His Lordship's Chaperone (18 page)

“I suppose I could.” Catherine stepped into the
parlor and sat, waiting for him to follow.

He could hardly believe what he was hearing. What
were these two doing? Why were they treating him in this horrendous manner?

He felt irritable, angry, and impatient. He wanted,
needed, to clarify his association with Lady Honoria to Catherine. To make it
clear, absolutely clear, that his interest and heart were hers—Catherine’s, not
Honoria’s.

She’ll laugh, he told himself. She is going to
think this entire episode very humorous when I tell her about this whimsical
turn of events. How he pretended to court Honoria on Simon’s behalf, and it
appeared that he was sincere.

“I thought I had made my intentions to you
perfectly clear the other night,” he began, feeling better about the direction
of their conversation already. This matter would be cleared up in a thrice. “I
believe a further explanation is in order.”

“An explanation? You certainly owe no explanation
to me and I do not owe you an explanation of any kind.”

“I think I do need to clarify my actions as of
late. As I said last evening, there has been a misinterpretation of my
arrangement with Lady Honoria Darlington.”

“Arrangement? Is that what you call it? An
arrangement?”

“It is not even that.”

“Do you deny courting her?” Catherine’s tone was no
longer unemotional.

Haverton didn’t want to blurt it all out. He wanted
to phrase his words carefully. “It may appear as if I am courting her but I’m
not actually courting her. You see, it is Simon who is courting her.”

“Lord Simon, you say? How very strange. I do not
recall ever seeing him keeping her company.” Concern crept between Catherine’s
words. “You cannot deny she’s kept you occupied as of late.”

“Occupied.” He smiled. Planning Honoria’s and
Simon’s courtship had kept him occupied, he couldn’t very well deny that. “If
you are to imply that I have been paying you less attention than I would have
liked, you are correct.”

“I imagine you are a bit overwrought,” Catherine
began in a voice of ultimate calm.

“That is true. I can assure you that you have been
utmost in my mind. Not a minute goes by when I do not think of you.”

“How flattering of you to say.” She gazed toward
her clasped hands and cleared her throat. “I cannot tell you how many times
I’ve heard that phrase, just since last night. You, I’m afraid, have been the
least convincing yet.”

“But we are to be married!” How could she think him
insincere?

“That is what you say. However, I cannot see how I
could possibly come to that conclusion since you spend most of your time with
Lady Honoria and merely think of me.” She glanced off to the side as if she had
come upon an idea. “Perhaps I shall think of you while I am dancing tomorrow
night. I wonder if you might feel my affection while I’m in the arms of Lord
Tetridge
?
”

There the conversation ended. Catherine was not
laughing and Haverton did not find anything about his situation the least bit
funny.

Lord Simon escorted Catherine to the Markham’s
water party the following Saturday afternoon. This was her first floating
party, and the enormous barge was no less decorated than the finest ballroom in
London. She watched the shrubs and trees move slowly away as the vessel
traveled down the river.

Once aboard, the guests had no choice but to remain
on board. Never was that
so
apparent as when Catherine
came face to face with Haverton and Lady Honoria. There was an awkward moment
until Lord Simon finally said, “May I have a word with you, Robert?”

The men excused themselves, leaving Catherine
standing with Lady Honoria, who promptly broke into tears.

“I do not know what I am to do.” Honoria wept into
her lace handkerchief.

Catherine was at a loss of words herself. Why did
Lady Honoria feel she could confide in someone she shared only a passing
acquaintance?

“I am sorry to trouble you, Miss Hayward, but Lord
Haverton has been most kind, and he has always spoken so highly of you. I
thought … I might seek your advice.”

The Marquess had spoken of her to Honoria?

“His lordship told me you know of our ‘arrangement’
and … oh, Miss Hayward, the short time Simon and I have had together is
absolute heaven. If only it could go on …”

Lady Honoria and Lord Simon? Honoria transformed
before Catherine’s eyes from a girl to that of a young lady. A very unhappy
young lady who was very much in love.

“If I wish to go on seeing him, the pretense must
be that I continue to court his elder brother.” Honoria wiped her tears and
tucked her handkerchief away. “Mama is determined that I set my cap for
Haverton, but I do not wish to have anything to do with him.” Her eyes filled
with tears again. “He frightens me.”

Then it was true. All of it. Haverton had not
abandoned Catherine for Honoria, he was merely aiding a couple in love.

“But Simon … Lord Simon has told me of his
affection, and my feelings are equally engaged.” She caught her lower lip
between her teeth. “I’m afraid,” her voice began to crack, “that I do not know
what we are going to do.” A new bout of tears began. “You know what it is like
to have a secret. After all, you and Lord Haverton are secretly engaged.”

