To Tame a Scoundrel's Heart (A Waltz with a Rogue Novella Book 4) (9 page)

Precious, loyal dear.

“Surely a plausible explanation exists if, indeed, the Belamonts are correct.” Patting his mouth with his serviette, Nic murmured the comment for Katrina’s ears alone, and she gave a jerky nod.

So Richard had absentmindedly named the wrong township?

Unlikely as snow in July. Pink snow.

Stop.

Richard hadn’t lied to her before. Had he? His many absences—a week or two at a time ... Not uncommon for an officer, but a faultless defense against a woman’s qualms and suspicions.

“Trust him.” Another whispered encouragement from Nic amidst the stilted conversations the others attempted in order to cover the dreadful awkwardness.

The diners could no more have ignored the Belamonts’ insinuations than they could’ve a singing, dancing goat upon the table. Bless Nic for trying. Once more, he sought to reassure Katrina, this man she’d known but three days.

She had trusted Richard. Until now. She loathed the suspicion tangling her thoughts, cramping her lungs, barraging her middle with jagged-bladed knives.

Swallowing hard, her mouth gone dry as summer grass and her voice sure to crack if she spoke, Katrina summoned every ounce of pluck she possessed and, with a steady hand and nonchalant glance at Papa, casually took a sip of wine.

True, humiliation beleaguered her, by Miss Belamont’s calculated design, but without evidence, Katrina refused to convict Richard. Appearances weren’t always what they seemed, and besides, they weren’t actually betrothed. He owed her nothing except, perhaps, an explanation.

Not entirely accurate.

Richard had asked her to marry him, had promised he’d ask Papa for her hand, had begged her to be patient while he put his affairs in order. Mayhap
she
, the unnamed woman, was the affair he’d needed to order? If Richard were involved with another woman—
God help me bear the shame
—one in the family way ... that explained his reluctance, the litany of excuses, and the continual delays.

Have I been a gullible dunderhead, refusing to see what’s been before me all this while
?

“Major Domont has three sisters, Miss Belamont, as well as several female cousins.” Mama’s eyes spewed violet sparks, and from her hand’s reflexive balling atop the table, she longed to slap the superior expression from the beauty’s face, though her modulated tone revealed none of her contempt. “And his familial home is near Stratford-Upon-Avon as well. There are any number of reasons he might have been there with an enceinte woman upon his arm, if it was even the major whom you saw.”

How had Mama known those interesting snippets when Katrina had been ignorant of them? Richard refused to speak of his family, claiming an estrangement. She’d ask that exact question the second she caught her mother alone. But, by Hades, she’d gnaw harness leather before allowing Phoebe Belamont to see her disconcerted.

“Oh, it most certainly was him, and he wasn’t in uniform either.” Miss Belamont fairly preened under the attention, her wide-eyed gaze vacillating between Nic and Katrina. “I spoke with the major myself, though he did seem in a terrible rush. Barely civil to Aunt Miriam and me, he was, and the woman with him spoke not a word. Why—”

Papa loudly cleared his throat. “I’ve always held the opinion that it’s unjust to discuss a person unless they are present to give an account themselves. Some might call talking behind a person’s back tattlemongering or gossiping.” A censuring brow raised, the last words he directed straight at a flushing Miss Belamont.

She huffed unbecomingly and flounced in her chair, her arms folded, which launched her bosoms frightfully higher.

On either side of her, Simone’s and Vicar Huntington’s studious absorption in their cooling soup conveyed their awareness of her indecorous display and their commendable effort to ignore the bouncing mounds.

“Tell me, Huntington,” Papa said, “was that a new pair of bays I saw before your landau today? Beautiful steppers, I must say.” He neatly quashed any further mention of Richard as the men launched into an impromptu horseflesh discussion, floundering and blathering like half-drowned men seizing a single lifeline.

Would that Katrina’s riotous musings could so easily be quelled. Her stomach twisted and knotted sickeningly, but she had promised to help Nic tonight. She selected a soup spoon and casually dipped its side into the bowl, taking care to skim from the front to the back.

Nic immediately mimicked her.

Miss Belamont’s narrowed gaze and petulant pout conveyed her displeasure, but for the rest of the meal, she conducted herself with unexpected restraint.

