Page 29 of A Countess Never Tells

Her brother sighed. “I do. Even though I did not love Sarah as I do Judith, had Sarah lived, I would have made the best of our marriage and been content. That is what people do, Kitty.”

He would have done so, too. And not complained at all, of that Kitty was certain.

Perhaps it was time to stop fighting against the inevitable and give Lord Quatford a chance. “Very well. Will you ask Lord Quatford to call, please? If he is interested in this arrangement.”

“I’ll send a note to him at once.” John kissed her forehead. “I think you are making the correct choice, my dear.”

She smiled wanly at him and returned to her seat. “Please let me know when he arrives.” Kitty picked up Clarissa with a sigh. In the book of her life, Mr. Solmes was about to become the hero.

****

“Good afternoon, Miss Tate.” Lord Quatford turned toward Kitty as she entered the family drawing room, smiling broadly. Although dressed in a fashionable, well-cut suit of maroon silk, his lordship still managed to look rather disheveled.

“Good afternoon, my lord. Won’t you please have a seat?” Kitty was grateful they didn’t have to have this conversation in the inhospitable front receiving room. If she was going to give in to everyone’s desire that she marry Lord Quatford, at least she could be afforded a bit of comfort while she was capitulating. “Will you have some tea?”

“Yes, Miss Tate. Thank you.” He smiled at her widely, which made his longish face light up.

Kitty pulled the bell then sat in her favorite seat, a pretty Queen Anne ladies chair in a pink silk stripe, and indicated the companion chair opposite her. “You are well today, my lord?”

“Very well, indeed, Miss Tate.” The knowing look in his pale hazel brown eyes coupled with the undertone of excitement in his voice said Lord Quatford was most eager for today’s encounter with her.

His degree of regard for her was flattering, to be sure, although Kitty simply couldn’t muster nearly as much enthusiasm for the coming conversation. “It was kind of you to come at such short notice.”

“It is my great pleasure to attend you, Miss Tate. I am very happy to oblige Lord Haxby.” The gentleman did look very eager. He sat on the edge of his chair as if ready to bound up and kneel at any moment.

Not at all as confident as Ash had been in the moonlight last night. Nor as romantic.

Kitty shook off the image of Ash kneeling before her, relieved when the footman entered with the tea tray. “Thank you, James.”

He set the tray on the table beside her and withdrew.

Immediately, Kitty began to pour, needing to do something to keep from feeling so awkward. “Do you take milk or sugar, my lord?”

“Both please, Miss Tate.”

Kitty busied herself with the cups, longing for the ease of her conversations with Ash. She really must stop thinking of one man while awaiting a proposal from another. “There you are, my lord.” She set the brimming full cup before Quatford and took up her own. “I hope that’s to your liking.”

“I’m certain it will be perfect. You could scarcely be anything else.”

Refraining from rolling her eyes, Kitty sipped her tea, determined to wait for his lordship’s next move.

Lord Quatford took a sip of the tea, set the cup down with a loud clink, then rose and began to pace.

Swallowing hard, Kitty put her cup down, straightened her shoulders and raised her gaze to her suitor’s agitated form.

“Miss Tate, I believe you know the high esteem in which I hold you.”

Kitty nodded.

“And I do not think I have been able to keep my ardent regard for you completely shielded.”

This time she shook her head, although as she’d told Phoebe she hadn’t quite realized the depth of Lord Quatford’s interest until recently. The gentleman was perhaps more guarded than he believed. Or Kitty simply hadn’t paid him enough attention.

“So I hope it comes as no surprise to you that for some time I have wished for the two of us to enjoy a closer and more permanent connection. To which end, Miss Tate,” Lord Quatford dropped carefully to one knee and grasped her hand. Gazing earnestly into her face, he fixed her with a plaintive stare, “I must beg you with all my heart to agree to become my wife.”

Kitty’s heart gave a great leap, leaving her breathless and feeling a trifle ill. The sincerity of Lord Quatford’s proposal could not be doubted, his manner unexpectedly touching. This match had long been desired by her relations and would give her a solid position in life alongside a respected member of the ton. She needn’t hesitate to accept him—yet she paused.

This decision would affect her happiness and every other aspect for the rest of her life. She truly had to be certain. “I thank you, my lord, for the great compliment you have paid me in asking to marry me. But before I give you my answer, I have a request to make of you.”