“I don’t know what came over me!” Kate paced back and forth. “What am I to do now? What will Lord Knox think?”
“Why should he think anything? You said he regretted his decision and urged you not to marry Middlemarch?”
“That’s true. He expressed his regret for the hasty rejection and suggested we spend time together—to see if we found each other agreeable. But that’s not the same as a formal proposal.”
“But it’s a promise of sorts. An honorable man doesn’t tell a woman to leave her betrothed and spend time with him unless he intends to marry her.”
“But I rebuffed him! And now I have announced our betrothal!” She clasped her face in her hands. “What will he think when Middlemarch approaches him—or worse, complains to Mrs. Dove-Lyon and tells her that Lord Knox is responsible for my having broken our contract?”
“Yes, that is a conundrum.” Aunt Jane frowned and massaged her forehead as she often did when troubled. “Wemust speak with Mrs. Dove-Lyon before Middlemarch does,” she said, looking up at Kate. “I think he will approach Lord Knox first. That’s what angry men do—they confront their rivals in love. He’ll do that before running to Mrs. Dove-Lyon.”
“Not Middlemarch. I suspect he is a coward who only likes to bully women, children, and servants.” Kate put a protective hand on her stomach. “And Lord Knox is twice his size.”
“Perhaps you’re right, and I’m proud of you for standing up to him. I’m sorry I didn’t listen when you first voiced your doubts. But you needn’t worry. After today, I cannot allow you to marry that man.”
Kate nodded. Her breathing eased a little, but her insides still trembled. Freedom was within reach.
“Come along, Kate,” Aunt Jane said, “let’s get our hats and coats. We must leave at once.”
Kate was surprisedwhen the tall, broad-shouldered Hermia greeted them at the women’s entrance of the Lyon’s Den, saying, “Aah, Mrs. Seton, Miss Sheldon, you’re right on time. Mrs. Dove-Lyon is waiting for you in her office.”
Kate and her aunt shared a glance, each realizing that Middlemarch must already be in Mrs. Dove-Lyon’s office, airing his grievances. A tight knot formed in Kate’s stomach as they followed Hermia along the marbled floor, softened by a plush red and gold patterned runner that worked its way up the staircase.
She’d heard people say that it was a mistake to cross the Black Widow of Whitehall. What did she do to those who broke contracts with her? Kate gave an involuntary shudder as theyapproached Mrs. Dove-Lyon’s office. What if the widow forced her to honor the contract and marry Middlemarch?
When Hermia opened the door, Kate froze. Lord Middlemarch sat in one of the elegant scarlet chairs facing Mrs. Dove-Lyon’s desk. His cravat hung loose, and his shirt and hair were disheveled. A purple bruise marred his eye, and he held a handkerchief to his blood-clotted nose. Theseus, Mrs. Dove-Lyon’s wolf, stood behind Middlemarch, his large muscular arms folded and his face stony.
The situation had obviously gotten volatile quickly. She’d underestimated Middlemarch. He wasn’t simply a bully. He was also a fool.
“Mrs. Seton, Miss Sheldon, we’ve been waiting for you.” The Black Widow pushed back her desk chair and stood up. “Now that you are here, let’s all move to the seating area where we will have more space to discuss what has unfolded.”
Mrs. Dove-Lyon led them to a seating area where a plush scarlet settee with carved mahogany legs, the feet of which were shaped into lion claws, and three matching chairs were arranged around an oval tea table upon which a silver tray sat. Theseus stayed close to Middlemarch as he moved to the seating area and sat down. Once the baron was seated, Theseus planted himself firmly behind Middlemarch’s armchair.
The knot in Kate’s stomach tightened as she realized he was keeping Middlemarch under control. But what exactly had Middlemarch done?
As if in answer to her question, the door opened, and Hermia showed Lord Knox inside. Kate gasped at the sight of him. Like Middlemarch his hair and clothing were disheveled. His white shirt sat open at the neck and rolled up at the sleeves. Cuts and scrapes marred his knuckles, and a small bruise had formed on the apple of his right cheek. Kate’s pulse raced and her stomach fluttered. How could someone look so beautiful and vulnerableat the same time? It was easy to guess what happened. Middlemarch had confronted Lord Knox, and they’d probably engaged in fisticuffs. They’d been fighting over her! It must have been broken up by Theseus, who’d brought them to Mrs. Dove-Lyon to air their grievances. That’s how she knew Kate and her aunt would likely be arriving. She wanted to jump up, take him in her arms, treat his wounds, and kiss him all at once.
As Lord Knox neared, Kate saw the fury on his face and quickly averted her gaze as he sat in one of the armchairs adjacent to her. She felt Lord Knox’s eyes on her, but she couldn’t bring herself to look at him. What must he think of her for dragging him into this mess—especially when she’d so haughtily rebuffed his offer of help?
Mrs. Dove-Lyon busied herself pouring tea while Lord Knox got himself settled, and Kate accepted a teacup with a shaky hand.
“Now,” Mrs. Dove-Lyon said from behind her black veil, “as you ladies well know, there seems to be a misunderstanding concerning Miss Sheldon, Lord Middlemarch, and Lord Knox, which resulted in an altercation in my club.”
Kate shifted in her seat. So, Middlemarch had confronted Lord Knox at the club.
Last time we spoke, Lord Knox, you expressed no interest in remarrying. Can you explain Miss Sheldon’s claim that you have proposed to her?”
Nausea took hold of Kate. She was keenly aware of Lord Knox sitting on the armchair to her left, but she dared not look at him. Just the thought of what she’d done made her cheeks flame. How would she explain herself? Accepting a proposal from a man who’d not actually proposed? She tried to open her mouth to speak but found it impossible. There was nothing shecouldsay.
Lord Knox cleared his throat, and she squeezed her eyes shut. “Soon after our conversation, I realized I’d made a mistake refusing your offer to meet with Miss Sheldon. My hesitation stemmed from my own fears and doubts. But upon observing Miss Sheldon, I understood that I’d be foolish to throw away the opportunity to”—he paused—” to know such a lovely and gracious young lady.”
Kate’s stomach somersaulted. She’d been staring into her teacup to avoid looking at Lord Knox, but she pressed her lips together to suppress her smile upon hearing his words.
“You only decided that you desired Miss Sheldon after you learned that she belonged to me! I paid for her!” Middlemarch started out of his chair, but Theseus placed his large hand on the baron’s shoulder, forcing him back down.
Kate could take no more. “I belong to no one but myself,” she snapped. She’d heard him make that claim one too many times, and she could no longer keep silent. “I’m a woman, not your horse.”
“Bravo!” Aunt Jane chimed.
