Page 26 of Always the Bridesmaid, Never the Duchess (Wallflower Season #3)

Chapter Sixteen

A ndrew had arisen after only a few hours of rest. He had slipped out of the house with Mr. Tubbs trotting behind him.

His small tail wagged in rhythm to his steps.

Now that the little dog had decided he was worthwhile, Andrew found himself glad of the company.

He needed to clear his head and decide what to do about the upcoming wedding and his attraction to Kate.

As the sun rose over the hills, the morning mist evaporated.

He climbed to the top of one hill and sat down on a large outcropping rock.

The air was crisp and smelled of the dark, rich earth around him.

Mr. Tibbs settled down next to him. His small pink tongue was out as he panted.

Andrew reached down and ruffled the fur behind the dog’s ears.

“It’s a beautiful bit of countryside, isn’t it, boy?

” Andrew said, feeling content. Renwood Castle lay below him.

He spied the hedge maze with its fountain in the middle and the small spire that rose from the family chapel.

Beyond the immediate castle grounds, small cottages dotted the fields.

He could even see the small, round shape of a flock of sheep as they nibbled grass.

These had to be the homes of the estate’s tenant farmers.

To Andrew’s keen eyes, they all appeared well-kept and maintained.

Clearly, the Avery family made good landlords.

There were quite a few of his peers who could learn a lesson from Kate.

It gave him a new sense of respect for Kate and her brother Nicholas.

He admired people who were stewards of the land and the people.

It was something he hoped others would say of him.

He thought about Nicholas Avery, the Viscount of Pembrooke.

Would Kate tell him of Harry’s lies? Of course, she would.

Her loyalty lay with her brother. She may be a close friend of Miss Roves, but blood was always thicker than the bonds of friendship.

He sighed and picked up a smooth pebble.

He chucked it down the hillside and watched as it landed and tumbled downward.

That he should continue supporting the sham marriage between Harry and Miss Roves was a bitter taste in his mouth.

A spark of anger flared. Miss Roves reminded him of his own mother and her betrayal of his father.

She had left without a backward glance or care for his father or for him.

As far as he knew, she had run off to live with her lover.

Andrew hadn’t heard from her since the day she left.

Nor did he care to know what became of her.

If Harry and Miss Roves married, they would lead bitter and resentful lives.

What would become of any children born to the union?

Would they find themselves as unhappy as he had as a boy?

Then he thought of Julia and how she had been wronged.

Maybe he was judging her more harshly due to his own experience.

That wasn’t fair to her. She was not Andrew’s mother.

These morose thoughts weighed heavily in his mind as he walked back to Renwood. As he neared the grounds, he spotted his grandmother walking slowly through the gardens. She leaned heavily on her cane. Andrew hurried to her, worried she had become ill on her daily morning walk.

“Grandmother, are you ill?” He peered at her face.

She waved his concern away. “Stop fussing. I’m old, not infirm. I was simply lost in thought.”

Andrew offered his arm. “I thought you would sleep late this morning. I missed our morning breakfast.”

“I had breakfast with Miss Avery. She informed me that Harry still plans to marry Miss Roves. A most unfortunate turn of events, wouldn’t you agree?” She grasped his elbow and they continued to walk along the garden path with Mr. Tibbs trotting behind them.

“For Harry or Miss Roves?” Andrew asked.

She glared up at him. “You are being quite naughty. For both. Harry was a difficult child, and it appears he has become a difficult man. Miss Avery informed me that he was behind the rumors related to the Viscount of Pembrooke.”

“He admitted as much,” Andrew said. He stopped. “Grandmother, I feel it is my duty to inform the Viscount of Pembrooke of Harry’s deceit.”

Her wrinkled face grew somber. “It would be the honorable thing to do. But, what of Miss Roves? Although I find her conduct thoroughly distasteful, it will ruin her much more so than Harry. Society is quick to forgive the sins of a man. A woman in similar straits will pay for her crime for years to come.”

“I’m surprised at your kindness toward Miss Roves, Grandmother.”

She rapped his knuckles with her hand. “I’m not entirely without a heart for impetuous young girls. Lest you think I’m growing soft in my old age, I am simply thinking of Miss Avery.”

“Miss Avery? What of her?” She continued to walk, and Andrew was forced to keep going. “Grandmother. What of Miss Avery?”

The Dowager Duchess smiled. “You seem unusually concerned for the girl. Perhaps it was more than a mouse in the house last night.” Her eyebrow raised and she smirked at him.

Andrew felt a pang of concern. He loved his grandmother, but she was a notorious gossip.

And despite their recent truce, she and the Dowager Viscountess had long been rivals.

This would be a feather in his grandmother’s cap to best the Dowager Viscountess.

“Miss Avery is above reproach. She has done nothing wrong.”

“Oh, calm yourself. I rather like the girl. She’s smart. Doesn’t cower under the bedsheets like most of the women you’ve kept company with.” She turned and said, “I’m finished dancing around, Andrew. It’s time you married. Kate Avery would make an excellent wife for you.”

Andrew reared back. “Marry Miss Avery? The idea is absolutely ludicrous. Grandmother, I’m taking you back to the house and calling the doctor. You’ve gone quite mad.”

The old woman cackled. “Struck a discordant note there, didn’t I? What does that playwright say? Me thinks thou dost protest too much?”

Andrew scowled. “That’s not correct at all, but now is not the time to argue over Shakespeare.”

She patted his arm. “No, it’s not. We have more important things to discuss.”

Kate was in her library. She needed a moment’s respite from Lady Uxbridge’s pompous look.

The woman had been insufferable all morning complaining about how tired she was to anyone who would listen.

