Miss Kathleen's Scandalous Baron (Honorable Rogue Book 2) Page 5

  Andrew had desired many women. However, it did not mean he wanted to marry one. He always grew bored once the chase ended and he had caught them. Only this time, he could not walk away. He would be stuck with Miss Hawks for the rest of his life.

  A boring, monogamous existence.

  He would never cheat once he married. He’d made that vow as a young lad of twelve when he discovered his father in the throes of passion with one of the housemaids in the laundry closet. No wonder his mother had become such a bitter woman.

  He looked out the window as Chilton House came into view. Once the carriage stopped, he climbed out and went up the steps. Gathering his courage, he knocked on the door, the beat of his heart matching his rapid taps on the structure. It opened and the butler let him in. “I’m here to see His Grace. He should be expecting me.”

  “Of course, my lord, please follow me,” the butler replied.

  He followed the man to the duke’s study. Each step took him closer to the end of his carefree days.

  While he wasn’t easily intimidated, the duke was a very influential man. He would be a powerful enemy, and the man could hurt Andrew’s standing in Parliament. The butler knocked one time on the door, then opened it, allowing him to enter. Inhaling deeply to calm his nerves, he entered the room.

  The Duke of Barrington stood. “Good morning, Billingsley. I appreciate your prompt arrival. Please take a seat. We have much to discuss, as I am sure you are aware.”

  Beads of sweat broke out on his forehead. Andrew fought the temptation to wipe his brow. He would not let the duke know how overset he was.

  As he took his seat, he said, “I understand what I need to do. I’m ready to pay my addresses to Miss Hawks.” He noticed His Grace remained standing with his hands placed on the huge walnut desk. A tactic meant to intimidate.

  “I am glad to hear that,” he replied. “What I cannot understand is why you did it. It is well known you do not dally with innocent young women. Why Kathleen?”

  With clenched fists, he hesitated before answering. “You’re right. I have made it a practice to avoid them at any cost. When I went to the library last night, I had an assignation with someone else. I mistook Miss Hawks for that person. I would never have kissed her if I had known. It is an unfortunate mistake.”

  The duke dropped into his seat with a look of utter astonishment on his face. “You thought Miss Hawks was Lady Holcombe? How could you confuse the two? They look nothing alike.”

  Irritation at the duke for pointing out the obvious, rushed through his body. It made him an even bigger fool. “In the darkened library, I naturally assumed it was the lady in question. I didn’t realize my mistake until the duchess came in with her friends, and I saw Miss Hawks.”

  Not the truth. He’d known.

  Quit lying to yourself. The game’s up.

  “Excuse me,” His Grace scoffed. “I would think a man of your reputation with the ladies could tell the difference between an innocent young girl and a widow known for her seductive powers.”

  By this time, Andrew had to exert prodigious control over his temper. He dragged in air through his nostrils to calm himself before he spoke. Keeping his tone even, he told him, “All this is irrelevant, Your Grace. The fact remains I compromised Miss Hawks. I’m here to rectify this by offering for her hand in marriage. Now, I suggest we discuss the marriage settlements.”

  The Duke of Barrington raised an arrogant eyebrow. “I am not Miss Hawks’ guardian. While I am not aware of her dowry, under the circumstances, I am sure her brother would want me to act in his stead. I am prepared to negotiate agreeable terms. Shall we discuss the business at hand?”

  Andrew sighed, resigned to move on to the discussion of the settlement. “I don’t expect a dowry. One is not necessary because I am a very wealthy man. I will agree to whatever terms you deem appropriate. Have your secretary draw them up, and I shall sign the agreement.”

  After they discussed the settlement and came to an agreement, Barrington sent for his man and when he arrived, the duke dictated the terms. They were quite generous, but Andrew didn’t hesitate in signing the marriage contract.