Catherine felt the wind knocked out of her. “Where
did you hear that?”

“He told me the two of you were a love match and
you are to be married.” Catherine saw Honoria’s honesty shine from her blue
eyes. “And of course I would never ever tell another soul.”

“To tell the truth, it remains to be seen whether
Haverton and I will wed.” Catherine seriously questioned it. The Marquess’
explanation had sounded unbelievable and she all but called him a liar to his
face. But he had been telling the truth.

“I was under the impression he loves you very much.
Do you no longer love him?”

“Well, I—” Catherine’s head swam, she wasn’t sure
what or whom to believe anymore.

“From what I understand, you are the reason Lord
Haverton is helping us. Simon told me his brother knew exactly how it felt to
be without one’s true love and did not wish us to suffer the same as he had.
Simon and I cannot keep seeing one another in secret. We are bound to be
discovered sooner or later. Will you not, please, Miss Hayward, help us?”

Catherine understood everything Honoria said and
felt the greatest sympathy for her situation and wished only the best for her
and Lord Simon. When it came to matters of the heart, Catherine doubted she
could be of any help to anyone, even herself.

Nearly an hour ago Haverton had arrived at the
Darlington residence without his chaperone. Lady Darlington had gladly handed
over Honoria for him to escort her to the Markham’s water party, also without
Mrs. Baldwin, her chaperone.

Upon arrival at the private dock, the Marquess had
planned to meet Simon. He had not expected to see his brother escorting
Catherine but he should have known better. The encounter on the water vessel
had been a strained one. If it had not been for Simon asking for a word alone
with him, who knew how long they would have been standing there frozen in an
awkward tableau, staring at one another.

Once alone, Simon voiced concerns that he and
Honoria were progressing quite splendidly with their courtship. However, to
move on to the next phase, marriage, would prove difficult. Neither he nor
Simon could come up with a suitable plan but Simon was correct—they could not
continue in this manner.

How could Haverton arrange for a marriage for Simon
and Honoria when he and Catherine were to wed within a fortnight? Within the
week, if Haverton had his say. At present, it appeared doubtful they would
marry at all, Catherine would not tolerate him. That tangle needed to be worked
out. What more could he tell her than the truth? What more could he—

Catherine approached and claimed Haverton’s full
attention. Simon and Honoria came together and faded to one side.

“Honoria and Simon,” was all Catherine said.

Haverton could see the forgiveness in her eyes. She
understood what he’d told her and she had learned the truth from Lady Honoria.

“I did try to tell you.”

“How could you expect me to believe you?” Both
anger and humiliation vied for first expression across her beautiful face.

“Ah, but you do now, don’t you?” Haverton could
never, ever be untrue to her.

“Yes, my lord, I do.” She offered him a smile which
he gladly accepted. “I—”

“You need not say another word.” Haverton held her
hand to his chest and smiled. “I find this quite refreshing.”

“What?”

“Your honesty. Instead of playing games, as my
mother suggested, you address me directly—thus the entire difficulty between us
has been cleared.”

“I haven’t the kill of a London Miss to wind you
around my little finger.” Catherine could never treat him in a ruthless fashion
but he knew she held some power over him.

“Do not ever deny that ability.” He kissed her
hand. She gazed back at him in such a peculiar manner. He couldn’t come near to
describing it. “What you possess is far more potent.”

“And what is that?”

“The ability to make me fall in love with you.”

The smile that crossed her face, her eyes, gave him
the most wonderful feeling. He wanted to pull her into his arms right here,
right now, in front of everyone and kiss her. Instead he pressed a kiss onto
her hand.

“Am I to understand that we are still to wed?” she
asked, timid.

“Oh, yes.” His arm stole around her waist to draw
her near. “The sooner we do so, the better.”

Hand in hand, Simon and Honoria approached.

“We’re making a run to Gretna, Robert,” Simon
announced with Honoria by his side.

“What? You can’t mean it.” Haverton looked from one
to the other with disbelief.

“If we wish to be together, we must. It’s the only
way.” Honoria voiced her own opinion. “Mama will never allow us to marry.”

“Simon, please. What will Mother say? She’ll be
furious.”

“I’m not you. She doesn’t care a fig for—”

“Mother’s not going to approve of this dashing-off-to-Gretna
business. She’ll make your Honoria a young widow.” Haverton turned to Honoria.
“Think of your family. If you elope, there will be a scandal. Our family will survive
but yours … think of your mother.” He hardly felt sympathy for Lady Darlington
but a mother’s wrath was not to be taken lightly.

