“Lord Knox, if I had done what others deemed to be right and proper, I’d be in the poor house as we speak. We must all take responsibility for our own happiness. And this is your chance to fill your home with love and laughter again.”
“I wish that were true. But you do not have an earl’s responsibilities,” he said because it was easier to hide behind his earldom than to tell the truth. He would have raised a foundling with Beatrice if she’d so desired. But his hope becoming a father had died with her. He put down his glass and stood up. “I’msorry, but I cannot,” he said, nodding to her before he left the room.
Bessie was not convinced. Lord Knox was a family man at heart, but he was afraid. He didn’t ever want to relive the hurt he’d experienced after losing his wife. He hated the loneliness, but he wasn’t willing to risk any more pain. Such problems weren’t insurmountable. A man like Lord Knox could be won over. Unfortunately, Miss Sheldon didn’t have that kind of time. She needed a husband and father for her baby, and she needed one now. It appeared as though Bessie would have to take more drastic measures.
Chapter Three
Kate’s insides churnedas she accepted a cup of tea from Mrs. Dove-Lyon. She hadn’t expected to return to the widow’s office so soon. The woman worked quickly. Hadn’t she only met with the earl yesterday evening? She glanced at her aunt, who clutched her teacup handle, looking equally anxious.
The wife of an earl. Can it be true? Even Papa will not refuse such a prestigious match!
“I’m afraid the gentleman I had in mind for you is unwilling.” Mrs. Dove-Lyon’s words slashed Kate’s expectations, making her stomach plummet. “Unfortunately, he had too many reservations. Under normal circumstances, we wouldn’t give up so easily, and although I think he is amenable to changing his mind, we simply don’t have the time to try and sway him.”
“What can be done now?” Aunt Jane spoke the question Kate wanted to ask but could not articulate. It seemed fear and shock had captured her voice. She’d been foolish to assume the news would be good.Why on Earth would an earl want to marry me?
“Considering the time constraint, I propose an auction. It’s not something I do often, but it’s worked well in the past.”
Kate flinched.
“An auction?” Aunt Jane exclaimed. “That’s going too far. I cannot permit my niece to be sold like cattle. What kind of a man would purchase a wife?”
“It’s a blind auction,” Mrs. Dove-Lyon explained calmly, as though she’d expected exactly such a reaction from Kate’s protective aunt. “The men won’t know who or what they are bidding on. I will merely announce that the prize is a lifelong treasure—something priceless—something every man will covet. Furthermore, all the men will be given numbers and be required to wear masks so no one will know the winner’s identity. Your identity and his identity will be kept from everyone.”
Aunt Jane put down her teacup with shaking hands. “It’s too repulsive. I cannot allow it. And what if a married man bids on her?”
“You needn’t worry about that. I shall only invite my unmarried clients to participate in the auction,” Mrs. Dove-Lyon said.
“Well, then, they will certainly have an inkling that they are bidding on a woman. Again, I shall have to ask what kind of a gentleman would participate in such an event?”
“A very drunk one. There is a reason I serve my customers the finest wine, brandy, and whiskey in all of England. They are gluttons for it, and that gets them into all sorts of troubling situations.”
“You plan to marry my Kate to a drunkard?” Aunt Jane reached for Kate and put a protective hand on her forearm.
“Of course not. The auction is a game with high stakes and men like to drink when they play. But habitual drunkards will not be invited to participate. Those men are trouble and are carefully monitored at my club.”
Kate sat frozen, staring into her teacup. She’d been such a fool—a fool to lay with Theo before they were married—a fool to imagine she could marry an earl—a fool to think any man worthhis salt would marry her—a fool to hope she might ever be happy again.
“It sounds too ridiculous,” Aunt Jane said. “I don’t believe it can work.”
“Mrs. Seton, I don’t waste my time on schemes that won’t work.” There was a sharp edge to Mrs. Dove-Lyon’s voice. “I know my patrons, and I know men. They are competitive creatures. I will plant two or three gentlemen who owe me favors in with the crowd, and they will get the bidding started. Then, you will see the bullish nature of wealthy, drunk men emerging in full force. I guarantee you will have barons, viscounts, and earls waging a bidding war for your niece’s hand in marriage.”
“Even so, I can’t—no, I can’t allow this.”
“Why don’t we let Miss Sheldon decide.” The widow turned to Kate. “It is time for her to speak up and take control of her future.”
Momentarily panicked, Kate glanced at her aunt. She didn’t want to go against her wishes.
“Don’t look to your aunt,” the widow snapped. “We know her opinion. And before you say anything, I’d like to remind you of your pressing circumstance.”
“Is there truly no other way?” Kate placed a protective hand on her belly.
“Considering the pressing issue of the growing babe in your womb—your options are limited. You have gotten yourself into a serious predicament, and that puts me in a bind as well. I need to protect my interests and reputation as well as yours. I must proceed with caution so as not to arrange a marriage for you that might later become a problem for me.”
“What do you mean?” Kate asked. “What risk is there to you?”
Mrs. Dove-Lyon sighed. “If by some chance the gentleman you marry discovers that the child you are carrying is nothis, I don’t want him coming back to me, complaining that I deliberately tricked him into marrying a woman with child. If, however, a man ‘wins’ your hand in a blind auction—an auction he willingly bid on—then he will only have his drunken foolishness to blame and so will shoulder the responsibility for the match.”
The color drained from Kate’s face. “Do you think he will discover the child is not his?”
