The Engagement - Regency Brides 02 (10 page)

He was glad his brother had pushed aside societyʼs expectations and married the vicarʼs daughter. She obviously adored him, and Thomas wondered if Katherine would be the same loving wife as his sister-in-law was with his brother.

“North is always jotting here and about visiting his friends before he embarks on his trip to America,” Thomas explained.

“He tells me he will be stopping by Kenswick Hall in a fortnight or so.”

“Excellent,” Nicholas stated his approval. “He was a good friend to me during my dark time when Father died and I thought Iʼd lost you, too. Iʼm glad heʼs been here for you, also.”

83

“Indeed,” Thomas agreed. “And though I know he was disappointed he could not go to America months ago because of the war still raging, I am glad for myself heʼs been able to visit us here at Rosehaven and in London.”

“I wish he wouldnʼt go over there!” Christina interjected, surprising both brothers at the irritation that was behind her words. “He needs to stay here in England and find a nice girl to marry!”

Thomas was vexed by her outcry, but when he looked toward Nicholas, he saw his brother was not. “Ah.” He nodded sagely. “Still holding out hope for your friend Helen, are you?”

“Who is Helen?” Thomas asked.

Christina bristled and shot her husband a piqued glare.

“Helen is my very best friend, and she happens to be in love with North.”

“Helen is the daughter of Mr. Rupert Nichols, a very nice gentleman farmer but poor. North knows his obligations. His family has a tradition of marrying either royalty or the highest of noble families; it is whatʼs expected of him,” Nicholas gently reminded his wife.

“You did not do what was expected of you! Did he not, Thomas?” She suddenly turned to Thomas, peering at him with expectant eyes.

Thomas looked from Christina to his brother. “I donʼt think I want to answer that. Nicholas may try to challenge me to a duel or something.”

Christina gasped, and Nicholas seemed irritated: “Thomas, you know that was a long time ago! He is a Christian man now,” she explained in her husbandʼs defense.

“I was only teasing, Christina,” Thomas said, knowing his brother had changed from the angry, bitter man he had been after the war when those duels had taken place. He then said, with a twinkle in his eye, “Besides, while he is good with pistols, I am better with the sword. So you see-it would not be a fair fight either way.”

Christina started to say something, but she closed her mouth as suddenly as she had opened it. ʻʼYou are trying to get me off the subject, are you not?”

Thomas grinned, not feeling the least bit guilty for it. “Yes, did it work?”

“No, and I still-ʻ-“ she started to say when Nicholas broke in.

“Getting back to the subject of marriage, are you still in agreement your engagement should be a long one?” Nicholas gave Thomas a look that only older brothers could get away with. A look that told him since their father was gone, he was the one dispensing guidance, so Thomas should adhere to it.

Thomas didnʼt require his brotherʼs interference, however.

Because of Katherineʼs inconsistent behavior, he, too, saw the need of waiting a bit to know her better and she, him. “I think I shall suggest we wait for at least four months. Perhaps in that time I can get to know Sherbrooke, too, and bring some sort of mending to relationships with him.”

“I think that is wise,” Nicholas told him, and Thomas could tell he was still not pleased with the whole situation.

“I hope you will be happy, Thomas, as Nicholas has made me happy. I believe God leads the right person into our lives, and when He does, we know it.” She reached across the table and put her hand over his. “Do you know, Thomas? Do you have the feeling God has sent her to you?”

Thomas smiled. “Indeed, I do. Even when she was engaged to Nicholas, I thought she was a special person. And when I met her again, it was as if the whole room darkened and one lone light shone directly from Katherine to me.” He squeezed her hand gently. “I know God has sent her to me.”

Christinaʼs eyes filled with tears. “Oh, my. That was quite a romantic thing to say, Thomas. You should be a poet.” She pulled her hand back and started dabbing at her eyes with her napkin.

Nicholas frowned. “Youʼve said the same thing to me, Christina! It doesnʼt seem quite as special if you are going to be spreading the sentiment to every poor sap who pours out his heart to you!”

Thomas threw his head back and laughed. “You have never been accused of being romantic! Love must be blind after all,”

he roared, laughing harder when Nicholas jumped up from his chair and leaned menacingly over the table.