Finally, Kate excused herself and said she needed to check the final arrangements for the wedding breakfast tomorrow.

She shut the door behind her, telling Sally she needed a moment to herself.

What she didn’t tell Sally is that she wanted to sit down and have a good cry.

It was all too much, but she was not someone who liked to grow teary-eyed and wail about her problems. She liked to think things through and solve the problem herself.

Just as she had resolved to experience the touch of a man rather than wait for a marriage that would never happen. Now, even that had been thwarted.

Kate flounced down on her father’s chair and proceeded to try and cry. The tears wouldn’t come. She tried again. Dry as a bone.

“Well, this is a fine mess,” Kate said to herself.

“I don’t find it a mess at all,” a deep voice said from the corner.

Startled, Kate jumped up. Andrew lounged in a chair in the corner with Mr. Tibbs on his lap.

His eyes were drowsy, and his hair was rumpled.

He had clearly fallen asleep in her library and awoken looking absolutely gorgeous.

Kate felt a small pang of jealousy. It took Sally at least an hour to make her presentable on any given day.

“That’s where Mr. Tibbs has disappeared to!” Kate hurried over to pick up her dog. Mr. Tibbs jumped down and ran over to his blanket by the fire.

Andrew grabbed her hand and pulled her down onto his lap. “I find myself in a quandary, Miss Avery.”

She arched a brow and tried to ignore how strong his thighs felt beneath the silk of her gown. “You do?”

He reached up and traced the outline of her lips with his finger. She opened her lips slightly. His touch sent a jolt of excitement through her. “I do. It seems I am finally alone with you. Your maid is missing. What shall I do with this stolen moment?”

“I—I don’t know.” Her breath grew tight as her excitement rose. She prayed no one would look for her. She struggled to keep her wits about her. “It’s a good opportunity for us to discuss the disaster scheduled tomorrow morning.”

He gave her a lazy smile. “Is that what you truly wish to speak with me about?”

Kate swallowed and met his cobalt blue eyes. She nodded. “We can’t let them marry. It would be an unmitigated disaster.”

“I agree,” he said. His thumb traced a circle along the top of her hand. “We should do something about this.”

His voice was silky, and Kate found it difficult to concentrate. She was unsure if they were truly speaking of the same thing. She was starting not to care. “So, you’ll help me?”

“It would be my pleasure to help you.” His hand moved from her mouth to her chest. His fingers lingered briefly on the swell above the neckline of her dress.

Her nipples hardened and he lightly traced them through the fabric.

No one had ever touched her there and her pleasure mounted.

She grew warm and arched her back slightly giving him greater access to them.

“Andrew, we shouldn’t.” Her words came out in a strangled gasp. “It’s midmorning and there are guests everywhere.”

“We shouldn’t, but I don’t want to stop. Do you?” His voice was soft and throaty. He watched her through heavy lids. When she didn’t respond, he grabbed her and pulled her head down so that her lips met his.

She met his hunger with her own. Her hands wound themselves through his hair. His tongue danced against hers. She lost herself in his touch.

She pulled herself away from him. “I wish these two weeks were not ending. I wish…”

He lifted a brow. “Yes? What do you wish?” His hand found the edge of her gown and his hand lifted it, exposing her legs.

Kate shook her head. “It’s nothing. I just-”

His hand slowly made its way up her calf to her thigh. Kate shifted and felt him harden beneath her. His hand continued its travels until it found the space between her thighs. His hand cupped its warmth and Kate felt a jolt of pleasure.

He lifted her off his lap and carried her to the chaise. “The door,” she gasped.

Stifling a groan of frustration, he stood and in three quick strides went and turned the key in the lock.

He was back to her in a moment. He eased down next to her.

Their two bodies close together. He pinned her legs with one strong thigh and hovered over her.

He gazed at her. “I want you, Kate. So much so that it is making me crazy.”

She arched against him and felt the hard urgency of his desire. She reached down and at her touch, he gave a sharp intake of breath. “And I want you. But I fear only one night of pleasure will not be enough. I might want you to make love to me every night.”

He hesitated and shook his head. “I would not make a good husband or companion.” Andrew returned his hand to her thigh and pulled her against him.

A sharp bray of laughter from Lady Uxbridge sounded outside the library door. The thought of discovery by the nosy woman was a douse of cold water on their passion. Despite the locked door, her absence would be noticed.

“I must go,” Kate whispered.

“Tonight,” Andrew growled. “I can’t wait any longer to have you.”

A rap on the door and the rattle of the knob made Kate squeak. Fear of discovery fought with her desire. She couldn’t be discovered in such a compromising position. “It is too risky. After everything that transpired last night… you must go.”

Andrew glanced around. There was no other exit. “I shall simply hide in a corner.”

“Miss Avery. Are you in there? Mr. Scoville, do you have the key? I think I left my reticule in there. I’ve looked everywhere.” Lady Uxbridge’s shrill voice carried through the heavy oak door.

“Out the window,” Kate said as she pushed Andrew off of her.

Startled, Andrew hissed, “Are you mad?”

“You must do it, or I shall be ruined. She saw us in the hallway last night. The woman’s tongue runs faster than a river. My reputation will be in tatters if you are discovered here.”

Andrew frowned, but then smiled. “I shall leap out the window and save your honor on one condition.”

“Anything,” Kate whispered. “Just hurry.”

“You shall meet me in my bedchamber tonight.”

Kate felt a quiver of excitement mixed with fear. The doorknob rattled again. “Yes,” she hissed. “Now, go.” She pushed him toward the window.

Andrew dashed over to it, lifted the sash, and climbed out. As the door to the library opened, Kate thought she could hear him whistling, but she was too busy straightening her skirts and pretending to have been asleep.