The Engagement - Regency Brides 02 by Kimberley Comeaux Read Free Book Online Page B

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    Lady Montbatten giggled into her handkerchief like a schoolgirl, and Katherine realized she was actually feeling jealous of her mother!

    It was at that moment Theodora arrived, followed by North.

    “Cousin.” Theodora spoke first. “Weʼve been all over the church grounds trying to locate you,” she told Katherine. “Is everything all right?”

    Katherine resented Theodoraʼs prying question and curious expression. In fact, Katherine was beginning to wonder how she could convince Theodora they should not go through with their plan.

    But even if she did achieve that difficult task, how would she ever convince her cousin she might just want Thomas to ask her to marry him? She might just want everything about their relationship to be-real.

    Katherine sighed. That line of thought would require more reflection, however. Now she would just pretend to go along with Theodora.

    “Of course, everything is all right,” Katherine answered.

    “We were just about to come and find you.”

    “Actually,” Thomas inserted, causing all eyes to turn toward him, “I thought perhaps youʼd like to join me for a picnic in my garden. It is so beautiful this time of year, and the roses are beginning to bloom.” He nodded toward her parents to make sure they knew they were to be included.

    “What a delightful suggestion!” Lady Montbatten crooned, clapping her hands together. “We would be honored, wouldnʼt we, Raven?” she spoke to her husband using his nickname from his title of Ravenhurst.

    “Capital idea!” the duke seconded with a satisfied smile.

    “Iʼll send a servant to inform Cameron of our plans, and we will meet you at the noon hour.”

    Thomas nodded. “Your brother is, of course, invited, also.”

    The Montbattens all exchanged uneasy glances. “I think we shall wait until another day to include our son,”
    Montbatten finally answered.

    “If you think it best.”

    The duke frowned. “Trust me-it is best.”

    “On second thought, my dear, why donʼt we send Theodora to give Rogers the message?” Lady Montbatten chimed in, referring to their footman waiting for them at the abbey.

    “Rosehaven is not too far, and it will give us a chance to talk more, donʼt you agree?”

    Katherine saw her mother send her father a significant look, and he was a little slow at catching its meaning but soon did.

    “Well, I had not wanted to walk—uh-but, of course-I think the walk would be a wonderful idea,” he answered slowly and carefully. “Run along, Theodora, and see to Rogers, will you?”

    Katherine knew Theodora did not like being treated like the poor relative she was. Though she was treated better and more equal than most, she was still Katherineʼs companion, totally dependent on the generosity of the duke and duchess.

    With her pinched lips and pointy chin thrust high in the air, Theodora stalked away, but her displeasure had not gone unnoticed. Katherine saw her father frowning after her, so she turned his attention elsewhere.

    “What about your son?” she asked Thomas brightly.

    It was North who answered. “I sent them along in the carriage.
    They should be waiting for us at Rosehaven.”

    Thomas nodded, motioning ahead on the path. “Then letʼs meet them, shall we?”

    As they began to walk, Katherine found herself walking in front with Thomas, Lucy was paired with North, and her mother and father brought up the rear. The silence between them all was quite comfortable as they strolled along the tree lined path with the sweet smell of the spring flowers drifting upon the light breeze.

    Lucy apparently didnʼt think so, though. As usual, she spoke exactly what was on her mind. “It is really quite odd to be walking with you, Mr. Thornton, when just last year we were attending your funeral,” she commented, referring to the time when his ship had gone down during the war and heʼd been declared dead.

    Both Katherine and her parents scolded the girl at one time.