His Perfect Lady (10 page)

“Catherine, did you come here with Lord Dudgery?” Vanessa asked. “I saw him walking away with a smile on his lips. You didn’t agree to marry him, did you?”

“Not yet, but I intend to.”

Vanessa sat down in a rush and grasped Catherine’s hands to her. “Why? What about Lord Linwood, or any other young man for that matter?”

“What do you have against Lord Dudgery?”

“Something about him makes me uncomfortable. I just get these feelings about people as I did with your uncle long ago. I believe there are some who are inherently evil and if you keep yourself open, the tendencies will present themselves to you.”

Catherine removed her hands from Vanessa’s grip and crossed her arms. Vanessa didn’t understand. Besides, if she actively sought incriminating information, anything could appear that way.

“I’m sorry to hear you have those feelings for him, but I intend to marry him regardless.”

“And I am sorry to hear that. I don’t want to see you throw your life away.”

“I’m not. I honestly believe he will make me happy.” The words were hard to say through the lump forming in her throat. She didn’t want to lie to her cousin, but she couldn’t let Vanessa continue to worry.

“So could a number of other men. I just—”

“I have already made my decision, and Uncle Toban agrees with me.”

“There is nothing I can do?”

Catherine shook her head.

With pinched lips, Vanessa slowly stood. After looking down at Catherine for a moment, she moved away without glancing back.

Depression settled around Catherine as she walked through the garden and back to the hackney her uncle hired. The sun shone down, mocking her with its happy glow. Once again she thought of the rain. However, it would only tease her as well with thoughts of what she couldn’t have.

When she arrived back at the townhouse, her uncle stood waiting for her. Without a word, he ushered her into the drawing room and slammed the door.

“What is this?” he demanded, holding up a letter.

She suppressed a smile to see Jonathan’s seal. He’d written her back.

“I do believe it’s a letter, Uncle.” She tried to keep her voice even.

“Don’t put on a stupid act with me. Why are we receiving missives from Linwood? Don’t you understand what you’re doing to your future?”

“Sharing correspondence with an old friend can hardly cause concern over my future. You should be pleased I chose to communicate in this manner.”

“Then why does he express his regrets about being unable to join you at Hyde Park today? This response arrived only minutes after you left.”

Catherine’s mouth fell open. “You opened a letter addressed to me? How could you do such a thing?” Anger and hurt filled her as the tears she’d suppressed such a short time ago spilled down her cheeks. She’d never felt so mistreated, so violated, in her life.

“Because I’m worried about you. If you allow things with Lord Linwood to escalate further than what is proper, you may develop impossible hopes of a future with him. A future, I must add, that will not happen.”

Catherine turned away from him and stalked to the window. She knew a life with Jonathan could not exist. Although she would love nothing more, it wasn’t possible. Her reluctance to let go of him didn’t stem from a hope of marriage, but from the burning passion she had for him.

“I have spoken with Lord Dudgery. You will both know my answer in two days time. Until then, I request that you allow me to make decisions alone.” Her voice came out emotionless, but she didn’t care.

“You have my word, as long as you do nothing to jeopardize his interest in you,” Uncle Toban threatened.

Having heard enough, she turned around, plucked the letter from her uncle’s grasp, and left the room. He didn’t say another word nor try to follow her. Why was the match with Lord Dudgery so important to him? There had to be something passing between them. Something more than forgiveness for Kenneth’s gambling debt.

When she entered her bedchamber, she shut the door and fell back against it. The day had been too trying. She knew one simple word to her uncle would cease his badgering and give him great happiness, but she wasn’t ready.

Holding the note in her trembling hands, she opened the folds and ran her finger across Jonathan’s quick scrawl. Touching the parchment that had come from him seemed intimate in a way. Shaking her head at her silliness, she read:

Most Fair Catherine,

I apologize but I’m unable to meet you at Hyde Park today. Name any other time, and I will be delighted to bask in your perfection. My day is scheduled to be taxing for a typical man, so I have little faith that I will survive it. Know that I will think of you today and if your matter is urgent, send for me at the place that only you will know where to find me.

Your humble servant,

Jonathan

Catherine clutched the letter to her chest and closed her eyes. He would think of her today. The simple knowledge brought her such joy. Pushing herself forward, she thrust her shoulders back. She knew what she had to do. And she knew exactly where to find him. Ravenhurst.

