Page 8 of Always the Bridesmaid, Never the Duchess (Wallflower Season #3)

Chapter Five

A t seven o’clock, Kate paced at the bottom of the stairs. Dinner was to be served in fifteen minutes, and neither her grandmother nor Andrew had shown signs of attending. Would she be forced to sit with only herself as company?

The door to the library opened at the end of the hall, and Andrew walked out with the Dowager Viscountess.

“It has been such a pleasure speaking to you.” Andrew’s head tilted downward so that he could meet the Dowager’s eyes. “You have a sharp mind, and our discussion was quite enlightening, my Lady.”

Kate’s brown eyes widened as she saw her grandmother blush. What in the world had transpired in the library? Has the Duke charmed my grandmother into thinking he is a gentleman and not a rake?

“Good evening, Your Grace. I hope you are well-rested. And you, Grandmama? How are you feeling?” Kate widened her eyes to appear as innocent and waiflike as one of the belles of the ball that she knew men like Andrew enjoyed. She would not deem to waste her wit on the likes of him.

The Duke’s gaze focused from her grandmother onto her, and she felt a small shiver race through her veins.

She immediately shook off the feeling. He was incorrigible and a wretch.

She would be polite for Julia’s sake and because it was what her grandmother expected, but she would not enjoy his company. Not in the slightest.

“I am quite well, Kate. Don’t fuss. His Grace was telling me about some of the lectures he has been able to attend at the university in Cambridge.

They are discussing some of the progress being made with steam-powered engines.

Isn’t it an amazing time to be alive that we are able to see such advances?

” Her grandmother positively beamed up at Andrew.

Kate scowled. “It is. In fact, I read a treatise—”

Her grandmother waved her words away. Andrew grinned at Kate.

The man really was odious. Kate trailed after them to the dining room.

Andrew took a seat at the head of the table where Nicholas usually sat.

Kate felt a momentary twinge of sadness that her brother wasn’t there.

She pushed the feeling aside. It would be best for Nicholas to stay at his estate whilst the wedding plans were underway.

She hated to think of what might transpire if Nicholas and Andrew were to cross paths after the scurrilous lies Andrew had spoken of him.

“Kate, you look like you sat upon a pincushion. Whatever is the matter?” Her grandmother’s dark eyes met her own. She peered across the table and Kate looked away.

“Sorry, Grandmama. I was lost in thought about the wedding. So much to plan in such a short amount of time.” Kate picked up her spoon to enjoy the soup course, but she found her appetite had left her.

“Your grandmother tells me that she, too, was married here at Renwood Castle.” Andrew lifted his spoon and sipped his soup. “Delicious. Once again, your cook has laid a fine table.”

“She’s been with us since Kate was a child,” Grandmama said.

“When she was small, Kate would sneak out of her bed late at night and make her way down to the larder where she would search for sweets. Many a morning she would be discovered hidden in the kitchen asleep with a coating of sweets upon her lips.”

Kate flushed. “Grandmama! I am sure that His Grace doesn’t want to hear of my girlhood antics.”

“On the contrary. I find this quite entertaining. Who knew you could be so sweet, Miss Avery.” Andrew arched one brow, and Kate felt her blush deepen.

“His Grace and I discussed it, and we decided that the wedding should take place in the family chapel, and then we will move to the ballroom.” Kate changed the subject and sipped at her soup. It was delicious and would be a waste not to enjoy it.

“I agree. I don’t know why you wanted to host it outside, to begin with.

The weather can be quite fickle in the autumn.

” Her grandmother gave Andrew an approving nod and her next words were almost like a purr.

“I am glad you were able to change her mind, Your Grace. Kate can be quite obstinate at times.”

Andrew’s expression grew serious. “I’ve heard that about her. But you know, I enjoy a woman who is able to speak her mind. Someone like yourself, for example.”

My God! He is smooth-talking Grandmama? He really is a rake! Kate frowned and focused on her soup rather than speaking something that would earn her grandmother’s disapproval.

“I hope that Kate will grace us with one song at the wedding festivities. She has a beautiful voice and is quite an accomplished pianist as well.”

“You don’t say. Miss Avery, why did not you tell me you could sing?” Andrew’s blue eyes met hers. She saw the corners crease as he tried to hide a grin.