“She will not be happy that I’m not to marry you,
my lord.” Honoria spoke to him more forcefully than ever before.

“You must return to London
some
day
.” Haverton wanted the couple to be happy but did not wish them to
rush willy-nilly into marriage. “Think about this very carefully.”

Worry creased their love-struck faces. Honoria and
Simon had taken Haverton’s words seriously.

“But we wish to marry. How can we—” they started
together.

“What if … there was an offer for you?” Catherine
suggested.

“Lady Darlington would never consider me an
appropriate—” Simon sounded discouraged regarding his prospects.

“Not you.” Catherine swatted at Simon’s shoulder in
playfulness then turned to the Marquess. “Haverton, I mean you.”

It was all Lady Darlington could do to keep from
going mad. She paced up and down the breakfast room, up and down the corridor,
and up and down the front parlor. She thought she’d burst from the thought of
Haverton and her Honoria together. He had called every day and danced with her
at every party. Surely his intentions must be serious.

Voices and laughter came from the foyer. Not
wanting to appear overly anxious, Lady Darlington drew in a deep, calming
breath and composed herself before encountering the returning couple. The
butler opened the front door allowing them to enter.

The delicious smile on Lord Haverton’s lips took
her breath away. He whispered to her beautiful daughter, standing by his side,
and Honoria nodded and giggled. The dim-witted girl. Honoria probably had no
idea what it meant to have this magnificent man hold her in such regard.

“Ah, Lady Darlington.” The Marquess sketched a bow.
“We have returned and I relinquish your lovely daughter to you.”

Honoria giggled again.

“If I may,” he looked quite serious, “in the
absence of Lord Darlington, might I have a word with you in
private.
”
His gaze momentarily darted to Honoria.

Lady Darlington was struck speechless. Could this
be what she thought? Had hoped for? Was he to offer?

“Good afternoon to you, Lady Honoria, I look
forward to seeing you this evening at the Lonsdale’s party.” Haverton turned to
Lady Darlington, “I shall wait in the front parlor … at your convenience,
madame
.” He followed the butler down the hall.

Lady Darlington regarded the flush over Honoria’s
cheeks. The color was not from too much sun or from her ride but the hue of
love!

“Have you found his lordship to be agreeable?” Lady
Darlington whispered, not wishing Haverton to overhear. It was apparent by
Honoria’s expression that she was quite taken by him—far more than even Lady
Darlington had ever expected.

“Yes, Mama, I have.”

“And is he with you?” As if she needed to ask …
Haverton was ready to offer for the girl!

“Yes, Mama.” A quiet, restrained excitement filled
Honoria’s voice.

“Oh, my dear—it is a love match!” With the much
desired Marquess. “I could not be happier.” Overcome by emotion she snagged the
handkerchief from her sleeve and dabbed at her eyes, then at the perspiration
on her flushed cheeks. Without a word, she waved Honoria away, upstairs,
immediately, and the silly girl disappeared.

Lady Darlington composed herself by the time she
stepped into the parlor. Haverton stood and led her to the sofa. She was much
too excited to sit.

“I imagine you would not be opposed to a connection
with my family?” he said in a calm that nearly caused Lady Darlington shriek.

“No, your lordship,” she answered, just above a
whisper. The Marquess of Haverton was what she had hoped for above all things.

“Very well. With your approval, I wish to announce
your daughter’s betrothal tonight at Lady Lonsdale’s ball.”

“Approval? Betrothal?” Lady Darlington felt the
blood drain from her head. Surely she had heard correctly. “An announcement?”
She stepped forward, steadying herself at the back of the sofa. She moved to
the front and settled into the seat before her knees weakened. “Object?” No,
there was no objection from this quarter—not of any kind. “I could not be more
pleased.”

Lady Darlington could hardly contain herself. All
of her plans, all of her wishes for her daughter were about to come true.

“Do you wish me to wait until your husband comes to
Town to make the usual arrangements for—
”

“I am sure you and Lord Darlington will manage to
come to an agreement. You are quite right to go ahead with the announcement. I
shall leave it up to you.” Again she pressed her handkerchief to her temple.

“And would a special license be acceptable?”

“Oh, yes, a special license, if your lordship
wishes. Excellent.” Lady Darlington quickly agreed—the sooner the announcement
and the marriage, the less time the Marquess would have to change his mind.
Finally she would be connected to the Moreland family, and Honoria the Duchess
to the future Duke of Waverly.