Jonathan silently watched as Rawson entered Ravenhurst. The man’s smug smile told Jonathan all he needed to know. Now it would be too easy to collect the necessary information from him. Also, the ability to make Rawson squirm a little as he’d done to Stanwick would be satisfying.

Slowly entering the club, Jonathan formed his plan. He wished he had the same ability with cards as Greyson did. There wasn’t a match that his friend couldn’t rise from victorious. Had Jonathan shared the skill, he would make Rawson’s lesson more effective.

After settling himself at his usual table near the back, Jonathan motioned Nathaniel over. They’d become friends over the years, and Jonathan didn’t expect that to change with the ownership of Ravenhurst. Although Nathaniel didn’t know it yet, that very event would take place tomorrow morning, which is why Jonathan had decided to spend one last night here bathed in memories.

“How may I help you, my lord?” Nathaniel easily adopted the formal manner they used in public.

“When Kenneth Rawson finishes his match, send him back to me.”

“Yes, my lord.” Nathaniel bowed and then left.

It didn’t take long before Rawson threw his cards down on the table, obviously in defeat. As he stood, he tapped his pocket as if wondering about the state of his funds. When Rawson approached him, his narrowed eyes fell upon Jonathan. In response, Jonathan lifted his glass.

“You wanted to see me?” The confusion sounded clearly in Rawson’s voice.

“Have a seat. I want to have a friendly conversation.”

Rawson sat cautiously, his eyes fixed upon Jonathan as if concerned he would attempt to harm him. Jonathan merely kept his face open and cheerful, hoping to force Rawson’s guard down.

“You and I have never engaged in any relationship that would account for a friendly conversation. What do you want?”

“How is your family? Are your mother and father doing well?”

Rawson crossed his arms as he stared emotionlessly at Jonathan. “They’re doing brilliantly.”

“And your cousin?”

Although Jonathan had intended to relax the man with innocuous conversation, he realized this line of questioning would not further his purpose. Rawson’s lips pinched tight as the muscles in his jaw flexed. Then, without provocation, a large smile broke out across his face.

It wasn’t the type of smile that anyone wanted to see. The sight of it sent fear slicing through Jonathan’s body. What had happened to Catherine? He cursed himself for not rescheduling his meeting with Sideon today so he could meet with her in Hyde Park. Considering he still didn’t know what his intentions were toward her, he didn’t think dropping everything to see her would send the right message.

“Catherine is quite wonderful. Seeing as Lord Dudgery proposed to her yesterday, I can’t see that anything will dampen her spirits.”

Jonathan’s heart twisted, but he managed to keep his expression unchanged. He knew this very thing would happen, considering marriage was her purpose for being in London, but he hadn’t been prepared for the pain the knowledge brought. Was that why she’d wanted to see him today? To tell him goodbye? This couldn’t happen now. He wasn’t quite ready to let her go.

“I’m glad to hear it. The earl should make her a fine husband.” He felt as though the words were being ripped from his mouth.

“She is fairly confident of that as well. She singled him out the moment she arrived in London.”

Determined to conceal his reaction, Jonathan attempted to turn the conversation back to his purpose. “That’s fortunate for her. However, the new alliance between your families seems rather odd to me.” He crossed one arm over his chest as his other hand tapped against his chin.

“I don’t see why it would strike you in such a way. We have no quarrels with the earl.”

“Not yet anyway. However, I can’t imagine he’d appreciate the fact you’re trying to cheat him.”

“What are you talking about? I have no reason or means to cheat him.”

Rawson wasn’t a good liar. His eye twitched in anger even as he tried to profess his innocence. Jonathan now held on to the confidence that he’d been right in his assumptions. Sideon and Rawson intended to cheat the other investors.

“You can’t lie to me. I’ve met with Paul Sideon, and I know all about the investment. I also know your intention to undercut Lord Dudgery.”

After silently staring him down for a few minutes, Rawson crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair. “Why are you telling me all this?”

“I’d simply like to know what it’s worth to you to keep my mouth shut.”

“And if it isn’t worth anything?”

“Then we’re done here, and I have a meeting to schedule with Dudgery.”

Rawson’s eyes flashed with hate. However, Jonathan couldn’t bring himself to feel any sympathy for the man. Not only did he intend to cheat the earl out of an investment, but he’d blackmailed Stanwick.

“What do you want?” As they surveyed one another, Jonathan noticed Rawson seemed more resigned to his fate.

