GypsyDukeEpub (18 page)

The duchess rose. "John, do be careful. It would break Kitty if she were to lose you now. And I…"

John stepped closer to wrap his arms around his mother's small frame. "I promise not to do anything that isn't absolutely necessary for me to regain my place in society. I want to be with you and Kitty just as much as you wish it." He leaned back, catching his mother's eye with a playful grin. "You think I made a favorable impression on her?"

She gave a soft push against his solid chest. "You rogue. I am sure she is quite taken with Lord Knight. And how much longer is that to go on? I dislike the deception. You have gained her affections; she has yours. Why not reveal your identity?"

"Soon," he smiled. "What harm can there be in a little romance? I am Kitty's intended. There is no deception. Unfortunately, if I, as the duke, were to make an appearance in Kitty's life now, I would have to remain there. And I have unfinished business with some traitors." John reached up to smooth the troubled expression on his mother's brow. "Do not fret. All will be well. Now take yourself to bed. There is much to do tomorrow."

The duchess followed him to the french doors. "How will you see Kitty?"

"At night, under her window. You know that romantic heart of hers."

"Just be sure you don't break it."

John took her outstretched hand. "Never fear, Mother. I love you both."

"You love her, John, or you want her?"

He shrugged. "Either way, we shall suit each other."

John missed the thoughtful look his mother gave him as she closed the door. But his thoughts were already plotting ways to overwhelm Kitty's romantic soul.

Chapter 8

"I tell you, he was there at the ball, masquerading as a bloody gypsy."

A soft chuckle greeted these words. "He always has been bold, but that doesn't affect our plans in the least. In fact, we are that much safer. If he's here, then he's unaware of the rendezvous. You've had him guarding the gypsies for two years. Do you really think he knows your game?"

"Ha! If he knew that, he would know I took his lands. No, he still relays his messages through me."

"I told you I knew how to deal with that young pup. Soon, I'll be rid of him forever."

He sighed, contemplating the other occupant of the room. He was unstable at the best of times, but he'd had his uses in robbing the young duke of his heritage.

"Do not underestimate him. He is no longer a young pup...more like a vicious cur. The gypsies have changed him."

"Mayhap, he is a savage, but he'll need cunning to stop us now, and I think with his lady love as a distraction, our fears are over."

"If nothing else, we will use the girl against him."

"Quite right. He was always a fool about that little bit of fluff."

Robert Westley paused outside the London townhouse of the Earl of Raeburn. In the last ten minutes, he had seen two potential suitors come out of Kitty's home, and one go in.

He shook his head. It would be most difficult for him to speak privately or pass her the note John had written while a houseful of jealous young bucks watched his every movement.

John had maggots in his head to think this fool idea would work.
"Serenading young ladies under the window…Of all the cork-brained ideas…" He muttered to himself as he climbed out of his carriage.

This was his first appearance at Kitty's London home so he handed his card to the butler and waited to be announced. The voices of several people heralded from the morning room, and he grimaced.

It was as he feared. All the men were paying her high court. He sighed. It was more advantageous to be termed the Season's original than to be cast down as the year's greatest scandal. It looked as if all the gossip about Kitty had strengthened her position in the ton.

They had the duchess to thank for that. If she hadn't been there to show support, the scandal would have won out.

The butler announced Robert, and he stepped into the room. Flowers rested everywhere. Her suitors had been most generous. Thankfully, he had remembered the obligatory offering and marched to where the countess sat. Kitty perched primly beside her.

They looked up as he held out two bouquets. A question formed in Kitty's huge blue eyes. Robert gave her a hard look and a slight shake of the head as he focused his attention on her mother.

"Countess…Lady Katherine, you do look lovely this morning. How is it that I missed dancing with you last night at the ball?" he asked Kitty's mother.

The countess smiled in obvious delight as Robert handed her a bright bouquet of pink flowers.

"Ah, Robert. Thank you. What a treat to have flowers of my own. And they match my dress!" The countess looked down at her mauve silk day dress, a color that showed how young she remained.

Robert flashed a debonair smile. "I am so glad I chose the roses instead of the blue cornflowers. They would not have done you justice."

"You flatter me, Robert, but I like it."

She turned to look at Kitty, and Robert knew this was his cue to present Kitty with her bouquet.

"Kitty was at the ball last night and says you did not once dance with her. We are surprised to see you this morning." Her admonishing glance was more playful than scolding.

Robert bowed before Kitty. "Pray forgive me, Lady Katherine. I could not get through the line of suitors that surrounded you, and I was so distraught at the loss that I did not dance the entire evening. Alas, here I am, your humble servant." He passed her the bouquet of flowers, tucking the note firmly in her palm and noting a blossom in her hair from a nearby floral arrangement. From John, no doubt.

Her eyes brimmed with curiosity as they met his. Obviously, she had felt the slight pressure of the note. "How delightful to see you, Robert. Are your parents in town as well?"

"No, I fear my father's interest in anything that does not concern the House of Lords is non-existent. He will most likely be in town for the next vote."

Having established a rapport with the ladies, Robert made polite conversation for several minutes then stood to go. Kitty got a panicked look on her face, desperately searching the faces in the room for inspiration.

"Robert, I do not believe you have seen our London home. You really must see…our garden."

The countess gave Kitty an odd look but nodded her head. "Yes, of course. Do take a moment to show Robert the garden before he leaves."

Robert took that to mean they had precious little time to be absent from the gathering.

"I would be delighted." He held out his arm to Kitty and escorted her to the back of the house.

