Chapter 12
KENDRICK
Ididn’t enjoy attending proceedings in the House of Lords, but I took the task seriously.
Especially when I could participate in a debate that would ruffle feathers.
It wasn’t a secret that the majority of those who attended every session did so because they wanted to ensure their way of life was preserved.
They had little patience for considering reforms that might help people who weren’t already blessed with wealth and position.
When tonight’s interminable debate finally came to an end, I headed outside with Fairfax and Clifton. I envied Rexford and Greyson, who held courtesy titles and weren’t expected to perform this particular duty.
“You seem out of sorts,” Clifton said. “Does it have anything to do with last night’s business?”
My thoughts immediately went to the kiss I’d shared with Caroline.
I’d made a point of avoiding young women newly out in society, but I enjoyed her company a great deal.
It surprised me that she didn’t want a husband.
I was sure she’d eventually change her mind, but I was content to help her for now.
And no one would fault me for wanting to thwart her brother’s schemes. Really, I deserved a medal for my patience.
The situation wasn’t at all similar to what had occurred with Moreland, who’d been asked to ruin Rexford’s sister so she could avoid the marriage her father had arranged. They’d instead fallen in love and were now married and on their wedding trip.
Moreland’s sudden change of heart was baffling.
And if I were being honest, more than a little distressing.
If I hadn’t witnessed the entire series of events with my own eyes, I wouldn’t have thought it possible.
I understood desire, but almost from the moment he’d seen her, Moreland had become obsessed with Victoria.
He’d tried to hide it, and I’d assumed it was just a physical attraction.
Rexford’s sister was beautiful, and no one blamed Moreland for desiring her.
I’d been shocked to learn he wanted to marry the girl and actually believed himself in love with her.
“I missed what happened,” Fairfax said.
I shook my head. “You were intent on entertaining yourself elsewhere.”
Fairfax smirked. “You brought me to a ball filled with beautiful women. I never realized there would be so many young widows.”
“That’s what happens when society seems intent on marrying their young daughters off to men who have one foot in the grave,” Clifton said. His mother had been one such young woman, so I could understand the iciness behind his statement.
When we reached the carriages, Fairfax took his leave. I assumed he was returning to the bed of the woman with whom he’d left the ball.
Clifton and I made our way to where a groom was waiting with his curricle. We settled onto the leather seat, and I watched Clifton gather the reins and guide the matched pair of bays with practiced ease into the steady stream of vehicles departing parliament.
He glanced my way, a curious gleam in his eyes. “Are you planning to marry Miss Edwards? Or just make her your mistress?”
It took effort not to scowl. “Neither.”
My last mistress had taught me that even that level of commitment was fraught with danger, as she’d leaked a story to The Mayfair Chronicle about me proposing marriage.
I didn’t know what had gotten into her, but the experience had taught me one thing.
If Mirabelle’s skill in the bedroom couldn’t tempt me to marry, a proper young woman like Miss Edwards wouldn’t accomplish that feat.
And even though I had a note written in her brother’s hand giving me possession of his sister, I wasn’t foolish enough to think I could actually have her as my mistress.
Society looked the other way when a widow took a lover, but they would condemn an unmarried young woman for doing the same thing, and I wouldn’t do that to Caroline.
But as long as we were discreet, there was no reason I couldn’t have her in my bed. If that kiss had shown me one thing, it was that Caroline possessed a passion I would enjoy exploring.
“Weston’s sister is quite the beauty,” Clifton said. “The others were more than a little annoyed last night to see you take an active interest in her.”
I smirked, remembering the satisfaction I’d felt in stealing her for the waltz. “Penham is hoping to marry her, and Weston supports the match.”
Clifton frowned. “He told you that after giving you his sister?”
I shook my head. “Miss Edwards did.”
I could see him trying to work through that confusing bit of knowledge. It made no sense, after all, for Weston to give me his sister after losing a round of cards when he wanted her to marry another man.
“Her dowry is quite large, and Weston has been trying to get his hands on it.”
Clifton grunted. “I’m not surprised he’s finding himself constrained given his lack of skill at the card tables.”
“Exactly. Caroline and I believe Penham has agreed to give her brother a portion of that dowry in exchange for promoting the match.”
“That explains the way Penham was glaring at you last night while you waltzed with her. But it doesn’t explain why Weston would write that note.”