“Information.” At Rawson’s cringe, Jonathan quickly added, “Don’t look so concerned, it costs you nothing, and no one will ever know you offered it.”

Even with Jonathan’s assurances, Rawson’s direct gaze still looked dubious. “It isn’t that easy.”

“My concern isn’t your scheme or anything related to the shipping company. My thoughts lie with my brother and myself. I want to know why our involvement is so important.”

“I don’t know.” Rawson’s face appeared clear, without guile, but Jonathan wasn’t satisfied.

Resting his palms on the table, Jonathan pushed himself up out of the chair. “Then please excuse me. I can’t be late for my meeting with Dudgery.”

“Wait,” Rawson pleaded, his eyes wide with fear. “I will tell you what I know.”

Reclaiming his seat, Jonathan folded his hands on the table and leaned forward. “I’m listening, but afterward I will determine if you’ve relayed enough to ensure my silence.”

“I lost a substantial amount of money to Dudgery across the gaming table. My father refused to pay as he usually does, and instead left me with no way of settling my debt to the earl’s satisfaction.”

“How can you be an investor if you have nothing to offer?”

“I haven’t made any financial contribution, but I have offered my services to pay off my debt. Then as you discovered, Sideon offered me a portion of Dudgery’s investment.”

Jonathan took a moment to absorb the new information. All this time he thought Rawson had been the one with the power and the earl blindly following along. However, considering Dudgery’s title and wealth, this scenario made more sense.

“So did Dudgery or Sideon put you up to convincing Stanwick to invest?”

“Dudgery. He insisted you and my father invest in this company. When you decided to end the feud, he saw it as his opportunity to have the two of you go in together.”

“What does Berwick say about all this?”

“He’s not interested in investing. Dudgery has a terrible temper and will not be pleased that neither one of you are taking advantage of the opportunity.”

“Don’t you mean taking the bait? I already know there’s no shipping company.”

Rawson shrugged. “It isn’t the best investment.”

“Well, I suppose you have given me enough for now, but I may seek you out in the future should I need anything else.”

As Rawson strolled away, Jonathan noticed his demeanor had changed. He no longer acted the overconfident, cocky man. The card tables didn’t receive much attention from him as he continued out the front door. Jonathan felt a hint of satisfaction considering this day would survive without overly increasing Rawson’s gambling debts.

Hours later, no patrons remained. Jonathan and Nathaniel closed the doors early and then sat to share a brandy. Jonathan couldn’t remember how many times they’d sat together at the close of the day, drawing out potential threats to the club and retaining information to stop problems. He would miss this.

“Did you find out what you wanted from Rawson, or do you need me to keep an eye on him?” Nathaniel asked.

“I’m finished with him.” Jonathan set his brandy down and faced his friend. “I asked you to stay late for another reason.”

“All right,” Nathaniel answered hesitantly.

“The ownership of the club will be changing soon. Actually Mr. Spinner will be arriving tomorrow morning with the final papers. I will remain as an investor, but you won’t have me to answer to any longer.”

Nathaniel remained quiet for a while as he looked at Jonathan with sadness in his eyes. “Why? Is ownership that much trouble for you?”

“No. As I delve deeper into Linwood’s account books, I’m realizing I should be there. Considering my life has drastically changed, I need to accommodate for the new situation I’m in.”

“Who’s purchasing the club?”

“I’m not selling, merely transferring. I have a person under my employ who is very deserving and has worked over and beyond his responsibilities. My gift of Ravenhurst is my way of saying thank you. After all, you deserve it.”

Nathaniel’s wide eyes stared at Jonathan. “Me?”

“Ravenhurst will be yours tomorrow morning after we complete the paperwork.”

Nathaniel said nothing as the news settled. Producing a slow smile, he offered, “Thank you. I will not let you down.”

“I know you won’t. Now why don’t you go home to tell your wife? I’m sure she’ll be overjoyed to learn of your news.”

After a few more rushed thank you’s, Nathaniel happily took his leave. Although hating to give the club up, Jonathan knew he’d made the right decision. Nathaniel would take care of Ravenhurst, and Jonathan would still earn a profit.

As Jonathan prepared to lock up for the night, he heard a faint knocking. Curious, he followed the sound until he realized someone knocked on the door. Unsure of who would come this late at night, he threw open the door hoping to disarm the other person.

A hooded figure stood outside. Before he could open his mouth to question their purpose, the fabric fell back. His breathing stopped as his heart seized. Catherine.