Heartless Lord Harry Read online

  “Mother! You are driving us all quite distracted. What does Gareth say?”

  Her mother looked up and smiled. “Now Kate, you know that I don’t read any letter aloud until I have read it myself first.”

  “Yes, but you are taking the longest time about it, Mother,” complained Lynette.

  James looked over at Harry and they both grinned. This was obviously a family ritual, and despite the complaints, they suspected the family enjoyed the familiar banter.

  Finally Lady Elizabeth sighed, folded the letter, and placed it by her plate. “Well, my dears, I won’t bore you by reading the whole thing. Much of what Gareth has written is about the lambing at Thorne, and how my advice on which ram to buy has proved fruitful, if you will forgive the pun.”

  “Mother, are you going to tell us what you were ‘ahaing’ about or not,” Kate demanded.

  Lady Elizabeth’s eyes twinkled. “Your brother has invited you both for the Season. And I believe we should all go, don’t you, Edward?”

  Mr. Richmond, who had been drinking his tea and contemplating his latest chapter while the teasing had gone on, looked over at his wife. “Why, of course I agree, my dear.”

  “Edward, whatever will I do with you! Did you even hear what you are agreeing to?”

  Mr. Richmond smiled across at his wife, and as she smiled back, Harry realized that for that short moment, no one else existed for either of them. The elopement story, which had seemed far too romantic for such a couple, now seemed not hard to believe, for the feeling of love and attraction between them was almost palpable. He wondered what it would be like, loving someone that long, despite receding hair, expanding waistlines, and wrinkles and gray hair.

  “Well, what did I agree to, Elizabeth?” asked her husband.

  “Gareth has invited the girls to London for the Season, and of course they must go.”

  “Of course. That is, if they wish to, my dear.”

  Harry had expected both young women to be in alt about the prospect of such an unexpected treat, but neither, to his surprise, was smiling. Both, in fact, looked like they were thinking over the offer very carefully.

  “Well, Kate, Lynette, what do you think?” their father asked.

  Lynette answered first. “I would love to see Gareth and Arden. And Aunt Kate. But we are right at a most important point in the book, Father.”

  “I too would love to make a family visit. But take part in the Season?” said Kate. “It seems overwhelming. We know no one and have nothing suitable to wear.”

  “Arden will sponsor you, my dears. You will have vouchers to Almacks, entree to the most important social occasions. You would enjoy yourselves immensely, I am sure,” said her mother.

  James cleared his throat. “You do know us, Miss Kate. Lord Sidmouth and I will be the first to call and sign your dance cards, do you come,” he said shyly.

  Kate looked inquiringly over at Harry. “I am not so sure Lord Sidmouth would want to claim acquaintance with two such country mice as ourselves.”

  “You do me an injustice, Miss Kate. What better way could we show our gratitude for your hospitality.”

  “And you both do need the opportunity to meet suitable young gentlemen,” added Mr. Richmond. “I am not so lost in my books as not to realize that,” he said with a smile. “You cannot be editing and accounting forever, you know. You will want homes and families of your own.”

  Lynette frowned. “I have never even thought of getting married, Father. I am very happy staying here and helping you.”

  “But you must want a husband and children,” said James without thinking. “Every woman does.”

  “But I don’t,” responded Lynette quite matter-of-factly.

  Miss Lynette Richmond sat there looking like a painting by Sandro Botticelli while buttering her toast with ink-stained hands and declaring her intention to remain a spinster. Truly, thought Harry, of all the families they might have taken refuge with, the Richmonds had to be the most amusing. If only the two girls could be convinced, he would not have to worry about getting his kiss before he left. He would have all spring to work on the cool Miss Richmond and convince her that a husband might indeed be desirable. Not that he wanted to be that husband, of course. But he would like to be the one to warm her up for whomever it was.

