Free In the Shadow of Arabella by Lois Menzel Page B

Katherine asked, “Can it be that you have fallen in love at last? I could not be more happy for you!”
    “It may be too soon for joy, Katy. Marie says Mr. Seaton was devoted to his first wife. I do not think he is particularly eager to marry again.”
    “Then you must see to it that you change his mind,” Katherine persisted. “How wonderful it would be if you could marry the man you love! I do not know anyone who ever did that. Even my own parents’ marriage was arranged, though my mother admitted that she fell in love with my father afterward.’’
    “Well, whatever the future holds,” Charity said practically, “Mr. Seaton and I enjoy being friends. I cannot wait to see the expression on Papa’s face when he sees that I am riding. I have not written to him about it. I intend to surprise him with a demonstration.”
    As they left the room together, Katherine remembered her conversation with Rudley the previous evening and considered that it might be uncomfortable to meet him this morning. But then, she reasoned, it was quite likely he would not ride with them today.
    She was not prepared, therefore, when she and Charity descended the steps some moments later, to find that Oliver Seaton was indeed accompanied by his brother. Oliver was, as usual, at Charity’s stirrup, so Katherine accepted Rudley’s assistance in mounting. They rode through the streets in silence and entered Hyde Park by the Stanhope Gate. There were seldom many people about during these early-morning rides, for late afternoon was the fashionable time to be seen there. Most of the riders taking exercise at this hour were men, either alone or in pairs.
    The silence between them was becoming oppressive when the earl finally broke it. “I would like to apologize for my behavior last night,” he began. “I should not presume to tell you how to conduct yourself. It is, after all, none of my affair. I was merely surprised to learn that you are so eager to marry.’’
    “I am not particularly eager, my lord, but the offer is tempting. I believe I am not unlike most women in wanting a husband, a home, and children. I am no longer a young girl. I cannot expect such opportunities to last forever. I am only here for the Season because the Brents were kind enough to invite me.”
    “Are you still considering Witford’s offer?”
    “Yes, my lord, I am.”
    “Will you then be pleased to consider mine as well?’’
    “ Yours, my lord?”
    “I would deem it a great honor, Katherine, if you would consent to become my wife.”
    Nothing he could have said would have shocked her more. She turned to stare at him in utter astonishment and then struggled to find her voice. “You wish to marry me, my lord? I can believe you might wish to marry again, but I understood that Lady Milicent Battle was your choice for a bride.’’
    “Indeed? What makes you think that?”
    “I have heard several people speak of it.”
    “Saying precisely what?”
    “The usual things: that you make a handsome couple, that you are well suited both in rank and fortune.”
    “And what do you think, Katherine? Do you think Lady Milicent and I are well suited?”
    “I do not know her well, but yes, I suppose I do.”
    “So, as a friend, you would advise me to offer for her?”
    “If you wish to marry again, yes, I suppose I would.”
    “I am sorry to hear that my happiness is not important to you.”
    “What?” she asked, startled.
    “You know as well as I do that Lady Milicent would make me the worst possible wife,” he replied bluntly. “She talks incessantly of herself and has more pride than an entire regiment of Hussars.”
    “Well, if not Lady Milicent,” Katherine persisted, “then some other young lady. There must be any number of them, most more attractive than I, some with fortune or rank to match your own.”
    “You are quick to criticize yourself, Katherine. You do not then consider yourself a suitable bride for me?”
    “No, my lord, I do not!” she