Saving Lord Berkshire - Laura Beers Page 0,35
his outburst, Katherine stepped closer to him. “Have you dismissed Mr. Kendall yet?”
“I have,” he replied. “I sent word over to his office earlier today.”
“Perhaps you could hire a Bow Street Runner to follow Mr. Kendall, just to ensure he stays far away from Kitty,” she suggested.
He looked at her in surprise. “That could work.”
She smirked. “You will find that I generally have good ideas.”
Lord Berkshire smiled at her, and she realized that she was standing rather close to him. She immediately took a step back and spoke hurriedly. “Are you ready to rejoin your sister in the drawing room?”
“I am.”
As she turned to leave, Lord Berkshire’s words stopped her. “Thank you, Miss Blackmore.”
“You are welcome, my lord.”
He stepped closer to her and extended his arm. “It would be my pleasure to escort you back inside.”
“Thank you,” she replied, placing her arm on his.
9
“You’re glowering again,” Miss Blackmore observed, speaking over the rim of her teacup.
Edward lowered his cup to his lap. “I am not,” he argued.
“But you are,” Miss Blackmore confirmed.
Miss Amelia interjected, “Frankly, your expression would scare small children.”
Miss Hannah shot her sister a frustrated look. “That was an awful thing to say to Lord Berkshire,” she chided.
“I’m merely speaking the truth,” Miss Amelia defended.
Kitty spoke up from next to her brother. “My brother always glowers,” she shared. “I don’t think he can help it.”
Leaning forward, he placed his empty teacup onto the tray in front of him. “Is this truly necessary?” he asked.
“It is,” Miss Blackmore assured him with a nod. “We are merely pointing out that you appear unapproachable.”
“Isn’t that a good thing?” he asked.
“Not if you are in search of a wife,” Miss Amelia contended.
He sighed. “How does sitting around, engaging in polite conversation, help me obtain a bride?”
“In order for us to seek out a potential match for you, we must truly get to know one another,” Miss Blackmore explained.
“That sounds like a colossal waste of time, and I have an estate I need to run,” he commented.
“You are welcome to leave at any time,” Miss Amelia assured him.
His brow lifted as his eyes sought out Miss Blackmore. “May I leave?”
Amusement flittered across her face. “Good heavens, you are not our prisoner, my lord, but I believe leaving now would be rather foolhardy.”
“And why do you say that?”
“Because we hardly know you,” Miss Blackmore responded.
He frowned. “I may regret asking this question, but what do you wish to know?”
“What are your thoughts on the war with Napoleon?” Miss Amelia eagerly asked as she sat straighter in her seat.
“You cannot be in earnest?” he questioned.
“I am, completely.”
He furrowed his brows. “It’s improper to engage in a debate with a woman about the war. To do so is quite unsavory.”
“I see,” Miss Amelia murmured. “If you would prefer, we could converse about dams.”
Kitty laughed, but quickly stifled her laughter when he glared at her. “No, I do not wish to converse about dams,” he stated.
“Then what do you wish to speak about, Lord Berkshire?” Miss Hannah asked.
Fortunately, before he could respond, the butler stepped into the room and announced, “Mr. Caney has come to call.”
“Right on time,” Miss Blackmore observed, glancing over at the floor clock. “Please send him in.”
A moment later, Mr. Caney stepped into the room and bowed. “It is a pleasure to be in a room with such enchanting ladies.”
“How kind of you to say such a thing,” Miss Blackmore remarked.
Mr. Caney shifted his gaze towards Edward and tipped his head. “Lord Berkshire,” he greeted.
Edward rose and nodded in greeting. “It is good to see you again, Mr. Caney.”
Walking further into the room, Mr. Caney’s eyes landed on Kitty. “You are looking especially lovely today, Lady Kitty.”
Kitty lowered her gaze. “Thank you, Mr. Caney,” she murmured.
“It is such a beautiful day, I was hoping to take a turn around the gardens with you lovely ladies,” Mr. Caney announced.
“What a fine idea,” Miss Blackmore agreed, coming to stand next to him.
Kitty rose and briefly brought her gaze up to meet Mr. Caney’s. “I would like to accompany you, as well.”
Mr. Caney smiled, his eyes lingering on her face. “Nothing would please me more, Lady Kitty.”
Not liking the way Mr. Caney was looking at his sister, Edward announced, “I believe I would like to go along, as well.”
A flicker of disappointment crossed Mr. Caney’s face, but he quickly hid it behind his smile. “Wonderful.”
Before he could approach his sister, Mr. Caney already had his arm extended towards her. “Allow me to escort you to the