With a nod, Eric hurried off.
Katherine dashed to the front door and snatched it open. The gentleman standing there was obviously expecting trouble. His eyes were narrowed, and his shoulders were so tense that she wondered he didn't rip free from the close-fitting grey coat. She had to admit, however, that his air of expectancy in no way detracted from his charm. His hair was nearly as golden as her stepsister's, though not as wavy, being modestly cut around his oval face. He had high cheekbones and a determined chin. It was a manly face, a face a sculptor would love, with well-shaped angles and planes. But by far his best feature was his deep-set vivid blue eyes ringed by golden lashes. No woman could resist him, she was certain. What an excellent choice she'd made for Constance.
She nearly sighed aloud with pleasure, but realizing that would ruin all, she merely hid her delight beneath a deep curtsey. "Good afternoon, sir. Our servants are busy at the moment. I am the lady of the house. How might I assist you?"
She straightened to watch him and marveled at how easily she read his emotions from his face. The quirk of his firm lips told her he knew he was at a disadvantage. A puff of a sigh informed her he wasn't sure what to do about it. She could understand his dilemma. The rules of polite Society dictated that a gentleman could not simply introduce himself to a lady. She decided to make it easy for him and achieve her own purposes in the process.
"Most likely you are here to see my stepsister Constance Templeman. Any number of gentlemen visit for that reason. When one is the belle of the Season, one must expect adulation, I suppose."
His brow cleared. "Yes, that is exactly why I am here. Miss Templeman. Might I have a moment of her time?" He smiled.
My, what a charming smile. She fancied she even saw the beginnings of a dimple near one corner of his lips. Surely this was one suitor Constance wouldn't refuse. Perhaps they might yet keep her stepsister's fortune in hand. Six weeks remained until her twenty-first birthday, after all.
But the stunning gentleman on her front step must never know that he had been chosen for the role of husband to the fair Constance. He needed to think courting Constance was all his idea. Katherine had found that gentlemen preferred it that way. Indeed, they tended to become quite irrational if they thought they were being manipulated. Unfortunately, they weren't tremendously rational even when they were in charge. Look at her uncle. Look at her father. Look at the toad who had inherited from her stepfather. Their sheer incapability to care for their families was one of the reasons she so often had to arrange matters herself.
Like now.
She gave him back what she hoped was a smile just as charming, though it would never match his for beauty. She was not her stepsister, after all. He'd have to make do with her plainer features, darker hair, and thinner body. But it did her heart good to see that he didn't seem to mind. His smile deepened along with hers.
"I fear my stepsister is indisposed just now," she replied. "If you would leave your card, I am certain she would be delighted to make your acquaintance another time."
The thumps behind her told her Constance would shortly be making a rather unflattering appearance, if she was capable of doing anything in an unflattering manner. Still, Katherine could not take the chance. One of the things they had learned about Lord Borin was that he didn't seem to like things to become too difficult. Constance must be a challenge but never a trial. Katherine held out her hand expectantly.
"Perhaps I might speak with Lord Templeman," her paragon said with remarkable stubbornness. She'd have to add that to the wall. None of the data they'd gathered so far had indicated he was stubborn. Quite the contrary. Eric and Bix had been following him for several weeks and had made any number of inquiries. They had talked with his friends, his relations, even his old nurse. Katherine had carefully arranged all the data on the wall of a little-used room in the attic. According to that information, everyone thought him even-tempered and complacent, quite the polished London gentleman. That was one of the reasons she had chosen him over the other fellows they had considered. That and the fact that he was one of the few men for whom Constance had actually shown a fancy.
And he was so terribly adorable.
There was another thump and a squeal that sounded suspiciously like Eric. Her Adonis attempted to peer around her, and she stood on tiptoe to block his view, afraid that he still could look over her head. Her smile was becoming strained.
"Lord Templeman does not live here," she explained. "My stepfather, the former Lord Templeman, died several years ago. My uncle, Sir Richard Collins, is our guardian."