Saving Lord Berkshire - Laura Beers Page 0,48
entirely inappropriate for you to do so.”
Mr. Kendall started fiddling with his top hat in his hands. “I would like to offer for Lady Kitty,” he rushed out.
Edward blinked. Then, he blinked again. “Why do you believe that you are worthy of my sister?”
“I’m not,” Mr. Kendall replied. “But I will spend every day proving to Lady Kitty just how much I love her.”
Edward could hear the sincerity in Mr. Kendall’s voice, but it did not soften his stance. “My answer is no. You cannot provide the life that my sister is accustomed to.”
“That is true, but I do have a monthly income as a solicitor,” Mr. Kendall said. “And with her dowry—”
He put his hand up, stilling Mr. Kendall’s words. “There is no dowry if my sister marries you.”
“But Lady Kitty informed me she had a dowry of £15,000,” Mr. Kendall said in confusion.
“That is true, but it is contingent upon her marrying someone that I approve of,” he shared. “And I don’t approve of you.”
“Regardless, I will take Lady Kitty with or without her dowry,” Mr. Kendall said with less conviction.
“It would have to be without.”
“You would deny your sister a dowry?” Mr. Kendall asked in disbelief.
“I would, considering the circumstances,” Edward replied. “And as for your income, it would not even cover the cost that Kitty spends on ribbons and flowers each month.”
Mr. Kendall’s hands stilled on his hat. “Shouldn’t it be up to Lady Kitty to decide on who she marries?”
“I tire of this conversation, Mr. Kendall,” Edward snapped. “If you care at all for my sister, you will cease contact with her.”
“And why is that?”
“Because you are, and forever will be, beneath my sister’s notice.”
Mr. Kendall stared at him for a moment before placing his top hat back on his head. “Does Lady Kitty know that her dowry comes with contingencies?”
“We have never had the need to discuss it before,” he replied. “But I will be sure to speak of it now.”
“Then I suppose I will see myself out,” Mr. Kendall said, taking a step back.
“I think that would be for the best.”
Mr. Kendall had just departed when Mr. Follett spoke up from next to the window. “That did not go well.”
“Did you hear all that?”
“Every word.”
Leaning against the window frame, Edward asked, “Do you think Mr. Kendall is a fortune hunter?”
“Quite possibly.”
“Well, I do,” Edward stated. “He seemed more interested in my sister’s dowry than anything else.”
Mr. Follett nodded. “I must agree with you.”
“Will you still continue trailing him?”
“I will,” the Bow Street Runner replied. “You should know that he doesn’t frequent gambling dens.”
“Most likely because he doesn’t have the funds to do so,” Edward growled.
“Possibly.”
As he opened his mouth to respond, Garvey appeared at the door and announced, “Miss Blackmore is here to see you, milord.”
“Show her in,” he ordered.
Edward turned back towards the window and saw that Mr. Follet had disappeared again. He raised his voice and asked, “Mr. Follett, are you still there?”
When no answer was forthcoming, he stuck his head out the window and repeated, “Mr. Follett?”
Miss Blackmore’s amused voice came from behind him. “Is this not a good time?”
He brought his head back in and turned around to face her. “I was talking to a Bow Street Runner,” he explained.
Her eyes flashed with a playful twinkle. “Can anyone else see this Bow Street Runner or are you the only one?” she joked.
He chuckled dryly. “I assure you that Mr. Follett is real.”
“I am happy to hear that.”
Edward took a moment to admire the gown that Miss Blackmore was wearing. It was green with puffy sleeves and a round neckline.
“You look lovely,” he commented.
He was pleased to see a small blush creep up onto her cheeks.
“Thank you, Lord Berkshire,” she murmured. “Are you ready to speak to Kitty?”
He leaned back against the wall. “Do we have another choice?” he asked. “We could attend the theatre this evening instead. I have a box that I rarely use.”
She smiled as he hoped she would. “Another time, perhaps,” she stated. “But first we must speak to your sister.”
Straightening from the wall, he approached her, stopping only a few feet in front of her. “Thank you for coming, Miss Blackmore,” he said, hoping his words reflected his sincere gratitude.
“There is no place I would rather be.”
He smirked. “You wouldn’t rather be at Vauxhall Gardens or visiting with the Prince Regent?”
She shrugged one shoulder. “I have never had the privilege of being introduced to the Prince Regent.”
He tsked. “That is a shame,” he replied. “Next