Over an hour later, Mama and Papa having wisely foregone the gentlemen’s customary post-dinner libation, all the diners assembled in the drawing room. Nic chatted with Papa and Mr. Huntington, but every now and again, sent her a heartening look. His haircut lent him a refined air, but his carriage and mannerisms clearly bespoke a man of humbler—no, not humbler … unpretentious—origins. And she admired that. It set him apart from the
ton
’s
fops and dandies, whom she’d never found appealing.

Mama and Shona flanked her on the settee, not a coincidence to be sure, as Mrs. Huntington settled onto the pianoforte’s smallish bench and proceeded to play one soothing tune after another.

The rest of the evening passed pleasantly enough, though everyone dutifully abstained from mentioning Richard again. A headache thrummed behind Katrina’s eyes, and though she’d intended to engage Nic in a wife-hunting conversation, she, instead, yielded to her need to be alone. Impossible to sort through her topsy-turvy thoughts with so many people about. Besides, if she had to watch Phoebe Belamont gushing over Nic any longer, what little dinner Katrina had gagged down would make a violent reappearance.

Katrina gave Mama’s hand a pat. “Please forgive me, but I fear I’ve developed a fierce headache and should like to retire early.”

“I don’t wonder,” Shona commiserated. She leaned near, giving Katrina a sisterly hug and whispering in her ear, “You’ve performed marvelously. That she-cat is practically hissing and scratching in frustration.”

Looked more like purring in lust to Katrina.

“Of course, my pet.” Mama bussed Katrina’s cheek, saying quietly, “Go along then. Be sure to arrange what time his grace will call tomorrow for his comportment lessons.”

Shona giggled and slid him a covert peek. “Poor man. To be his age and have to suffer through that balderdash. I pity him.”

Katrina’s attention involuntarily strayed to Nic again, as it had repeatedly throughout the evening. Finding Miss Belamont clinging to his arm snugger than a barnacle embedded on a whale grated.

“He’s not completely without social graces,” Katrina said. “A little polishing, and he’ll be quite presentable. I can think of more than one peer whose manners are impeccable, but who is nevertheless a boorish lout. Manners do not a gentleman make.”

I rather like Nic as he is.

She did prefer the rough privateer, and she oughtn’t to favor him at all. She should be beside herself with angst that her intended had, perhaps, thrown her over, or at the very least, not been forthright.

Pregnant woman
— No. Not now.

She stood, and the movement drew Nic’s attention.

With practiced finesse, he extracted his arm from Miss Belamont’s clinging grasp. With five long paces, he reached Katrina’s side. “Mrs. Needham, might I have a word with you and Miss Needham? Perhaps we could step into the corridor?”

Katrina checked a smile. One didn’t conduct conversations in the passageways. “I think the library would suit better.”

After Mama rose, she clasped his extended elbow and nodded to her other guests. “Please excuse us. His grace requires a moment with Katrina and me.”

As she swept from the drawing room, Katrina did smile, broadly and a touch gloatingly, at Phoebe Belamont.

Once in the library, Katrina lit a pair of tapers in the dual holder atop her writing desk. No fire burned in the grate, and the muted candlelight only illuminated a small sphere.

Nic faced them, and a hint of uncertainty hovered around his daunting form. “When would be most convenient to collect my sisters and aunt? I don’t wish to impose upon your hospitality until you’re prepared.” He rubbed his nape. “I confess, I’m completely out of my element with all of this.”

Katrina angled her head. He didn’t like indebtedness, nor was he accustomed to deferring to others. His title afforded him as much—more—power in many regards than his captaincy had, yet he hesitated to wield his status. Perchance had no desire to?

What kind of captain had he been? Fair and just, Katrina gathered from his treatment of his aunt and concern for his sisters. More a comrade to his crew than a master?

Mama tutted and waved her hand before straightening a couple of volumes. “As soon as possible is perfectly fine. I’ll have the servants make the beds, and I shall assign maids to assist your aunt and sisters. Unless they have their own? What about a governess? Should I have a room readied for her as well?”

“No, I’ve dismissed their governess. She was mean, neglectful, and I suspect had a penchant for brandy.” He breathed out a controlled sigh. “That’s another thing I beg your guidance for since you’ve a daughter.” His hooded gaze trailed to Katrina. “I haven’t the first notion what constitutes an acceptable governess.”

“Yes, you do.” Katrina lifted her hand and ticked off her fingers. “A respectable woman who’s not given to unkindness, inattention, or tipping a flask too readily.” She lifted a fourth finger. “And, from my personal experiences, a lady who doesn’t have a particular preference for garlic and onions,” up went her thumb, “and doesn’t regularly remove her shoes and expose her charges to her malodorous feet.”