  While Harry was amused and challenged by Lynette’s pronouncement, James sat there torn between anticipation and despair. Miss Lynette Richmond had captured his interest as no other woman had ever been able to do. He had been dreading the fact that they would have to leave, and he would have no excuse to see her again. And now here was this wonderful opportunity—and her reaction. Unlike Harry, he knew she meant it. She had not responded to either Harry’s expert address nor his own clumsy attempts at compliments. She seemed genuinely uninterested in leaving Yorkshire. And even if she did come to Town for the Season, how would he ever get beyond her indifference?

  “Neither your mother nor I would ever force you into marriage, my dear,” her father reassured her. “But going to London would mean being able to use the resources of the British Museum. And,” he continued thoughtfully, “you know how much I have wanted to visit Cornwall in the spring. London is that much closer to the southwest,” he mused.

  Lynette’s face lit up. “Why that is true, Father. I had not thought of it.”

  Kate smiled at her sister’s sudden enthusiasm. “Well, I suppose it is not such a bad idea,” she said. “And if we hate it, we will all go haring off to Cornwall mid-Season.”

  “Are you as disinterested in marriage as your sister?” Harry asked her.

  “That is a rather impertinent inquiry, Lord Sidmouth,” Kate answered tartly. “But then, we have been treating you quite informally, and letting you know our family business, so I suppose I must forgive you.”

  “But not answer me?”

  “I will answer after you, my lord. Do you want a wife and children?”

  “Touché, Miss Kate. Yes, I know what I owe to my name and title. I do plan to marry.”

  “That is not exactly what I asked, but I will accept your answer, my lord.”

  “And give me yours?” prodded Harry.

  “I would like to marry and have children. But I would also be content to remain with my family,” she added, with a glint in her eye.

  Lady Elizabeth had been listening to their exchange with hidden amusement. “It seems we are all in agreement. This Season will see the Richmond family in London,” she announced.

  * * *

  Chapter 11

  Later that evening, Lynette sat in front of her mirror, watching her hair grow brighter as she brushed it down over her shoulders. She knew she was beautiful. How could she not, when she had the evidence in front of her every day, and when everyone had been telling her so for years.

  What no one seemed to understand, however, was how vulnerable it made her feel. She had no control over the attention she attracted, and this attention had nothing to do with the real Lynette. It had only to do with an accident of birth. Sometimes she felt more like a young girl than a beautiful woman, and the only way to keep that young girl safe was to use remoteness as a shield.

  It was one thing, moreover, to experience that vulnerability in the small, local assemblies. It would be quite another to subject herself to a Season in London. There she would be dealing with sophisticated gentlemen like Harry Lifton and James Otley. Although sophisticated was not quite the word to describe Lord Clitheroe, she thought, smiling to herself. She found his awkward compliments rather endearing. Lord Sidmouth’s attentions, on the other hand, felt a little frightening.

  She had spoken sincerely at the supper table: she had never dreamed of marriage and children. She had thrown all her energy into her scholarly work and was not at all disturbed by the prospect of living her life as a bluestocking spinster aunt, enjoying her brother’s and sister’s children. But Kate was as unlikely to marry as she unless they went to London, and she could not hold her sister back from wider opport
unities, if she indeed wanted them.

  * * * *

  Kate, who was getting herself ready for bed, heard a soft knock at her door.

  “Come in.”

  Lynette opened the door and came over and perched at the end of Kate’s bed. Kate patted the space next to her. “Come under the covers, Lynnie. It is too cold to sit there.”

  Lynette smiled at the old childhood name and climbed in next to her sister. “What do you think of going to London, Kate?”

  “I think it is frightening, exciting, and about time the Richmonds returned to the world.”

  “And are you so eager then to leave home and get married?”

  “I do wish for a family of my own,” said Kate. “And I do not want to settle for one of our neighbors.”

  “Why, you are not drawn to Mr. Heathcote?” teased Lynette, and they both giggled, for the aforesaid Mr. Heathcote was a widower with six children. He came visiting frequently with the obvious intention of persuading one of the Richmond sisters to become his second wife.

