The Engagement - Regency Brides 02 Read online

  The sight of them made his heart yearn for her to be his wife and mother to his son. This would be a familiar sight, one that would extend to other children they would have.

  And she would be his. He would be able to reach out to her as he wanted to, wrapping his arms around her, holding her to his heart, knowing she would be his wife and love forever.

  God knew he wanted that more than anything.

  “Isnʼt that right, Mr. Thornton?” Lucyʼs voice jarred Thomas out of his reverie. He glanced around to find everyone at the table staring at him.

  “Isnʼt what right, Lucy?”

  Thomas had the eerie feeling the young girl knew exactly what had been on his mind. “The horses. Were not you going to show me your prized Arabians?” she asked, apparently for the second time. —

  “Oh! Yes, of course.” He glanced about the table. “I promised Lucy and Katherine I would show them my horses I have just recently acquired. Would anyone else like to join us?”

  The duke shook his head. “Not I. I fancy sitting here in the shade a bit and resting after such a fine meal.” He nodded toward his wife. “You may go, my dear, if you would like.”

  Lady Montbatten smiled. “Oh, no. Iʼll join my husband in his rest.” She turned to her youngest daughter. “You should rest also, Lucy. Why not let Theodora go in your place?”

  Before Lucy could voice her protest, Thomas intervened.

  “Both ladies are welcome to join me.” He sent his friend a pointed look. “You will come also, North?”

  North must have understood he needed him along for distraction.

  “Indeed. But I warn you, if I spend too much time admiring them, you might find some of them missing when I am gone!” he teased.

  Everyone laughed, and Thomas took the opportunity to walk to where Katherine was holding Ty. “Why donʼt you let Mrs. Sanborne take him now and put him to bed? I would imagine he is growing quite heavy for you.”

  Katherine nodded and slowly stood up with the sleeping child. Mrs. Sanborne took him from her, and Thomas noticed a bittersweet smile on Katherineʼs lips as she watched them go into the manor. “I believe my son is quite enamored of you,” Thomas told her, bringing her gaze back to him.

  She grinned up at him. ʻʼAs I am he. Tyler is a fine little boy, Thomas. You seem to be doing well with him.”

  Thomas nodded thoughtfully, debating whether to say his next words. He decided it would not hurt to start hinting around at his feelings. “I suppose I do well enough, but it doesnʼt follow we are content in our situation.” She merely seemed curious, so he continued. “Every little boy should have a mother.”

  At those words, Katherine turned away, and he was unable to read her reaction.

  “May we go now?” Lucy asked impatiently then.

  Thomas sighed inwardly and watched Katherine use the interruption as an excuse to walk away from him. “Yes, of course.” He walked toward the group and noticed Theodora was now talking to Katherine. Confused again at her odd behavior, he held out his hand to Lucy, then motioned his head to North to join him.

  As the men and Lucy took the lead down the path that led to the stables, Katherine and Theodora hung back a ways, still whispering in what sounded like an argument.

  “Lucy,” Thomas said in a low voice, “I was wondering if you might help me in a plan that involves your sister and Miss Vine.”

  Lucy, just as Thomas had supposed, grew excited by the idea of conspiring against her sister. “Oh, I would! What did you have in mind?” she whispered back, her voice full of excitement.

  Thomas exchanged a glance with North. “I need you and North to distract Theodora so I might speak with your sister alone. It would be only for a few minutes.”

  Lucyʼs eyes narrowed on Thomas, and a conspiratorial smile curved her lips. “You like my sister, do you not?”

  Thomas smothered his chuckle with a choked cough.

  “Uh—yes, I do.”

  She nodded with wisdom beyond her years. “And I suppose you want to be alone with her to recite sonnets or some other such romantic gesture.”

  North was the one choking back a laugh this time. “Do you have your sonnets on hand, Thorn?”

  Thomas chuckled. “Perhaps I shall save the sonnets for another day. Today I only want to talk to her.”

  ʻʼAll right,” she said with resignation, though by her tone, Thomas understood the girl thought her idea of sonnets a better plan than his.

  They had arrived at the stables, so Thomas ushered them inside. As usual, the large building was kept clean and tidy.

  “It smells in here,” Theodora was quick to comment.

  “It is a stable, Theo,” Lucy retorted.

  “Do not call me that, Lucinda!” her cousin snapped back in a low, menacing voice.

  Thomas saw Lucy was about to say something back, and he jumped in hastily. “North, why donʼt you escort Theodora and Lucy outside where the air is fresher.”

  North nodded, giving Theodora one of his charming smiles. “Excellent idea!” He held out his arm to the woman.

  “Shall we?”

  Thomas was interested to see the older woman actually start to blush and preen a bit. “I would love to,” she said softly, but then she suddenly remembered her duty. “But Kate will be without a chaperone.”

  “We will only be right outside. I am sure her reputation will be safe with that and all the groomsmen about,” North countered smoothly.

