Quin motioned to his mother, and the Duchess of Wesley took a seat, then began. “This morning I had an early caller, wishing me congratulations on your engagement.”
Catherine frowned. “Why is that a problem? I know we were going to wait to tell—”
“Engagement to Lord Bircham,” the Duchess of Wesley answered.
Catherine’s blood went cold, then hot as she turned angry eyes to Lord Bircham, who suddenly was clearly not bloody enough for her taste.
“What?” Lord Bircham finished dusting off a sleeve and regarded the Duchess of Wesley with open confusion.
“We assumed you put forth the information, but the rather sudden disappearance of Mrs. Burke is very suspect,” Quin said. “Based on the information we were given, you can understand my righteous frustration toward you.”
Lord Bircham paused. “I see.” Then, as if deciding to pardon Quin’s behavior, he relaxed his shoulders slightly. “No. I didn’t say anything of the sort. It was a thought at first, but it’s quite clear that Lady Catherine and I do not see eye to eye on…well, anything.” He gave a slight shrug, then seemed to wince at the movement.
“Why—… How?” Catherine questioned, stunned.
“It’s worse,” the Duchess of Wesley continued with chilling calm. “Lady Kirkham revealed the news and said that it was a marriage that was…required. Saying the chaperone hired by Lord Bircham hadn’t been diligent, leaving the two of you alone…”
“So the Londontonthinks Lord Bircham compromised me,” Catherine replied, her tone lifeless.
And to think a few hours ago she’d been wondering what kind of scandal it would cause to marry the brother of her deceased fiancé. That seemed small in comparison to being compromised by a man she could hardly stand.
“What do we do?” Catherine asked, turning imploring eyes to Quin, then to the Duchess of Wesley.
“Well…first, you…” He turned to Lord Bircham. “Are you going to set the record straight?”
Lord Bircham nodded. “I’m not sure how much it will help, but I’ll do what I can.”
“It’s true. Often the scandalous news is believed, regardless of how inaccurate.” The Duchess of Wesley frowned. “Thankfully, for now it’s just a rumor. With Mrs. Burke gone, there will be great speculation about the claim’s validity. That’s our best ally right now.”
Catherine’s body tingled with the stress of it all. She turned to Quin. “I’m marrying you.” She spoke the words with a conviction that was stronger than her fear, and some of the tension melted away.
“Damn right you are,” Quin agreed. Then as if coming to some conclusion, he strode forward and grasped Catherine’s waist, pulling her close as his lips seared hers, surprising her with a passionate kiss that melted what remained of the tension left in her heart. She wrapped her arms around his neck and snuggled into his embrace, kissing him back with all the love in her heart, needing to feel him close, reminding her very being that she belonged to him, and he to her.
Quin released her slowly, then pulled back. “If anyone asks, I’m the one who did the compromising.” He touched her face softly, then turned to Lord Bircham. “Understood?”
“I don’t think such information will be necessary, especially with Mrs. Burke missing, but if so, I’ll be sure to tell others what I’ve…seen,” he added, clearly uncomfortable. “Though I do have one question.”
The Duchess of Wesley motioned for him to continue. Quin slowly released his tight hold on Catherine’s waist and pivoted her so that they could both face Lord Bircham.
“Go on,” Quin encouraged.
“The question is why?” Lord Bircham frowned, his slightly bloody lip swollen from Quin’s assault. “Why would Mrs. Burke spread such a rumor? Motive, we’re missing a motive. Not that I want to add anything to incriminate myself, but honestly, I’m the only one who would benefit by such an alliance, minus the fact that I’d be at constant war with Lady Catherine.” He gave her a nod of honesty, as if asking her to disregard what could be otherwise insulting.
“No offense taken,” Catherine said, lifting a hand.
“Thank you,” Lord Bircham replied. “But you see what I’m asking?” He turned his attention to Quin.
“Indeed.” Quin’s hold tightened slightly on her waist, but Catherine wanted more answers. “How did you find Mrs. Burke? How do you know of her?”
Lord Bircham revealed an interesting fact. “She is my aunt, my mother’s twin sister.”
The Duchess of Wesley nodded. “I see, so an alliance between you and Lady Catherine could benefit her if you are her benefactor…”
Lord Bircham addressed the statement. “If I were her sole means of support, that would be true, but while she isn’t wealthy, her husband left her more than enough.” He seemed ashamed of the last part, as if unwilling to admit such a truth. “Her late husband was in trade and did well enough.”
Catherine watched as Quin frowned. “Hmm, something’s missing. Some detail we don’t have.”
“It would seem so, but in any case we need to take action to fix this,” the Duchess of Wesley insisted. “We have the word of a lord against the word of a missing chaperone, but we need more.”