Page 43 of A Countess Never Tells

He wasn’t believing anything she said. Well, she must give him credit for his lack of gullibility. Still, that quality was making her afternoon rather uncomfortable. “No, we did stop there for a bit. Then I asked if we could call at the booksellers, so I could see if my next volume of Clarissa had arrived. But it hadn’t, so we looked through all the newest books he had, and then through the older ones. I did need something new to read but couldn’t find anything tempting.” As innocently as possible, Kitty raised her gaze to her brother’s. “And then he brought me home.”

“And then he brought you home.” John drew a deep breath and shook his head. He cut his eyes toward Judith. “I told you this would happen.”

“Well, you were the one to forbid her to see him.” Her sister-in-law gave him a doleful look. “Like throwing oil on a flame, my dear. All your decree has done is encourage her to disobey.”

“I am not rescinding that order.” He rose to tower over Kitty. “You will cease these attempts to meet with Lord Ashwood, Kitty, or I will send you back to Donningham House in the country for the rest of the Season.” John slammed the glass down on the table, making the dishes dance. “Do you understand me?”

Indignation making her heart race, Kitty rose and squared off against him. Narrowing her eyes, she raised her chin and stared at him. “Why did you not tell me that Ash had asked to marry me?”

John stood unmoving, but his lips firmed until they turned white. “I did not think you needed to know because I didn’t think it was a bona fide offer.” His gaze shifted to his wife. “Judith has since informed me that Ashwood had already proposed to you the night before, so I suppose it was a legitimate offer. But Ashwood’s main reason for the offer seemed to be to solve the problem with Lord Baltimore, which I believe he may have instigated himself.”

“No, he did not.” Kitty shook her head vehemently. He couldn’t tell that lie and think she’d believe it. “You yourself said Ash overheard the wager. So you know full well he had nothing to do with it. Why are you being so awful about Ash?” This wasn’t like her brother at all. “Why are you trying to denigrate everything he does?” She couldn’t keep the sob out of her voice. “Why do you hate him so?”

“Because he is a rake, my dear, with a sordid reputation for more than ten years.” John’s voice was purely matter of fact, no emotion whatsoever. “He has ruined more than one young woman, and I will be damned if I allow him to add you to his list of conquests.”

“He asked to marry me, John. How would that ruin me?” The tears were flowing freely now. “If you do not give us permission to wed, I will simply marry him without it.” She wiped her eyes on the back of her hand and raised her resolute gaze to him. “I am past my majority by several years. You can do nothing to prevent me.”

John drew himself up, his face a mask of anger. “If you insist on marrying without my consent, Kitty, you will forfeit your dowry, your hope of a settlement, and any contact with the family whatsoever from that day forward.”

“John!” Judith bounded up and grabbed his arm. “This is absolutely the wrong thing to do. You must know that. Nothing good will come of abandoning Kitty. If Lord Ashwood has made an actual offer of marriage, doesn’t that indicate that his intentions are honorable?”

“His intention to marry her may be honorable, however, who is to say that he will be a faithful husband? My greatest fear is that he marries her, is devoted to her for a while, but then returns to his philandering ways.”

“Ash had promised me he will be a true and faithful husband once we are wed. I believe him.” Kitty put every bit of conviction into her words.

“He told me the same thing, but I am sorry, I do not believe him.” He looked down at Judith. “Have you told her about your first husband?”

Judith hung her head. “Not all of it, no.”

“Perhaps if she knows the hell you went through, she will come to her senses regarding Ashwood.” Her brother stalked over to the sideboard and poured himself another drink.

“Sit here beside me, Kitty.” Judith sat back on the chaise and patted the spot next to her.

Too weary to argue, Kitty dropped onto the seat, her wonderful day in tatters.

“Of course, you know about my illness last year, and that it was only by a miracle that I survived to sit here next to you. What few people know is that my illness was caused by an injury, a blow to the head, by my husband when I confronted him about his infidelities while we were in London. Simon was a rake when I met him, very wild, very exciting. I imagined myself in love and was mad to marry him.

“Once we were wed, we lived in the country with his parents for all our married life. At first, I didn’t notice anything wrong then there were rumors that this or that girl in the local village had been ruined. I thought nothing of it, until we had a series of governesses for Anna. One after the other gave notice after only a few months.” Judith tore at her handkerchief as she spoke. “Then we went to London for Dora, Simon’s sister, to experience the Little Season before she married. While we were there, Simon’s infidelities grew worse than ever. I’d had enough and confronted him about it. He struck me, causing me to hit my head and…the rest you know.”

Truly shocked at these new details of Judith’s story, Kitty took Judith’s hand. “I am so very sorry, my dear. I had no idea just how horrible your late husband was. I do give thanks every day that you and John have found the happiness you each deserve.” Kitty sat back. “But I assure you Ash isn’t like Simon, Judith. I know it.” She twisted around to face her brother. “I assume you have had him investigated. Have you heard of Lord Ashwood ever being violent?”

“There are no reports of it, but then neither were there any of Simon Harper’s violent temperament. I know very little of Lord Ashwood’s character, Kitty. Neither do you.” John ran a hand through his hair, leaving it sticking wildly up on end. “I cannot stand by and watch you be abused as Judith was.”

“Not all men are like Judith’s husband, John. And some men are unfaithful, whether or not they have a rake’s reputation.” He had to admit there were men who changed when they married. “Some gentlemen who have led wild lives as bachelors have settled down perfectly well and love their wives. I think your friend Lord Trevor is one of those, and Ash has sworn to be one as well.”

“They are merely words spoken by a man who wants to bed you, Kitty. If he must marry you to do so, what does it matter to him?” John seemed to be losing patience with her. “He can still pursue his pleasures elsewhere, married or not.”

“We do not need to settle this now.” Rising, Judith spoke up hastily. “We are expected at Mrs. Northrop’s within the hour.” She moved to John and took his arm. “Let us speak to Lord Ashwood, John. Ask him what assurances he can give us that he has all honorable intentions toward Kitty, both before and after their marriage.”

If only she could explain to John why she had confidence that Ash was true to his word. If only he knew the amazing restraint Ash had shown this afternoon, in order to prove John wrong about him. Of course, if John had any idea of what she and Ash had been doing this afternoon, it would not endear Ash to him one whit.

Wearily, Kitty stood. The time had come to speak plainly. “Talk to Ash by all means, John. However, if you have already made up your mind not to believe what he says, it is a futile gesture at best.” She wrapped her arms around herself, needing some kind of comfort. “But heed my words: I will marry Lord Ashwood with or without your blessing. I have made my choice. It is up to you to make yours.”

Without another word, Kitty turned and left for her room. Somehow, she and Ash would find a way to make this come right. Because God knew, it absolutely could not go more wrong.

Chapter 19

As Jolly put the finishing touches on her coiffure, Kitty once again had to calm her thoughts, which had been in turmoil since her earlier scene with John.