Page 52 of A Countess Never Tells

“It’s about time, John.” Kitty gave him a sour look and took Ash’s hand. “Then can we please begin our carriage ride? I do wish to see if my book has come in yet.”

“Your wish, my dear. If you will excuse us, my lord. I am summoned to provide transportation.” Ash’s grin was a bit sloppy. Who drank brandy at eleven in the morning?

“Enjoy your outing, sister.” And without any further ado, her brother went back into the study and shut the door.

“You certainly have charmed John at last. He didn’t even admonish us once about not anticipating the wedding night.” A miracle to be sure.

“I think he trusts me a bit more now.” Ash steered them down the corridor toward the front door. “We had a very spirited conversation in which I managed to surprise him several times when our beliefs unexpectedly aligned.”

“That is certainly a relief, my dear.” Kitty pulled her shawl up around her shoulders, took her wide-brimmed straw hat from the butler, and tied the streamers in a bow under one ear. “For a while, I feared you and John would never come to an accord on anything.”

“You are not the only one with such fears.” He escorted her out of the house and into his waiting carriage, the top folded away for propriety’s sake. “But as you see, we will be eminently respectable today. I assume we will draw a fair amount of attention in the park, if anyone is out this early.”

“Now that things are settled between us, I am hoping someone will see us.” Kitty settled down in the seat, and Ash climbed in beside her. The coachman started the horses, and they were off. Kitty had to hold onto her hat, the conveyance went so swiftly. “Oh, dear. One never realizes how much an enclosed carriage helps keep you from losing your hats!” Laughing, they entered the park and slowed for a sedate turn around the carriage track.

“I am surprised to see so many people out this early in the afternoon.” Ash’s head turned this way and that as he gazed at the other carriages and gentlemen on horseback.

“The weather is excellent today. That is why everyone is out.” Kitty’s interest perked up, looking for an acquaintance to whom she could now proudly introduce Ash as her betrothed. Or even better, if they came upon Maria Fitzhugh and her parents. Not that she disliked Maria, but she did wish to make it clear that Ash was, without a doubt, hers.

Unfortunately, no one she knew seemed to be out today, although Ash had the coachman stop when two gentlemen on horseback approached. His eyes widened a trifle for the briefest of moments then he was all genial smiles. “Gentlemen, good afternoon. My dear,” he touched Kitty’s hand, “may I present Lord Lavendon and Sir Cecil Barker. Lord Lavendon is an acquaintance from White’s and Sir Cecil…” Ash paused, and the little gentleman grew red in the face, “is a rather newer acquaintance.”

Kitty squeezed Ash’s hand. He’d told her about Sir Cecil last night during his tale of the encounter with Lord Baltimore. Did this meeting bode ill on that front?

“Gentlemen, this is Miss Catherine Tate, my betrothed.”

Neither gentleman seemed surprised by the news, so she had to assume word of their engagement had been one of the morning’s on-dits. “Gentlemen, a pleasure.”

“Good afternoon, Miss Tate.” Lord Lavendon seemed sincere.

“Miss Tate.” Sir Cecil tipped his hat but seemed too flustered to say anything else.

“Sir Cecil, were you able to assist Lord Baltimore home last evening?”

Kitty turned her head to admire a bright red rose bush in the distance, to keep from laughing aloud at the shocked look on Sir Cecil’s florid face. Ash wasn’t a man anyone would want as an enemy.

“I…I was, my lord. You will be pleased to know he still lives.” The gentleman seemed eager to assure Ash of this.

“Indeed.” Ash sniffed, and Kitty had to bite her lip to keep her countenance.

“He did wish me to convey something to you. Had I not seen you I would have called round this afternoon.” Sir Cecil sounded somber now, and Kitty no longer had the urge to laugh.

“And what was this message, since you have me a captive audience?” Ash lifted his hands in an impatient gesture, seeming as unconcerned as if they discussed the weather.

“He said to tell you…” Sir Cecil paused to swallow, his gaze straying from Ash to Kitty.

“Spit it out, man.” Ash’s irritated voice turned heads farther along the path, yet sitting this close to him, Kitty could feel his body tense.

“He said to tell you he will make you pay for your insult last evening. And…” Sir Cecil seemed a very unwilling messenger. “And the cost will break your bank.”

The ominous sound of that phrase made Kitty shiver. Lord Baltimore was a ruthless man by reputation. He’d inherited enough money to do as he pleased, despite any consequences. Should he decide to attack her or Ash, they might have little hope of protection.

“Lord Baltimore obviously has no idea how jealously I guard my ‘bank,’ Sir Cecil.” The menace in Ash’s voice was almost palpable. “If you will kindly convey a reply to his lordship, I’d be obliged.”

Sir Cecil gulped then nodded.

“Please tell Lord Baltimore for me that he should not make threats he cannot enforce.” Ash grasped Kitty’s hand, and she was immediately comforted. “And if something is to be broken, it will belong to him and not to me.”

Lord Lavendon, who’d been silent all this time, leaned toward his companion. “I think we have trespassed upon Lord Ashwood and Miss Tate’s time enough, Sir Cecil.” The man’s face had paled several shades since the beginning of the conversation. “Best we move on, don’t you think?”