Page 62 of An Offer for a Spinster
“Your lordship, Lord Geoffrey Barwood is here to see you.”
“Lord Barwood? So early? It isn’t even breakfast.”
Ruth pursed his lips. “Shall I tell him to come back later, your lordship?”
William sighed. “Tempting, but no. Show him in, please. And bring some tea, won’t you?”
“Very good, your lordship.”
Ruth bowed and retreated, leaving William with a minute or two to compose himself. He double-checked that the locket was hidden – something kept him from asking Lord Barwood about the woman – and just had time to paste on a polite smile before the door opened again, and Lord Geoffrey Barwood swaggered in.
“Morning,” he said, flinging himself into the chair opposite William’s desk without waiting to be asked. “Wasn’t sure if you’d be up or not. I see you managed to avoid that heinous party last night.”
William lifted his eyebrows. “Lady Amelia Spencer’s party? I heard it was very successful. Katherine had an excellent time.”
“Humph. I’m sure she would. No, it was nonsense, I’m afraid. Not even any dancing. They just talked about books a great deal. I was bored almost to tears. Still, one must do one’s duty, eh?”
“Of course,” William said, forcing a quick smile. The more he saw of Lord Barwood, the less he liked him. The man seemed to have that effect on most people. “I’m afraid it’s far too early to pay calls on Katherine this morning. I believe she’s still in bed. If you wanted to call back later…”
“No, it’s you I came to see, old boy,” Lord Barwood said disinterestedly, inspecting his nails. “Do you have a moment to talk?”
“Yes, I do,” William said reluctantly. “I’ve ordered tea.”
“Tea? At this time of the morning? No, thank you. Have you any brandy?”
“No, I’m afraid not,” William lied. “What’s the matter?”
“It’s good news, all good news, don’t worry,” Lord Barwood said, laughing. “It is about Katherine, though. I think I’ve made my intentions quite clear regarding her. Courtship, one would call it. There’s an understanding between us. I flatter myself I’ve been sufficiently clear, and she’s a bright enough girl to take my meaning, I think.”
“Yes, I understand.”
“Not everyone has,” Lord Barwood remarked, huffing. “There has been one gentleman in particular who doesn’t seem to understand the rules of the game, you know. Once a gentleman has laid claim to a lady, it behoves other gentlemen to back off, you know.”
William shifted in his seat, clearing his throat. “Well, the lady is aperson, you know, not a thing to be won.”
Lord Barwood gave a bark of amused laughter. “Just so, just so! Very funny, Will, very funny indeed. Well, I digress. That fellow’s opinions mean nothing at all. The less said, the better– I believe he’s an acquaintance of yours. But no matter, I’ve secured her understanding, I think, and I’ve made it very clear in the eyes of the world what my intentions are to our Lady Katherine. All very proper, within the right amount of time. I’ve been careful, I can promise you that.”
“Th-thank you,” William managed, not entirely sure how to take that comment. Lord Barwood dropped him a wink that he could not interpret, so he gave him a hesitant smile, instead.
“I’d like to marry her,” Lord Barwood said brusquely. “Lady Katherine, that is. I would like to marry her, so here am I. What do you say?”
There was a heartbeat of silence.
It wasn’t anentirelyunexpected conversation. William could see that Lord Barwood was pursuing Katherine – just like the rest of Society could see it – and it wasn’t beyond the realms of possibility that the man would come and request permission to address her.
“You’re asking my permission to approach her?” he said at last.
Lord Barwood frowned. “I’ve already been approaching her, at just about every party we both attended. I even went to a few painfully dull events because I knew she was there, and I wanted to speed along the process as much as it could be sped up. I’m asking your permission tomarryher.”
“Yes, yes, I know that, but I suppose what I mean is, what has Katherine said?”
“Beg your pardon?”
“Well, when you asked her to marry you, I assume she gave her consent?”
Lord Barwood pursed his lips together. It looked very much as if he were trying not to laugh.
“My dear boy, do you think I would approach herbeforegetting your consent? You’re her guardian, yes? The family head? Yours is the permission I need.”
