Katherine inclined her head, and Pippa scurried off, slipping past her mother without looking her in the eye.
Bridget did not move. She was aware that she was blocking the entrance to the gazebo and wondered whether it was a little too threatening. They were, after all, staying in Katherine’s house, and if Katherine was displeased at them, she might put them out. She might even convince William to send them away. Their position was precarious, which made Pippa’s marriage even more necessary.
Katherine, however, did not seem intimidated, or nervous, or even surprised. She leaned back, lacing her fingers over her rounded belly.
“I take it you were eavesdropping, Aunt?” she asked coolly. Bridget’s eyebrows shot up towards her hairline.
“My daughter and I are most grateful for your hospitality, Katherine,” Bridget said, once she’d composed herself, “but this interference of yours must stop.”
Katherine pursed her lips. “And what interference is that?”
“I haven’t the energy to play these games with you. You know that I intend for her to marry Lord Barwick, and here you are, talking her out of it. She never disliked the man before you started to put ideas in her head.”
“On the contrary, Aunt. Pip has never liked Lord Barwick, not ever. He is not a likeable sort of man.”
“He does notneedto be a likeable sort of man,” Bridget shot back. “And don’t call her Pip. Her name is Pippa. She does not like nicknames.”
Katherine slowly and carefully heaved herself to her feet. Annoyingly, she was on eye level with Bridget herself.
“No, Aunt Bridget,youdo not like nicknames,” she said, voice soft but firm. “Pippa likes them. Can you really not tell what your daughter likes and does not like?”
Bridget’s temper flared. “Don’t you dare throw such accusations at me.Youare the one who wants to prevent her marrying amarquess, just because you could not marry one.”
There. It was out. Bridget felt faintly shaky at her own daring. Should she have kept her mouth shut? Perhaps so.
Katherine, however, did not flinch. She did not seem angry or upset. In fact, her mouth tugged at the corner, and she seemedamused.
“I could have married a marquess if I wanted,” Katherine remarked dryly. “Many titled gentlemen liked me, Aunt. But I did not likethem. I liked Timothy, and you can’t upset me by accusing me of bland jealousy. I am not jealous, Aunt Bridget. I am worried. Worried aboutPippa.”
“Don’t speak to me about her as if you know her. You barely met her! She is my daughter, and I will decide what is best for her. Do you really think you have any say at all in the matter?Anysay at all?”
Bridget was faintly aware that her voice was pitching higher, which of course was a bad idea. It was infuriating to have Katherine looking so coolly at her, as ifshewere the child having a temper tantrum, and not Katherine overstepping her bounds.
“Of course, I have no say,” Katherine responded, sounding a little amused. “Pippa is a grown woman, Aunt. She’s grown up and you never seemed to notice, I’m afraid. She loves you, and values your advice highly, but this is going entirely too far. She does notlikeLord Barwick. What is more, he’s a rake.”
“He’s reformed. Reformed rakes make the best husbands, everybody knows that.”
“That’s a dubious proverb,” Katherine shot back. “And that’s even if theyarereformed. Lord Barwick is not reformed, by any stretch of the imagination. I could tell you stories…”
“I don’t wish to hear any gossip, if you please,” Bridget interrupted, childishly glad to have an opportunity to take the moral high ground for once. “Lord Barwick is a perfectly suitable husband for my daughter. He’s wealthy, titled, and disinterested in fortune. He knows she’ll have no dowry, and he cares not. He’s marrying her for her own sake. What do you say tothat?”
Bridget took a step backwards, feeling a flare of triumph. Of course, Pippa was not in love with Lord Barwick, but what did that foolish girl know of love? Really, it was better to keep the heart out of the matter. Bridget had married for love, losing her head and her heart at once, and look at the mess that had gotten her into. Why could Pippa not marry a suitable man, and let love developafter? Phillip would understand that, if he were here.
But he’s not here. I’m here, and this is my responsibility.
“Have you considered, Aunt, that Lord Barwick believes that William will give something to Pip?” Katherine said, choosing her words with care. “It’s a fair assumption. The Willenshires are an ancient and powerful family, and we all have a great deal of money. He might assume that William will settle his debts and provide a dowry.”
“Why should he assume that?” Bridget demanded, piqued.
Katherine sighed. Suddenly, she looked tired. The sun was almost gone, casting long shadows and throwing the inside of the gazebo into gloom.
“Because that is what families do, Aunt. And men like Lord Barwick know it.”
For a moment, Bridget wavered a little.Couldshe have miscalculated?
No, no, of course not. It’s jealousy. No doubt Katherine has her own candidate for Pippa and is upset that Pippa is more likely to obeymerather than her own cousin.
She took a step forward, meeting Katherine’s eye squarely.