Expecting such a reaction, Thomas was quick to push his chair back and stand away from Nicholas.

“I am a changed man, little brother. Tell him Iʼm a changed man, Christina,” Nicholas ordered in a loud, commanding voice.

“Heʼs a changed man, Thomas,” Christina parroted dutifully, but the sincerity of the statement was lost when she, too, started to snicker. “Now sit down, dear, before you do something to make us both liars.”

Nicholas dragged his glare away from Thomas to his wife.

Suddenly he grinned, letting them know heʼd been teasing them both. “Iʼll sit, but you must promise not to pay him any more compliments,” he groused but with a playful gleam in his eyes.

“I promise.” She turned and gave Thomas a stern frown.

“You sit down, too, Thomas, and behave yourself. I fear I must take back the compliments, but I'm sure you will understand."

"I think I do-" he began to tease as his butler, McInnes, came into the room with a slight cough.

"I beg yer pardon, my laird, but dinna ye sae ye'd be wan tin'

ta see the
Times
this morn?"

Thomas nodded. "Of course, McInnes. Bring it to me."

The wily Scot who'd been butler at Rosehaven for four years walked with his usual swagger and dropped the paper beside his employer's toast. "Ye might be wantin' ta look 0'

page four, my laird," McInnes whispered in his ear, and before Thomas could question him on it, he was out of the room.

"I still don't understand why you have a Scot for a butler. I don't believe they have the proper disposition for such an important duty. Did you know he scolded me yesterday for getting dirt on the rug after my morning ride?" Nicholas told him, clearly irritated by the incident.

"Hmm." Thomas barely heard what his brother was saying since he was so intent on turning to page four. "McInnes seemed quite insistent I read something . .. . " His voice drifted off as he read the small item in the center of the paper.

"What are you both doing on the thirteenth of June?" he murmured, a little perplexed and just a little pleased by the turn of events.

Nicholas appeared curious. "Why do you ask? What is on page four that has your butler so interested?"

"The engagement has already been published in the
Times,
and it seems the date is only four weeks away on June thirteenth."

"Who is responsible for this?" Nicholas asked.

Thomas stared at the paper without seeing it as his mind pondered the news. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully, then brought his gaze over to his brother. "f believe I shall pay a visit to Ravenhurst Castle to find out."

~

"I'm sorry, sir, but Lady Katherine is unavailable," the Montbattens' butler told Thomas, the same thing he'd been telling him for three days. "Perhaps if you'd like to leave your card or a note?"

Thomas stared at the tall, solemn man and contemplated that the man might possess no personality whatsoever. If Ambrose, as he was called, had one, he'd surely never shown it to him. He'd been to the castle a few times and had surely known of the engagement, and still he treated Thomas as if he were an ordinary caller.

"What of her parents? Are they at home?" he persisted, tired of whatever game was being played at his expense.

"They are in London, sir. I believe they left two days ago."

Thomas thought something was significant in that piece of news. ' And Miss Vine? Is she available?"

"Yes, she is."

Thomas stood staring at Ambrose, who merely stared back at him, expressionless as usual. "Ambrose," he finally said, his voice strained with ire. "Can you please let me come in to speak with Miss Vine?"

The butler nodded regally. "Of course, sir.” Ambrose backed up from the threshold and motioned Thomas inside.

He had to wait only a few minutes in a small sitting room before Theodora came unhurriedly into the room. It was odd watching the woman because her eyes and her expression and tone did not match. It was as if she were a walking contradiction from what she was saying and what she felt.

Thomas had the uncanny feeling that Theodora despised him; yet she always seemed to smile at him, and he knew she urged Katherine his way by her insistent whispers and unsubtle hints.

Why? Why was she anxious for Katherine and him to make a match? What would she gain from it?

Something had to be motivating her, he realized. Perhaps God was leading him to find out or maybe even help the woman. He did not want to judge her, so perhaps if be tried to befriend her, he could understand her more.

The thin woman curtsied, and Thomas nodded his head respectfully her way. "Mr. Thornton," she began. "I was surprised you wanted to see me. Is something amiss?"

