Page 116 of A Misguided Devotion

“Exactly so. However, the simple expedient was a letter my son wrote to me. Which is what brought us here. To find out what manner of woman had ensnared him.”

Her smile faded. “Ensnared? You speak as if I have trapped Lord Droxford into marriage.”

“Many a woman has plotted to secure a title.” He met her gaze full on. “Have you?”

Kitty’s eyes flashed. “I assure you I would never stoop so low. Don’t you think I would have persuaded William to elope with me by now if I were such a scheming creature? I fell in love with your son long before I knew he was heir to an earldom—a fact I learned from his sisters, because he had omitted to inform me. I would much rather he didn’t have such grand relations. It makes things complicated, given my rank in life. Even more so because of my father’s ancestry.”

“In what way?”

“My papa was the natural son of Lord Edward Hampton.” Kitty waited to see how Lord Harting received that piece of information. His eyes grew large at the revelation, but there was no hint of censure.

“Lord Droxford said you would not hold that against me. That you would be more interested in my faith and character than my ancestry, but the Duchess has taken me in great dislike, and I can’t help but agree with her that the connection would be something of an embarrassment to your family.”

“William is correct. A noble character is worth far more than title or rank. I do not blame you for actions you had no control over.”

That was a relief, but was it enough for him to accept her as his son’s bride? She stared up into Lord Harting’s eyes, which reminded her forcibly of William’s, and waited for him to continue.

“You are not what I expected.”

“You’re surprised I’m not a beauty.”

“Forgive my bluntness, but yes. William’s devotion to his art has led to him giving undue weight to outward appearance.”

“Then you should rejoice that he has looked deeper. It was weak of me to accept his proposal when I knew he was not of age—”

“And there is the rub. Although you realised he was a minor, you accepted my son’s offer, and yet you claim you’re not manipulating him.”

Kitty tried not to let the accusation rankle. His lordship was trying to protect his son. He didn’t understand what they’d been through together. “The circumstances were extenuating. I’m sure Lord Droxford will explain. As I told Her Grace, I will not hold him to his promise if he wishes to be released.”

“It is a promise he should not have made. I hoped William would delay making you an offer until he had received my permission.”

“Do you intend to give him that permission?” she asked, though she already knew the answer.

“No.”

Did his lordship expect her to dissolve in a puddle of tears? Abandon the love of her life after being saved from death? Surely God had not given them back their lives only to rip them apart?

“Then there is nothing more for us to say. I trust you will look on me more favourably when William is free to make his own choice.”

“Your confidence is misplaced, Miss Lacey. He will not risk losing his grandmother’s favour, and if the Duchess is set against the match, she will convince him to give you up.” He paused for a moment, before continuing in a wistful tone. “A pity, as I believe you could be the making of my son.”

“I’m sorry William has led you to doubt him, but you should be proud of the man he has become. Kindness is in his very nature, and even though he had every reason to dislike me, he couldn’t stand by and watch me suffer. It is because of his selfless love and the grace of God that I am here today.”

“I look forward to becoming acquainted with this paragon.”

Kitty dipped into a deep curtsey. “I must leave. Please give William my love.”

“Where are you going?”

“To Mrs Barrington’s house in Wyke Regis.”

“Do you have a carriage at your disposal? Let my coachman take you.”

After their contentious conversation, the unexpected kindness caught her off guard. But why should she be surprised? Lord Harting was just like William.

Still exhausted from the previous day’s exertions, she realised it would be churlish to refuse. “Thank you, your lordship. That is most kind.”

As Kitty entered the Earl’s carriage, her mask of confidence wavered. How presumptuous of her to claim she knew William better than his own father. If Lord Harting thought his son would renege on his promise, was she foolish to believe otherwise?