Page 19 of Only Scandal Will Do

Kat hesitated then went on boldly. “No, it was a private agreement between the gentleman and myself as I did not know how swiftly I would return to Virginia. Now, considering the circumstances, I find I regard Virginia as a virtual haven. I have already written to inform him of my intent. My ship leaves day after tomorrow.”

Again that shocked expression in Matthews’s eyes. What on earth did that mean?

“Then this will be goodbye, Lady Katarina.” He rose and took her offered hand, bending over it. “I will always be grateful to have met you, even under the unfortunate circumstances.”

“You have been most kind, Mr. Matthews.” She allowed her voice to warm a trifle. “I too wish it had been solely through our connection.”

He turned to leave and she caught his hand. He had been a good adversary, and oddly, a friend. She regretted lying to him. “You will send word if the kidnappers are found?”

He looked down at her hand on his and quietly withdrew it. “I will contact Lord Manning if there are further developments.” He sent her one more piercing look that made her gasp then he was gone.

“What the hell was that all about?” Jack now stood, his mouth puckered into a strained knot. “Damned insolent fellow, if you ask me. What was he playing at, do you suppose? I don’t know if I liked the way he looked at you just now.”

Kat turned on him, vexed. “There was nothing wrong with the way he looked at me, Jack.

Mr. Matthews is a respectable man, a man any woman would be glad to...” She stopped, quite unable to continue.

“Oh, hell!” Exasperation and disdain conflicted in Jack’s expression. “Are you in love with a Bow Street Runner? Katarina! The man’s a commoner!”

“So were we less than a year ago, Jack!” she shot back, annoyed at his snobbery. “And no, I’m not in love with him, but...I like him. Mr. Matthews was kind to me when everything was so horrible. He is an honorable man and a relation and I won’t have you sneer at him.”

Jack glanced at the floor and shifted his weight from foot to foot. He ran a hand through his dark hair and raised thoughtful eyes to her. “If you like him, Kat, why don’t you stay? I suppose I could get used to the idea. He does seem a decent sort. And good at his job, I understand. If he became magistrate, he’d at least have an honorary title.”

Her heartbeat fluttered, not at the thought of Reginald Matthew, but at the love of a brother who so desperately wanted to keep her with him. Slowly she shook her head. “I think Mr. Matthews a worthy suitor, but he likely would not. He would not want it said that I married down. Not even for love.” She blushed, and hated herself for doing so. “If I loved him. And I have no idea he feels anything for me beyond...I don’t know. Protectiveness. That’s what I felt the night we met. Protected. That’s all.”

“But damn it, Kat, if you...”

“Jack! I leave for Virginia in two days. Let us have peace between us until then. After I board the ship, you can curse at me all you want.” She linked her arm with his. “Don’t make me regret I agreed to go out with you tonight. Our last night together should be a wonderful memory, don’t you think?”

Jack appeared to want to continue the argument, but nodded in agreement. “But if this is our last night together, I intend to make the most of it.”

“What do you mean?”

“You’ll see, my lady.” The teasing look returned to his face, thank the Lord. “I will expect you downstairs, appropriately attired, ready to leave at nine o’clock sharp.”

“You said that once before, with disastrous results.”

He grinned at her, good humor restored. “But this time you’ve promised to protect me, remember.”

Her spirits on the rise, she linked arms with him and they left the room laughing.

* * * *

The old longcase clock in the downstairs hallway struck nine as Kat emerged, elegantly attired as promised, and quietly descended the stairs. Jack awaited her at the bottom of the staircase, his smile growing as she grew closer.

“Oh, Kat! You have outdone yourself!” He made a wry face. “I might have known you would outshine all the rest of the ton ladies on your last night here.” He beamed at her. “You will, you know. No one out this year holds a candle to you dressed like that.”

The gown did indeed put to shame any other she possessed. Moonlight blue satin, embroidered in a subtle pattern of leaves and trimmed with frothy Cluny lace across the bodice. The décolletage was not scandalously low, but low enough that Jack’s furtive glances told her he feared for her breasts’ safety. She’d purchased the gown in the expectation it would be her best once she arrived in Virginia. Perhaps, her wedding gown.

“You are exquisite, Kat. I have never seen you so beautiful.” His worried expression sent her into a peal of laughter.

“Thank you, sir. But put your mind at ease. I assure you I am quite safely strapped in.” “What do you mean?” He pointedly glanced away then stole another look.

“Stop staring at my breasts like that. If you don’t, you’ll draw everyone’s attention to them. Is that what you want?”

“But, won’t they explode from that dress if you take a deep breath?”

Katarina giggled. “I assure you they will not. This is the fashion, Jack. They fit exactly as they are supposed to in this dress. Lord, I think we need to start searching for a wife for you, dear brother. So you can dictate her clothing.”