The Seventh Suitor (14 page)

“What are you up to now, Miss Montgomery?”

“Nothing you would not approve of, I feel sure, my lord. Why, just the other day you set yourself the task of finding useful employment for one of the idle rich. I had much the same goal in mind,” she explained modestly.

Winterton’s mouth curved in a good-humored smile as he surveyed the occupants of the room. “Which is it to be this time?”

“I cannot help feeling that the heirs Tolbert and Marsh are destined for national affairs,” Kate whispered as she shared her secret with wide-eyed innocence.

The black brows drew together in a frown. “You must be daft,” he retorted.

“Do you think so? Charity would give me no definite opinion on the matter, not being well acquainted with the young men. But they take a very lively
interest
in such things, and I can only find that encouraging.”

“Do you have the least idea what their politics consist of?”

“No,” she admitted, not the least abashed. “Does it matter?”

Winterton regarded her exasperatedly. “Surely you can see that it does.”

“Consider this, then,” Kate suggested. “They fall into discussions of such matters frequently with each other and with everyone else. These discussions are often lengthy but rarely heated. Do you see what that means? They must be in agreement with the majority of our neighbors,” she pronounced triumphantly.

“Your reasoning is impeccable, Miss Montgomery.” He gave a mock bow to her and proceeded to flick open an enameled snuff box and extract a pinch. When this procedure was concluded, he continued thoughtfully, “I dare say it could have been worse. You might have chosen medicine or the law for the two nodcocks.”

Kate acknowledged this as tacit approval by enlisting his aid. “I have seated you next to Lady Romsey. You might put a word in her ear.”

“You are too kind, ma’am. I take it you are seated next to Mr. Marsh.”

Kate grinned at him disarmingly. “Why, yes, I believe I am.”

Dinner was announced at that point, so their discussion came to an end. The Earl escorted Mrs. Montgomery into the spacious white and gold room ablaze with the candlelight of a crystal chandelier which accented the luster of the dark wood furniture and the rich Axminster carpet. The richly laid table and side table sparkled in the glow, and Kate surveyed the whole with satisfaction. She was seated between Mr. Hall and Mr. Marsh, her sister between the latter and Lord Norris. The two young men in question were not in attendance, but Kate found that much the best arrangement. She bent her attention first on Mr. Marsh, since her sister was unlikely to do so.

“I understand your family goes to London for the season, Mr. Marsh. Mary and Susan talk of little else these days. Do James and Terence accompany you?”

“So they say,” he grunted as he attended to his soup. “Might as well. Confounded dull after hunting season.”

“Yes, indeed. And I imagine Terence is anxious to be with people who share his interest in politics,” Kate suggested thoughtfully.

“What’s that?” the poor man gasped as he attempted to swallow the brimming spoonful of soup he had succeeded in getting to his mouth.

“I was merely thinking that he must be sadly devoid of stimulating political company here in the country. There is nothing to rival the gossip and intrigue of London on that score.”

The bewildered Mr. Marsh merely stared at her for a moment, his spoon poised clumsily in his hand. “Young lady, I have not the faintest idea what you are talking about,” he finally managed.

Kate in her turn looked perplexed. “Why, we were speaking of your eldest son Terence, sir. And his fascination with politics.”

“Who says he’s fascinated with politics?”

“He speaks of little else when hunting season is over. Both he and Geoffrey Tolbert have the most admirable interest in the affairs of state. I have often wondered that they do not try for seats in Parliament. It must be exciting to have a hand in those government actions which affect our own lives, do you not agree?”

“Never thought about it,” he mumbled over a mouthful of roll.

“But think of the taxes and laws which are enacted! Think of the money which is spent! Surely these are not matters we wish to have handled by just anyone!”

“Perhaps not,” he reluctantly agreed as he speared a morsel of roasted cheese.

“I’m sure my father is most particular about the member from his district,” Kate declared majestically, as though her father’s honor had been impugned.

“To be sure. Yes, certainly. As I am,” he protested while lifting his wineglass recklessly.

“Of course you are,” Kate murmured placatingly. “I should imagine it would be a great comfort to have one’s own son representing one’s interests in Parliament,” she said thoughtfully.

