Scandal's Child (4 page)

“Lady Kathryn, I trust the accommodations are satisfactory for you and Miss Hamilton.”

She turned to face the man the world thought her intended husband. The fresh damp air of the channel had coiled its fingers through his dark hair so now it no longer fell straight across his forehead, but bent in the slightest wave near his riband.

“Quite satisfactory, thank you, Monsieur le Comte. Miss Hamilton has already retired for the duration of the crossing. She does not care for ships or water or travel.”

“But you do?” he inquired, lifting that right brow which made his thin face look positively saturnine.

“Yes, I love it! The idea of sailing to far-off places, seeing new sights. It is such an adventure!” She laughed with the pure excitement of it, then suddenly realized she was perhaps saying more than she should. “Lady Tutwilliger feels that I am perhaps a trifle too adventuresome,” she added in what she hoped was a demure tone.

“Does she really?” he asked cordially, and although Kat could see nothing but polite interest on his face, she most definitely had heard a thread of laughter in his voice. She wasn’t surprised. No doubt he thought them all mentally deranged. He was as caught in this coil as she, and he was being remarkably forbearing to go along with her idea. Although in the end, he would also be free of their unfortunate entanglement.

As Kat had done throughout her life, she faced this crisis honestly. “My lord, I don’t know why you are being so kind as to go along with my plan.” She smiled. “But I promise I shall be as little trouble as possible, and as soon as we can reasonably depart from Château Saville, we shall. You may think all the Thistlewaits are to let in their attics, but I promise you all will end well.”

“Lady Kathryn, I think the Thistlewaits delightful, and I, too, believe this all will end well.” He gave her, just as he had in the bedchamber of the Blue Boar Inn, a real smile, one that warmed his dark gaze to chocolaty brown and once again caused visions of romantic heroes to flit through her thoughts.

“Then we understand one another,” Kat said firmly and gratefully.

The comte’s stare seemed particularly piercing to Kat as he reached for her hand. “Lady Kathryn, I—”

Hands suspended in midair, they were suddenly separated by Jacko. He rushed up out of nowhere effectively shutting off their moment of intimacy. “Sorry, Saville. Must borrow my sister.”

Kat could do no more than nod as Jacko hurried her off. She experienced a faint disappointment that he had not been able to finish his sentence. Certainly it would be more comfortable for all concerned if everything were firmly settled between them. Jacko dragged her below to the narrow passageway.

“Jacko, what is—?” She was cut rather abruptly off by her brother’s hand over her mouth.

“Listen!” he whispered urgently, motioning his head to the door behind her.

Straining her ear to the wooden panel, Kat caught the unmistakable sobs of a woman.

She gently pushed her brother’s palm from her face. “It is a girl crying.”

“Saw them board. Couldn’t see the girl’s face. Wrapped in a hooded cloak. But saw him. Sir Edmund Trigge. Man’s such a bounder, wouldn’t put kidnapping past him.”

Kat recognized the fire in her twin’s eyes, so like her own. They had always shared the one common passion: be it bringing home wounded birds for the groom to nurse or collecting stray kittens, once they’d even tried to introduce a baby skunk into the household. They just couldn’t turn away from any creature in need.

Just the other night, Kat had really had to fight all her instincts, and had left that girl—

“Heavens, Caroline Strange!” Kat gasped, suddenly realizing who was probably behind the door. “Jacko, where is Sir Edmund?”

“Taking a turn on deck. Saw him when I was looking for you and Saville.”

“Keep watch on the stairs. Whistle a warning if he returns. I’m going to find out what’s going on here,” she whispered, shooing him to his post before knocking.

“Miss Strange … Miss Strange, it is Lady Kathryn Thistlewait. Please let me in. I can help you,” she stated calmly and clearly, showing a confidence she wasn’t quite sure she possessed.

She sighed in relief and stepped back when eager fumblings on the inside proved the door would be opened to her. Two red-rimmed periwinkle blue eyes peeked out through a small crack.

“Are you alone?” uttered a breathless little voice.

At Kat’s nod the door creaked open just enough for her to slip through and then immediately slammed shut, Caroline Strange pushing the bolt firmly into place. The face she turned to Kat was drained of all color except for red swollen patches showing a bout of recent weeping.

“You must help me!” she pleaded before throwing herself, sobbing, into Kat’s arms.

