Andrew bowed at the waist. “Lovely to see you again, Lady Catherine.” He shot Spencer a wink. “You, too, Spencer.”
Ignoring the flutterings Andrew’s presence set up in her stomach, she crossed the foyer, Spencer at her side. Before she could speak again, Spencer looked at Andrew, and asked, his voice an awed hush, “I say, did you plant those blokes facers?”
Andrew grasped his lapels, his expression turning very serious. “During the course of my duties, I’m afraid that I did.”
Catherine stared. “Do not tell me that you used your fists against those gentlemen.”
“Very well, I won’t tell you that.”
“Dear God. You punched them?”
“Well, it is impossible not to use one’s fists while engaged in pugilism. When the gentlemen learned of my”-he coughed modestly into his hand-“stellar reputation at Gentleman Jackson’s Emporium, they insisted upon a lesson. As they were your guests, I thought it would be rude to refuse them.”
“I see. And how did they hear of your stellar reputation?”
“I told them.”
A sound that could only be described as a giggle erupted from Spencer.
Catherine swallowed her own inappropriate desire to giggle. “And how, precisely, did all this come about?”
“When I arrived from London,” Andrew said, “I discovered the three gentlemen in the drawing room. Quite a sight they made, all perched on the settee like a flock of fat-breasted pigeons upon a branch, glaring at each other, elbowing, vying for more room. As you were nowhere about, I offered to entertain them in your stead. During the course of our pugilism lesson, they unfortunately sustained their injuries-which are quite minor by the way.” He shook his head. “Not the heartiest of fellows, I fear, although Lord Avenbury’s uppercut showed some promise. After our lesson, I informed the gentlemen that I’d been giving lessons to Spencer… and intended to give them to you as well, Lady Catherine.”
Catherine actually felt her jaw drop. “Me?”
“They were just as surprised, I assure you, but I told them that such lessons were necessary because of the rampant crime nowadays. After all, Today’s Modern Woman must be able to defend herself, do you not agree?”
She wasn’t certain if she were more amused or horrified. “I suppose, although I cannot imagine that a woman’s most effective weapon would be her fists.”
“Precisely why the element of surprise would work so well.”
“I can only surmise that the gentlemen were quite taken aback.”
“My dear Lady Catherine, the way you’re following this story, why it’s almost as if you were in the room. Yes, they were all quite stunned. I can only hope you were not overly desirous of their company because I don’t think any of them will be back.”
“Indeed? And why is that?”
“Because they’re all afraid of you.”
Laughter bubbled in her throat, and she pressed her lips together to contain it.
“Well, I for one am glad they won’t be back,” Spencer said. “Pests, that what they were, all trying to impress Mum.” He smiled at Andrew. “And I’m happy you’ve returned, Mr. Stanton.”
“As am I, Spencer.”
“You’re back earlier than we expected,” Catherine said, refusing to acknowledge how much that pleased her. “I hope that means all is well in London?”
“It means I’ve done everything I could for the moment.”
“How bad is the damage to the museum?”
“Extensive, but the repairs are under way.”
“And the investors?”
His jaw tightened, and sympathy pinched her at the sight of the weary lines surrounding his eyes. “Not pleased, as you might imagine, but I’m hopeful that their confidence will soon be restored. I’ve written to Philip, telling him everything. I tried to present the events in the best light possible, but obviously he’ll be very concerned, which in turn will worry Meredith. And there’s only one way to alleviate that.” A regretful look entered his eyes, and Catherine suddenly knew what was coming next. “As much as I hate to cut my visit here short, I’m afraid I must return to London tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?” Spencer repeated, his voice ripe with the same dismay that flooded Catherine.
“Yes. But I won’t depart until the afternoon, so we’ll have plenty of time for our morning lessons.”
“When will you come back?” Spencer asked.
Andrew’s gaze flicked to Catherine, then he smiled at Spencer-a smile, Catherine noted, that seemed somewhat forced. “Your mother and I will talk about that to see if we can agree upon a date.”
“But you’re welcome here anytime!” Spencer said. “Isn’t he, Mum?”
Catherine’s breath caught at the question, and her gaze flew to Andrew, who regarded her with an unfathomable expression. She desperately did not want to offer Spencer false hope that Mr. Stanton would return, yet she simply could not force herself to say he wasn’t welcome.
Heavy silence swelled for several seconds, then she said lightly, “Don’t worry. Mr. Stanton and I shall discuss the matter.”
“When?” Spencer persisted.
“This evening,” Catherine said. After Andrew and I make love at the springs. After we make love for the last time…
“Are you feeling up to a lesson today, Spencer?” Andrew asked.
Catherine pushed aside her disquieting thoughts and watched her son’s eyes light up. “Yes, I am.”
“Excellent. But first, I have a surprise for you.” He turned toward Catherine. “For you as well, Lady Catherine.”
Her pulse quickened. She used to dislike surprises. Now, however, it seemed she liked them very much. Too much. Before she could stop herself, she asked, “What is it?”
He shook his head sadly, then made a big show of patting down his jacket. “Now where did I place that dictionary?” He looked at Spencer, who was trying, without success, not to smile. “Can you fathom that your mother still does not know the meaning of the word surprise?”
“ ‘Tis shocking,” Spencer said.
“Indeed it is. Therefore, I suggest we go to the stables with all due haste so as to show your mother what a surprise means.”
Before they took a step, however, a knock sounded at the door. Milton’s eyes narrowed. “Not more suitors, I hope,” he muttered. He opened the door to reveal a young footman. “I’ve a note for Lady Catherine,” the footman announced importantly. “From Lord Greybourne.”
Catherine stepped forward, and the young man handed her the missive with a flourish. With her heart thumping, Catherine quickly broke the seal and scanned the brief contents. She looked up at the anxious faces surrounding her and smiled. “The Greybourne heir has arrived-a healthy baby boy they’ve name William. Both mother and son are doing splendidly, although Philip claims he may never be the same again. He swears the entire process was as much an ordeal for him as it was for Meredith.” Catherine looked at the ceiling. “Idiotic man.”
After congratulations were said all around, Catherine briefly excused herself to pen a hasty note to Philip to send back with the footman. Then the group headed off to the stables. When they arrived, Fritzborne greeted them, a grin stretching his mourn wide. “All’s well, Mr. Stanton.”
“Excellent.”Andrew led the way into the stables, pausing in front of the third stall, one Catherine knew was not normally used. “Before I returned to the house today, I visited the village to make several purchases. While I was there, I happened upon something that I simply could not resist.”
“I thought women were supposed to be the renowned shoppers, yet you seem to possess little self-control when faced with any sort of shop,” Catherine teased.
His gaze, avid and warm, rested on hers. “On the contrary, I possess an abundance of self-control.” He paused for several seconds… just enough time to rush fire into her cheeks by making her aware that he referred to far more than shopping, then continued, “Although I do agree that I enjoy buying things for people I… care about. In this instance, however, the purchase was for me, and purely selfish. What do you think?” He opened the stall door.