Page 62 of Eight for Losing, One for Loving

Chapter 17

Dearest Cat,

Good heavens, love, don’t take a pet. I won’t eat him! From all I hear, Felix Knight is a big boy and well able to look after himself. My intentions, as you put them, are entirely honourable, well mostly anyway. I cannot tell you my plans yet, dear friend, but you will discover them in time.

The next time you see your brother, do apologise for me on my father’s behalf. I have told him again and again that Ashburton and I will not suit but he refuses to heed me. It was most embarrassing the way he threw the two of us at each other yet again last week.

―Excerpt of a letter from The Lady Belinda Madox-Brown to The Most Hon’ble Catherine ‘Cat’ St Just, Lady Kilbane (daughter of The Most Hon’ble Lucian and Matilda Montagu, the Marquess and Marchioness of Montagu).

28th June 1850, The Queen’s Head, Wrestlingworth, the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire border.

Leo threw the reins to the waiting ostler before jumping down from the Tilbury and going around to help Vi. Mau stepped off her lap before she got up, stretching luxuriously before following them inside. Jenny hurried after them and took Mau with her up to their rooms to unpack the case.

“Violetta!”

They looked up once inside to see Kitty hurrying down the stairs towards them, alight with excitement. She glanced from one to the other.

“I have a private parlour, come at once,” she said, taking Vi by the hand and towing her bodily along.

Vi cast Leo a look of amused resignation as he followed behind her.

“Norton, have tea and sandwiches brought. Oh, and some cake too,” Kitty said, apparently having commandeered Leo’s servant in his absence.

Norton disappeared, exchanging a rueful glance with Leo as he went. Kitty sat down and eagerly patted the seat to her right. “Well?” she demanded. “Why were you away so long?”

Leo glanced at Vi, who promptly turned scarlet. Kitty squealed with delight and leaned over, hugging Vi tightly before hurrying to Leo and kissing his cheek.

“Well done!” she said gleefully.

Vi made a choked sound. “Mama!” she reproached Kitty. “You are not supposed to be so delighted when a fellow ruins your daughter.”

“Oh, pish!” Kitty said, waving this away. “The two of you are made for each other. I’ve always known it, even if you did not. Besides, Reverend Harbottle has the special licence and is standing ready. What a dear he is. We had the most delightful time on the journey to town.”

“I can imagine,” Vi said wryly.

“Kitty, is he at the vicarage now?” Leo asked. “We must be married at once. I’m afraid there was a scene as we left. Mau caused rather a stir and is still in disgrace. I fear the scandal sheets will be full of it.”

“How exciting, I cannot wait to hear all about it, but I can do better than that. Reverend Harbottle is already at the church. Papa is here, darling,” she said, turning to Vi. “And he and the reverend are getting on famously. Papa has gone to look at the church with him. Apparently, there is an incised slab just inside the door, which he believes may be a memorial to one of Papa’s ancestors. Medieval, I think he said,” Kitty added vaguely.

“Then do you think we can be married today?” Leo asked.

Kitty beamed and nodded at him. “I am certain you can. What’s more, you even have a best man.”

Leo frowned, looking confused. “What do you mean?”

“Larkin is here. He was so intrigued by your letter that he followed me down here. He’s in the taproom, I think.”

Leo snorted. “Of course he is.” He got up and took Vi’s hand, kissing her fingers. “If you’ll excuse me, I’ll leave you to your tea and sandwiches. I’ll be with Larkin until you are ready to go to the church.”

Vi nodded, smiling up into Leo’s face. “I won’t be long,” she assured him.

Kitty gave her a critical once over. “Indeed, that is a splendid gown, Vi. I have never seen you look more beautiful.”

Leo could not resist a smug grin as he left the room, for it was one of the gowns he had chosen for her.

As he made his way along to the taproom, he was not entirely surprised to hear laughter and the sounds of merriment. Leo stepped through the door and discovered Larkin at one of the tables, a pint of ale at his elbow, a cigar in his mouth and cards in his hand. He had evidently got up a game with some of the locals. To Leo’s relief, he noticed Larkin was only playing for small stakes, for he was an excellent player and could easily trounce the entire village if the mood took him.

“Leo!” Larkin leapt to his feet, embracing Leo warmly and clapping him on the shoulder. “You devil! I came all the way down here to see what you were about, only to find you gone. Happily, Kitty was here, so she explained all,” he added, waggling his eyebrows.