“As far as I know. I won’t be leaving for Kent for another day or two to see my Valmere relatives.”
“Could you call at my house at eleven tomorrow?”
“Why so late?”
“Usually I ride in the park in the mornings.”
“I could accompany you. I haven’t stretched my legs on a horse since leaving Virginia several weeks ago.”
Consorting with Deverill in their old haunts would definitely be unwise, Kate realized. At least until she had more control of her feelings. She would do better to face him on her own grounds with her companion present to preclude any chance of intimacy. “No, you cannot be seen in public looking like that. And it will be more appropriate if we have a proper chaperone.”
Her comment made his brow rise. “You can’t be serious.”
“Indeed I am. When my brother married last year, I hired a companion…a middle-aged widow…although she will be marrying soon so I must seek another. I recently found an ideal match for her also, by the way.”
“Do you truly need a chaperone at your advanced age?”
Deverill was roasting her again, but his teasing stung a bit, since he was chiefly the reason she was still unattached, drat him.
She forced herself to answer lightly. “Sadly, it is one of the frustrations of being a single lady living alone in London. I am old enough to wear caps, but Ash and his new wife, Maura, prefer the country, especially since they recently had a son. If I hoped to remain here to enjoy the Season, I was required to bow to propriety. I will ask Mrs. Cuthbert to join us tomorrow when you call.”
Deverill studied her thoughtfully. “If you are such an expert at matchmaking, why have you never made a match for yourself?”
Because no one lived up to my memories of you. “I never found the right match. I have no intention of marrying without true love.”
His dark gaze moved over her with more intensity. “By all reports you’ve rejected countless suitors. And I know for a fact you’ve al
ways had a bevy of swains at your beck and call.”
It was true. As a wealthy, noble heiress, she’d been sought by numerous men, from awkward lads to hardened rakes. Her appearance, too, tended to attract male attention. With her dark red hair, she stood out among the fair young ladies making their debuts.
At eighteen, however, she had been brought up short by Deverill. For the first time in her life, she’d felt vulnerable to a man and uncertain of her powers. She had learned a valuable lesson in humility then. As a result she’d resolved to be kinder to her lovelorn suitors and let them down gently, settling into an amiable friendship with most.
But this conversation was growing far too personal for her comfort. Striving for casualness, Kate rose to her feet. “If your cousin Trey is arriving shortly, I had best go. Tomorrow morning we can discuss our plan and review exactly what sort of bride you are seeking. Meanwhile, I will begin thinking of possible candidates. I have enlisted Ash’s aid as well—to advise you on government and legal matters and the like. In truth, that is primarily why he is coming to town tomorrow.”
Deverill’s eyes narrowed, but she could see amusement there. “You were certain of my agreement, weren’t you? But then you usually manage to get your way.”
She smiled ruefully. “I could never count on getting my way where you are concerned.” When Deverill stood as well, she gazed up at him. “I trust you won’t mention my visit here to your cousin Trey?”
“Your secret is safe with me.”
“It is your secret as well. I could be ruined, but if you are complicit in my downfall, your plans to take a genteel bride would surely suffer.”
His teeth flashed white in his tanned face. “I seem to recall you instigated both trysts.”
“This time was not a tryst…and neither was the last time, actually—or at least, not entirely. True, I was enamored of you. I have always been overly romantic. It is my worst failing—or among my worst. But my main purpose that night was not to seduce you. I had convinced myself that I could persuade you to stay in England.”
“I explained to you at the ball why I could not.”
“So you did.” Kate managed a careless laugh. “Forgive me, but I had some thought of trying to save your life.”
“My worthless hide, you mean?”
She dimpled. “I did not say that. I did not even think it.”
“I imagine you were angry with me.”
She had been furious and heartbroken and afraid for him. Deverill had hurt her, although it was not wholly his fault. Apparently he had never harbored the same feelings for her that she had felt for him.