Caroline Strange was so tiny, even more diminutive than Mariah, so Kat felt a veritable amazon beside her. Her protective instincts aroused to a fever pitch, Kat led the hysterical girl to the bed and seated her, keeping a reassuring arm around her.

“You must stop crying so. Here, take my handkerchief.” Kat soothed. “Yes, that’s right. Dry your eyes so we may talk.”

“My life is over,” uttered Caroline, her huge, terrified, blue eyes filling her pale face.

Dread filled Kat’s heart. What had the bounder done to this poor girl? “Start at the beginning,” she encouraged, patting Caroline’s hands where they tugged nervously on the damp handkerchief.

“You saw us that night at Lady Sefton’s. Sir Edmund proposed.”

“Good god, how dare he! Where was your chaperon? Tell me how this came about,” Kat demanded gently.

“Oh! My papa was a nabob, you know, and when he died two years ago his solicitor, Sir George Bartholomew, became my guardian. But Sir George never leaves Northumberland, so he sent me for my come-out to his cousin’s, Mrs. Appleton’s, who is related to the Earl of Lester. But I do not believe she likes me over much for she lets me go and come as I please.”

Such wanton disregard for this young girl’s reputation fairly made Kat’s blood boil. “Then she did not discourage you from seeing Sir Edmund?”

“On the contrary, she encouraged me. I … I believe she wished me off her hands. I tried to do the best I could, but I don’t know London Society very well. And, oh, Sir Edmund can be very nice when he wishes. I thought I was lucky to catch his notice—him being so much older and wiser.” At this a new wave of weeping overcame Caroline so it was some few minutes before Kat could encourage her to go on.

“Why are you here, on board this ship for France? He … he didn’t
kidnap
you, did he?”

Hiccupping, Caroline shook her head. “It is worse. We are eloping.”

Aghast, Kat could only sit in stunned silence.

“I know I am beyond redemption,” Caroline sobbed. “But it seemed so romantic! He said he couldn’t wait to make me his bride. But I am beginning to see it is my fifty thousand pounds a year he cannot wait to make his own.” Burying her face in her palms, Caroline gave in to a fit of uncontrollable weeping.

Kat consoled the younger girl as best she could; all the while her mind was searching wildly about for a solution to Caroline’s predicament. Kat herself had a broken engagement, but a broken elopement … when Caroline had been alone with that man … simply was not…

It was so simple Kat laughed out loud.

Caroline raised her tear drenched face in shock to stare at Kat in bewilderment.

“Did you leave a note?” Kat asked urgently.

“Yes, I told Mrs. Appleton I was going home to Northumberland.”

“Wonderful! That will do nicely. Then when we arrive in Calais, my chaperon, Miss Hamilton, shall send a missive to Mrs. Appleton informing her your plans have changed. You have gone to a house party at the Château Saville with your dear friend, Lady Kathryn Thistlewait. A similar note shall be dispatched to Sir George.”

“You would do this for me?” A brilliant smile lit her heart-shaped face, still Caroline Strange looked like a wilted angel. “But I hardly know you.”

“Believe me, my dear, I understand your predicament and am happy to be of assistance. Besides, I will enjoy your company. Hurry now, we must be gone before Sir Edmund returns. Do you have any belongings?”

Slipping off the bed, Caroline grabbed a small satchel. “This is all I have,” she said, with new animation just bursting forth on her face.

“Good. Come.” Kat unlocked the door, and taking her hand, led Caroline out into the corridor. They had only taken two steps when Kat heard her brother’s whistle and, an instant later, Sir Edmund Trigge blocked their way.

The pallid eyes Kat remembered too well from the night of Lady Sefton’s flickered over her and stopped to rest on Caroline. She shrunk closer to Kat’s side.

“What do we have here?” Sir Edmund asked in an all-too-knowing way.

It was everything Kat could do not to retreat before him; but she stood her ground, secure that Jacko was nearby.

“I am simply fetching my dear friend, Miss Strange, to my cabin where she will be more comfortable,” Kat answered firmly, thrusting up her chin.

Edmund Trigge was not overly tall so they were very nearly eye to eye. Kat saw his gaze narrow thoughtfully. He glanced around and dismissed Jacko, standing a little behind him, as if he were of no consequence.

“There is some mistake. Miss Strange is my guest,” he said smoothly, reaching out one pale hand toward Caroline who was clinging tightly to Kat’s arm.