Thomas watched as she walked to a chair and sat down upon it. It was the largest chair in the room, and when she looked up at him, it appeared as though she were sitting on a throne holding court. Shaking the absurd thought from his mind, he smiled at her, then took the chair next to her. "I came to inquire after Katherine. I've tried to see her but have only been told she is not available. Frankly, Miss Vine, I was wondering if she might be ill or something similar to that."

The woman's lips pursed, and Thomas thought if it were possible, steam would be coming from her ears for how upset she seemed. "I'm afraid I do not understand, Mr. Thornton. I was under the impression Katherine was riding with you every day since your engagement."

Thomas sat back on his seat, dumbfounded by this information.

"I have not seen her since the day I asked her to marry me."

Theodora startled him by quickly standing and walking to the window. He turned in his chair to see what she was doing.

"I hope I didn't upset you, Miss Vine. It's just that I'd like to know why Katherine is lying to you about seeing me, then ignoring me when I call."

Thomas saw her bony shoulders lift and go back down in an apparent sigh. Slowly, she turned and faced him, all traces of anger gone from her face. "I believe Katherine must be experiencing pre-wedding jitters."

That did make sense, but Thomas could not get rid of the feeling there was more to it. "I suppose so, but that would explain only why she has been hiding from me. Why would she lie to you?"

She shrugged as she came and sat back down in the chair.

"I must confess, I have encouraged a relationship between you both all along."

"Did you?" he murmured.

"Yes, because I had heard you were a good man and someone who would disregard the gossip that has been spoken of her."

Thomas nodded. "I appreciate your confidence in me."

For a moment, he thought the woman grimaced, but when he blinked, a pleasant expression was clearly shown on her face. Perhaps he had only … imagined it.

"I am on your side, Mr. Thornton, and will do everything I can to calm her fears so she will speak to you." She stood, and Thomas deduced their little tête-à-tête was over.

He stood. "I thank you, Miss Vine. I shall call again tomorrow."

He started to go, but she stopped him. .

"Wait!" He turned, and she motioned toward the window.

"The moat-or the ditch, rather. I saw her in there by the rear bridge when I glanced out of the window a few moments ago."

Thomas blinked with bemusement. "I'm sorry-did you say

'moat'?"

Theodora sighed with an expression of long-suffering.

"Unfortunately, yes. She likes to go and sit at the bottom and … well…

I don't know what she does. Thinks or something."

Thomas smiled at the odd woman. "Excellent. Again you have my thanks."

He didn't wait for a response as he hurried from the castle and walked around until he came to the rear bridge. As Theodora had told him, Katherine was there, lying with her back propped against the incline, strutting off in front of her.

He was halfway down when she saw him. "What are you doing here?" she asked in a panicked voice, scrambling to her feet.

"I'm here to find out why you have been avoiding me."

Thomas came to stand in front of her. "Are you having regrets?" he added quietly.

Katherine began studying the ground as she folded her arms at her waist in a defensive move. "I don't know what you-"

"Look at me, Katherine!" he demanded softly as he took her arms and brought himself closer to her. "First I find that you or someone has published our wedding date without consulting me, and now you are ignoring me. If you did not want to marry me, why did you set the date for the thirteenth of June?"

"I didn't!" she cried, her expression surprisingly defiant.

"My mother did that."

Thomas stared at her for a moment, trying to understand the emotions whirling about in her eyes. "Are you doing this for your mother? Because that is no reason to go into marriage.

I-"

"No. I'm not doing this for my mother." She closed her eyes, and when she opened them, she gazed directly into his.

"I'm just scared, Thomas. I'm scared of-" She stopped, as if she were unable to find the right words.

Thomas thought he knew the answer. "You're scared I'm going to leave you as Nicholas did."

She frowned and started to say something, then stopped.

She chewed at her bottom lip as he waited for her to respond.

"I-yes-yes, you are right. I'm scared of being hurt."

Thomas smiled, relieved. "My darling, don't be scared. You must realize I lov--"

"No! Do not say it! Please!" she cried, breaking his hold on her and putting her hands over her mouth in an appearance of fear.