  Once the secretary left the room, the duke said, “I must tell you, at first Miss Hawks vehemently opposed the idea of accepting an offer from you. However, the duchess convinced her of the necessity to safeguard her family’s reputation. My wife and I feel it would be best for you to have a traditional wedding, instead of a marriage by special license. Her sister-in-law recently gave birth, so it will be six weeks before she can travel. We thought the twenty-first of May would do nicely.”

  “Whatever you think is best,” Andrew agreed. “I suppose the only thing left is for me to speak to Miss Hawks so I can formally make my offer.”

  “Good. She is waiting in the drawing room. I will escort you there.”

  The man stood and Andrew followed him from the study. When they entered the drawing room, Kathleen sat composed on the sofa with the duchess beside her.

  Her Grace rose and came over to stand beside her husband. “We shall leave the two of you alone to talk. I am sure you have much to discuss.” Taking her husband’s arm, the couple left, closing the door behind them.

  Andrew looked at Miss Hawks. She sat so straight one would think she had a poker stuck up her backbone. A blank expression adorned her normally lovely face. He had no idea what thoughts ran through her mind. However, it couldn’t be anything good by the tight set of her mouth. Never at a loss for words under normal circumstances, he didn’t know how to start.

  Clearing his throat, he finally spoke. “Ah, good morning. I hope you slept well?”

  What an asinine thing to say.

  Of course she didn’t sleep well, you idiot.

  The dark circles under her pretty green eyes told the story. Feeling it was best to get it over with, he blurted out, “Would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

  Andrew watched as she tried to maintain her composure. “I accept, my lord.” Her voice sounded brittle. “The duchess has convinced me that declining would damage my brother and my sister-in-law’s standing with the ton. That is the only reason I agreed. I have one request. I don’t want my brother and his wife to know this marriage is being forced upon us. I want them to believe it’s a love match. Will you agree to this?”

  “Of course, whatever you think is best.” Damn, he sounded like a milksop, agreeing to whatever anyone said. “If society believes our marriage is a love match, they may well be more accepting,” then wanting to put her more at ease, he added, “I’m sorry I put you in this untenable position. You happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time through no fault of your own. I’m completely to blame for this debacle. I shall endeavor to be a good husband to you. I’m sure once we become better acquainted, we will rub along nicely.”

  Miss Hawks met his gaze. “Let’s hope you’re right, because we will be married to each other for the rest of our lives. If we don’t learn how to get along, that could be a very long time indeed. I will try to be a good wife to you as well, my lord.”

  Andrew smiled at her, trying to alleviate some of the tension in the air. “Since we need to make everyone believe this is a love match, we need to be seen together. I shall pick you up tomorrow at four o’clock, and we’ll take a drive through Hyde Park.”

  She nodded. “I’ll be ready, my lord.”

  Andrew bowed, and then he opened the door and left the room, leaving a frustrated and unhappy young lady behind. No unhappier or more frustrated than he.

  ****

  Kathleen slumped against the back of the sofa as soon as the door closed behind her newly acquired—but definitely not wanted—fiancé. She must wed the last man on earth she would ever want to marry. She barely knew Lord Billingsley, and what she did know of him she did not like. The thought of marrying a notorious rake appalled her. Their life would be unbearable. Her hopes and dreams for a life with William were over. Tears threatened. She blinked them away. The duchess would be com
ing in to see how it had gone, and she refused to let anyone see her distress.

  How will I ever tell William I can’t marry him?

  Thank goodness, she had sent a letter to him yesterday. She couldn’t write him until she had digested what had happened and could rationally explain why she would not be marrying him.

  Every time she thought of the night before, remorse jabbed at the pit of her stomach, and her face grew hot as shame washed over her. Never in a hundred years would she have ever expected to respond to a kiss from a total stranger. Even though the man accepted full responsibility, she was as accountable as he, because she had not protested. In fact, she’d melted in his arms.

  At least she had convinced Lord Billingsley to pretend they had a love match. She would want to die if Anissa and Alex ever discovered she had agreed to the marriage to protect their standing in society. They would never want her to make that kind of sacrifice for their good name, but it was more than the two of them, the children could be affected as well. While they might need to know what had happened to some degree, she had to convince them she’d been swept off her feet. They could never know the truth.