I couldn’t hide my amusement as I recalled that first conversation I’d had with Caroline. “It seems that Weston is finding it difficult to convince his sister to fall in line with that plan.”
Clifton grinned. “So she’s smart as well as beautiful.”
Clifton disliked Penham as much as I did. We’d known him during our years at Eaton. Instead of going on to Oxford, as we had, Penham had chosen to go on a grand tour. He’d never been particularly bright and had sneered at what he’d considered the uselessness of further education.
“She’s told me she’s not interested in securing a husband.”
Clifton seemed to consider that statement, and I waited for him to come to the same conclusion Caroline and I had reached.
It didn’t take long. “Weston is hoping that if her association with you ruins her reputation, he’ll be able to coerce her into accepting Penham.
” At my nod, Clifton continued. “And what is your involvement in all of this?”
I shrugged. “She’s mine.”
He shot me an amused glance. “Yours?”
“I don’t expect that I’ll be able to keep her.
But if I help her to remain unmarried until she reaches her age of majority, the money set aside for her dowry will go to her.
She’s planning to set herself up somewhere and gain her independence.
And she has assured me that she’ll give me the money Weston owes me. ”
Clifton laughed outright. “She’s the diamond of the season and has a large dowry.
Does she honestly think she’ll be able to escape marriage?
She won’t have to worry about you, but what’s to stop someone else from attempting to compromise her?
And then of course he’ll offer to do the honorable thing and marry her.
Frankly, I’m surprised Penham hasn’t tried that already. ”
“While she belongs to me, no one will go near her.” I didn’t manage to keep my tone as casual as I’d hoped.
Of course, Clifton noticed. “You should have a care, lest you find yourself walking down the same wedding aisle as Moreland.”
My intentions toward Caroline weren’t that honorable. “You needn’t fear that. I don’t plan to marry for some time.”
Clifton’s gaze moved from the road to me. “Do you require our assistance in keeping the others away from her?”
I could tell that he didn’t believe my assertion, but he was free to believe whatever he wanted. “I have it well in hand for now. And Miss Atherton proved to be very useful last night.”
Clifton’s brows drew together. “Miss Diana Atherton?”
I nodded, surprised. “Do you know her?”
“My mother was friends with her mother.” I could see him searching his mind for a memory. When he found it, he said, “I believe Mother mentioned that Miss Atherton’s mother died recently. Her father passed a few years ago. I believe she’s now under the guardianship of her aunt and uncle.”
I shrugged. I didn’t really know anything about that. “Whatever the case, I went outside with Caroline, as you saw.”
Clifton shook his head. “I don’t know what you were thinking.”
I hadn’t been thinking. I hadn’t been able to resist the temptation to get her alone.
“At any rate, Miss Atherton actually stormed out after us and dragged Caroline back to the ballroom. She even had the audacity to order me to return through a different door.”
Clifton smiled. “She always was a bossy little thing. I can’t believe she’s old enough to be out in society. Are you certain it was her? I don’t recall seeing her.”
“She was easy to overlook. She was wearing a horrible yellow concoction that made her look like she was on death’s door.
If her aunt is trying to secure a match for her, she’s doing a terrible job of presenting her in an alluring manner.
” I couldn’t resist adding, “Do you have any interest in that direction?”
His mouth firmed into a line, his amusement at my expense vanishing. “When have I ever given you any indication that I was looking for a wife?”
I shrugged. “Moreland would have said the same thing a short time ago.”
“No, I’m just thinking about the girl I used to know who was so full of life. Mother was quite fond of her. I think she’d hoped that the two of us would one day…” He shook his head. “Mother isn’t holding her breath waiting for me to wed.”
I barked out a laugh. “Mothers are forever making matches in their heads. For the most part, mine has remained silent on the subject of finding me a wife. I dread the day she decides it’s time to press the issue.”
Clifton lifted one shoulder. “I’m sure the girl is well taken care of.
Her parents were well off, and I’m sure they made provisions for their only child.
And heaven knows my mother is enough of a busybody that she would intercede if that wasn’t the case.
Now, about Miss Edwards. What are you planning next? ”
I had no idea. I supposed I could attempt to learn where she was going to be tonight. Make sure that the vultures stayed away from her. And if Penham was also there, so much the better.
I was going to enjoy forcing him to watch as I took away his prize. I wasn’t planning to keep her, but I could still have some fun along the way.