Page 66 of An Offer for a Spinster
Everybody was looking. Most of the guests were smiling inquisitively up at him, pleasantly confused, but Katherine saw strain and a flash of panic in William’s face.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” Lord Barwood said smoothly, smiling charmingly around. “I hope you’re all enjoying your meal. I think the time has come to tell you now that there is an ulterior motive to your being here.”
There was a chorus ofoohsandaahs. A nasty feeling of foreboding began to curl in Katherine’s gut. She felt sick.
“You will all know how highly I esteem Lady Katherine,” here he paused to grin down at her, lifting his glass in a mock salute, “and how much I am esteemed in return.”
People were nodding in agreement, smiling at him, smiling at Katherine.
No,she thought vaguely.No, no, no.
“And now the time has come to share with you all some exciting news,” he continued.
Katherine felt as though she’d been turned to stone. She was aware that she should dosomething– what, exactly, she wasn’t sure she knew – but her limbs seemed not to be responding to her. She could only stare up at Lord Barwood, offering no resistance when he leant down and picked up her hand, limp as a dead bird, and held it. She saw people’s gazes flicker down to their entwined hands, and saw those people’s faces soften and smile.
They think we’re in love.
“I intend to make Lady Katherine my wife,” Lord Barwood continued, “And she will then be my very own Lady Barwood. I have applied to her dear brother, William, for his consent which he has given,” here he paused to lift his glass towards William, who was staring in shock, “and now that our engagement is official, the preparations for the wedding itself can begin.”
On cue, the guests began to clap and cheer, offering congratulations. Lord Barwood accepted the congratulations for a moment or two, then lifted his glass into the air.
“Please join me in drinking to the health of my dearest betrothed, Lady Katherine. To your good health, my lady!”
There was a chorus of well-wishing, then everybody drained their glasses.
Well, not quite everybody. Alexander did not touch his glass. William was gripping his tightly, but he did not drink. Abruptly, Henry shoved his chair back from the table, so loudly and suddenly he made some of the other guests jump and stare in surprise. He glared at Lord Barwood, stared at his sister, then fixed a truly venomous glower on William. Then he turned on his heel and stamped out without another word, letting the door slam behind him.
“Perhaps we should have warned her brother ahead of time,” Lord Barwood said sweetly, and was greeted by a few relieved chuckles.
Everybody was talking now, the words swinging around Katherine’s head, making no sense at all. She glanced from face to face, seeing their smiles and meaningful nods, not returning any of them.
By tomorrow, the whole city will know that I’m engaged to Lord Barwood,she thought dumbly.If I say that I am not engaged, that I never was, none of them will believe me. It’ll count as me jilting him. He will be pitied and consoled, and I’ll be an outcast. I’ll never marry in time. Who’d want to marry a woman who has already jilted a man this Season? My life would be over.
Oh, he’s clever, indeed.
Katherine wondered briefly if Lord Barwood had intended to do this all along, or whether her comment about speaking to him later had made him realize that their relationship was coming to an end.
Either way, it was too late.
Katherine got mechanically to her feet, ignoring the comments and questions thrown her way. She was vaguely aware of one of her brothers calling her name, but really, it seemed to be coming from a hundred miles away.
“I am unwell,” Katherine said to no one in particular, then turned on her heel and strode out of the dining room.
“My poor fiancé,” she heard Lord Barwood saying behind her. “Too much excitement. Too manynovels, I should think.”
This was greeted by laughter. Nobody came after her.
Chapter Twenty-Two
The engagement was all over London. Of course, Timothy had heard it.
Lady Katherine Willoughby, engaged to Lord Geoffrey Barwood. Everybody had been expecting it, and nobody was surprised.
“They’ll make a handsome couple,” Amelia had remarked, although there was something in her voice which made Timothy think that perhaps not even she could get behind this marriage. “And everybody knew they had anunderstanding.”
“I didn’t think she liked him very much,” Timothy had said.
They were taking tea in the family drawing room, with Lady Rustford presiding, when he’d heard the news. It was hard to keep still and react with composure.
