Page 29 of Always the Bridesmaid, Never the Duchess (Wallflower Season #3)

Andrew watched as Kate finished her baked apple.

He had tried not to stare as a bit of the cream that dotted the top of the apple got stuck on her upper lip.

When her tongue flicked up and discreetly licked it off, he couldn’t help the rise that stirred.

He looked away and cleared his throat. He had been lost in thought all evening and had neglected his dinner companions.

Not that most of the guests had noticed.

They had been too busy watching Harry grow angrier and angrier as the evening progressed.

As his cousin, Andrew knew he should step forward and distract Harry from his stewing, but he still reeled at how easily his cousin had found it to betray him.

“You would think that Miss Avery would lay a more impressive table the evening before my wedding to her dearest friend. Perhaps the Viscount of Pembrooke has grown miserly and refused to provide for his own sister,” Harry’s said, his words slurring together.

Alarmed, Andrew realized that Harry must have had the servants refill his wine glass more than a few times already. His eyes were glassy, and his look was wild. Harry and alcohol were a poor combination. Sighing, Andrew decided he could no longer ignore his behavior.

“Cousin, you must tell the other guests about the renovations you’ve begun on your house in town.”

Rather than being pleased, Harry’s look soured even further. “I’ve put a hold on the work. I found the work to be shoddy and not up to the Winfield standard.”

Lady Uxbridge nodded. “Isn’t it awful, Earl Winfield?

For the past several years, it has been next to impossible to find workmen or servants who either perform to my standards or if they do, they quit.

I refuse to provide a letter of introduction or reference for any of the girls who leave my employ. ”

They are simply happy to escape your demands.

Andrew was trying to think of another neutral topic of conversation, but he was saved when Kate announced that drinks were to be served in the sitting room and guests were to play Blind Man’s Bluff.

May DeClancy clapped her hands in delight, making a pretty picture. “I love Blind Man’s Bluff.”

They moved from the dining room to the sitting room, although several of the older couples excused themselves to retire for the evening.

Andrew tried to catch Kate’s eye, but she had maneuvered herself next to Eliza Chambers.

Andrew hoped she wouldn’t disrupt his plans for the night.

He had worked too hard since that morning for it to all go awry.

As the guests moved to the sitting room, Kate managed to walk next to Eliza.

Andrew had already disappeared with Harry in tow.

She was grateful that he had taken on that task.

It appeared Harry had partaken of her wine quite happily.

Kate linked arms with Eliza, who appeared startled at the gesture of friendship.

To her other guests, she announced, “Everyone, please enjoy yourselves. Miss Chambers and I need to check one more thing before we retire for the evening.”

A few guests murmured good night and some continued into the drawing room.

“Miss Avery, this has been a wonderful day. You’ve been so kind to welcome me so quickly into your home. I feel as if we are bonding as sisters already.” Eliza smiled at Kate.

Kate narrowed her eyes and said, “As do I. In fact, I feel that I must get to know you better since you tell me that you are to become betrothed to my brother.” She steered Eliza away from the other guests and toward her library where she knew they wouldn’t be interrupted.

Eliza’s eyes widened. “Won’t the other guests look for you?”

Kate waved away her concern. “I assure you that they prefer not to endure my conversations. I fear I am not privy to the latest fashions, nor it seems, the latest gossip.” She shut her library door behind her.

“You know,” Eliza said, and her shoulders slumped.

Kate motioned for her to have a seat and then joined her. “I’m not sure what I know. It is why I would like for you to be honest with me. Do you love my brother?”

Eliza’s eyes filled with tears, and she gave a small sniff. “No, but he is a wonderful man.”

“I understand that your betrothed broke off your engagement,” Kate said, her voice gentle.

“Yes. Robert thought that I would care that he had lost his fortune, but I didn’t. I would have endured any hardship if it meant I could be by his side.” Her voice broke. “He didn’t even allow me a chance to tell him.”

Kate patted Eliza’s hand. “So, why this sham courtship with my brother.”

Eliza pulled a handkerchief embroidered with ivy leaves from her small purse that matched the dark blue of her gown. She dabbed her eyes. “You mustn’t be angry with Lord Pembrooke. He did it to save me from a horrible fate.”

“Please go on.”

Eliza pursed her lips and said, “My father was cursed with five daughters and no sons. I am the oldest and the first to be married. My younger sister is due to marry the Duke of Sanderton, but it cannot happen until I marry.”

“Surely, your sister can still marry,” Kate said.

Eliza shook her head, and her auburn curls bounced. “Father is quite old-fashioned. He needs a business alliance with the duke. It is all gibberish to me, but Father said if Elinor doesn’t marry the duke before the year’s end, the family is doomed.”

Kate felt like she was wandering in a labyrinth without a light. She was no closer to understanding why Eliza and Nicholas pretended to court. “And how does any of this relate to Nicholas?”

“Miss Roves broke your brother’s heart, and he no longer cares who he marries.”

Kate wanted to shake Eliza to get the story in its entirety out of her, but tears still lingered in her eyes, so she gritted her teeth and asked, “Did my brother wish to make Miss Roves jealous by courting you?”

Eliza once again shook her head. “No. He was quite despondent about her pending marriage to the Earl of Winfield, which is why it’s so wonderful what he is doing for me.”

Kate quelled the urge to leap to her feet and yell. She clenched her hands together in her lap and said in the evenest tone she could muster, “And that is?”

“He’s marrying me so that I don’t have to marry the eighty-year-old Earl of Lichester. The man has no teeth and only one hair on his head, but he wants an heir for his estate.” Eliza sobbed in earnest as she made this last pronouncement.

Kate patted Eliza on her shoulder. Women really shouldn’t have to marry eighty-year-old men with no teeth.

It made her thankful once more that her family had not insisted on such a fate for her.

She waited until Eliza’s sobs died down.

“My brother is going to marry you, so you don’t have to marry the Earl of Lichester. But what of Miss Roves?”

Eliza sniffled. “That’s what makes him so noble. He loves Miss Roves so much that he knows that he cannot love another. It’s rather romantic, don’t you think?”

Kate resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Her mind raced. She had to convince Julia not to marry Harry. “I’m so sorry, Miss Chambers, but I must go.”

Before Eliza could protest and stop her, Kate was already out the door and headed up the stairs.