  Her lip trembled. She refused to give in to the temptation to wallow in self-pity. She was stronger than that. She would need to figure out how to make this marriage work. Then the full impact of the entire nightmare hit her. This was much worse than just losing William. She would also lose her home, and her country. She would have to spend the rest of her life in England. She didn’t even know where his estate was. She certainly hoped it would be close to Alex and Anissa. Surely, the duchess would know where his home was located.

  As these thoughts assailed her mind, the door opened and the woman entered. “Kathleen, how did it go? Did you accept his suit?”

  She sighed, then pulled herself up straight. “Yes…yes I did. I refuse to let my bad behavior ruin my brother and his wife. I’m glad you explained it to me. I can see how a scandal of this magnitude would have lasting ramifications for years to come. Not only for them, but their children as well. In the short time I’ve been here, I have seen how vicious members of the ton can be. Look how they treat poor Lady Mary and all because her mother ran off with her lover when she was a small child. That was years ago, and yet they still hold it over her head.”

  The duchess sat beside her and patted her hand. “Kathleen, I know this is difficult for you, but you are doing the right thing. As you have noticed London society can be brutal when it comes to scandal. By the way, I am pleased you have befriended Lady Mary. Although her father is an earl, she has not had an easy time of it. As far as you and Lord Billingsley are concerned, I am sure once you become better acquainted with him, you will find many redeeming traits in him.”

  “I wish I knew more. I don’t know where his estate is. And it is not just him I’m worried about. I’ve met his mother, and she treated me like dirt under her feet when we went to her ball last fall. I can imagine how she is going to receive the news her son is to marry me. I don’t envy Lord Billingsley when he tells her. Albeit, he deserves whatever tirade she rings over his head.” Then letting her exasperation take over, she stood and began pacing.

  Her Grace came over and hugged her. “There, there, everything will be fine. To answer some of your questions, his family seat is on the coast of Dorset, near Dorchester. That is the next county over from Devonshire. It should be less than a day’s drive to Overton Park. And I can understand your concerns regarding his mother. She is not a pleasant person, to say the least. However, I do not believe Lord Billingsley is close to her. She seems to spend much of her time between London and her family estate in Kent.”

  Pulling from the kind woman’s embrace, Kathleen returned to her seat. “Oh, I hope you’re right. I suppose I will learn more tomorrow. He’s taking me driving in the afternoon. I want everyone to believe we’re in love, especially my brother and Anissa. He will never let me marry Lord Billingsley if he doesn’t think I love him. He cannot find out what actually happened.”

  The duchess joined her on the sofa. “I think that is a wise decision. I am sure you are correct concerning your brother, and the ton always enjoys a love match. They shall be much more accepting if they believe you and the baron are in love.”

  “Lord Billingsley thinks we should be seen together often. That’s why he’s taking me driving. As much as I hate to agree with him on anything, on this I think he may be right. I want to talk to His Grace. He must keep the true situation from my brother.”

  “He is in his study. We can go talk to him now, if you would like.”

  The talk with the duke went well. He agreed to write Alex, telling him that Lord Billingsley had requested her hand in marriage, and also to send him a copy of the marriage contract the baron signed. While His Grace wrote his letter, Kathleen went upstairs to write one of her own. That way, both letters could be sent by special courier that afternoon.

  Once she entered her room, she went and sat at the desk, then started writing:

  Dear Alex,

  I received your letter, and I am so pleased you have a son. I am sure Mama is ecstatic. Thank goodness my sister-in-law is doing well and it was an easy birth. I cannot wait to see the babe, so glad to hear he resembles Anissa, instead of you, just teasing! I suppose Melanie and Harry are thrilled, because I know how much both of them wanted a brother.

