Page 53 of Kismet

“Similar, but I was thinking something you would do well is starting something for wounded soldiers. The war in France is not yet over and the number of wounded men is ever increasing.”

Stretching his legs out in front of himself, Theodore pondered the possibilities. There were many men out there who could do with a good dose of help. It was what his brother was trying to wrangle from parliament, but it was possible that he could skip the middleman and help himself. Turning back to Catherine he asked, “Yes, but wounded soldiers are not going to want to be simply cared for. How would that work?”

“Just like with the children, find a way to help them find jobs. If a man can no longer work in the fields due to having lost a limb, help him learn another way to support himself. Teach him to read and write, help him become a clerk. Or if it his mind that needs time to heal, have him work with horses or dogs, away from the hustle and bustle of the city.”

Standing, he began to pace as ideas began forming in his mind. “You are right. It is not as if I won’t have enough land and property to set something up somewhere. I can reach out to a few of my old contacts from the regulars and have them let me know of men in need. This could work. It will take time and we might have to miss a season or two getting things set up, but I do not think we will mind.” Walking back to Catherine, Theodore reached down and grasped her hands, pulling her to him. Holding her close he whispered, “Have I told you how brilliant you are?”

“Not that I recall.” Catherine smiled up at him, her eyes full of mischief.

“Well, you are. You are brilliant and brave and beautiful and probably several other things, but I have run out of b words for the moment.” Theodore grinned watching Catherine chuckle at his antics. “Have I told you that I love you?”

“I believe you have once or twice,” she breathed in reply.

“That’s good, because I love you beyond all reason.” Closing the distance between them he claimed her lips with his own. Theodore was lost to everything but the tiny sound that Catherine made the moment their lips touched. Sadly, the kiss did not progress as far as either would have liked before a loud clearing of one’s throat was heard.

Pulling back slightly, Theodore looked down and spotted the slightly dazed look that remained on Catherine’s face and nearly leaned in to kiss her again. Before he could follow through on his impulse, another throat clearing had Theodore looking over at Lambert who sat there with eyebrows raised. The footman standing by the door merely grinned. It probably was not the best time to proceed as he would wish.

Giving Catherine a kiss on her blushing cheek, he tugged her with him back to the settee. Holding hands, they continued to talk of plans. Once they were married at Pemberley, they would start an extended tour of his newly gained properties. Eventually, it was decided that they would go to Matlock first and then move on to the properties in Scotland. They would keep an eye out for a good location for the soldier’s charity project.

Eventually they lapsed into staring happily into one another’s eyes. Realizing where things would head if they stayed as they were, Theodore stood. Pulling her to her feet Theodore said, “Let me show you around.”

Theodore led her below stairs, introducing her to the staff with a smile, knowing they would soon address her as Lady Matlock. Catherine was very careful to ask all their names in hopes of learning them all, which was something the current Lady Matlock had never done. The care and concern for everyone that Catherine displayed went a long way towards winning the staff over. To ensure their well-being, she went so far as to request a tour of their living quarters, inquiring about their comfort and whether they were properly maintained. The staff, particularly the senior staff, were aware that she would be inspecting the house as the future mistress. However, the fact that her foremost priority was their comfort left a profound impression.

The morning had passed pleasantly until the reality of their situation crept back in when it came time for Lady Matlock to leave. In the end, there was less of a to do than either Theodore or Catherine had expected. Lady Matlock marched out of the house, head held high, refusing to acknowledge either of them as she left. She said not one word to her son, who she might never see again. Having gambled and lost, her pride left her with no other choice.

After Lady Matlock had left the premises, Theodore walked Catherine back to her home. They started working on the plans for the wedding with Elizabeth and her other sisters. Needless to say, it was a very merry afternoon.

Deerhurst did not fare well. His father had never been fond of his oldest son and his latest behavior had proven too much for the older gentleman. Though his father managed to bear enough weight on the courts to keep him from the gallows, he quickly disowned his son. As a result of some intriguing legal maneuvers, he not only lost his viscount title but was also banished to Australia, vanishing into obscurity.

