Page 14 of Always the Bridesmaid, Never the Duchess (Wallflower Season #3)
She sighed and flipped the page to another poet who wrote of the sea rather than relationships and love. Infinitely safer, but far less satisfying. Her eyes soon fluttered and before she had finished reading a page, she was fast asleep with Tibbs by her side.
“Don’t fuss, Andrew!” the Dowager Duchess exclaimed.
“I simply stated that I was tired from my journey, and I wished to rest. I don’t need you hovering like a worried old aunt by my side.
Go and find Miss Avery. I am quite sure she has her hands full with all of the guest arrivals and finishing touches for the ceremony. ”
Andrew reared back. His grandmother usually indulged his worries about her health and at times, seemed to revel in the attention. Since they had arrived at Renwood Castle, however, she had been in a foul temper and wished to be free of his company.
“Fine. I shall leave you to rest. As you said, Miss Avery is sure to need my assistance, although she’s proven herself quite capable the past week.
I’ve scarce heard more than a peep of argument from her with regard to the wedding.
We have worked together hand-in-hand, and I truly hope Harry appreciates my sacrifice. ”
What Andrew did not share was that he did not look forward to the end of the wedding as much as he first thought.
As the memory returned of their harsh words to each other prior to their truce, he also remembered how enticing Kate had looked with the anger sparking in her warm, brown eyes and the flush of her skin when he touched her.
Shaking the memory from his mind, he leaned down and kissed his grandmother on the cheek. “I’ll check on you shortly.”
The Dowager Duchess shooed him away with his hand. “Out!”
Andrew strode down the steps. When he saw Mr. Scoville, he stopped. “Mr. Scoville, where might Miss Avery be?”
Mr. Scoville, his face impassive, said, “I believe she has secreted herself away in the library, Your Grace.”
“Thank you.” Andrew nodded his thanks.
“Pardon me, Your Grace. I hope I am not being too bold when I suggest saving a small tidbit for Tibbs. It might go a long way to winning the furry beast over to your side.” Mr. Scoville bowed and turned to head to the door as the sound of an arriving carriage called him to his duties.
Kate’s servants are efficient and astute. Andrew decided to make his way to the kitchen to see what small morsel he could acquire to soothe the snarling little dog that Kate clearly held so dear.
In the kitchen, he discovered Mrs. Humphrey, rosy-cheeked and scurrying about preparing for the mid-day meal.
He considered turning and leaving rather than disturbing her, but she looked up from her task and smiled.
“Your Grace! My goodness, what brings you down here? Where is Mr. Scoville, he should not have--”
“Please do not fuss. The impropriety is mine. I apologize for interrupting, Mrs. Humphrey, but I don’t suppose you might have a morsel for Tibbs? I seem to be on his wrong side.” Andrew felt silly, but he was determined to complete his plan to win over the little dog first.
Mrs. Humphrey nodded her head. “He’s quite the devil at times, he is. Tibbs likes a bit of bone, so I save them in a crock in the larder.” She wiped her flour-covered hands on her apron. “One moment, Your Grace, and I shall get one for you.”
Mrs. Humphrey fetched a small bone from the larder and handed it to him wrapped in a bit of cloth.
She bobbed a curtsey, and he nodded his thanks to Mrs. Humphrey before returning to the library.
When he opened the door, he thought at first it was empty, but then he spied Kate asleep on the chaise, a green book resting upon her bosom.
Sally had nodded off to sleep in the corner, so he quietly eased the door shut behind lest the noise from arriving guests wake them both.
Tibbs's dark head popped up and his lips pulled back to show his small, white teeth. Andrew pulled the bone from his trouser pocket and offered it to the dog. Tibbs leaped down from the chaise and trotted over to Andrew.
Squatting down, Andrew held out the treat. “You may have this, you furry devil, but only if you promise to be friends from this point forward.”
Tibbs wagged his tail in response and sat down on his haunches to wait for the bone. His dark eyes had lost their glint of malice, so Andrew smiled and gave up the bone. “A truce reached between us as well, old boy.” He reached out and patted Tibbs's head, and the dog’s tail swished his agreement.
With his first mission accomplished, Andrew moved stealthily across the wide oak floors.
Still fast asleep, Andrew gazed down at her face.
In repose, Kate’s face was pretty, but it did not hold the fire that made her so appealing and so frustrating.
He watched the rise and fall of her bosom and felt a stirring.
How would it feel to lie next to her following a rousing night of passion?