  I have some news myself. You were right concerning my feelings for William. I know this will come as a surprise, but I have fallen in love with Andrew, Baron Billingsley. I have accepted his suit, and we want to wed as soon as possible. The twenty-first of May is six weeks away, which will give me enough time to plan a wedding.

  Lord Billingsley wants to marry at St. George’s in Hanover Square, and I have agreed. Anissa should be able to travel by then, since I know you are returning to Baltimore at the end of May. This may seem fast to you, but I want all of you here for my wedding. That is why I asked him to hurry it along. Please wish me well, because I am deliriously happy.

  Give everyone my love and give Anthony a kiss from his Aunt Kathleen. I will see you when you come for my wedding.

  All my love,

  Kathleen

  Kathleen perused the letter, trying to decide if she should write anything else. It seemed she should say more regarding her change of heart, but what else she could say was beyond her. Finally deciding to leave it alone, she sealed it and took it downstairs to the duke. The courier stood waiting when she entered His Grace’s study with her letter.

  After the messenger left, he stated, “As much as I hate keeping anything from your brother, I believe you are right in this instance. He would never want you to sacrifice your happiness for him. I wish this could be avoided, but a marriage between you and Billingsley is paramount. The gossip must be contained. Let us hope he does not discover what truly happened at your come-out ball.”

  “I’m hoping he will be so distracted with the babe he will be more accepting of this marriage. Alex recently decided he opposed my engagement to Mr. Jones because he felt I hadn’t met enough gentlemen. Since I moved about in society last fall, and again this season, it is feasible I could have fallen in love with Lord Billingsley. Anissa and Alex know I met him when I first arrived in London. Of course, I was quite vocal concerning my adverse feelings toward the baron, especially with my sister-in-law.”

  “That could play in your favor,” he replied. “Strong emotions, whether negative or positive, can be viewed as very telling.”

  “At this point, I will wait for Alex’s reaction. If I know him, he will probably arrive on your doorstep next week. At least my intended and I should have a week to perfect our charade. Hopefully, after my brother sees us together, he will believe we’re in love and are anxious to marry.” She rose from her chair. “With your permission, Your Grace, I will go to the dining room for luncheon. I will see you this evening at dinner.”

  His Grace inclined his head, and Kathleen curtsied, then quickly left the room. While the duke was on
easy terms with her brother and close in age, he remained distant with her. After all, he was far above her in station.

  His wife was much more relaxed and had even suggested she call her by her given name when they were alone. Since Kathleen feared she might forget when in the presence of others, she refrained from that intimacy.

  Kathleen’s stomach had twisted into knots by the time Lord Billingsley arrived for their drive the next afternoon. She’d spent most of the day before in her room, trying to resign herself to the situation. Her feelings of guilt and remorse were almost more than she could bear. As much as she wanted to put the blame squarely on the baron’s shoulders, she could have stopped him. She had allowed her first taste of passion to overrule good sense.

  Hearing horses and a carriage stop out front, she went to the window and watched as Lord Billingsley climbed from his phaeton. Time to go downstairs and face her future husband. She checked her hair in the mirror, stroked her finger across her furrowed brow, smoothing it out to mask the turmoil she felt, and made her way downstairs.

  As she approached the drawing room, she heard her grace talking to the baron. Heart pounding and blood rushing to all her extremities, Kathleen stepped in the room. Lord Billingsley approached her and taking her hand, he brushed his lips across her knuckles, sending gooseflesh up her arm. “Good afternoon, Miss Hawks. You look lovely today. Are you ready for our drive?”

  “As ready as I will ever be, my lord. Let’s get this over with.”

  “Tut, tut, my dear Miss Hawks. You might want to take that scowl off your face, or we shall never convince anyone we’re enamored of each other. Remember it’s your idea for us to pretend this is a love match.”

  “Oh, I remember.” Then plastering a smile on her face she asked, “Is this better, my lord?”

  “Much better, Miss Hawks. Shall we be off?” Lord Billingsley offered her his arm, and Kathleen slid her hand in the crook.