As a drop of wine trickled down his chin, Mr. Marsh regarded her curiously and commented, “No doubt.”

Feeling that she had pushed the matter as far as she dared, Kate now changed the subject and happened to glance across the table where Winterton was regarding her with amusement. She winked at him, and he choked discreetly on his baked trout. Kate returned her attention to her other neighbor.

Kate’s Aunt Eleanor did not miss this interchange; there was very little that escaped her attention. She set herself to get acquainted with Lord Winterton. “I believe I knew your parents many years ago. Not very well, you understand. But it was through your mother that I was introduced to Sir John, my first husband. He was a friend of the Countess’s oldest brother.”

“That would be my Uncle Septimus Conway, ma’am?”

“Yes. Is he still alive?”

“Very much so, though he has outlived three wives. He still expects an earthquake any day; he remembers the ones in ‘50 as a lad of ten,” the Earl said.

“I fear he will be disappointed,” Aunt Eleanor replied.

“No doubt. But I am convinced that it is the expectation which keeps him alive, for he has become quite fanatic on the subject.”

“Kate and I met an ancient lady in Ireland who had originally moved there for fear of those London quakes.”

“I understand you and your niece have done considerable traveling. It must be rather difficult for two women alone.”

“Well, I admit it was easier with Mr. Hall this time, but on the other hand, wherever one goes with Kate, there is an adventure.”

“I cannot doubt it,” Winterton replied and glanced over at that young woman, who was now in close conversation with her new uncle.

Aunt Eleanor in turn inspected Winterton’s rugged features, his black brows and soot-colored wavy hair. When he returned his gaze to hers, his blue eyes still merry and the corners of his mouth twisted, she determined that he was rather attractive when not on his dignity. “Have you done much traveling, Lord Winterton?” she asked politely.

“A little. I spent some months in Italy when I was younger, and I have gone to Ireland several times, but I have been to France only once. I have a strong desire to see Greece one day.”

“Kate and I had been contemplating a trip there, but then Mr. Hall and I were married. He and I may go there some day,” she mused wistfully, “but we agreed that a shorter trip would serve best at this time. We are faced with the task of combining two households when we return, and I imagine it will be no small matter.”

“I wish you well.” Winterton smiled and made a mock toast with his wineglass. “I am content to leave all domestic matters to my secretary.”

“And I,” she grimaced, “left far too many of them to Kate. What I am to do with two butlers, two housekeepers, and half a dozen footmen is beyond me!”

“Perhaps your house could be let with the servants, unless you intend to sell it,” Winterton suggested.

She nodded sadly. “I suppose that would be wisest. And I should not regret leaving the house, mind you, but Mr. Hall has such a tartar of a housekeeper that I really cannot believe we shall get on very well together.” She sighed and picked abstractedly at her meal. “I’m glad you reminded me of it; I shall discuss it with Kate.”

Winterton allowed her to follow her own thoughts and turned to Lady Romsey, who was beginning to feel neglected. However, he chose a subject close to her heart when he did speak to her, so she was inclined to forgive him.

“I have not seen much of Geoffrey recently, Lady Romsey. But I imagine he has been busy. I heard a whisper that he is interested in getting a seat in Parliament.”

Lady Romsey was not one to admit there was anything about her son that she did not know. She gave herself a moment to consider this intelligence by sipping carefully at her wine. Then she said cautiously, “It would be very fitting for him, I think.”

“Indeed. He seems to take an interest in the affairs of state, and it cannot be harmful to him to know how to go on one day, in the distant future, of course, when he takes a seat in the Lords.”

“As you say,” Lady Ramsey concurred. Then, feeling that she was not showing the proper enthusiasm about such a worthy project, she continued glibly, “And I am sure Lord Romsey has sufficient influence to conclude the matter expeditiously.” She beamed proudly on the Earl for her quick grasp of the situation.

Winterton was hard put not to glance over at Miss Montgomery, but he restrained himself and replied, “I have not the least doubt of it.”

Lady Romsey was not unrelieved when her attention was claimed by Ralph at this moment, and she listened patiently while he told her of his farm. Winterton thankfully resumed his meal.