  “And are you truly as uninterested, Lynnie, as you claim to be? Do you want children?”

  “It is not so much that I am against marriage, Kate, as I see no particular reason to be for it. I am very happy with my life. And what man wants a bluestocking for a wife?”

  “If she were as beautiful as you are, I would think quite a few.”

  “My beauty isn’t me, Kate. Sometimes it feels like a thing outside myself, keeping me separate from the rest of the world. The real me is the person who loves research and writing. When I look in a mirror…well, I admit, I can understand what people admire. But sometimes that gilt-haired woman feels like a stranger.”

  Kate knew her sister spoke the truth. She herself was much more at home in her body. She loved to walk and ride and dance. She also loved to read, and truly enjoyed working with numbers, but the obsessiveness with which Lynette sought her books was foreign to her. And when she looked in the mirror, she saw herself, Kate Richmond, who was very comfortable with her curly brown hair and gray eyes.

  “And what do you think of Lords Sidmouth and Clitheroe?” asked Kate, changing the subject.

  Lynette paused for a minute. “I think I am a little frightened of Lord Sidmouth.”

  “Why? What has he done?” demanded her sister.

  Lynette looked at Kate with surprise. “Why, nothing. It is just a feeling I have when he focuses his attention on me. But he has been a perfect gentleman, Kate,” she said, surprised at her sister’s outburst.

  “Humph. I don’t trust that perfect gentleman,” she said. “But what of Lord Clitheroe?” Kate was most interested in the answer, for she had noticed Clitheroe’s attempts at compliments and thought him just the sort of gentleman her sister needed.

  “I like him, for he seems quite a kind man,” answered Lynette. “They are very different, aren’t they? How odd that they are such good friends.”

  Lynette’s tone and expression had revealed nothing. It seemed she had not responded to Lord Clitheroe’s interest. And Kate was sometimes as puzzled by her sister’s indifference as were James and Harry. Lynette, who appeared fragile and angelically beautiful, seemed to keep herself behind an invisible barrier. And Kate was not sure that anyone would ever get beyond it.

  “Yes, they are an odd pair,” said Kate. “I am grateful for that snowstorm, though, for it will be reassuring to recognize at least two faces in Town.”

  * * * *

  James and Harry stayed three more days. Harry was up and out on the fells early, once with James and twice alone. But before they left, they made sure to walk up to Gabriel’s hut and thank him and Benjamin once again.

  “Tha looks a different person, lad,” said the old shepherd to Harry. “Tha knee isn’t holding tha back?”

  “No, I think I am completely recovered. We were very lucky to have been taken in by you and the Richmonds.”

  “Yes,” said James. “They have been wonderful to us.”

  “Oh, aye. They are good folk and good neighbors.”

  The men chatted awhile about the weather, which was growing consistently warmer, and the intelligence of sheepdogs, as they watched Benjamin gather a few ewes and their lambs together so that Gabriel could bring them up to higher pasture. Gabriel only had to signal by a whistle or a hand motion and the dog knew exactly what to do.

  “He is an amazing animal,” exclaimed James.

  “Aye, he is a good lad.”

  “We will not forget either of you,” said Harry, offering Gabriel his hand.

  “Coom back again, lads. The dales are beautiful in t’fall.”

  “Perhaps we will, Gabriel.”

  “Do you mean that, Harry?” asked James as they walked down the path to the house.

  “There is something about this countryside, James. I wouldn’t mind coming back to finish our walk.”

  “Nor I.”

  * * * *

  The two men left the next morning, having decided to hire a chaise to York, where Harry’s coach would meet them. They said their good-byes and thank yous at the breakfast table, but before the chaise drove up, Harry sought Kate out in the office, where she was going over the accounts.

  “Miss Kate?”

  “Oh, you are still here, my lord,” she said, looking up in surprise.

  “So eager to have me gone?” he teased.

  “Now, you know I didn’t mean it that way.”

