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When Rory returned home, he discovered Kathleen with her head pressed against the closed door to the parlor. He heard his mother talking softly with a man. Who was his mother visiting with? Did the debt collectors come calling when he was away? He needed to persuade his sister to stop her snooping so that he could take care of business. Rory knew that one day his mother would find out the complete mess his father left them in. He'd only hoped that it would have been later. Not now, while he tried to win Dallis’s heart.
“I wonder what punishment Mother will bestow on you for your eavesdropping?”
“Shh,” Kathleen whispered.
“I, myself, think that she should withhold Agnes’s blueberry scones from you for a week.”
Rory thought withholding Kathleen’s favorite treat would entice her away. It was horrible enough that Mama would discover her husband’s secrets. It was another thing for Kathleen to realize the depth of their father’s depravity. Kathleen hero-worshipped their father, and Rory didn’t want that memory to change.
“Rory, hush. I cannot hear what is being said with your annoying interference.” She tried to wave him away.
“Kathleen, move away from the door this instance,” Rory growled.
The only way for him to distract her attention was to display his displeasure. Rory would endure her anger in return for Kathleen not overhearing what was being discussed behind those closed doors. He grabbed her arm and started pulling her toward the staircase. Kathleen swatted at his hands and tried to wrench herself loose. When she dug in her heels and refused to move, Rory had no other choice. He lifted her up, threw her over his shoulder and started climbing the stairs. She thundered her fists on his back, calling him all sorts of names.
“I only wanted to listen to what that scoundrel wished to discuss with Mother. He strolled in all pompous and Mother gushed all over him like she always does. But I know the scoundrel has ulterior motives.”
Rory stopped mid-step. Who did Kathleen refer to? His mother wouldn’t gush over a shopkeeper. Whoever their mother entertained, it was somebody they were familiar with and set his sister on edge. Still, he needed to remove Kathleen so he could discover who the caller was for himself. However, before he could dispose of his sister, the parlor door opened. This was how their mother and guest found them. With Rory holding Kathleen upside-down, standing on the steps. His mother's astonished expression and the smirk of his former friend furthered Rory’s frustration.
“Roderick Beckwith, put your sister down this instant!”
He narrowed his eyes at Holdenburg, lowering Kathleen to her feet. That only brought Holdenburg more pleasure. Rory saw his mother was deeply embarrassed at her children’s hi-jinks. They had behaved as if they were young children instead of adults. Rory cringed at her disappointment. But the elegant lady only turned toward Lord Holdenburg and laughed.
“Children will be children, my lord. I am sorry for their behavior. If you would like to rescind your gracious offer, I would not lay fault.”
“Their antics bring me delight, Lady Beckwith. I would still be honored if your family would be my guests at the theater tomorrow evening.”
Kathleen gasped. Lord Holdenburg had invited them to watch a play. She loved the theater. When her eyes encountered his, Holdenburg tilted his head in the arrogant way she detested. What game did he play now? She wondered at why he would invite their family when Rory had not a thing to do with him since their father died.
“I promise they will be on their best behavior tomorrow evening. Thank you again for your generosity,” Lady Beckwith replied.
“Excellent. I shall send word to Lady Ratcliff and Lady Dallis of your acceptance. Until tomorrow. Good day, my lady.” Holdenburg kissed her mother’s hand. “Beckwith.” He nodded to Rory. “Lady Kathleen.” He bowed before her with another smirk.
Kathleen humphed at his display and brushed her hair out of her eyes as she turned and climbed the staircase with as much dignity that she could muster. Considering that she only wore one slipper—the other had fallen off when her brother carried her like a sack of coal.
Holdenburg's invitation made perfect sense now. He wanted to taunt Rory with Dallis’s affections. Kathleen would do everything in her power to keep them separated. But was she keeping Dallis and Holdenburg from each other for Rory’s sake, or for her own?
~~~~~
RORY WATCHED KATHLEEN continue up the stairs. He closed his eyes at his foolishness. In the effort to protect her from learning the truth of their father’s scandal, he'd embarrassed Kathleen in front of Holdenburg—of all people. He was aware of the crush Kathleen held for his old friend when she was younger, although she'd since outgrown the infatuation. Now Rory had humiliated her. He hoped Holdenburg wouldn’t speak of this incident. Rory needed to find a way to gain Kathleen's forgiveness.
His mother’s stare burned a hole in the back of his head. Rory sighed, turning toward her. He opened his mouth to speak only for her to hold her hand up.
She said, “I do not understand what has gotten into you lately. I am not even going to inquire why you had your sister tossed upside-down. However, I insist that you come to terms on whatever troubles you. As for tomorrow evening, you will accompany us and behave as the gentleman I have raised you to be.” With that said she brushed past him on the stairs, making her way toward Kathleen’s room.
Rory leaned on the railing as the weight of his mother’s disappointment settled in his gut. Like the quick-tempered fool he was, he'd acted first before he understood the situation. He ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. But he wasn’t only angry with himself. Holdenburg was the main cause. Holdenburg’s invitation to join his party at the theater was to flaunt his courtship with Dallis. It wasn’t only a message to Rory, but to the ton that he was an upstanding gentleman and not the scoundrel they painted him out to be. Rory knew better. He knew Holdenburg was a devious, conniving devil.
Rory started down the stairs and ran out of the house. Before Holdenburg could stake his claim on Dallis, Rory would warn him away.
He didn’t have far to go. Holdenburg stood waiting outside of his carriage and talking with his driver. He pulled his watch out and noted the time.
“I expected you to storm out sooner,” Holdenburg quipped.
“Whatever game you are playing, cease now.”
“I play no game, friend.”
“We are no longer friends. You lost that right with the hand you played.”
“One day you will understand why I played that hand.”
“I highly doubt it. Leave her alone.”
“Which her are we referring to?”
“Dallis,” Rory growled.
“Oh, the lovely Lady MacPherson. Now, why would I leave her alone? Have you spoken for her?”
Rory didn’t answer. He couldn’t, and Holdenburg knew it.
“Right, then. Until tomorrow evening, Beckwith.”
Holdenburg climbed into his carriage. Rory clenched his fists as his competition drove away. While he wanted nothing more than to punch the conceit off Holdenburg’s face, he wished to avoid his mother’s wrath over his temper.