Page 37 of Always the Bridesmaid, Never the Duchess
“Grandmother, are you ill?” He peered at her face.
She waved his concern away. “Stop fussing. I’m old, not infirm. I was simply lost in thought.”
Andrew offered his arm. “I thought you would sleep late this morning. I missed our morning breakfast.”
“I had breakfast with Miss Avery. She informed me that Harry still plans to marry Miss Roves. A most unfortunate turn of events, wouldn’t you agree?” She grasped his elbow and they continued to walk along the garden path with Mr. Tibbs trotting behind them.
“For Harry or Miss Roves?” Andrew asked.
She glared up at him. “You are being quite naughty. For both. Harry was a difficult child, and it appears he has become a difficult man. Miss Avery informed me that he was behind the rumors related to the Viscount of Pembrooke.”
“He admitted as much,” Andrew said. He stopped. “Grandmother, I feel it is my duty to inform the Viscount of Pembrooke of Harry’s deceit.”
Her wrinkled face grew somber. “It would be the honorable thing to do. But, what of Miss Roves? Although I find her conduct thoroughly distasteful, it will ruin her much more so than Harry. Society is quick to forgive the sins of a man. A woman in similar straits will pay for her crime for years to come.”
“I’m surprised at your kindness toward Miss Roves, Grandmother.”
She rapped his knuckles with her hand. “I’m not entirely without a heart for impetuous young girls. Lest you think I’m growing soft in my old age, I am simply thinking of Miss Avery.”
“Miss Avery? What of her?” She continued to walk, and Andrew was forced to keep going. “Grandmother. What of Miss Avery?”
The Dowager Duchess smiled. “You seem unusually concerned for the girl. Perhaps it was more than a mouse in the house last night.” Her eyebrow raised and she smirked at him.
Andrew felt a pang of concern. He loved his grandmother, but she was a notorious gossip. And despite their recent truce, she and the Dowager Viscountess had long been rivals. This would be a feather in his grandmother’s cap to best the Dowager Viscountess. “Miss Avery is above reproach. She has done nothing wrong.”
“Oh, calm yourself. I rather like the girl. She’s smart. Doesn’t cower under the bedsheets like most of the women you’ve kept company with.” She turned and said, “I’m finished dancingaround, Andrew. It’s time you married. Kate Avery would make an excellent wife for you.”
Andrew reared back. “Marry Miss Avery? The idea is absolutely ludicrous. Grandmother, I’m taking you back to the house and calling the doctor. You’ve gone quite mad.”
The old woman cackled. “Struck a discordant note there, didn’t I? What does that playwright say? Me thinks thou dost protest too much?”
Andrew scowled. “That’s not correct at all, but now is not the time to argue over Shakespeare.”
She patted his arm. “No, it’s not. We have more important things to discuss.”
Kate was in her library. She needed a moment’s respite from Lady Uxbridge’s pompous look. The woman had been insufferable all morning complaining about how tired she was to anyone who would listen. Finally, Kate excused herself and said she needed to check the final arrangements for the wedding breakfast tomorrow.
She shut the door behind her, telling Sally she needed a moment to herself. What she didn’t tell Sally is that she wanted to sit down and have a good cry. It was all too much, but she was not someone who liked to grow teary-eyed and wail abouther problems. She liked to think things through and solve the problem herself. Just as she had resolved to experience the touch of a man rather than wait for a marriage that would never happen. Now, even that had been thwarted.
Kate flounced down on her father’s chair and proceeded to try and cry. The tears wouldn’t come. She tried again. Dry as a bone.
“Well, this is a fine mess,” Kate said to herself.
“I don’t find it a mess at all,” a deep voice said from the corner.
Startled, Kate jumped up. Andrew lounged in a chair in the corner with Mr. Tibbs on his lap. His eyes were drowsy, and his hair was rumpled. He had clearly fallen asleep in her library and awoken looking absolutely gorgeous. Kate felt a small pang of jealousy. It took Sally at least an hour to make her presentable on any given day.
“That’s where Mr. Tibbs has disappeared to!” Kate hurried over to pick up her dog. Mr. Tibbs jumped down and ran over to his blanket by the fire.
Andrew grabbed her hand and pulled her down onto his lap. “I find myself in a quandary, Miss Avery.”
She arched a brow and tried to ignore how strong his thighs felt beneath the silk of her gown. “You do?”
He reached up and traced the outline of her lips with his finger. She opened her lips slightly. His touch sent a jolt of excitement through her. “I do. It seems I am finally alone with you. Your maid is missing. What shall I do with this stolen moment?”
“I—I don’t know.” Her breath grew tight as her excitement rose. She prayed no one would look for her. She struggled to keep her wits about her. “It’s a good opportunity for us to discuss the disaster scheduled tomorrow morning.”
He gave her a lazy smile. “Is that what you truly wish to speak with me about?”
