Chapter Six

S everal hours later, Kate sat with her aunt in the drawing room, soaking up the last sliver of afternoon sun that filtered through the windows, which would no doubt soon vanish. She held a worn copy of Sense and Sensibility , a book she’d loved. She never tired of reading about the Dashwood sisters. Usually, their troubles took her mind off her own, but not today. She could not concentrate on her reading because, try as she may, she could not repress her thoughts of Lord Knox. She wanted so badly to be stoic—to honor the love she’d shared with Theo, but the more she tried to forget what had happened in the park earlier, the more persistent her doubts became. Was Aunt Jane, correct? Had she been too quick to rebuff Lord Knox—a handsome and powerful earl—and possibly the only person who could help her out of her predicament?

Papa had always said she was too proud. She’d rather condemn herself to a lifetime with a nasty and selfish little man like Middlemarch than accept that Lord Knox might never find her as devastatingly attractive as she found him. But in truth, she missed what she’d had with Theo. She wanted to feel love and passion again. Kate shuddered. She was like Eve—unable to return to her pure state after tasting the forbidden fruit.

“Miss Kathrine, there’s a gentleman here to see you.” The butler came into the drawing room.

“A gentleman?” Kate’s heart leapt.

“Yes, miss. One Lord Middlemarch. May I show him in?”

Her heart plummeted and then started to beat rapidly. What is Middlemarch doing here? Had he come to tell her that he’d finally arranged the special license and was ready to set a date for their marriage? In as little as one or two days from now, she could be Lady Middlemarch. The thought made her nauseous.

She swallowed and tried to compose herself. “Certainly, Mason,” she said.

Aunt Jane stood, smoothed her sky-blue dress, and placed a comforting hand on Kate’s shoulder.

Seconds later, the butler reappeared and announced the arrival of Lord Middlemarch, who stepped into the room. Although it had only been a few days since Kate had last seen him, she thought he looked even more gaunt and sour than she’d remembered. Kate forced a polite smile but found she was unable to speak.

“Lord Middlemarch, how kind of you to pay us a visit,” her aunt said. “Please sit down. Shall I call for tea?”

“No,” he said abruptly, leaning slightly on his walking stick. “I won’t be long. I have something of great importance to discuss with Miss Sheldon.”

“Of great importance,” her aunt repeated, raising her eyebrows. “Do you need a moment alone?”

Alone. Kate’s stomach sank. That could only mean one thing. He’d secured the marriage license and wanted to set a date.

“That won’t be necessary. As her chaperone, it’s important that you hear what I have to say.”

“Very well.” Her aunt gestured again to the dark blue velvet armchair, indicating that Middlemarch should sit.

Middlemarch relented and sat on the edge of the chair, his back rigid. The two women sat on the settee opposite and looked at him expectantly. He cleared his throat. “It has come to my attention that Miss Sheldon was spotted in St. James’s’ Park unchaperoned while in the company of a gentleman this morning.”

Kate straightened her back and looked Middlemarch directly in the eyes. “Yes, I went for a stroll in the park early this morning and bumped into Lord Knox. We exchanged a few words and then went our separate ways.”

“So you admit that you went to the park unchaperoned and spent time alone with a gentleman?”

“Yes, but there was no harm done.”

“You were seen. Of course, there was harm done. You are an unmarried woman, unchaperoned and alone with a gentleman. Do you suppose I shall tolerate a wife who conducts herself like a bawd?”

Aunt Jane inhaled sharply.

Heat spread across Kate’s cheeks. She opened her mouth to speak, but her aunt cleared her throat loudly and said, “You are correct, my lord. Kate should not have left the house unchaperoned. On the other hand, there is no need for you to insult and disrespect her in such a manner.”

Middlemarch’s features hardened. “Insult her? It is she who insults and disrespects me with her conduct. If she is to be my wife, then—”

“ If , my lord? Aunt Jane said pointedly.

“ When Kate learns to respect me.” Middlemarch said through gritted teeth. Then he turned to Kate. “I want you to stay indoors. You may no longer venture outdoors for more than one hour a day. And you must be chaperoned at all times. Is that understood?”

Kate’s chest flamed. Middlemarch had gone too far in trying to lock her up. She could not marry him—she would not do it!

“You’re too late,” she blurted.

“What?” Middlemarch narrowed his eyes.

“I can no longer marry you because I accepted Lord Knox’s proposal this morning.” Kate’s heartbeat accelerated. She could not believe the words that had just come out of her mouth!

“You what? That’s impossible. You are betrothed to me! We have a contract!”

He was right, of course. She’d entered the auction with her eyes open. And she’d agreed to marry the highest bidder. But Lord Knox’s words gave her courage. Middlemarch won’t be a problem. She squared her shoulders. “I’m breaking the contract,” she said calmly. “I’m sorry, Lord Middlemarch, but I don’t think we are a good match.”

“No one asked you to think. Your job is to look pleasant, and do as I say,” he snarled. “You belong to me! I paid good money for you!”

Kate gritted her teeth, forcing herself to remain calm. It would do no good to give him the satisfaction of upsetting her. “No matter,” she said. “I’m marrying the Earl of Knox, and not you.”

Middlemarch’s lips curved into an ugly smirk. “We shall see about that.”

He turned and strode furiously toward the door, pausing as he passed the blue and white porcelain vase filled with flowers perched on a small table. He lifted his walking stick and swatted the vase as though it were a cricket ball. The fragile glass shattered on impact, sending water, petals, and blue and white shards through the air.

Kate gasped, but Middlemarch did not even turn around. He continued his furious walk and exited the room.