Chapter Seven

K ate and her aunt stared in shock at the shattered mess on the floor.

“How dare he?” Aunt Jane fumed. “Who does he think he is coming into my home and behaving in such a boorish manner?”

“I don’t know what came over me!” Kate paced back and forth. “What am I to do now? What will Lord Knox think?”

“Why should he think anything? You said he regretted his decision and urged you not to marry Middlemarch?”

“That’s true. He expressed his regret for the hasty rejection and suggested we spend time together—to see if we found each other agreeable. But that’s not the same as a formal proposal.”

“But it’s a promise of sorts. An honorable man doesn’t tell a woman to leave her betrothed and spend time with him unless he intends to marry her.”

“But I rebuffed him! And now I have announced our betrothal!” She clasped her face in her hands. “What will he think when Middlemarch approaches him—or worse, complains to Mrs. Dove-Lyon and tells her that Lord Knox is responsible for my having broken our contract?”

“Yes, that is a conundrum.” Aunt Jane frowned and massaged her forehead as she often did when troubled. “We must speak with Mrs. Dove-Lyon before Middlemarch does,” she said, looking up at Kate. “I think he will approach Lord Knox first. That’s what angry men do—they confront their rivals in love. He’ll do that before running to Mrs. Dove-Lyon.”

“Not Middlemarch. I suspect he is a coward who only likes to bully women, children, and servants.” Kate put a protective hand on her stomach. “And Lord Knox is twice his size.”

“Perhaps you’re right, and I’m proud of you for standing up to him. I’m sorry I didn’t listen when you first voiced your doubts. But you needn’t worry. After today, I cannot allow you to marry that man.”

Kate nodded. Her breathing eased a little, but her insides still trembled. Freedom was within reach.

“Come along, Kate,” Aunt Jane said, “let’s get our hats and coats. We must leave at once.”

Kate was surprised when the tall, broad-shouldered Hermia greeted them at the women’s entrance of the Lyon’s Den, saying, “Aah, Mrs. Seton, Miss Sheldon, you’re right on time. Mrs. Dove-Lyon is waiting for you in her office.”

Kate and her aunt shared a glance, each realizing that Middlemarch must already be in Mrs. Dove-Lyon’s office, airing his grievances. A tight knot formed in Kate’s stomach as they followed Hermia along the marbled floor, softened by a plush red and gold patterned runner that worked its way up the staircase.

She’d heard people say that it was a mistake to cross the Black Widow of Whitehall. What did she do to those who broke contracts with her? Kate gave an involuntary shudder as they approached Mrs. Dove-Lyon’s office. What if the widow forced her to honor the contract and marry Middlemarch?

When Hermia opened the door, Kate froze. Lord Middlemarch sat in one of the elegant scarlet chairs facing Mrs. Dove-Lyon’s desk. His cravat hung loose, and his shirt and hair were disheveled. A purple bruise marred his eye, and he held a handkerchief to his blood-clotted nose. Theseus, Mrs. Dove-Lyon’s wolf, stood behind Middlemarch, his large muscular arms folded and his face stony.

The situation had obviously gotten volatile quickly. She’d underestimated Middlemarch. He wasn’t simply a bully. He was also a fool.

“Mrs. Seton, Miss Sheldon, we’ve been waiting for you.” The Black Widow pushed back her desk chair and stood up. “Now that you are here, let’s all move to the seating area where we will have more space to discuss what has unfolded.”

Mrs. Dove-Lyon led them to a seating area where a plush scarlet settee with carved mahogany legs, the feet of which were shaped into lion claws, and three matching chairs were arranged around an oval tea table upon which a silver tray sat. Theseus stayed close to Middlemarch as he moved to the seating area and sat down. Once the baron was seated, Theseus planted himself firmly behind Middlemarch’s armchair.

The knot in Kate’s stomach tightened as she realized he was keeping Middlemarch under control. But what exactly had Middlemarch done?

As if in answer to her question, the door opened, and Hermia showed Lord Knox inside. Kate gasped at the sight of him. Like Middlemarch his hair and clothing were disheveled. His white shirt sat open at the neck and rolled up at the sleeves. Cuts and scrapes marred his knuckles, and a small bruise had formed on the apple of his right cheek. Kate’s pulse raced and her stomach fluttered. How could someone look so beautiful and vulnerable at the same time? It was easy to guess what happened. Middlemarch had confronted Lord Knox, and they’d probably engaged in fisticuffs. They’d been fighting over her! It must have been broken up by Theseus, who’d brought them to Mrs. Dove-Lyon to air their grievances. That’s how she knew Kate and her aunt would likely be arriving. She wanted to jump up, take him in her arms, treat his wounds, and kiss him all at once.

As Lord Knox neared, Kate saw the fury on his face and quickly averted her gaze as he sat in one of the armchairs adjacent to her. She felt Lord Knox’s eyes on her, but she couldn’t bring herself to look at him. What must he think of her for dragging him into this mess—especially when she’d so haughtily rebuffed his offer of help?