  “You would have some reason for it,” continued Harry seriously. “I came to see if you had forgiven me for the incident the other day. We have both pretended it did not happen, but I would not like to leave, or indeed, meet you in London, knowing you were angry with me still.”

  “I assure you, I was more frightened than angry, Lord Sidmouth. And there is nothing to forgive. You were not intending to hurt me.”

  “Thank you for being so understanding. I hope you will save me a waltz when we meet in London.”

  “I doubt I will have to save you anything, my lord. I don’t expect our cards to be full.”

  “Oh, I would not be so sure of that, Miss Kate. I suspect you and your sister will be pleasantly surprised.”

  “Thank you for your reassurance. I confess I need all the encouragement I can get.”

  “Until London, then.” Kate stood up and offered her hand. Harry shook it and then turned it over, inspecting her fingers. “One thing I would recommend for both the Richmond sisters is a good scrubbing before your first ball,” he said, pointing to the inkstains.

  Kate laughed. “I will be sure we follow your suggestion, Lord Sidmouth. Good-bye, and have a pleasant journey.”

  * * *

  Chapter 12

  The Richmonds left a week later in Gareth’s traveling coach which he had sent up to them. They arrived at his town house late in the afternoon and were shown immediately to their rooms to rest from their long journey. They had been informed by the butler that the marquess and his lady were out, but expected back for dinner, and that the dowager was napping.

  Although her mother and sister settled in for a nap before dinner, Kate was too restless after hours in the coach to lie down. She had not been to London for many years, and she was curious to see how much had changed in the Thorne town house.

  It was clear from her little tour that her sister-in-law was not interested in radically altering the decor. Some rooms had obviously been refurbished and a few newly decorated, but nothing was a radical departure from what Kate remembered. All in all, Kate was pleased with both Arden’s taste and sensitivity.

  She had just decided to settle herself in the library when she heard someone coming down the stairs.

  “Aunt Kate! It is so wonderful to see you,” she exclaimed when she saw it was the dowager marchioness.

  “My dear Kate,” said the small gray-haired lady, holding out her hands. “I am so glad Gareth and Arden convinced you all to come. Here, let me ring for some sherry, and we will have a nice private coze before anyone else comes down.”

/>   They seated themselves in the drawing room and sipped their sherry and nibbled sweet wafers while Kate entertained her aunt with amusing tales from their journey.

  “But I am not at all altogether sure we should have come,” she concluded.

  “Whyever not?”

  “We know so few people. And we are neither heiresses nor sweet, young seventeen-year-olds. Just—”

  “—two daughters of an unconventional couple who are also cursed with an eccentric aunt dubbed the Methodist Marchioness?” suggested the dowager, with a twinkle in her eye.

  “Well, since you have said it, I can only agree.” Kate laughed. “You must admit there is nothing to particularly recommend us.”

  “There is your charm and wit and intelligence. And your attractiveness and Lynette’s great beauty. And, of course, you will have your brother and sister-in-law’s sponsorship.”

  “Is that an advantage or a disadvantage?” asked Kate, only half-teasing. “After all, Arden was known as the Insufferable.”

  “Oh, she has lived down her reputation these last two years. There are some who still don’t like her outspokenness, but she has made quite a few friends. And her cousin married Lord Heronwood. That will get you entry everywhere.”

  “Actually, we do have two acquaintances, Aunt Kate, who have promised us each a waltz.”

  “And who might they be?”

  “Lords Clitheroe and Sidmouth.”

  “However did you meet our David and Jonathan?”

  “They are devoted friends, aren’t they?”

  “Yes, and because they are so different, they are often teased about it. But however did you come across them?”

  “They were on a walking tour in Yorkshire and were caught in one of our sudden spring storms near Sedbusk. They were our guests for several days.”

  “I am glad to hear that Harry Lifton is well enough to be going on a walking trip. He came home in dreadful shape.”

  “Aside from a slight cough and a weak knee, he seems recovered.”

  “And how did you like the two gentlemen?”