Her monologue met with a rich, throaty chuckle, and Nic grinned. “I’ll make a mental note, particularly of the latter.”

Mama tapped her chin. “I think the girls should share a room, so they aren’t lonely or frightened in their new environ.” A keen glint entered her eyes. “Your Grace, where do
you
intend to reside?”

Nic clasped his hands behind him and rocked onto his heels.

Ah, the privateer again.

“I shall either stay at Aunt Bertie’s or a nearby inn.”

Mama shook her raven head. “No inns close by, I fear. May I propose you stay with us as well? As I said earlier, we’ve plenty of room, and having you about will give your sisters more opportunity to become acquainted with you in a less formal setting.”

Katrina’s heart tripped. Nic sleeping beneath the same roof? Eating every meal with her? Perhaps reading in the library or playing cards in the parlor?

What would Richard think?

He could think whatever he liked. If, and when, he bothered to appear. And if he never did, Nic’s presence made no difference. Besides, she wasn’t carrying on an illicit affair with him, for heaven’s sake.

He had a young lady on his arm. A very pregnant young lady
.

He did seem in a terrible rush. Barely civil to Aunt Miriam.

Blast and bother. Her ruminations brought the Belamonts’ words crashing into her mind, bathing her in distress. Had Richard betrayed her? Their love? What did a person do in this circumstance? Wait and hope he had a valid reason? Send the Bow Street Runners after him? Pen a polite note inquiring if their courtship had ended? For all the
haut ton
’s rules and recommendations on decorous behavior, nothing addressed this ugliness.

Mama’s consideration shifted to Katrina, and even in the dim light, something in addition to warmth tinged her mother’s eyes. “And, I think having you here would do Katrina a wealth of good to divert her from this evening’s unpleasant developments.”

“Mama!” Good God. Must Mama bring that up now? Had she guessed Katrina’s thoughts? “I promise you, I’m not about to succumb to a fit of the blue devils. I’m confident we’ll know the truth of it soon enough.”

She wasn’t confident at all, but whining and moping served no purpose, though if Richard had thrown her over, she’d be hard-pressed to maintain her stoic front. Perhaps she could persuade her parents to take a trip abroad for several months.

Papa couldn’t leave the bank that long.

Well, then her and Mama.

“If you’re certain it wouldn’t be an inconvenience ...?” Nic spoke to her mother, but his sharp gaze rested upon Katrina.

“Not in the least.” Mama shook her head once.

He grinned and inclined his head, his dimple and scar catching the candles’ meager light. “Then, I should be honored to accept your hospitality. Now if you will excuse me, I’ll bid Needham and the others a good evening. I’ve much to do, not the least of which is to inform my aunt she’ll be taking up residence here.” He chuckled again, the deep baritone reverberating off the book-laden shelves. “She’ll kick up a fuss, I’ve no doubt.”

“Only for a trifling, but once she’s here, I’m sure she’ll be glad of it,” Katrina assured him.

“Until the day after tomorrow, ladies.” He kissed Mama’s hand before bending over Katrina’s.

Broad-shouldered and commanding, Nic strode from the room, his swagger that of a man accustomed to walking decks rather than expensive, plush carpets or marbled floors. He possessed a masculine grace, impressive and imposing.

“Are you smitten?”

Her mother’s soft question yanked Katrina’s focus from the empty doorway.

“Pardon?” Smitten, as in attracted to? Enamored of? Captivated by? Katrina collected her clambering thoughts. “What a peculiar question. Why would you ask such a thing?”

“I expected Miss Belamont’s revelation to produce a much stronger reaction, Kitty, and I didn’t miss his grace’s murmuring in your ear during dinner. He calms you in a way I’ve never seen before.”

Katrina hugged her mother for an extended moment, scrambling for an honest explanation.

“Mama, he’s a friend whom I’m happy to help. In some ways, he and I are alike, both born outside Society’s boundaries, yet thrust into the din because of our parents’ status. You know full well there are those who still turn their haughty noses up when in our presence, and I suspect his grace will bear a fair share of snobbery despite his lofty title. Jealousy and envy are toxic, piercing weapons. Perhaps it’s because we know we’re safe from romantic entanglement with the other that we can relax and be ourselves, and I find it quite refreshing, truth to tell.”