The Accidental Elopement (Scandalous Miss Brightwells Book 4) by Oakley Beverley

Author:Oakley, Beverley [Oakley, Beverley]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Sani Publishing
Published: 2018-02-22T16:00:00+00:00

Katherine would have done well to have considered Lord Derry’s feelings a little more. He was positively seething as he accepted a brandy from George after the rest of the household had retired.

“It’s your cousin,” he responded after George asked him why he was looking so hangdog. “She says we have no agreement.”

“No agreement? Why, she’s going to marry you, old fellow. Her reputation depends upon it.”

“Apparently not.” Lord Derry began to pace, the contents of his glass sloshing against the side before he downed the drink in one go before pouring another. “By God, I’ve waited a long time. Seven years! And now she’s going to slip out of my fingers.”

George shrugged. “Sometimes one has to accept a hopeless cause. Not worth the trouble, I’d say.”

Lord Derry’s nostrils flared as he glared at George. He must have consumed a great deal for he was not usually prone to such agitation. “I don’t admit defeat so easily.” His breathing was rapid. “There must be some way to persuade her.” He glanced up suddenly. “You don’t suppose there’s someone else?”

“Not that I’ve heard of.” George refilled Derry’s glass. “Come along, old chap. No need to get all maudlin. You’ll find another girl with spirit who’ll suit you even better.”

“I don’t want another. I want Katherine. And I want to vanquish that damned spirit of hers!” He closed his eyes and his shoulders slumped. “That’s not true. I want to make her happy. I know I can.”

George patted his shoulder. “I’m sure you can. And you will.”

“Katherine is devoted to her parents.” Derry sounded gloomier than ever. “Despite the fact Freddy left her with nothing except debts, she has her parents’ support, so she has no need to get married.”

George nodded, considering. “But Katherine is…impulsive. Wayward. Katherine needs bringing into line. Devoted, her family may be, but they think it, too. A discontented widow is more of a wild card than an impulsive debutante who’s still under the authority of her parent.”

He went on. “As a widow, Katherine answers only to herself. She can do what she wants to please herself and there’s not a damned thing her family can do about it.”

“But you’re family. Or at least, you’re the son of that aunt she’s so devoted to. Surely you can help me?”

George felt a rare jolt of pleasure at the hopeful, interested look Derry was directing at him. As if George had sway and influence.

Yes, Derry was looking to him to influence matters. Just as Marwick had all those years ago.

He rolled his shoulders. George still felt guilty at interfering to make the terms of the wager in Boodles Better book so attractive for encouraging an elopement between Marwick and Katherine but Katherine had kissed Marwick. George knew she had. And almost straight afterwards she’d made clear her aversion to doing anything similar with George so she might as well have married Marwick if she was so willing to trade her favours, he’d thought at the time.

But he was sorry Marwick had turned out such a blackguard.

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