Mrs. Dove-Lyon busied herself pouring tea while Lord Knox got himself settled, and Kate accepted a teacup with a shaky hand.

“Now,” Mrs. Dove-Lyon said from behind her black veil, “as you ladies well know, there seems to be a misunderstanding concerning Miss Sheldon, Lord Middlemarch, and Lord Knox, which resulted in an altercation in my club.”

Kate shifted in her seat. So, Middlemarch had confronted Lord Knox at the club.

Last time we spoke, Lord Knox, you expressed no interest in remarrying. Can you explain Miss Sheldon’s claim that you have proposed to her?”

Nausea took hold of Kate. She was keenly aware of Lord Knox sitting on the armchair to her left, but she dared not look at him. Just the thought of what she’d done made her cheeks flame. How would she explain herself? Accepting a proposal from a man who’d not actually proposed? She tried to open her mouth to speak but found it impossible. There was nothing she could say.

Lord Knox cleared his throat, and she squeezed her eyes shut. “Soon after our conversation, I realized I’d made a mistake refusing your offer to meet with Miss Sheldon. My hesitation stemmed from my own fears and doubts. But upon observing Miss Sheldon, I understood that I’d be foolish to throw away the opportunity to”—he paused—” to know such a lovely and gracious young lady.”

Kate’s stomach somersaulted. She’d been staring into her teacup to avoid looking at Lord Knox, but she pressed her lips together to suppress her smile upon hearing his words.

“You only decided that you desired Miss Sheldon after you learned that she belonged to me! I paid for her!” Middlemarch started out of his chair, but Theseus placed his large hand on the baron’s shoulder, forcing him back down.

Kate could take no more. “I belong to no one but myself,” she snapped. She’d heard him make that claim one too many times, and she could no longer keep silent. “I’m a woman, not your horse.”

“Bravo!” Aunt Jane chimed.

“That’s not what our contract states,” Middlemarch said.

“Lord Middlemarch is correct in reminding us that a legal contract is a serious commitment and not something to be taken lightly.” Mrs. Dove-Lyon’s words silenced the room.

Kate’s heart sank. She was going to force her to honor the contract and marry Middlemarch.

“Violating a contract with me is a serious affront.”

Kate swallowed the lump of fear in her throat.

“Theseus,” Mrs. Dove-Lyon said.

Theseus reached into his jacket pocket and brought out a folded piece of paper, which he handed to Mrs. Dove-Lyon.

Kate bit her lip as she watched the Black Widow unfold the paper and scan the document. “Just as I thought.” She handed the paper to Middlemarch, and Kate glimpsed the Black Widow’s gold lion seal at the bottom of the page.

A satisfied smirk appeared on Middlemarch’s face as soon as he held the document. The sight made Kate even sicker to her stomach.

“Let me draw your attention to the final paragraph, Lord Middlemarch,” Mrs. Dove Lyon said.

“Please do,” Middlemarch said with an air of superiority that Kate found repulsive.

“Would you care to read it out loud, so we all can hear what it says?”

“Certainly,” Middlemarch smirked, straightening his posture, and looking directly at Kate as if to say, I warned you .

“Lord Middlemarch agrees to keep both his and Miss Sheldon’s participation in the auction a secret until they are wed.” Middlemarch read. “He further agrees to obtain a special license and marry Miss Kathrine Sheldon within two days of signing this document, or he shall…What is this?” Middlemarch demanded.

“Keep reading,” Mrs. Dove-Lyon said calmly.

Middlemarch returned to the document and continued, “Or he shall forfeit any claim he has on Miss Sheldon.”

All the heaviness that had been weighing Kate down, suddenly lifted from her body.

“This is preposterous,” Middlemarch slammed the document onto the table, and Theseus’s large hand immediately came down on his shoulder.

“It’s the contract you signed,” Mrs. Dove-Lyon’s voice was like ice. “And by signing it you agreed to abide by the conditions set forth, which you failed to do on two counts. First, you told Lord Knox that you had won the auction and that your prize was Miss Sheldon, and second, you failed to obtain a license and marry within two days.”

“You tricked me!” he said. “Who marries two days after betrothal? A wedding takes planning.”

“There was no trickery involved. The rules were clearly stipulated on paper. Perhaps, Lord Middlemarch, you might consider reading a document before you sign it next time.” The contempt in Mrs. Dove-Lyon’s voice was palpable.

“What about the money? I paid one-hundred-and-forty pounds for her. She has to marry me.”

“She need do no such thing,” Mrs. Dove-Lyon roared. “Not only did you violate the conditions of the contract, but you compromised her reputation. Those stipulations were put in place to secure her honor and future. But it seems you were more interested in playing cruel games than entering a serious marriage. Therefore, Miss Sheldon owes you nothing.”

Middlemarch shrank back into his chair.

“And as for me, you forfeited your invitation to the club when you broke confidentiality by sharing information about the auction and then came into my establishment swinging your fists and accosting one of my patrons!”