"I am so glad the weather is nice today so you may see the grounds. I have always enjoyed the garden here."

She sounded like any other empty-headed debutante as she chattered on, and Robert grimaced. If he didn't know better, he would be fooled by that inane monologue.

The butler stood before them to open the door to the garden, and they stepped into bright sunshine. The door closed, and Robert had but a moment to notice the riotous color in the garden before Kitty whirled around. But she didn't speak to him. She opened her note and read aloud.

"Dearest Kitty, I will come to you tonight under the stars whether fair or foul weather. Wait for me and leave a token hanging from your window that I might find you. Yours, John."

When Kitty looked up at Robert, he knew the poor girl was completely smitten with John's choice of venue for wooing. Her eyes sparkled, her face shone with delight, and Robert had to take a breath at the beautiful sight she made. John was a lucky man.

"Are you going out tonight?" he asked. "Any parties, dances...Almack's perhaps?"

"No, I convinced Mother I would rather remain in tonight. I am tired after last night. And…I had a feeling…"

"That Lord Knight might have plans for you?"

Kitty blushed and smiled. "Yes." She turned and pointed at a window on the right side of the house. "That is my room. Mother and Father share a suite on the front of the house, so they will not hear."

"Well, that is a good thing. I had visions of your father shooting
him and you pining forever at the window."

"Oh Robert, do not be sarcastic. It does not become you, and I think Lord Knight is romantic. Some day you shall have tender feelings for someone, and I have no doubt you will be just as romantic."

Robert nearly bellowed with laughter. "That is nigh unto impossible. I fear I am doomed to be a bachelor." Her continued scowl brought him up short. "Well…Kitty, if I cannot have you, what hope is there for me?"

She looked at him with something akin to dismay, before she broke into laughter. "Oh Robert, you had me fooled for a moment, but I know you better. You have never wanted John to tie himself to me, but it wasn't because you wanted me. That is why you are encouraging Lord Knight. Though I think you like me a little."

Robert took her hand and placed it on his arm, giving it a tight squeeze. "I do not think you know your full value, Katherine. I like you more than a little, and Somerset would be a fool not to make you his duchess. Now, let us return to your mother before she sends someone after me."

Kitty could hardly concentrate on her remaining suitors after Robert left, and she was thankful her mother did not feel up to afternoon visits. She could spend the remainder of the day in contemplation of Lord Knight.

What would their rendezvous be like? What would he look like? She was most anxious to see his face without a mask. Should she sneak down to the garden to speak with him or stay at her window? What would she wear? Her maid would already have dressed her for bed, and she couldn't venture outside in her nightrail.

Her head jerked up as her mother spoke. "Kitty…Lord Kittering is here with his mother."

Oh, goodness. If he had brought his mother to call, this one was serious.

Kitty pasted what she hoped was a pleasant smile to her face and made polite conversation until she thought her head would burst with the effort.

Finally, the last suitor left, and her mother instructed the butler not to allow any more callers. The duchess leaned back in her chair, sighed happily, and looked at Kitty. "I am absolutely fatigued by all this, but I knew you would be a great success. How are you, darling?"

"It is a strain to converse about nothing of importance for so long. I think I should like a lie down. What of you, Mama? Was it over-tiring for you?

"I shall bear up. I want you to have the most wonderful season a girl has ever had. Did you like anyone in particular? I thought Lord Kittering was most agreeable."

Kitty laughed. "Yes, and he brought his mama. He is barely out of
the schoolroom himself. I am not interested in such a…youthful individual. In conversation, he has nothing to speak of at all...except his hounds. Believe me, Mama, after dancing with him last night, I am quite sure he is not the one for me."

"He was a tad young." Her mother grew thoughtful. "Was there anyone? You became quite excited upon Robert's arrival, and you took him out to the gardens. Are you enamored of him?"

Kitty laughed easily. "Not at all. But he was the only gentleman here with whom I might have a real conversation. Robert is not interested in me."

"Hmm. I see. Well, I think a nap is a good idea. I will be up directly. I must speak to Cook first. Enjoy your rest, sweeting."

John made preparations all day for his visit to Kitty. He had to advance their romance quickly, if he was going to be ready for the end of his espionage career. He was seeing more and more that the two things were intertwined.

Somehow, the events of his personal life were directly related to the business of spying. Thus far, he hadn't identified the one factor that connected them all. But he had written a letter to Michel, who was still at the Somerset estate, and another letter to Reginald Newport, his fellow spy.

Newport was a second son whose brother had inherited everything and the one who told John his uncle would no longer be a threat to his inheritance. He also had the government connections to keep such a thing quiet. Newport was the only person in John's life who might benefit from the lands his uncle had sold. To John's knowledge, everyone else was titled with lands of their own.

The only problem was that he trusted Newport, and so did Robert. Robert's advice during all their spying adventures had been faultless. He had a head for intrigue.

John laughed to himself. Unfortunately, Robert was senseless when it came to women. He had never understood John's compassion for Kitty as a child, and he saw no use for a permanent relationship in his life now. But that would change when Robert met the right woman. The war was a powerful distraction, and Robert was wary of match-making mamas.

Kitty lay back on the bed, barely breathing for fear she wouldn't hear John's signal. She'd lain there for hours, listening to the stillness of the household.

At first, there had been the constant sound of hackneys or carriages, but that eventually faded away until now, there was nothing but the occasional dog barking.

Would Lord Knight come soon? She wanted to know everything about him. How did he know John and Robert? That gave her a guilty start. But it was too late for that now. She had already set her course for Lord Knight. If John cared at all, he would have come for her.