Page 58 of A Rogue to Resist
“How obliging of her,” Lady Beauford observed dryly. “Ensuring the current earl and his potential replacement become properly acquainted.”
Katherine felt a surge of protectiveness toward Drake that surprised her with its intensity. “Captain Halston cannot possibly expect to inherit. Lord Greythorne has only to marry—any suitable lady would be eager to accept his proposal.”
“Indeed?” Lady Beauford’s penetrating gaze returned to Katherine’s face. “Yet he hasn’t secured a bride, despite the Season being well advanced and his deadline approaching. One might wonder why.”
Katherine had wondered precisely that, particularly after witnessing Drake’s evident disinterest in the eligible young ladies her brother had presented. Even Lady Elizabeth Crawford, widely considered the Season’s greatest beauty, had failed to capture his sustained attention.
“Perhaps he simply hasn’t found a compatible match,” Katherine suggested, striving for a neutral tone.
“Or perhaps,” Lady Beauford countered gently, “he has found compatibility where he least expected it, but believes it unavailable to him.”
Katherine’s cheeks warmed under the older woman’s knowing gaze. “I’m sure I don’t know what you mean.”
“Of course not, my dear.” Lady Beauford patted her hand sympathetically. “But you might consider whether your determination to avoid another marriage is worth watching a worthy man ally himself with someone like Lady Westmore—or worse, lose Greythorne to that naval opportunist currently charming his way through Lady Fairchild’s drawing room.”
Before Katherine could formulate a response to this startlingly direct advice, they were interrupted by the arrival of Rosabel, who settled gracefully onto the settee beside them.
“Lady Beauford,” she greeted the older woman warmly. “I see you’ve been keeping Katherine company. I hope she hasn’t been too poor a conversationalist—she’s been rather distracted these past days.”
“Understandably so,” Lady Beauford replied with a significant glance toward Drake, who was now engaged in what appeared to be stiffly polite conversation with Captain Halston, Lady Westmore observing them both with evident interest.
Rosabel followed her gaze and sighed softly. “I see the captain has made his appearance at last. James mentioned he had returned to London recently.”
“You know of him?” Katherine asked, surprised.
“James made inquiries when we learned of the entail’s conditions,” Rosabel explained in a low voice. “Given Lord Greythorne’s deadline, it seemed prudent to understand who might benefit should he fail to meet its terms.”
“And what did your inquiries reveal?” Lady Beauford asked, leaning forward with interest.
Rosabel glanced around to ensure they weren’t overheard. “Captain Halston has distinguished himself in naval service, by all accounts. Recently granted shore leave to recover from an injury sustained during a skirmish with French privateers. Unmarried, but rumoured to be seeking a suitable alliance before returning to active duty.”
“How convenient,” Lady Beauford observed. “Shore leave precisely when the Greythorne inheritance hangs in the balance.”
“James thought the same,” Rosabel agreed. “Particularly as the captain appears to have developed a sudden interest in estate management—a subject that reportedly never concerned him before.”
Katherine’s unease deepened as she watched the interaction across the room. Captain Halston’s handsome face was animated as he spoke, his manner confident to the point of arrogance. Drake’s expression remained carefully neutral, though Katherine could read the tension in his jaw, the slight stiffness in his shoulders that indicated carefully controlled irritation.
Lady Westmore, meanwhile, observed them both with the air of someone watching a particularly interesting chess match. After a few minutes of conversation, she placed a hand on Drake’s arm, drawing his attention away from the captain. Whatever she said caused Drake to look at her with new attention, his expression shifting from polite restraint to genuine interest.
The sight of Lady Westmore’s elegant fingers resting on Drake’s sleeve sent an unreasonable spike of jealousy through Katherine’s chest.
“It appears Lady Westmore has something compelling to say,” Rosabel murmured, watching the interaction with the same attention Katherine couldn’t help but give it.
“Undoubtedly proposing a mutually beneficial arrangement,” Lady Beauford suggested. “She’s a practical woman, Cecilia Westmore. And remarkably direct when it suits her purposes.”
Katherine’s fingers tightened around her teacup. “What sort of arrangement?”
“Marriage, of course,” Lady Beauford replied matter-of-factly. “She has wealth and independence but lacks the socialstanding a new title would provide. He needs a bride quickly, preferably one who understands the pragmatic nature of such unions. They’re ideally suited—at least on paper.”
Katherine felt as though the air had been suddenly drawn from her lungs.
Of course, Lady Westmore would see the opportunity presented by Drake’s situation. And of course, Drake would recognize the practicality of such an alliance. It was the perfect solution to his dilemma—a marriage based on mutual respect and shared understanding of its purpose, without messy emotional entanglements.
Exactly what he needed. Exactly what Katherine had told herself she wanted for him.
So why did the prospect fill her with such dread?
“Katherine?” Rosabel’s concerned voice penetrated her distress. “Are you unwell? You’ve gone quite pale.”
