And, abruptly, that was what determined Grayson’s decision, not a lifetime’s worth of weighing options or exploring alternatives, but a violent gut reaction to the thought of anyone else making love to the woman he had chosen for his wife.He felt a jealous rage for some nameless, faceless male that was so fierce it twisted his insides into a knot.
And so, the man who had been described as brilliant, cynical, ruthless, but never impulsive, blurted out a response without even considering the possible repercussions of his actions, for both himself and the young woman who so often seemed displeased with him.
“Yes, I’m marrying her,” he said, practically growling.
Tom’s grizzled head bobbed furiously in approval.“That’s good news, my lord.Good news, indeed.Wait till I tell Meg!She’ll be a happy woman, make no mistake about it.”
“I’m sure everyone will be ecstatic,” Grayson said dryly,
Everyone, that is, except the intended bride.
Kate stood in the darkened kitchen, thinking she’d be safe there from prying eyes.Meg had gone off to bed, so as to be up early, but Kate had no reason to rise at dawn anymore.She swore softly, angry at herself for sulking.
She should be pleased.The fellow who had claimed to be Wroth turned out to be a scared young man who loved Lucy.No longer did her sister face an uncertain future as a penniless, unmarried mother.Her happiness was assured.
So why did Kate feel as though someone had torn out her heart?She had never been jealous of Lucy… until now.And mixed in with envy was desolation, as she realized that Lucy soon would be gone.Suddenly, the sister who had more often than not seemed a spoiled shrew stood between her and total isolation.
The little household that Kate had struggled to hold together for so long would be split into pieces, with Lucy off to her new life, and Tom leaving, too, perhaps.It was no secret that the coachman had grown quite cozy with Meg, and Kate knew he should make the trip back to London with the cook.
She would have to speak with Grayson about it.Although the marquess was not fond of Tom, he ought to be able to find a place for the man in his stables, so that the coachman could be near the woman who had taken his fancy.
And then she would be well and truly alone.Tears threatened, and Kate gripped the edge of the worn table as if it were her lifeline.What if she became ill?She would have to establish some kind of contact with the village, but who there could she talk to?She could not let it get out that she was here by herself.
“Kate?”
The sound of Tom’s voice made her blink and choke back a sob.She didn’t want him to find her like this, or he would never consider following his ladylove to London.Kate whirled around, glad of the dimness in the kitchen.
“Oh, Tom!”she said.“I was looking for the last bit of that wonderful cherry tart of Meg’s.”
“Sorry, but I finished it off myself,” Tom said, without a bit of remorse.“But let’s have a taste of his lordship’s wine.I’ve a mind to celebrate.”He lit a candle from the smoldering fire and turned to face her.
“Yes, it is wonderful news, isn’t it?”Kate said, forcing a smile.“We all should have toasted Lucy’s happiness.And to think her gentleman was so close, all along.”
“What?Oh, Lucy’s chap.Aye, I’ll have to admit Wroth was a clever one, no doubt about that.I’ve wronged him, Katie.”
Tom’s words so startled her that Kate nearly dropped the bottle.Although Meg had improved Tom’s attitude toward the marquess, Kate had never expected such a turn.
Tom grinned at her shock.“Well, you understand as how I had to watch over my girls, and what did I know about this fellow, except that he was ruthless and dangerous and rich as Croesus?”he asked her with a chuckle.
“Not much to recommend himself, especially when I was thinking he was one of those fancy London lords.But he’s different, Katie.”
Kate’s neck prickled.Why did she get the feeling Tom was not trying so much to convince himself as to persuade her?She poured the wine, then watched him intently over her glass.She had known the old coachman long enough to judge his moods, and she distrusted his sudden change of heart.
“He’s a fine lad.Clever as they come, and he knows how to do the right thing when given a little nudge.”Tom winked at her and drank down his portion.“And he’s not one of those milk-and-water fellows, but a fine, strapping specimen who will sire many sons, I’m guessing.”
Kate blinked at that.She did not care to think of Grayson siring anything on anyone.She swallowed a sip of a delicate vintage such as she had not tasted in a long time.
“He’ll make you a fine husband,” Tom said, slamming down his empty glass.
At the unexpected words, Kate nearly spewed out the drink in her mouth.Swallowing quickly, she coughed before regaining her composure.Even then, a bright surge of something indefinable swept through her that made it difficult to speak.“Husband?”
“Aye.I’ve convinced him to do right by you.”
Kate’s glow of surprise dimmed, chased away by an altogether different sensation, and a coldness settled into the very midst of her being, directly around her heart.“Do right?”
“Aye.I convinced him that being a nobleman and all, and you being a lady, well, that it wouldn’t be right for him to just leave you high and dry.”
If she hadn’t felt so empty, Kate might have been surprised that Tom talked Grayson into anything.But the marquess never behaved as she expected him to, for good or ill.And now, it seemed, he would take her to wife, whether he wanted her or not.The thought made her shiver.