He pushed the thought from his head. It would be foolish to entertain such a thought. Kate may stir the heat in his loins, but she was frustrating and stubborn. He certainly did not need such an obstinate woman in his life nor in his bed.
Andrew glanced down at the title of the book resting upon her chest. It was a book of love poems. Andrew smiled.
Perhaps Kate hid more passion behind her outspoken ways than he realized.
A curl had escaped and lay against her rosy cheeks.
He carefully reached down and tucked it behind her ear, careful not to awaken her.
Taking one last glance at her, he left without waking her.
Kate felt the smile on her face grow weary as she greeted another arriving guest. Although she enjoyed speaking with her peers and seeing familiar faces arrive, her nerves were stretched from worrying over the wedding and checking every detail to ensure that everyone would be happy Kate wished nothing more than to retire to her bedchamber and awaken the morning of the wedding.
“Greetings, Miss Avery.” Viola DeClancy stepped forward with her sister, May, scurrying behind her. May was the lovelier of the two sisters, but Viola had the more forceful personality.
“Miss DeClancy, how delightful of you and your sister to attend.” Kate inclined her head toward May.
“It is a lovely setting for a fall wedding. I, myself, will host a winter wedding for my upcoming nuptials,” Viola said, giving Kate an expectant look.
Kate felt a lump form in her stomach. Another friend to marry. Forcing a wide smile, Kate grasped Viola’s hands. “Are you to wed, then?”
Viola tittered and nodded her head, causing her golden curls to bounce along with her giving her an unfortunate resemblance to a hen. “A Christmas wedding!”
“And who, pray tell, is the lucky gentleman to win your heart?” Kate asked.
“The Viscount of Hampshire. He proposed a fortnight ago, and I am beside myself with joy. Soon I shall be the Viscountess of Hampshire. Isn’t it wonderful?” Viola bounced on her heels she was so happy.
Kate wished she did not feel jealous. She was happy for Viola, for she was a kind girl, if a trifle insipid, but it only served as a reminder of her own continued spinsterhood.
She looked over Viola’s shoulder. “I apologize. I must greet my other guests. Let’s talk this evening.
I want to hear all about your wedding plans. ”
Viola and May moved on, both giggling and whispering as they talked and shared their happiness over Viola’s engagement. Asher Darby, the Viscount of Surry, stepped forward. He gave Kate an appraising look.
“Miss Avery, you look quite fetching today. Renwood Castle is the perfect place for a wedding ceremony. I understand your brother, the Viscount of Pembrooke, has gifted it to you.” He peered around the room over his sharp nose. “It’s quite a grand estate.”
“It is. Thank you. I believe you are a distant cousin of Miss Roves, correct?” Kate searched her memory for his lineage but found herself at a loss.
“Quite right. On her mother’s side.” The Viscount strode over and looked into the front parlor and nodded before returning to stand by Kate. “I hope you don’t think me too bold, Miss Avery, but I hope you will do me the honor of being my dinner companion this evening.”
“Oh! I have so many guests arriving…” Kate’s voice trailed off. An eligible bachelor had asked her to be his companion and she was hesitating? She gave him a gentle smile and fluttered her lashes as she had watched her friends do so many times. “I would be honored.”
The Viscount clapped his hands. “Excellent. Well, I shall excuse myself. I’d like to stretch my legs after the long carriage ride from town. I shall take a turn around the rear gardens.”
Kate watched him walk away. The Viscount of Surry was slim in build and his hair was the color of bleached linen. Kate couldn’t help but compare him with the Duke of Devonport. The Viscount came up wanting, but as she had no prospects, compromises had to be made.
A low voice behind her startled her from her musings. “He has no money to speak of.”
Kate whirled around and found herself facing the Duke. She blushed and looked away from his piercing blue eyes. “Why do you care, Your Grace? I thought you despised idle gossip and said you had little time for the pastime of old aunts?”
Andrew gave her a sardonic grin. “Touché, Miss Avery. I simply felt the need to inform you that the Viscount of Surry is in need of a wife and a home. He has gambled away his family’s fortune and is looking for an infusion of cash to sustain his addiction.
In the spirit of our truce, I felt the need to warn you. Do as you wish.”
Kate felt a small frisson of happiness that he was concerned for her welfare. Lest he realize the effect his words had on her, she scowled and said, “I hardly see how his asking me to be his dining companion is akin to taking me as his wife.”
Andrew frowned. “Clearly, I overstepped my bounds, Miss Avery. I apologize.” He turned and strode away before Kate could say another word.
“Well, that did not go well,” Kate said quietly. She composed her face and then went to greet her remaining guests.