of the rumor about my brother. It was all a fabrication so that he could step in and marry Miss Styles himself. It would be a shame if people learned of his machinations, wouldn’t you agree?”
The Dowager Duchess made a disapproving noise and motioned for the maid to remove her cup. “Bring me a fresh cup and a newpot of tea. This one was tepid at best.” After the maid scurried away, the teacup rattling in its saucer in her haste to be gone, the Dowager Duchess leaned forward. “It appears that we have no choice but to move forward as if nothing has occurred. I shall rely on your discretion.”
“And I on yours,” Kate said, masking a smile by lifting her teacup to her lips. At least she had managed to stop one bit of gossip from making its way forward. Hopefully, the other guests in the nearby rooms hadn’t been privy to the events. Kate could only hope most were sound sleepers. Lady Uxbridge would need to be placated with a reasonable story, but Kate felt confident that at least the Dowager Duchess would help her in that regard.
Kate relaxed, but when the Dowager Duchess rapped her cane on the floor, she looked up with a start. The woman was watching her and for a moment, Kate felt like a butterfly pinned in place by a lepidopterist. That cane really was intimidating. Between her disapproving harrumphs and her cane, the Dowager Duchess was a formidable woman.
“What were you and my grandson doing in the hallway last night?”
Kate started to speak, but the Dowager Duchess interrupted her before she could form a suitable response. “I don’t want any more nonsense about a mouse.” Her expression was shrewd. “I’ve watched you, Miss Avery, and you are no shrinking violet cowering from vermin and eight-legged beasties. I want to know what you were doing with my grandson.”
“We happened upon each other by chance. It was a mere coincidence.” Kate lifted her chin. She could be formidable herself if the need arose. “In the dim candlelight, it must be hard to see. And I understand you were quite tired. Perhaps your eyes deceived you.”
The Dowager Duchess barked out a laugh. “Well done, Miss Avery. Stop any rumors about inappropriate behavior in their tracks. That will do quite nicely. I would hate for your reputation to be sullied. You are a vivacious and bright woman. An excellent counterpart to Andrew.” Her look grew cunning. “I think my grandson has grown fond of his friendship with you.”
Kate blushed. “I’ve enjoyed planning the wedding with His Grace.”
Before the Dowager Duchess could respond, Julia waltzed in with the DeClancy sisters. She wore a gown of azure blue with cream-colored lace at the cuffs and neckline. Her hair was as well-coifed as always, but her face was pale, and her eyes had dark circles. Her smile was forced, but Julia seemed determined to put on a happy face.
“Good morning, Miss Avery.” Julia nodded to Kate before turning to the Dowager Duchess. “Good morning, Your Grace. I hope you slept well.”
The Dowager Duchess’s lips tightened. “Well enough considering the circumstances. Miss Avery, I believe I shall take a walk around the grounds. I find the morning air bracing and agood way to stave off any illness. If you see my grandson, please have him join me.”
“Yes, Your Grace,” Kate said.
As the Dowager Duchess walked by Julia and the DeClancy sisters, she lifted her nose in the air, not bothering to speak to them. The message was clear. She was not happy with the outcome of the previous evening’s events. Words could cut, but actions wounded to the bone. Kate didn’t blame the dowager for her disapproval. Not only had the entire weekend become a charade and a lie, but Kate’s secret tryst with Andrew had also been interrupted. What else could go wrong?
Chapter Sixteen
Andrew had arisen after only a few hours of rest. He had slipped out of the house with Mr. Tubbs trotting behind him. His small tail wagged in rhythm to his steps. Now that the little dog had decided he was worthwhile, Andrew found himself glad of the company. He needed to clear his head and decide what to do about the upcoming wedding and his attraction to Kate.
As the sun rose over the hills, the morning mist evaporated. He climbed to the top of one hill and sat down on a large outcropping rock. The air was crisp and smelled of the dark, rich earth around him. Mr. Tibbs settled down next to him. His small pink tongue was out as he panted. Andrew reached down and ruffled the fur behind the dog’s ears.
“It’s a beautiful bit of countryside, isn’t it, boy?” Andrew said, feeling content. Renwood Castle lay below him. He spied the hedge maze with its fountain in the middle and the small spire that rose from the family chapel. Beyond the immediate castle grounds, small cottages dotted the fields. He could even see thesmall, round shape of a flock of sheep as they nibbled grass. These had to be the homes of the estate’s tenant farmers. To Andrew’s keen eyes, they all appeared well-kept and maintained. Clearly, the Avery family made good landlords. There were quite a few of his peers who could learn a lesson from Kate. It gave him a new sense of respect for Kate and her brother Nicholas. He admired people who were stewards of the land and the people. It was something he hoped others would say of him.
He thought about Nicholas Avery, the Viscount of Pembrooke. Would Kate tell him of Harry’s lies? Of course, she would. Her loyalty lay with her brother. She may be a close friend of Miss Roves, but blood was always thicker than the bonds of friendship. He sighed and picked up a smooth pebble. He chucked it down the hillside and watched as it landed and tumbled downward. That he should continue supporting the sham marriage between Harry and Miss Roves was a bitter taste in his mouth.
A spark of anger flared. Miss Roves reminded him of his own mother and her betrayal of his father. She had left without a backward glance or care for his father or for him. As far as he knew, she had run off to live with her lover. Andrew hadn’t heard from her since the day she left. Nor did he care to know what became of her. If Harry and Miss Roves married, they would lead bitter and resentful lives. What would become of any children born to the union? Would they find themselves as unhappy as he had as a boy? Then he thought of Julia and how she had been wronged. Maybe he was judging her more harshly due to his own experience. That wasn’t fair to her. She was not Andrew’s mother.
These morose thoughts weighed heavily in his mind as he walked back to Renwood. As he neared the grounds, he spotted his grandmother walking slowly through the gardens. She leaned heavily on her cane. Andrew hurried to her, worried she had become ill on her daily morning walk.