“It’s you who’s mistaken, Trigge,” Jacko snapped, shoving in front of him. “Miss Strange is with my party.”

Rigid with indignation, Edmund returned Jacko’s glare. “You young pup, stay out of this! ’Tis none of your affair. Come, Caroline, we shall return to our room.”

Jacko moved purposively to block his way.

“Sir, I demand you step aside or answer the consequences!” Edmund hissed bitingly.

There was a moment of stunned silence. Jacko remained in place and motioned his sister to take Caroline and move on. In that instant there was a look on Trigge’s scarlet face that made fear congeal in Kat’s chest. She braced to fling herself forward between them, but, suddenly Edmund’s eyes flickered to a movement behind her and all color drained from his face.

“Saville!” he croaked hoarsely, falling back one pace.

“What a charming gathering,” the comte remarked, lifting that devilish eyebrow. “But isn’t it a trifle cramped down here? Perhaps we should all adjourn to the salon and finish this discussion.” “There is nothing to discuss,” Edmund uttered, recovering somewhat. “Miss Strange is under my care. She must stay with me.”

The comte’s piercing stare studied each face, finally staying on Kat’s. She sent him her most beseeching look, much like the one she had given him in the Blue Boar Inn. Now, as then, there was an answering flicker of a reassuring smile.

“And what does Miss Strange have to say?” the comte asked softly, catching Caroline’s terrified eyes in his warm gaze.

Caroline appeared mesmerized for an instant before looking imploringly toward Kat. At her nod, Caroline threw up her head.

“Sir Edmund is mistaken. I am going to the Château Saville with Lady Kathryn and her brother.”

“Well, there you have it,” the comte remarked softly, striding forward to clear a path and motioning Kat and Caroline through. “Perhaps Miss Strange would like to rest before her tea.”

Following the comte’s directions Kat moved her charge, whose eyes seemed fixed on her toes, past Edmund.

He stood shaking with rage, fists clenched at his sides and muttered something in a low tone that Kat could not quite make out.

The comte had also heard. “Did you say something, Trigge?” he snapped.

Paling again, Edmund stepped back, making a mocking bow. “Only that we shall meet again, Saville.”

“Damn bounder!” Jacko uttered when he’d disappeared up the stairs. “Thought I might have to call him out.”

“Jacko, don’t be foolish,” Kat gasped. Fear for his impetuous nature let unfeigned concern color her tone. The last thing she needed was another scandal. Besides she wasn’t sure Edmund Trigge could be relied upon to act with honor and refuse the much younger and less-experienced man’s challenge.

“It is all my fault!” Caroline cried, burying her face in Kat’s shoulder, dampening her puffed silk sleeve.

Jacko’s aquamarine eyes instantly filled with compassion and, contrite, he shuffled his feet. “Dash it, didn’t mean to upset her.”

“Jacko, we shall take ourselves off and let your sister and Miss Hamilton handle this,” the comte ordered before giving an elegant leg to Kat. “However, I believe you and I should meet before dinner, Lady Kathryn.”

Kat was filled with chagrin. However was she going to explain to the comte that she had added another member to this rather unorthodox house party?

Sipping at his wine, which was barely tolerable, Jules paced around the small dining cabin. A smile flirted with the corners of his mouth. How had this journey to his ancestral home, which had filled him with some mild trepidation, memory being what it was, turned into such a
divertissement
? He felt like a bear-leader: all these children to watch out for and not one of them with the least bit of sense. And that supposed chaperon! She hadn’t appeared above decks once.

What would Juliana and Dominic make of the news that he had wed? Feeling a great rush of affection, Jules thought of his delightful sister-in-law. She would, no doubt, attribute it to her gypsy princess, Mrs. Forbes, and her prophesy.

Jules, however, did not possess a romantic nature; he had simply mistaken the room and fate had stepped in. Now he would have to make the best of it. And the best thing for all concerned was a quick, quiet wedding between himself and Lady Kathryn Thistlewait. All he had to do was make the minx see reason.

That prospect did not appear encouraging at all! His intended bride marched into the room, chin thrust to the ceiling, her remarkable Thistlewait eyes flashing.

“Comte,” she stated firmly. “There is nothing you can say that will force me to withdraw my protection from Miss Strange. She goes to Château Saville with us or—”

He raised his palm in the hope of warding off another of her lengthy explanations. “I agree,” he said softly.