  That was all the convincing it took. North had so enthralled the woman with his appeal, she would have probably followed the handsome duke anywhere. So with Lucy on his other arm, they left Thomas alone with Katherine.

  Finally.

  ~

  Katherine watched her cousin with astonishment as she walked out of the stables hanging on to the Duke of Northingshireʼs arm and gazing at him with adoring eyes.

  Where has the spinsterish woman gone who is always quoting platitudes on why women are better off without men? She wondered.

  “Ah! Here we are.” Thomas brought her attention to the horse he was standing beside. “This beauty is named Sultan, and though he is a lot to handle, he can run like the wind.

  Come—you can pet him. Heʼs like most males who become big babies when a lovely lady is around.”

  The sleek black horse was, indeed, beautiful, and with a little reverence, Katherine reached out and ran her hand down his forehead and nose. The horse, just as Thomas had predicted, moved to snuggle his head more into her hand. “Dh!

  You are a big baby, are you not?” she crooned.

  Katherine looked up to find Thomas studying her. She became disconcerted because it seemed he could see so deeply into her heart and mind, discerning her secrets. She lowered her eyes. “Why do you stare at me so?”

  Thomas turned away, and he, too, began stroking the horseʼs mane. “I suppose I am trying to understand you,” he commented evenly, but Katherine could tell it was a subject that was serious to him.

  She did not want to speak of serious things with Thomas.

  Serious talk would lead to serious questions such as those concerning marriage. And as much as Theodora was urging her to hint around about the subject, she was experiencing much anxiety about doing so.

  “There is nothing to understand,” she countered with a shrug, walking over to the horse in the next stall.

  “Sometimes you seem very comfortable in my presence, then in an instant you become uncomfortable.” His voice was low and full of confusion and concern as he came up behind her.

  Katherine closed her eyes, fighting off feelings that would only complicate the already horrible situation. “I-I donʼt know what youʼre talking about. I-“

  “Is it because of my brother? Do I remind you of him, and that is what makes you become distant?” he interrupted her, then placed his hands on her shoulders and gently turned her to face him. “Do you love him still?”

  Katherine felt the warmth of his hands linger on her shoulders, and part of her wished she cou
ld step a few inches more into his arms. Somehow she knew his strong arms would make her feel safe-that everything would make sense.

  She looked fully into those deep blue eyes that were so much like his brotherʼs yet filled with a love and respect she had never seen in Nicholasʼs, and she knew sheʼd never been in love with his elder sibling. Neither had he been in love with her. Theyʼd had an arrangement, one that benefited them, their families, and their station. She wanted revenge against him, not because sheʼd been scorned by love but because she had been so humiliated over the aftermath of the breakup.

  And she was going to make Thomas pay for a humiliation he had nothing to do with? It made no sense now. Not when she was staring into the eyes of a man whose honor and integrity showed so clearly there.

  What a wicked person she was. Would God ever forgive her for what she had planned to do?

  “I am not in love with Nicholas, Thomas,” she told him honestly, and it hurt her physically to see his eyes light up with relief.” And though you resemble each other, there is not much about you that reminds me of him. To be honest, we never really talked much, and I saw him as rather arrogant and self-seeking, whereas you are unpretentious and very giving. “

  His smile grew at her words, and Katherine knew he was pleased. “I am glad you do not compare us and that your. Heart is not tied to him.” He stopped for a moment, then continued hesitantly. “But I do want you to know he is not the same man he was. I can honestly say God has wrought a great change in his life. I do not think you would recognize him as he is today.” He smiled teasingly. “Although he can still be a little arrogant. But I believe being the Earl of Kenswick brings that on ever so often.”

  A wave of resentment shot through her as Thomas spoke of the changes in his brother. It seemed unfair for Nicholas to be so much in Godʼs favor when she felt as though God had forgotten her. And with the terrible thoughts sheʼd had and the dastardly plans she had made, she would probably never feel His favor again. “I have also changed, but I sometimes think it is not for the better and that God has had little to do with it,” she found herself admitting, surprising them both.

  Thomas frowned and moved to take her hands into his own. “You are wrong, Katherine. God can take any bad situation and turn it around for good. Of course, you know what He did for me! Coming that close to death made me realize how much I needed God and how much I should cherish the people in my life. I hated going through it, but now that I am on the other side, I can see Godʼs plan.” He caressed the back of her bare hands. “Now that we have met, can you not see how everything can turn out to be better than either of us ever dreamed?”

  Katherine wanted to turn and run away from him and his eyes full of adoration. His words were like someone putting bricks upon her shoulders, weighing her down with even more guilt and shame. Why didnʼt she turn to God when the rumors had started? Why had she allowed bitterness to choke out her happiness and peace?

  But she couldnʼt run. She was caught in a web of her own making—one she didnʼt know how to get out of

  “Yes, of course I can,” she murmured, hating herself for being such a coward and not confessing the whole truth to him ..

