Page 4 of A Rogue to Resist
“Oh, don’t ‘Lady Beauford’ me, Your Grace,” the woman replied, unrepentant.
“We all know what kind of husband Edmund Halston was.” She patted Katherine’s hand. “And now you’re free of him, with a tidy fortune to boot. The question is, what will you do with your freedom, my dear?”
Katherine felt a rush of warmth for the forthright old woman.
“Enjoy it, primarily,” she answered honestly. “Though I do have some plans for improvements at Willow Park.”
Lady Beauford nodded approvingly. “Your dower property. Sensible of you to focus there rather than on Greythorne lands.”
“The new earl is welcome to Greythorne and all its entanglements,” Katherine said, unable to keep a hint of bitterness from her voice. “I have no desire to involve myself in its management any longer.”
“And yet,” Lady Beauford said shrewdly, “I hear the new Lord Greythorne may have other ideas.”
Katherine stiffened. “News travels quickly.”
“It always does when it concerns a handsome bachelor and a wealthy widow,” the old woman replied with a knowing look. “Particularly when said bachelor has requested a meeting with said widow.”
“For estate matters only,” Katherine clarified firmly.
She really wanted to demand how the other woman could possibly know that when she herself had just found out.
“Of course,” Lady Beauford agreed, her tone making it clear she believed nothing of the sort. “Though I must say, from what I’ve glimpsed of Drake Halston, ‘estate matters’ might prove more interesting than you anticipate.”
“You’ve seen him?” Rosabel asked, curiosity evident in her voice.
“Leaving White’s, with my nephew,” Lady Beauford confirmed. “Tall, broad-shouldered, with the most arresting grey eyes. Quite the contrast to poor Edmund, who always put me in mind of a dyspeptic weasel.”
Katherine choked on a startled laugh, earning several curious glances from nearby guests.
“Lady Beauford, you are incorrigible,” Rosabel said, fighting her own smile.
“At my age, one earns the right to speak plainly,” the woman replied with a dismissive wave.
She fixed her sharp gaze on Katherine. “My advice, dear girl? Don’t go into this meeting expecting another Edmund. You might find yourself dealing with a very different sort of man entirely.”
Before Katherine could respond, a commotion near the entrance drew their attention. A ripple of whispers spread through the room as heads turned toward the doorway.
“Well, well,” Lady Beauford murmured, “it appears another scandal is brewing.”
Katherine followed her gaze to where a cluster of young ladies had gathered around an unfamiliar gentleman near the entrance to the card room. Though she could only see his profile, something about his confident stance made her breath catch unexpectedly.
“Who is that?” she asked, trying to sound merely curious.
“Lord Carrington’s youngest,” Lady Beauford replied.
“Just returned from the Continent with a host of scandalous stories, if rumours are to be believed. The mamas are already plotting his capture, poor man.” She chuckled. “Though something tells me he’s not so easily caught.”
Katherine relaxed marginally, relieved it wasn’t Greythorne after all. “Another fortune hunter, no doubt.”
“You’ve become quite cynical for one so young,” Lady Beauford observed, studying her with shrewd eyes.
“Realistic,” Katherine corrected. “Life has taught me the true nature of men.”
“Some men,” Rosabel interjected gently. “Not all.”
“Enough to know I have no desire to repeat the experience of marriage, at the very least,” Katherine replied firmly.
Lady Beauford patted her hand. “Wise to be cautious, my dear, but do remember—not every man is Edmund Halston.”
