Chapter Nine
Lord Southmore partneredher twice and asked her for a third, but wary of scandal, she refused.
“You seem sad,” he said coming again to stand beside her. “Can I do anything to help?”
“Goodness, no. Thank you. I’m not at all sad. I’m thoroughly enjoying myself.” Kate fanned herself violently, knowing she sounded brittle.
She wished Robert would return, for apart from a brief conversation or two, there were few here tonight that she knew. It was Southmore who attended to her every wish, when it should have been Robert, ensuring she had a glass of champagne and engaging her in conversation.
There was little she could do about it, and a part of her admitted she hoped Robert might be driven mad with jealousy.
Through the French windows, Kate spied the mansion’s sculptured grounds. When she commented on how glorious they looked lit by braziers, Southmore invited her for a promenade on the terrace. As another couple walked out with the same intention, she considered it safe to accept. And after all, Robert was nowhere to be seen. He might have been dallying with a mistress somewhere for all she knew. She batted away her unsubstantiated accusation when her stomach roiled.
They strolled out into the cool evening and stood at the ornate balustrade. Kate took deep calming breaths of fragrant night air, the stone cold through her gloved hands. What might the future hold for her when her marriage was such a failure? She’d never been so helpless and almost didn’t recognize herself.
The other couple decided the breeze was too fresh and retreated almost immediately, leaving the terrace deserted. The clear night sky was filled with stars paying homage to a full yellow moon, and a bouquet of lilac and rose scents wafted on the breeze. It would have been perfect if Robert was here instead of Southmore. His face appeared had grown too intense for Kate’s liking. She grew uneasy at such a shift in his demeanor and wondered what had provoked it. Some men responded to unhappiness, and she supposed misery was writ large on her face. She tried to rally and straightened her shoulders, leaning to admire the stone paths and clipped hedges. A fountain tinkled in the distance.
“How perfect the gardens appear bathed in a silvery light,” she said. “So still.”
“Sleeping beauty.” Southmore took a step closer. He took hold of her hand and kissed her gloved fingers. “You are a lovely woman, perhaps you need to be awakened.”
Kate pulled her hand away. “You should not talk to me in that fashion.”
“Why not?” He cocked his head. “Don’t you enjoy being told you’re lovely?”
“Only by my husband.”
“And does he tell you?”
“That’s none of your concern, Lord Southmore.” She stepped away. “The night air is a little cool. I think we should return to the ballroom.”
Lord Southmore restrained her with a hand on her arm. “Stay just a little while. Please listen to what I have to say.”
Kate bit her lip. “I’d rather you didn’t. Please let me go.”
“I suspect things don’t go well with you and St. Malin,” he said in an urgent undertone, his eyes on her mouth. “If you wish to be properly loved, I beg you to consider me.”
“I would not wait for such a thing if I were you,” Kate said sharply. “And your hand is still on my arm.”
“As you wish.” Lord Southmore removed his hand and shrugged, looking amused. He bowed.
Over his shoulder, Kate saw Robert appear through the doors.
He nodded to Lord Southmore and turned to Kate. “Are you ready to return to the ballroom, my lady?”
“More than ready, my lord.” She walked inside without looking back. Lord Southmore had overstepped the mark, and if Robert wished to plant him a facer, she was quite agreeable.
But when she finally peeked at the two men after a brief word, they’d gone their separate ways. Lord Southmore became engrossed in conversation with a group near the door. And Robert returned to the gaming room. She suffered a stab of disappointment. Robert did not care beyond appearances it seemed.
“What did you say to Lord Southmore, Robert?” she asked when they entered the carriage some hours later.
“Nothing yet. But I won’t have him near you Kate. Be warned. I might tell him that as soon I have an heir, he is at liberty to pursue you if that was your wish. As it seems it is.”
Kate spluttered. “But I didn’t… I don’t!”
“You don’t? That’s not the way it seemed to me.” He sounded indifferent.
It had not been her intention to be seen to be flirting with the man. But if she was honest, she had hoped Robert might be jealous. This was not the effect she’d wanted, however.Was this heir going to materialize like magic?she thought crossly. So, he didn’t mind if she eventually took a lover. Might he then happily continue to visit his mistress? She eyed him bitterly and turned away to the window.
