Page 72 of A Rogue to Resist
Katherine’s heart gave a peculiar lurch. “Drake—Lord Greythorne was here? When?”
“This morning, my lady, not long after you departed with the duke. He seemed quite... determined to speak with you.”
“Did he leave a message?” Katherine asked, struggling to maintain a casual tone despite the sudden acceleration of her pulse.
“No, my lady. Though he did encounter Mr. Collins in the yard as he was leaving. They spoke briefly, but I couldn’t hear what was said.”
Something about Mrs. Winters’ manner suggested there was more to the story.
“And?” Katherine prompted.
The housekeeper hesitated. “Mr. Collins mentioned that his lordship rode off rather abruptly after their conversation. In the direction of Thornfield Park.”
Katherine felt the blood drain from her face. “Thornfield? Are you certain?”
“According to Mr. Collins, yes. Though I cannot verify it myself.”
A cold knot of dread formed in Katherine’s stomach.
If Drake had followed her to Thornfield Park, had he seen her with Lord Clifton? Had he witnessed their walk through the rose garden, their seemingly intimate conversation? From a distance, without context, it would have appeared exactly as James had intended—a courtship visit between a respectable widow and an eligible suitor.
“Is there anything else I should know?” Katherine asked, her voice sounding distant to her own ears.
Mrs. Winters glanced toward the small salver on the entry table. “A note arrived from Viscountess Eastwood shortly after midday. I placed it in your sitting room as it appeared to be of a personal nature.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Winters. I’ll take tea in my sitting room.”
“Of course, my lady.”
Katherine made her way upstairs, her thoughts in turmoil. Why had Drake come to Willow Park? What had been so urgent that he had tracked her to Thornfield? And what conclusions had he drawn from seeing her there with Lord Clifton?
Her sitting room, a sanctuary of feminine comfort overlooking the gardens, offered little solace today. Katherine moved automatically to her writing desk where Hilaria’s note lay waiting. Why would Rosabel’s sister be writing to her? They usually exchanged contact through Rosabel or directly in person whenever their paths crossed.
Had Bel known her sister would be contacting her? Unease settled over Katherine before she’d even read the missive.
Breaking the seal, Katherine unfolded the single sheet of paper. Hilaria’s elegant but almost impatient handwriting covered barely half the page, but the few lines it contained struck Katherine with the force of a physical blow.
My dear Katherine,
I’m sorry to bear controversial news, but you know I have connections everywhere. I’ve just received word that Lord Greythorne has prepared to offer for Lady Eleanor Thornhill. The announcement is expected in the papers soon. Knowing your attachment to Greythorne estate, I thought you should be prepared for this news before encountering it in society and I thought you might not hear since you were traveling with Bel and Wexford today.
With affection,Hilaria
“No,” Katherine whispered, the paper trembling in her suddenly unsteady hands. “No, it can’t be.”
But Hilaria would not have written if she weren’t certain. The viscountess had never been given to idle gossip or speculation.
Drake had accepted Lady Westmore’s proposal. He was to be married.
Katherine sank into the nearest chair, her legs no longer capable of supporting her. A curious numbness spread through her limbs as the implications of this news sank in.
Drake had chosen the practical solution after all.
The wealthy widow with her straightforward proposition, her lack of romantic expectations, her willingness to resolve the boundary dispute as a simple business transaction. Everything neat, orderly, resolved—exactly as a businessman would prefer.
Except the Drake she had come to know these past weeks wasn’t merely a businessman. He was passionate about Greythorne, fiercely protective of its tenants, unwilling to accept expedient solutions when better ones could be found through effort and ingenuity.
Had she misread him so completely? Had the connection she felt between them been entirely one-sided?