“But—” Middlemarch objected.

“You can be grateful that you only told Lord Knox—a man of immense integrity and trustworthiness—about the auction, or your punishment would have been more severe.” The Black Widow turned to her wolf “Theseus, show Lord Middlemarch out. He is henceforth barred from entering this club.”

“Don’t touch me!” Middlemarch stood and tossed his head haughtily. “I will be more than happy to be rid of her and the lot of you. I will show myself out!”

Kate and the rest of the widow’s guests watched in silence as a red-faced Middlemarch strode out of the office with Theseus following close behind. Kate listened to hear for any breaking glass, but apparently the odious man had enough sense not to break any of the Black Widow’s vases.

“Now,” Mrs. Dove-Lyon turned to Lord Knox, “Before we have any more mishaps, let’s be clear. “Do you intend to marry Miss Sheldon?”

Kate held her breath as she watched Lord Knox hesitate. Heat flooded her cheeks. She could not just sit back and force this man into a marriage based on a lie. “This is all my doing. He never promised me marriage. I only said that to—”

“I do,” Lord Knox interjected, gently reaching for her hand. She stopped mid-sentence and turned to him. His gray eyes met her gaze, and stomach turned to jelly. “I meant what I said, I want you to be my wife.”

A cascade of mixed emotions flooded Kate. She was both elated and fearful. Had she forced this upon Lord Knox? He’d only wanted to help, and now he was committing to her for life.

“Miss Sheldon?” The widow turned to her. “Do you agree to marry Lord Knox? And before you answer, let me just say, I think you would be a fool to refuse him.”

Kate blinked. Her heart said yes, but her voice could not project the words. She nodded.

“Excellent!” Mrs. Dove-Lyon clapped her hands, breaking the intimacy of the moment. “We all know the urgency of this situation, so I expect you will obtain the special license and marry immediately.” She stood. “My work is now complete. I expect the two of you will want a few minutes alone, so I’ll leave you.” She turned to Aunt Jane, “Will you join me in the gaming room, Mrs. Seton?”

“Certainly.” Aunt Jane stood and gave Kate a beaming smile as she left the room with Mrs. Dove-Lyon.

“I’m sorry,” Kate said as soon as the women were out of earshot. “I didn’t mean to force this marriage upon you. I’ll find a way to make this right. I’ll explain what happened—”

“Stop.” Oliver moved from his armchair onto the sofa next to Kate and took hold of her gloved hands. “You don’t need to explain because you didn’t force me into anything.”

Kate’s cheeks flushed. “Of course I did, my lord. You hardly even know me. All you did was show me a bit of kindness and the next thing you’re—”

“Don’t call me ‘my lord,’ Oliver murmured, shifting closer, desperate to close the gap between them. “I’m to be your husband, so I’m Oliver to you.”

She gazed at him, devouring his face with her beautiful, soulful dark eyes. He felt certain that she wanted him as much as he wanted her. Then she dropped her gaze and shook her head.

“Kate,” he whispered, reaching out to lightly caress the back of her neck. He wished she would just let him love her.

She breathed steadily as he leaned forward and brushed her skin with his lips.

“No,” she said, moving back suddenly. “I cannot let you marry me out of pity or because you feel the need to save me from a worse marriage. I admire you too much to let you make such a sacrifice.”

Oliver gently squeezed her hand. How could he make her understand? “Kate, listen to me. The reason I want to marry you is entirely selfish. It has nothing to do with pitying you.”

She stopped her protest and gave him her full attention. Oliver released her hands and straightened his shoulders, preparing himself to reveal what was most painful to him. He told her about his wife and her lost child, confessing that he’d been unable to give her another. And then, looking directly into Kate’s eyes, he told her what was now in his heart, “Since losing Beatrice, I have been alone. And I was prepared to stay that way. Until I met you. Now the hope of having a family is real.”

Kate put her hands on her stomach. “You want me for my child?” she said, hesitantly.

“No, Kate. I want you and your child. Your loyalty, courage, and love for your unborn babe is something I admire greatly—a quality I will cherish in a wife. I want the three of us to make a new and happy family together.”

“And you will love him like your own?”

“Or her, yes. I will be your child’s father in name and heart, and no one need know any differently. If it’s a boy, he will inherit my title, and if it’s a girl, she shall have all the advantages and protections of an earl’s daughter.”

A dimple appeared on Kate’s cheek as her lips spread into a smile.

Oliver slipped out of his chair and knelt before Kate, clasping her hands in his once again. “Kate, you have a fighting spirit, a loving, loyal heart, and a beauty that takes my breath away. What more can a man ask for? I want to wake up beside you every day for the rest of my life. Do you understand?”

Kate bit her bottom lip and nodded, tears pooling in her eyes.

“Then answer me this. Miss Katherine Sheldon, will you marry me?”

“I will,” Kate’s eyes shone with tears. “I will.”

“Then there is only one thing left to do,” Oliver said, slipping his arms around Kate’s still-slim waist and pressing his lips to hers.