  “Look-why donʼt you come to the manor tomorrow?

  Nicholas and his wife, Christina, should be arriving at noon.

  I think it would help you to talk to him after all this time. I know he has some apologies he would like to make to you personally. “

  “Oh, no,” she answered quickly, knowing she was not ready to face Nicholas. Not yet. Maybe not ever, if she could not find a way of backing out of the plan. “Iʼm sorry, Thomas, but I just canʼt.”

  Thomas seemed disappointed, but he tried to hide it. “It is all right, Katherine,” he said; “There will be other times. And when the time is right, I will be with you.”

  Katherine squeezed his hand and smiled at him, although she felt like crying.

  Thomas waited until his brother and sister-in-law had reunited with Ty before he told them of his involvement with Katherine. Because they had both raised his son the irst few months of his life, when everyone had presumed he was dead, Thomas did not want his news to upset them right. Away.

  As Christina and Nicholas played with the toddler and chatted with him, Thomas could see they were very happy in their marriage. Nicholas, though always retaining his regal bearing, was a more considerate person now, friendlier, with a ready smile, than he had been after their father had died.

  The more Thomas talked with them, the more he began to think that maybe his news would not bother his brother at all.

  Perhaps he would even be happy for him!

  “By the way”-he decided to go for the nonchalant approach-“Katherine and her family are at their casde for the season.”

  Thomas saw Nicholas turn to gauge Christinaʼs expression as if to see her reaction to his old fiancéeʼs name. When she merely smiled at him and continued to play with her nephew,

  “ Nicholas responded. ʻʼIndeed. I am surprised they are not in London this time of year. The London season was always an event of great importance to the duke and duchess.” His voice was calm, and, in fact, he didnʼt seem interested in pursuing the subject, giving Thomas even more confidence in what he needed to say.

  “Yes, well, I believe the Montbattens felt their stay in the country was more beneficial than attending the season.”

  When he received no response from his brother, who had reached for the baby and was now holding him up in the air, he became more specific. “More beneficial to Katherine.”

  Nicholas froze, then slowly lowered the baby, keeping his razor sharp gaze trained on his nervous brother. “Are you trying to tell me Katherine has a suitor?” Then to Thomasʼs amazement, he laughed. “And you thought this would bother me?”

  Thomas cleared his throat. “Well, yes, but-“

  “Thorn, this is the best news Iʼve heard all day! Do you know how guilty Iʼve felt knowing Katherineʼs name was so blackened over our engagement that sheʼs had no offers? This brings a sort of closure to that whole dreadful episode in our lives!”

  “Tell us, Thomas! Who is he?” Christina piped up as she ran to sit on the sofa next to him. It amazed him to think this beautiful redhead had been the vicarʼs little daughter who gave them so much grief when they were younger. She still had that unchanging spark shining in her eyes and the impish grin he remembered so well. It was her hope and faith that had refused to give up on his brother, even when Nicholas tried to shut her and everyone else out of his life after the war.

  “Yes, tell us! Do you know him?” Nicholas seconded.

  Thomas took a deep breath. “Yes, and you know him, too. I am Katherineʼs suitor.”

  There was a moment of stunned silence as both Nicholas and Christina stared at him, but then his brother leaned his head back and roared with laughter. “You?” He laughed some more. “That is good, Thorn. You have developed quite a keen wit since your return from sea.”

  Thomas looked helplessly from Nicholas to Christina, then he noticed she did not share her husbandʼs laughter. “I do not think it is a joke, Nicholas,” she said to him, but her eyes were studying her brother-in-law.

  Nicholas wiped the tears of laughter from his eyes with one arm as the other rolled a ball to Ty, who was sitting in front of him. “Of course he is, Christina. If you knew Katherine, you would understand the two of them would be a mix-match if ever there were one! Tell her, Thorn. Tell her you are only joking!”

  Thomas pulled his gaze from Christina and settled on his brother. It didnʼt take long for the mirth to fade from Nicholasʼs face. “You canʼt be serious!” he charged, his low voice incredulous.

  “I have never been more serious, Nick. I am soon going to ask for her hand, and I believe she will accept.”

  Nicholas picked up the baby, stood, and placed him in Christinaʼs arms. He then turned and grabbed Thomas by his lapels and yanked him up to stand in front of him. “Have you gone completely mad? You cannot marry
that woman. She is all wrong for you!” He gave him a hard shake. “You deserve someone better than a society girl for you and for Ty!”

  At those derogatory words toward Katherine, Thomas got angry and pushed his brother away. “Katherine has changed as much as you have, Nick. How could she not after all she has been through?” he roared at him. “And I do not believe Tyler could have a better mother than Katherine, either, so I will not have you ʻmalign her character when you do not know the truth.”

  Nicholas was not stirred by his loyal speech. He stepped closer to his brother and ignored his wifeʼs plea to calm down.