“I don’t think,” Markham said to Katherine, “Bromton’s conscience is the kind of reliability Lord Darlington had in mind.”
“I’ve told Darlington his efforts to remold Bromton back into the Tory image were in vain.” Farring shook out the paper. “Bromton is Bromton and will do whatever he believes is right.”
Katherine considered her husband. He always did what he thought was right, didn’t he?
The path to a mended heart was not unlike the road to her mother’s folly. It twisted and turned and was steep in some places, bumpy in others, but, if the path was navigated with courage and proper attention, it ended with a magnificent view.
“Tell Lord Darlington to come up with a better bill,” Giles replied. “Then, I will reconsider…I am never so sure of myself that I refuse to listen.”
Katherine wondered if there would ever be a time her heart would fail to warm when Giles acted, well, like Giles.
Loving. Responsible. Kind. Most astonishingly of all—humbled.
And—she smiled a secret, sensual smile—for all of that, he still melted like butter at the sight of her in stockings and garters.
…Garters that were going to drop to the floor if he didn’t stop running the ribbon laces through his fingers.
“I should think Lord Darlington would be all appreciation.” Clarissa examined her fingernails. “Following Bromton’s display last year, no one dares refuse his wife’s invitations, lest they miss some excitement.”
“Shh!” Markham leaned to his side and placed his hands over Julia’s ears. “Julia had a tolerably successful Season. Do not give her ideas.”
“A tolerably successful season?” Farring laughed. “She and Horatia were declared diamonds of the first water—not a whiff of scandal between them.”
“Give her time,” Markham said under his breath.
“Iwasdeclared a diamond.” Julia removed her brother’s hands. “Exactly as I planned, I might add.” She turned to Giles. “You see, Lord Bromton, I told you I knew how to behave when I must.”
“So you did,” Giles replied with a chuckle.
Clarissa glanced at Markham through her lashes. “Speaking of Stanley stratagems, Lord Markham, how is your courtship of Lady Constance proceeding?”
Markham reddened. “There is no courtship.”
Clarissa raised her brows. “So much for well-laid plans.”
“Courtship? How lovely,” Katherine said with a smile. “Would you like my advice?”
Markham’s expression grew wary.
“What?” Katherine asked innocently. “I was merely going to say that Giles once told me marriage improves character.”
Clarissa snorted. “I can think of a hundred ways I’d rather improve my character.”
“A gift to men,” Markham said.
Clarissa did not look up. “To myself, certainly.”
Farring rubbed his chin. “Does marriage improve character?”
Giles nodded. “It certainly improved mine.”
“Indeed,” Katherine laughed.
Giles cleared his throat. “What else does the letter say?”
“Let’s see, where was I? Oh, yes. It appears everyone in London is agog. Someone has received word that Lord—” Farring stopped frowned, flipped over the page, and frowned again.
“Who?” Julia asked. “Who has London agog?”