After dinner Kate found herself sought out by Winterton when the men joined the ladies. He refused her offer to join a table of whist-players. “Nor do I wish to be left at the mercies of Lady Romsey or Mrs. Marsh. And I hope you will not trot off to play the pianoforte or act the hostess. This is your mother’s party, .and she is apparently enjoying her role, so come and sit with me for a while.”

He led her firmly to a sofa a short distance away from the others and waited politely while she seated herself. He had never seen her so modishly dressed, in a blue silk and wool dress with a richly woven border in dull reds, deep golden yellows, light and dark greens which became her to admiration. The short petal sleeves and cross-over bodice were a distinct change from the long sleeves and fichus she sported on less formal occasions. If Winterton had been addressing Celeste he would have had no trouble turning a compliment, but with Miss Montgomery he merely said, “You are looking well this evening.”

“How kind of you to say so, Lord Winterton.” Kate repressed a desire to smile and, in his own formal accents, remarked, “And it is a treat for us to see you in other than buckskins and top boots.”

The smile which altered his rugged face appeared. “Thomas assured me they would not do for such an occasion, though I was loath to part with them. Not being beloved of my neighbors, as your father recently informed me, I am not often invited to country dinner parties.”

“Surely my father was never so rude! And he had the audacity to criticize Ralph and me! Why, I am sure
I
never told you anything half so unkind.” Her indignation was belied by the twinkle in her eyes which met his merrily.

“You underestimate yourself, my dear Miss Montgomery. On numerous occasions you have cut me to the quick.”

“No, have I? How splendid! That is, I am sure I never meant to do more than pay you in kind, my lord.”

He lifted an admonitory finger. “You have unknowingly taught me a great deal about yourself this evening. I had no idea how easy it was to manipulate people before now.”

“That is because you are used to ordering them about, sir,” she retorted. “If you were not in a position to do so, you would have learned long ago, I dare say, for I have no illusions about your grasp on your affairs. I take it Lady Romsey took the bait?”

“In one gulp. Were you as successful with Mr. Marsh?”

Kate considered this for a moment as she toyed with her fan. “No, I cannot believe I was. Mr. Marsh was at first incredulous at such a notion, then bewildered as to how to handle it and his meal at the same time, and finally, I think, convinced that I am a trifle wanting upstairs.” She sighed deeply and snapped the fan shut. “You see how it is, Lord Winterton. Even in such a small matter your words carry so much more weight than mine. Do you suppose that is because you are a peer, or because I am a woman?”

“Probably both, but I would not let it concern me, if I were you. In the last month you have set into motion a number of projects for which you might be justly proud.” His eyes locked with hers in a most disconcerting way.

“You . . . don’t deplore my methods?”

“I am all admiration of them, Miss Montgomery.”

Kate flushed slightly and lowered her eyes. Impossible as it seemed, he was not mocking her, and his intent gaze made her feel slightly disturbed. “I try, occasionally, to change, but I cannot resist the temptation to meddle,” she said with an attempt at lightness.

“No amount of haranguing or bullying seems to work half so well as a few well-placed suggestions with fellows such as your brother or my ward. What did you say to Charles?” he asked curiously.

“I told him I thought Susan needed to marry a mature man.”

Winterton’s shoulders shook with amusement. “Now, why didn’t I think of that? He has become almost oppressive with his maturity, though.”

“Yes, but in time it will sit well on him, I think, don’t you?” she asked anxiously, raising her eyes once more to meet his.

He was struck by the earnestness in them and very nearly reached out to touch her cheek. To cover the half-gesture he had made, he slipped a gold snuff box from his pocket and flicked it open. “But, of course, Miss Montgomery. He needs only to accustom himself to it.”

Carefully he extracted a pinch of snuff and inhaled it, but he was unable to rid himself of the desire to touch the charming face turned up to him and he was almost relieved when he noticed that Mrs. Montgomery was bearing down on them to extract her daughter from what she thought, mistakenly, must be a most unwelcome tête-à-tête.

Chapter 13

“My dear, I shall miss you,” Aunt Eleanor told Kate as she hugged her before departing. “I shall take your advice about the housekeeper, but heaven knows if it will work for me,” she sighed. “I know it would for you. And I shall see what can be done about Charity. I hope you will plan to visit this summer, even if only for a few weeks.”