Alex shook his head, but the smile on his face told her the gesture stemmed more from reluctant admiration rather than censure.
"So," Hastings mused, pursing his lips, "Borin accepted a bribe from Templeman?"
Now why did she think he invested Lord Templeman's name with particular interest? Was Constance's cousin more involved in this matter than she had thought?
"Actually, Lord Borin did me a favor," Katherine explained. "He was never courting my stepsister. Lord Templeman was mistaken in that regard. Lord Borin knew that Lord Templeman had kept something of mine and in exchange for supposedly ceasing his suit with Constance, he forced Lord Templeman to return it."
"And this item would be?" Hastings prompted.
"My harp," she said. Beside her, Alex smiled fondly.
"I think I begin to see," Hastings replied. "An interesting story, Miss Collins. You would be willing to swear its truth on your honor?"
"Yes, of course," she agreed. "Lord Borin is no spy, my lord. I would stake my life on it."
Alex reached out to squeeze her hand, and she took joy from the gesture. Surely their problems were over.
Hastings leaned back in his chair. "What else can you tell me about Lord Templeman?"
So, he was interested. "Only that I like him very little," she replied, but couldn't help adding a question of her own. "Why do you ask?"
"Let us merely say," Lord Hastings replied with a short smile, "that I have taken an interest in him."
Katherine's frown deepened. "Was he the one who accused Lord Borin?"
His dark eyes kindled. "Why would you suspect that?"
Why wouldn't she? A better question would be why hadn't she seen it sooner. "Only because he was so sure that Lord Borin was the spy," she told Lord Hastings. "He warned me days ago that Lord Borin would be caught for espionage."
Alex frowned. Hastings raised a brow. "Did he indeed?"
Katherine nodded, assurance growing with every moment. "He must have intended to implicate Lord Borin all along, the toad! He probably arranged to have Lord Borin followed as well." Another realization hit, and she hopped to her feet. "That's why the shadow went to Miss Montgomery's flat! He was bribing her to tell that ridiculous tale."
"And what tale would that be?" Lord Hastings asked, leaning forward as Alex gazed at Katherine in amazement.
Katherine shook her head. "Nothing about your spy, I promise you. She came to our home to convince Constance that Lord Borin beat her."
"What?" Alex all but yelped, hopping to his feet as well. "Katherine, I swear to you that I … "
"Am innocent," Katherine completed, laying a hand on his chest and gazing up at him. "I know that. You would never bully anyone. You are far too much a gentleman."
The anger drained from his face to be replaced by such a warm smile that her heart turned over.
Lord Hastings cleared his throat. "Have you anything else you'd like to share about your stepsister's cousin, Miss Collins?"
Katherine forced her gaze away from Alex to eye the marquis. "Only that I would very much like to get my hands on him."
"I share your desire, my dear," Lord Hastings assured her. "I believe you can safely leave the matter with me. Lord Borin, Miss Collins, thank you for coming. You are free to go."
–
Alex stared at Hastings. She'd done it. They were free. He felt his grin spreading as he returned his gaze to Katherine. She smiled up at him. His gaze was drawn to her sweet lips.
Hastings interrupted any further thought. "A moment, Borin, before you go."
Alex turned to him with difficulty. Beside him, Katherine stiffened warily.
"My lord?" Alex asked.
Hastings quirked a smile. "You offered your assistance to my service some time ago. If the offer still stands, I should like to take you up on it."
Alex blinked. "My lord? I thought you felt me unqualified."
"Certain actions have come to my ears," Hastings replied. "I amend my earlier opinion. We'd be pleased to have you."
He'd been accepted! His heart leaped at the thought. Alex opened his mouth to accept and felt Katherine's hand tighten in his own. Glancing down at her, he saw her smiling tremulously. Why did he need to accept Hastings to give his life meaning? All his hopes and dreams, everything he might become, was standing beside him. He shook his head.
"I am sorry, my lord, but I must decline. You suggested that I take a wife, and I belatedly realize what good advice that was. I hope to be married shortly and would like to devote myself to my bride."