“Only if you could accompany me, Your Grace. I hate to sing alone.” Kate gave him a cunning grin. Two could play this game of words.

“I would be honored. Perhaps after dinner, we can retire to the drawing room.”

“This has turned into a much more delightful visit than I could have anticipated,” Grandmama exclaimed. She smiled and looked from Andrew to Kate.

Kate could see the Dowager Viscountess’s mind working as her desire to matchmake was strong.

She would have to disillusion her of any plans when it came to the Duke.

She could never tell her grandmother of their aborted night of passion.

Nor could she allow her grandmother to forgive Andrew for smearing their family’s honor and betraying Nicholas.

Kate managed to keep her temper for the rest of the meal.

Fortunately, her grandmother and Andrew carried much of the evening’s conversation.

She was amazed at how quickly her grandmother had forgotten how heartbroken Nicholas had been when the rumors had flown through their circle of friends about his affairs.

Despite their protestations that Nicholas would never be untrue to Julia, many within their social group had repeated the lies.

The lies that began with one person, the man who sat next to her eating at her table, Andrew Fitzwilliam.

She would see him pay before the fortnight was through.

After dinner, they retreated to the drawing room. While Andrew enjoyed an after-dinner brandy, Mr. Scoville poured her grandmother and her a small glass of sweet sherry. Andrew glanced around the room until his eyes alighted on the pianoforte in the corner. He nodded at it.

“Will you grace us with a song, Miss Avery?”

Kate sipped her sherry. Her grandmother had taken great pains when she was a child to ensure that Kate had all the graces of a woman of her station.

She could sew, dance, sing, and play as any other eligible girl.

Unfortunately, Kate hadn’t enjoyed most of these pastimes except for music.

She placed her glass on the sideboard and walked over to the instrument.

“What shall I play?” Her fingers eased over the keys sounding out a small scale.

“Something light and playful.” Andrew stood next to her. Kate rested her hands on the keys as she thought. When her fingers moved across the ivory, she began to sing. Andrew’s baritone joined her soprano for the next line.

In harmony, their voices joined together as they sang “Black-eyed Susan.” When the final note rang out, Grandmama clapped her hands.

“Beautiful, children. Simply beautiful.” She stood up, her hand resting on her cane. “Kate, can you accompany me upstairs? I believe it is time for us to retire.”

“Have a good evening, ladies,” Andrew’s voice was low, and his gaze smoldered as Kate stood.

“Good night, Your Grace,” Kate said and nodded.

As the Dowager Viscountess and Kate left the drawing room, Andrew watched them.

Kate was full of surprises today. Stubborn and forthright, but he had seen the quickness of her mind as they discussed the wedding.

She was a force to be reckoned with, and he felt at a loss on how to handle such a woman.

Kate Avery was unlike any woman he had encountered, and it vexed him that she was able to disconcert him so easily.

It was a good thing the wedding would not be too far in the future.

He did not think he could tolerate her company longer than a fortnight

In her bedchamber, Kate stared at her reflection in the mirror.

Even to her own eyes, her face looked troubled.

The Duke had behaved well during their dinner this evening; however, singing with him had seemed too intimate.

Their voices joining together, twirling around each note in perfect harmony.

A vision of how his lips upon hers felt filled her thoughts before she quickly pushed them away.

He was not someone she could admire. Still, for a brief moment, it had felt pleasant to spend the evening in his company.

“No matter. He has brought scandal upon my family with his lies,” Kate told herself.

“Miss?” Sally asked as she pulled her mistress’s tortoiseshell combs from her hair and allowed the brown curls to tumble across her shoulders. In the candlelight, it took on the hue of autumn leaves with a touch of gold.

Kate waved her hand dismissively. “I was talking about the Duke. He is as obstinate as a mule, and I am simply frustrated with his crossing me at every suggestion for the wedding. I fear that we will never agree, and the wedding will be a disaster.”

Sally picked up the brush from her vanity and gave it vigorous strokes until it shone. “He is rather dashing though, isn’t he?”

Kate took the brush from Sally’s hand and set it on the vanity. “I suppose, although his sour disposition makes him an unappealing prospect for any young lady I am acquainted with.”

Sally did not respond but instead assisted Kate into bed. She blew out the bedside candle and bade her mistress a good evening before slipping out of the room.