Page 31 of 10 Things I Hate About the Earl

“Well, the favor is of a more personal nature.” Haversham looked from her to her brother expectantly.

About to fly to pieces, Kate spoke up brusquely. “Spit it out, for goodness’ sakes, Haversham. What scandalous thing do you wish to ask Nathan to do?”

Mouth puckering to restrain a smile, he addressed himself to her brother. “I would ask that you allow Miss Locke to write to me while I’m in Carlisle.”

Kate gasped, her hand going to her throat while her heart took off at a gallop. Young ladies were not allowed to correspond with gentlemen to whom they were not related. The sole exception being the man to whom they were betrothed.

“Is this a declaration for my sister, Haversham?” Nathan’s mouth had thinned into a straight line.

“It most certainly is not.” Haversham looked completely offended. “I think I have more breeding than to ask for a lady’s hand in the middle of a particularly noisy musical evening.”

Heart slowing back to normal, Kate had to look away from Haversham and her brother lest they see an emotion on her face she would rather keep to herself.

“Then explain yourself, Marcus.”

“As Miss Locke has agreed to take Letitia under her wing while I’m away, I wish for her to write and let me know how the Season is going for my sister.”

Face now composed, Kate turned back to him. What the earl asked was reasonable, if Nathan would allow it.

“I’m certain Letitia will write to me but will not tell me if she has fallen further into her shyness. Aunt Alexandra will also send me correspondence. However, I doubt she will tell me anything other than which entertainments she and my sister have attended or the latest on-dit.” Haversham beamed at them. “This is where Miss Locke’s letters will be invaluable in keeping me informed about my sister’s progress.” His gaze flitted from her to her brother. “If you prefer, Miss Locke could show you her letters before they are sent, just so you will know we are not sending violent love letters to one another.”

Kate’s cheeks heated hotter than a stove in January. She fixed the earl with a gimlet eye, although her tone was less severe. “I assure you, Lord Haversham, if you pen anything that smacks of love in your letters, there will be violence on my part.”

Grinning, Haversham turned to Nathan. “Well, old chap? I can address my letters to Miss Locke to you if you prefer, so you can see everything is totally above board.”

Her brother shrugged. “I think Kate has made herself perfectly clear, Haversham. I doubt my chaperonage of this correspondence will be necessary.” He turned to Kate. “If you are willing to undertake it, sister? It is totally up to you.”

The scheme seemed harmless to her, if rather exciting. With Nathan’s permission secured, she assumed no one else would ever know nor care if she wrote to Haversham about his sister’s well-being.

“Very well, Lord Haversham. Consider me your proxy chaperone while you are in the north.” She cocked her head, considering. “How often would you like me to report to you?”

“I believe once a week should keep me amply informed.” Haversham’s gaze lingered on her face for a moment longer than strictly necessary. “My grateful thanks to you, Miss Locke. I will send the direction over by footman tomorrow.” He bowed. “And I will return in a moment to accompany you back to your seat for the rest of the…entertainment. I hate to abandon you so abruptly, but I must attend to my duties as chaperone.” He grimaced and nodded toward Lady Letitia and Bertie, still laughing and talking. “An obligation I gratefully pass on to you beginning tomorrow.”

As Haversham’s figure retreated across the room, Nathan turned to her with a smirk. “You may not be betrothed to the man, Kate, but he’s given you a task fit for his countess. I wish you luck with managing Lady Letitia.” He gazed across the floor at the lady in question, whose eyes were sparkling for the first time while out in public. “I suspect you’ll need it.”

Chapter 14

Eden Hall

Near Carlisle

May 19, 1820

Dear Miss Locke,

Thank you very kindly for your letter that reached me almost as soon as I arrived here. If your correspondence is always as prompt and informative, I will feel as though I have not left London at all.

My journey was tedious, without even a hint of a highwayman or runaway carriage. The accommodations along the way were as comfortable as might be expected. Remind me, next time my steward is incapacitated, to bring my own bedding and victuals for the trip. Although I must commend Mrs. Clarke of the Blue Belle Inn in Retford for the delightful French chicken cutlets with stewed vegetables in gravy and a very jolly apple tart drenched in cream. I could have eaten that meal at every inn at which we stopped.

Your report of Letitia’s behavior at Lady Dilwyn’s soiree saddens me, although it does not surprise me in the least. She will take the opportunity, now that I am not at her side, to retreat to her previous wallflower ways. You must be firm with her, Miss Locke. If anyone knows what you are capable of, it is I. Do not sway from our plan. You must call upon Letitia and make certain you are accompanied by a young gentleman you can introduce to her. This will continue your excellent strategy.

Just be certain you do not frighten the gentlemen off before you can introduce them to my sister.

Did you enjoy yourself at Lady Dilwyn’s, Miss Locke? I am sorry I was not there to entertain you, but we all have our crosses to bear. Mine currently is interviewing stewards and finding them not at all clever enough for the post. I blame you, Miss Locke, for not suggesting that I bring a temporary steward from London, where the choices would have been much livelier.

Consider yourself chastised, and I will return to London having devised a suitable forfeit for you.

Your obedient servant,