Page 44 of Only Scandal Will Do

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Though Kat thought she might choke if she ate a mouthful, she found conversation with Tommy Redmond, seated at her left, a surprisingly good distraction.

“Your brother says you are finding London to your liking, Lady Dalbury.” Dressed appropriately in fresh clothes and acting sober--though his bloodshot eyes seemed to belie sobriety--the young man smiled kindly at her. He seemed to want to make amends for his earlier behavior.

“I have had little opportunity to find London at all, Mr. Redmond. But I was not aware that you knew my brother.” Kat sipped her wine and looked him over, speculating. If he was a friend of Jack’s, perhaps he was not as bad as she’d thought.

“Yes, my lady. I am a member of your brother’s club and he has taken me under his wing, so to speak, advising me on the purchase of a pair of carriage horses.” He dropped his gaze to his plate. “He told me you are an avid rider.”

“That is true, I rode nearly every day until I came to London.” Katarina glanced up to see Lord Dalbury at the far end of the table stop his conversation with Reverend Hayes and send her a quick smile. And what did that mean? She wanted to do nothing to draw smiles from her husband. Another sip of wine, and she returned her attention to her dinner partner.

“Might I request the pleasure of your company on a ride one day this week, Lady Dalbury?” Redmond asked. “If it is convenient, of course. I am sure it will take you some days to settle comfortably into your new home.”

Kat raised her glass again, even more intrigued by her husband’s friend. Had she misjudged him? “That would be a pleasant outing. Perhaps we can make it a party with Jack and my sister-in-law?”

He beamed at her as though she had offered him a fortune. “A splendid idea.” But something in his eyes, a flare of disappointment, sent a chill down her back. Her good opinion of Tommy Redmond faded with that look. Married life was going to be complicated enough without her husband’s best friend trying to get her alone for a tryst. She might have misread that fleeting glance, but her instincts said no. He obviously knew her husband and assumed she would be in need of male companionship. Best to steer clear of assignations with Mr. Redmond. Kat returned to pushing food around her plate, then answered a question from Lord Trevor, her right-hand dinner companion. The awkwardness of the moment dissipated as the charming viscount regaled her with his youngest sister’s trials with the social season, and she found herself relaxing in spite of her circumstances.

The remainder of the dinner proved uneventful, except when she forgot she was now hostess at Dalbury’s table and had to be prompted to rise and retire with Juliet. They had just ordered tea, when the men reappeared. There was some little conversation before the tea was served, but almost immediately afterward Reverend Hayes moved to leave. Kat thanked the clergyman for his service then turned to say farewell to Reginald, who had also risen. She extended her hand, but rather than kiss it, he held her a little away from him. “I must take my leave of you, Lady Dalbury.”

“And why am I now Lady Dalbury when I was Katarina before, Reginald?”

“Because you have married Lord Dalbury, my lady.” His eyes twinkled mischievously.

“Or don’t you remember?”

She smiled at his jest, but shook her head. “I pray you call me Katarina, or just Kat. I would be honored.”

“Though I fear your husband would not.”

“Oh, damn my husband,” she said. “He cannot rule who I see or what they call me.”

“Actually, according to the law, he can.”

Just let him try. “You are my cousin. And besides, I will be Kat to my friends and I number you one of them.”

Reginald sobered and glanced around. His gaze rested briefly on Dalbury, who was in conversation with his sister, Jack and Lord Trevor, then he again took her hand. “I am honored to be considered your friend, Katarina. I pray this all comes right, that you can find happiness with the marquess. But if you need me, no matter the cause, you have promised to seek me out.”

“And I will abide by that promise.”

“Then I take my leave, my lady. Best wishes for a long and happy marriage.” Matthews seemed as though he would choke on the words, but he bent, kissed her hand and was gone.

More than a little bereft, she returned to the window, though the sun had set long ago and darkness fallen like a cloak over the garden. Only the light of the new moon and the twinkling stars illuminated the topiary trees. She peered out the window, unable to make out even an outline. Darkness could hide everything but her. It had been a long day, and she was certain, was not over yet.

“I’m for home, Kat.” Jack appeared at her side, startling her out of her thoughts. He sounded cheerful, but worry had set lines around his eyes. “I thought I’d call on you tomorrow to see how...see how you...” He ground to an embarrassed halt as Lord Dalbury sauntered over to join them, arms folded over his broad chest.

“To see if she survives the night, Manning?” Dalbury’s amused tone was edged with

anger. “She’s taken me on before and survived. Do you think I have other tricks to try tonight?”

“Damn it, man, just because you married her doesn’t mean you can now abuse her!” Jack clenched his fists as if he itched to connect with Dalbury’s jaw.

“Actually, that’s exactly what it does mean,” Dalbury drawled, a salacious glint in his eyes. “Oh, I grant you, husbands are not allowed to kill or maim their wives, but there is remarkably little else they are banned from.”

At his sharp but teasing tone, she relaxed. The line he had just drawn was familiar.

Tonight would be a battle of wills and wits rather than force.

“Good night, Jack.” Katarina took her brother’s arm and all but shoved him to the door.