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Authors: The Forbidden Bride
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Stamford," John Beadle explained. " 'Tis a frisky animal."
Edmund chuckled. "After only one meeting, Percy has become exceedingly fond of your daughter, John."
The grinning earl extended a hand to help Kate up. Once again, she was covered with dirt.
His eyes twinkled as she bristled.
"Is that what you think?" she demanded, brushing the dirt from her dress. "He likes me?"
"Calm yerself, me girl," John Beadle urged. "It's Lord Stamford ye're talking to."
From his stance, he could not see Kate roll her eyes.
But Edmund could. He appeared more amused than affronted, however, continuing to grin at Kate in a most maddening manner. Discomfited, she averted her gaze. She wiggled her nose to dislodge a particle of wayward soil from its tip. When next Kate looked, the earl still grinned.
Perhaps her papa was right. Lord Stamford had chosen to amuse himself with her. Vexed anew at the disturbing thought, she huffed her displeasure.
Edmund’s eyes sparkled mischievously. "Percy does not go around kissing all the girls, I assure you."
"I do not welcome his affections, my lord." Kate spun on her heel and marched toward the refuge of the Beadles' cottage,
Edmund matched her step. "My apologies once more. By your leave, I shall do better at keeping Percy at bay."
"As you will."
"I have come for your decision, Mistress Kate."
Kate stopped in her tracks. In a whirl of bombazine skirts she confronted the persistent earl. "Will your ill-mannered, flea-bitten hound be living with you in London?"
"Nay." Edmund shook his head slowly. His glorious green eyes twinkled as he gave Kate a roguish grin. "Not if you are."
Chapter Five
Nothing shall impede your progress
The journey to London by coach proved so jarring that two days later Kate's bones still rattled. Lady Cordelia required copious amounts of sack to restore her tranquility and quiet her querulous claims of broken limbs.
Rather than rush straightaway to the goldsmiths of London, as she was wont to do, Kate found herself stroking her lady's temples and playing soothing melodies on the lute. From first light to dusk she assured Edmund's agitated aunt that no one had ever died from the strain of travel between the East Midlands and London.
Kate's growing impatience to go about her business caused a constant tightness in her belly and a frequent clenching of teeth.
Another pressing matter deepened her distress. Edmund, who had either been attending Parliament or playing wind ball since their arrival, had planned an evening's entertainment for the family.
Kate waffled. She thought to plead illness in order to avoid the gathering. While she would enjoy the musicians, Kate did not anticipate renewing her acquaintance with Edmund's sister, Jane. The lady had been rude to her in the past. She could not expect a warm welcome now, 'twould be out of character.
But the opportunity to see Edmund—especially after another long day spent in Lady Cordelia's company—won out. Kate missed her old friend's company, though she knew it was just as well the earl distanced himself from her. Without the influence of his boyish charm, his arresting jade eyes, his warming grin and compelling figure, she yet might rid herself of her schoolgirl yearnings. In time, she might banish the sweet tingle that skipped down her spine whenever she thought of him.
She must. Edmund and Kate could never be more than friends.
Aye, and she could ill afford to be distracted from her mission. She must solve the mystery of her birth. Using her ring as a key in this city occupied by a multitude of goldsmiths, Kate held hope of finding her natural mother.
Further, rejecting her papa's suggestion, Kate wished to believe Edmund had only the most noble intentions toward her. After all, he soon would ask for Lady Judith's hand in marriage.
Edmund's kindnesses to Kate were simple ones. True to his word, he had left his beloved hound behind at Rose Hall in the care of Joseph Trumbull. Knowing how the earl
Edmund chuckled. "After only one meeting, Percy has become exceedingly fond of your daughter, John."
The grinning earl extended a hand to help Kate up. Once again, she was covered with dirt.
His eyes twinkled as she bristled.
"Is that what you think?" she demanded, brushing the dirt from her dress. "He likes me?"
"Calm yerself, me girl," John Beadle urged. "It's Lord Stamford ye're talking to."
From his stance, he could not see Kate roll her eyes.
But Edmund could. He appeared more amused than affronted, however, continuing to grin at Kate in a most maddening manner. Discomfited, she averted her gaze. She wiggled her nose to dislodge a particle of wayward soil from its tip. When next Kate looked, the earl still grinned.
Perhaps her papa was right. Lord Stamford had chosen to amuse himself with her. Vexed anew at the disturbing thought, she huffed her displeasure.
Edmund’s eyes sparkled mischievously. "Percy does not go around kissing all the girls, I assure you."
"I do not welcome his affections, my lord." Kate spun on her heel and marched toward the refuge of the Beadles' cottage,
Edmund matched her step. "My apologies once more. By your leave, I shall do better at keeping Percy at bay."
"As you will."
"I have come for your decision, Mistress Kate."
Kate stopped in her tracks. In a whirl of bombazine skirts she confronted the persistent earl. "Will your ill-mannered, flea-bitten hound be living with you in London?"
"Nay." Edmund shook his head slowly. His glorious green eyes twinkled as he gave Kate a roguish grin. "Not if you are."
Chapter Five
Nothing shall impede your progress
The journey to London by coach proved so jarring that two days later Kate's bones still rattled. Lady Cordelia required copious amounts of sack to restore her tranquility and quiet her querulous claims of broken limbs.
Rather than rush straightaway to the goldsmiths of London, as she was wont to do, Kate found herself stroking her lady's temples and playing soothing melodies on the lute. From first light to dusk she assured Edmund's agitated aunt that no one had ever died from the strain of travel between the East Midlands and London.
Kate's growing impatience to go about her business caused a constant tightness in her belly and a frequent clenching of teeth.
Another pressing matter deepened her distress. Edmund, who had either been attending Parliament or playing wind ball since their arrival, had planned an evening's entertainment for the family.
Kate waffled. She thought to plead illness in order to avoid the gathering. While she would enjoy the musicians, Kate did not anticipate renewing her acquaintance with Edmund's sister, Jane. The lady had been rude to her in the past. She could not expect a warm welcome now, 'twould be out of character.
But the opportunity to see Edmund—especially after another long day spent in Lady Cordelia's company—won out. Kate missed her old friend's company, though she knew it was just as well the earl distanced himself from her. Without the influence of his boyish charm, his arresting jade eyes, his warming grin and compelling figure, she yet might rid herself of her schoolgirl yearnings. In time, she might banish the sweet tingle that skipped down her spine whenever she thought of him.
She must. Edmund and Kate could never be more than friends.
Aye, and she could ill afford to be distracted from her mission. She must solve the mystery of her birth. Using her ring as a key in this city occupied by a multitude of goldsmiths, Kate held hope of finding her natural mother.
Further, rejecting her papa's suggestion, Kate wished to believe Edmund had only the most noble intentions toward her. After all, he soon would ask for Lady Judith's hand in marriage.
Edmund's kindnesses to Kate were simple ones. True to his word, he had left his beloved hound behind at Rose Hall in the care of Joseph Trumbull. Knowing how the earl
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