Life became a swirl of dress fittings, dinners, and morning calls. Gossip had been rife for all of three days. Deerhurst’s trial and eventual sentence allowed the rumor Lady Derby started to take hold. She put it about that Deerhurst had been put off by Miss Catherine’s very wise refusal to have anything to do with him. She implied that he then tried to ruin her reputation by spreading lies about her. Between that and Catherine’s refusal to act ashamed, the talk soon stopped. It did not hurt that she was soon to be a countess.

By the time the Earl Deerhurst approached Catherine and her family in public, the lingering scent of scandal had dissipated completely. His kind apology for the horrible behavior of his son was not necessary but appreciated, nonetheless. The Deerhurst, Darcy, and Fitzwilliam families would never be close, but they would not be enemies.

By the time they departed London, even Catherine, who had a keen sense of style, had grown weary of the endless fittings and pursuit of new dresses. She had at least been able to enjoy the evenings she had spent in Theodore’s company. It was a common sight to see her and Theodore attending events they both loved, always enjoying each other's presence. Theodore did not go to a single boring dinner again.

In no time at all, they were all headed to Pemberley to coordinate the wedding. Young Timmy rode in one of the carriages with the other servants and they kindly let him sit by the window, allowing him to indulge in the mesmerizing view of the countryside passing by.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Theodore fidgeted as it seemed like an eternity before Catherine appeared. Darcy grinned at him from where he stood. Not so very long ago, Theodore had ribbed him as they stood at the front of the same chapel while Darcy was waiting for Elizabeth to appear.

It was not so very different from last time as most of the same people were there. Elizabeth was there, though this time she was on the front pew with young Artie on her lap. He was waving happily at everyone and was certainly adopting a more extroverted approach to life, a departure from his father's preference for solitude. In that, he took after his mother.

Kiernan sat beside Elizabeth, home on a break from Eton. He was glad to make it to another one of his “sister’s” weddings. As always, he was happy to entertain Artie as necessary. As he picked up the toy Artie had carelessly tossed, he handed it back with a gentle smile and playfully tousled the child's hair. The boy had entered another record growth spurt and would soon be as tall as some of the women he had so lovingly adopted back in Hertfordshire.

Kiernan had met Timmy before the wedding and thanked him for helping Catherine. The two had gotten along well despite their age difference, which was good because Kiernan’s family had taken Timmy in. They could use the extra help on the home farm and Kiernan’s mother always had an abundance of motherly nurturing to dole out. Timmy had been wary at first but was starting to let the family into his heart.

Jane and Bingley had come sometime before the wedding, happy to socialize with the ever-expanding family. This time, they had their small, blue-eyed bundle of joy in tow. Mr. and Mrs. Hawkins sat nearby with their own son, Mathew, who, strangely enough, was only two weeks younger than his niece. Mrs. Hawkins was beaming, not because her daughter was becoming a countess, but because her daughter was happy to be marrying a man she loved. Above all, her greatest desire was for her daughters to find happiness in their marriages. That Theodore was now an earl was immaterial.

There were new people present. Miss Burgess had been eager to come see her friend wed and, of course, her brother was in attendance as well. Theodore did not miss how he kept looking at Lydia. They were both young enough and Lydia was not even out yet, so there should be some time before another wedding should they continue along those lines. Mr. Goulding had come as part of the house party that had been thrown together. He was gazing longingly at Mary whenever he thought no one was looking. Theodore made a mental note to talk to Darcy and Bingley before he and Catherine left for Matlock that afternoon. He had an interesting idea that might help the two star-crossed love birds.

Lord and Lady Derby were also in attendance as well as their son and daughters. They were quite fond of their cousins, the Gardiners, all of whom were also in attendance. Before they had left London for Pemberley, Theodore had become closer with the Derby family. It was a relief to receive insight about being an earl from someone who possessed a genuinely kind demeanor and no underlying motives.

He might have lost his dear brother and his traitorous mother, but he was not alone. His life had become enriched by the presence of many wonderful individuals, all brimming with love and goodness.

Theodore’s musings stopped the moment he saw movement at the back of the church. There, being escorted down the aisle by her Uncle Gardiner, was his bride. Catherine's smile was glorious, and in a room full of joyful individuals, her radiant smile outshone them all.

How had he succeeded in securing the companionship of such an awe-inspiring woman for the rest of his life? He had nearly let it slip through his grasp, but somehow love found a way, like a delicate butterfly landing on his fingertips.

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