Page 30 of 10 Things I Hate About the Earl

“I know if my wife caterwauled like that, I’d be the first to strangle her.”

Biting her cheek to try keep her face under control, Kate was mortified when she began to shake with mirth and tears of repressed laughter trickled down her face. She would kill the wretch this time, make no mistake.

“You really must behave yourself, Miss Locke.” Lord Haversham shook his head, his face solemn as though they were in church. “Laughing at such a divine singer is really beneath you. Your governess should’ve taught you better.”

She opened her mouth to retort, but Nathan, seated on her other side, squeezed her hand so hard she gasped.

“Behave yourselves.” Her brother’s threatening look didn’t disturb Kate in the least; she’d grown up with Nathan trying to tell her what to do.

“Tell him that,” she mouthed to her brother, who leaned forward to glare at Lord Haversham.

Haversham shrugged, looking as though butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth, and motioned toward Madame DuClaire, who’d moved on to an aria from Beethoven’s Fidelio.

Kate kept her eyes forward, though her heart beat in a strange little rhythm when she sent glances askance at Lord Haversham. The man was incorrigible, but she had to admit she enjoyed his company.

At the intermission, Kate, Nathan, and Lord Haversham all rose to stretch their legs. She was afraid Nathan might say something to his friend about his disruptive behavior, but he simply gave a tsk and turned to speak to Miss Hunt-Smythe.

“Are you enjoying the concert, Miss Locke?” Lord Haversham smiled pleasantly at her, for all the world as though he’d not been acting like a schoolboy in his first term.

“Very much, my lord. When I can keep my mind on the music.”

“Are you afflicted with a wandering mind? I am sorry to hear it.” The earl put on a teasing face. “I do hope you will remember me when I’m gone.”

Kate raised an eyebrow. “I wasn’t aware you were going somewhere, my lord.”

He chuckled. “Neither was I until this afternoon.” Haversham glanced down at her. “But I will be quitting London in the morning, I fear.”

Startled, Kate almost swayed toward him, but caught herself just in time. “Where are you going on such short notice?”

“Eden Hall, my estate in the north, near Carlisle.”

“Carlisle.” Far to the north. Almost a week’s journey. Kate frowned. She wasn’t sure she liked the idea of Haversham’s absence. She’d become accustomed to seeing the earl on an almost daily basis. Now he’d be gone for some weeks, in the middle of the Season.

“You’ll be gone for a month or more, will you not?”

“Sadly, yes. My steward there was thrown from his horse and has broken his leg.” The earl shook his head. “I seem to be having more difficulties with my stewards these days.” He offered his arm, and Kate took it. “I must go and manage things so I can hire a temporary replacement until Farnsworth is back on his feet—literally.”

“There’s no one else you can send to interview stewards?” The prospect of facing the ton’s entertainments without the earl’s witticisms to divert her was grimmer than Kate would’ve believed.

“I am the Earl of Haversham, Miss Locke. It’s my duty to see to the running of the estates.” He raised his eyebrows provocatively. “Dare I hope your question means you will miss me when I’m gone?”

“As much as one misses a sore thumb when it ceases to hurt.” The quip came automatically to her lips, but it was far from the truth.

“Ah, well, then I must make a request of you while you are kicking up your heels in my absence. Let us get some lemonade. I must have something to sustain me through another bout of Madame DuClaire’s attempts at song.” He led her back toward the refreshment table where Nathan stood, gazing at their approach. “I wondered if you might look after Letitia while I’m gone? Make sure she continues to put herself forward as she has been doing the past evenings. I would hate to lose the meagre ground we have gained. And take her shopping again. I will not mind another bill for bonnets if it makes her more willing to attend social functions.”

“I will be glad to befriend Lady Letitia, my lord.” Kate glanced over at the lady in question, talking animatedly to Bertie Symmons once more. She might have her work cut out for her if Bertie continued to monopolize Lady Letitia’s attention.

“Splendid.” Haversham’s face lit up as they approached her brother. “There is, however, another boon I would ask of you, if your brother allows it.”

“What is that?” Kate frowned, confused.

“Ainsley, well met.” Haversham handed her over to Nathan. “I have a favor to ask of you, old chap.”

“Thank you, Haversham, although we have already met this evening, if you remember.” He glanced at Kate, who shrugged. “How may I help you?”

“I’m off to Carlisle in the morning. Deuced steward broke his leg, and I have to take the reins until I can find a replacement. I’ve asked Miss Locke to take my sister under her wing in my absence, which she has graciously agreed to do.”

“Kate is free to do as she wishes with regard to spending time with Lady Letitia, Haversham. No need to ask my permission for that.” Nathan looked as confused as Kate felt.