Page 57 of A Rogue to Resist
The first voice tittered. “And still young enough to provide an heir, which I understand is rather urgent in Lord Greythorne’s case.”
Katherine carefully lowered her cup to its saucer, fighting to maintain her composed expression despite the uncomfortable twist in her stomach.
She had accepted Lady Fairchild’s invitation only because Rosabel insisted she couldn’t remain in seclusion forever—not because she had any interest in Society gatherings where Drake Halston’s marital prospects were dissected with the enthusiasm usually reserved for hunting trophies.
Yet here she sat, unable to avoid hearing precisely such a discussion, conducted with typical aristocratic disregard for who might be listening.
“Lady Katherine,” a gentle voice intruded on her thoughts. “You seem distracted today.”
Katherine turned to find Lady Beauford studying her with shrewd eyes. The elderly woman had positioned herself beside Katherine early in the reception, declaring that she preferred “sensible conversation to mindless chatter about ribbons and romance.”
“Forgive me,” Katherine replied, forcing a smile. “I was momentarily lost in thought.”
“About Lord Greythorne and Lady Westmore, no doubt,” Lady Beauford observed with characteristic directness. “Their tête-à-tête by the window has become the afternoon’s primary entertainment.”
Despite herself, Katherine’s gaze followed Lady Beauford’s subtle nod toward the far side of the room, where Drake stood in conversation with a striking woman of perhaps thirty years. Lady Cecilia Westmore, widow of Viscount Westmore, was everything the gossiping ladies had described—elegant, self-possessed, and owning a fortune substantial enough to make her one of London’s most sought-after widows.
Unlike Katherine, who had deliberately maintained a low profile during her widowhood, Lady Westmore had embraced her independence with unapologetic enthusiasm. Her salons were famous for their intellectual conversations and artistic displays. Her charity work was extensive but selective, focused on causes that genuinely interested her rather than merely conferring social prestige.
In short, she was exactly the sort of woman who might appeal to someone like Drake—intelligent, independent, and unburdened by romantic illusions.
The thought made Katherine’s chest tighten uncomfortably.
“They make a handsome pair,” Lady Beauford continued, watching Katherine’s reaction closely. “Though not, I think, as compelling a match as other possibilities I’ve observed.”
Katherine dragged her attention back to her companion. “I’m sure Lord Greythorne will make whatever choice best serves his interests.”
“How coldly practical you sound,” Lady Beauford observed with a small smile. “One might almost believe you genuinely have no opinion on the matter.”
“Why should I have an opinion?” Katherine countered, perhaps too quickly. “Lord Greythorne’s marital choices are of no concern to me.”
“No?” Lady Beauford’s eyebrows rose. “Despite your shared interest in Greythorne’s management? Despite the considerable time you’ve spent in his company these past weeks? Despite the rather intense conversation you shared at your brother’s dinner party last evening?”
Katherine stiffened. “You’ve been remarkably well-informed about my activities, Lady Beauford.”
“I observe,” the older woman replied simply. “A habit acquired over six decades of navigating Society. And what I observe between you and the new Lord Greythorne is far more interesting than whatever calculation Lady Westmore is currently presenting to him.”
Before Katherine could formulate a suitably dismissive response, the drawing room doors opened to admit another group of visitors. The collective intake of breath that followed this new arrival drew Katherine’s attention to the entrance,where a strikingly handsome naval officer in full dress uniform stood scanning the room with confident ease.
“Captain Reginald Halston,” Lady Beauford murmured. “How fascinating.”
“Halston?” Katherine repeated, startled by the surname. “Is he related to Lord Greythorne?”
“A cousin of some degree,” Lady Beauford confirmed. “And, if gossip is to be credited, the next in line should the current earl fail to fulfil certain conditions of the entail within the prescribed time.”
Katherine felt a chill that had nothing to do with the temperature of the drawing room. “You seem remarkably well-informed about the Greythorne inheritance as well, Lady Beauford.”
The older woman’s smile was knowing. “My late husband was a lawyer with a particular interest in unusual entails. The Greythorne provision requiring marriage within a year of taking title was one he often cited as an example of dynastic anxiety overriding common sense.”
Across the room, Katherine saw Drake notice the captain’s arrival. Even from a distance, she could read the sudden tension in his posture, the slight narrowing of his eyes as he assessed this unexpected addition to the gathering.
Lady Westmore, observing Drake’s changed demeanour, turned to follow his gaze. Her expression registered recognition, followed by what appeared to be calculation.
“Interesting,” Lady Beauford murmured. “It seems Lady Westmore is acquainted with the captain.”
Indeed, the widow was already moving toward the new arrival, her hand extended in greeting. Captain Halston bowed over it with practiced gallantry, his smile suggesting a relationship beyond mere casual acquaintance.
Drake remained where he stood, watching the interaction with an expression Katherine couldn’t quite interpret from across the room. After a moment, Lady Westmore beckoned him forward, clearly intending to facilitate an introduction between the two Halston men.
