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briefly in London.
Madeline shifted her attention to Dolly. I regret not spending more time with you,
Randall. Do you not visit the city often?
I ve been serving in India for the past three years and find the London scene
stifling.
In full flirtatious mode, she concentrated on Dolly. Tell me about India, Randall.
I ve always longed to visit exotic places. Taking his arm, she walked him to side by
side chairs, and settled down to charm him into submission.
Richard refilled Catherine s sherry glass while his mother introduced Edward to
her guests. With practiced ease, he cupped his hand under her elbow, and moved her
away from the others.
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A Very Difficult Man
What was that about, Kate?
She gazed at him over the rim of her glass. Your Madeline gave me such a look. I
could not resist adding to the story.
What kind of look? I thought she was being very agreeable, all things considered.
Finding a beautiful houseguest in residence must have come as a surprise.
Catherine sipped a little sherry. Mindful that alcohol loosened her tongue she set
the glass on a table. She didn t want to upset Richard and spoil the day for him. I m
sorry. I really wanted to&
She d tell the truth. Well part of the truth. I really wanted to put her in her place
because she cut me several times in London. I was not part of her set, and did not want
to be part of her set. They were older than me and& She d gone too far. I m sorry. I ll
not embarrass you again.
He picked up the glass she d set aside, and drained it. It s not like you to bear a
grudge. You really do not like Madeline, do you?
Catherine lowered her gaze. Is it that obvious?
To me. I don t think the others noticed.
Then I promise to like her. She raised her eyes to find him smiling at her.
Kate, you are such a delight. No more stories, please. Do not take Madeline too
seriously. She means well, I am sure.
Catherine swallowed that with a grain of salt. From what she d heard about
Madeline Fairfax, she meant well to no one but herself. How could Richard love her?
The butler stepped on to the terrace. Luncheon is served, my lord.
Catherine joined in the casual conversation around the table and tried not to care
when Richard gave his attention to Madeline.
Will you be riding in the afternoon? Catherine asked him diverting him in her
direction.
I ve business to attend to, but I m sure Dolly would enjoy your company.
Dolly? Madeline frowned. Who is Dolly?
Why Randall, of course. We all call him Dolly. It s a family pet name goes back
forever. Is that not so, Dolly? Catherine bit back a smile. Another direct hit at
Madeline.
I do love pet names. Madeline gazed around the table. My parents used to call
me their little princess, but I begged them to stop when I turned fourteen. Father insists
I ll always be his princess.
Sir Arthur peered across the table at his daughter. What s that you say about a
princess, Maddy?
Poor Papa, Madeline cooed. The train journey has tired him. He ll need to rest
after luncheon.
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Anita Birt
Dolly turned to Catherine. I d be pleased to ride with you. Will you join us,
Madeline?
Had he been closer, Catherine would have kicked him under the table.
Thank you, Randall, but I expect to spend the afternoon with Richard.
Catherine s heart sank into her shoes. They d be discussing their marriage. And if
she did not mind her manners, Richard would turn against his rude companion.
With luncheon over, Catherine donned her riding habit and rode out with Dolly.
She d managed to cope well with the most difficult guest, Madeline. Her parents were
very pleasant. Sir Arthur had courteous manners and Lady Fairfax, a faded beauty, had
flirted outrageously with Edward.
Richard asked Madeline to join him in his study. He envied Dolly going off with
Kate, but he d not rest easy until he d settled the betrothal problem with Madeline.
She sank into a chair. Well, Richard? She picked up a copy of Punch, flipped
through it, and tossed it aside.
He propped his elbow on the mantel. I ll be honest with you, Madeline. I know
you d expect that. I think our betrothal was a mistake. My fault, I rushed you into it
before leaving for the Crimea.
And you want to marry someone else. Is that it? Your pretty little houseguest,
perhaps?
Richard did not like Madeline s tone or bringing Kate into the discussion. No, I ll
not be marrying, and find your reference to Miss Thurston discourteous. We are
discussing our relationship.
She thinned her lips in a tight smile. It s not been much, has it? You holed up in
the country when I particularly wanted you to stay in London as my escort.
I have told you often enough, I do not care for city life. I ve put my London house
in the hands of an estate agent. I expect it to be sold within the month.
You ll have no residence in town?
I ve leased a suite of rooms in the Breckenridge. Mother enjoys a visit to the city,
and I might stay there from time to time when I have to consult my banker or solicitor.
Madeline raised her brows. You don t expect me to live here, do you? I d die of
boredom in the country.
When we marry, this is where we ll live. My work is here.
Then you ll have to live without me. She stood, and walked over to him. If this is
your final word, then I will speak to Father. He ll put a notice in the Times to inform our
friends of the change.
I m sorry, Madeline. I hope you re not too disappointed.
Her eyes brightened. Not in the least. There are beaux aplenty in London anxious
to replace you in my affections.
Then let us enjoy Dolly s party. Save me a dance or two.
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A Very Difficult Man
Can you dance with that? With that artificial thing? She stared at his feet.
Richard gritted his teeth. I m damn well going to try.
With as courteous a manner as he could muster, he escorted her to the drawing
room and left her with his mother and other ladies.
Returning to the study, he closed the door. Brandy decanter in hand, he poured a
good measure into a crystal glass and sipped slowly. Little by little, he regained his
composure. Shocked by her cruel remark about his leg, he wondered why he d been so
blind to her faults. She d irritated him in so many ways, but honorable fool that he was,
he d planned to go through with the marriage and make the best of it. After falling in
love with his beautiful companion he knew he could not survive a loveless marriage
with Madeline.
He drained the glass and leaned back in his chair. It was quiet here. He d stay
awhile longer before returning to his guests. Kate wasn t with them, she was off riding
with Dolly.
Well, Catherine, what do you think of Madeline? Dolly asked. After an hour s fast
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