Page 31 of A Duchess Disciplined

Catherine steeled herself. She and her siblings began the short walk to the castle entrance, where the butler promptly admitted them. Inside Verdant Castle was just as beautiful as its exterior. The entryway was filled with portraits in gilded frames, a flawless Persian rug, expensive rosewood furniture, and a sweeping staircase with railings carved in the shapes of dragons.

“Lady Hannah and Lady Hester will be eager to meet you,” His Grace’s butler said, bowing deeply. “His Grace asked that you meet them immediately after your arrival. May I direct you to the parlor?”

Catherine raised an eyebrow. A more gracious host would have allowed his guests time to rest after such a long journey, but she had already noted that the Duke of Sarsen was unlike most men. She wondered what the sisters would be like.

“Yes,” Elias said. “We are likewise eager to meet the young ladies.”

They went into the lavishly decorated parlor. Catherine seated herself on the settee, Dorothy to her left and Bridget to her right. Elias sat in a lone chair nearby. A young parlor maid swept in at once, bringing tea and biscuits for them. Catherine found herself grateful for the cup and saucer, for it gave her something to hold, to occupy her hands.

“Do you know anything about these sisters?” Bridget asked.

“Nothing,” Elias said.

“I know nothing either,” Dorothy said.

Catherine sipped her mint tea, thinking. His Grace claimed he did not want a mother for his two young sisters. But was that really true? Catherine’s heart ached when she thought of her own mother, who had been taken from her when she was so very young.

Maybe it was His Grace’s intention that the young girls did not need a mother, but what if they disagreed? Catherine was so ill-suited for a maternal role, and it would be a disaster if these girls expected her to fulfill one.

And if they did, how could she refuse? Catherine had the sudden horrifying image in her mind of making two girls cry with her floundering efforts to be a proper lady, mother, and duchess. One of those roles had never been achievable, and she did not foresee having any better success with the other two.

“I am sure they will be very fond of you, though,” Bridget said. “How can anyone dislike you, Cat? You are so lively!”

Catherine’s failed Season was proof that she could be quite unlikable, but she was forced to concede that there were very few ladies among the tonwho held her in poor esteem. She had always suspected that other women were fond of her, mostly because she did not present competition for the affections of the many eligible bachelors among the ton.

“They will like you,” Elias said, as he brushed a few crumbs from his jacket. “I have no doubt of that.”

Catherine nodded, as though she agreed, but she could not manage to smother her tremor of doubt. “As you say,” she said, even though she did not really believe that.

The butler returned and cleared his throat. “It is my pleasure to introduce Lady Hester and Lady Hannah.”

Everyone rose. Elias bowed, and the ladies curtsied to one another. Ladies Hester and Hannah were young girls, scarcely twelve years of age by Catherine’s estimation. Both were identical in appearance—curled brown hair that had been pulled back and twisted into chignons, and the same sharp green eyes of His Grace.

Although the girls’ faces were soft with the full bloom of youth, both their expressions were quite stern. Catherine was reminded at once of her governess trying futilely to bring her to heel.

“A pleasure to make your acquaintance,” Dorothy said, once they were all seated again.

Lady Hannah and Lady Hester occupied the remaining two chairs. They sat still and stiff, as if they were dolls rather than real girls. Catherine waited to see if they would offer a smile to Dorothy, who had always managed to coax children into liking her, but she received nothing save two identically curt nods. If Lady Hannah had not worn a pink gown and Lady Hester a white one, Catherine would have been unable to tell the two apart, for even their mannerisms offered no clues as to which girl was which.

“And yours,” Lady Hannah said, sipping delicately from her teacup.

Elias cleared his throat. “I suppose I ought to speak to His Grace. Do you know if he is available?”

“No,” Lady Hester replied.

There was a pause, where Catherine—and seemingly her siblings—anticipated some clarification, but Lady Hester gave none. Catherine was unsurprised to hear that His Grace, the man who treated propriety as though it was a lost art, was not available to speak with them. He had probably purposefully made himself scarce just to make their visit more uncomfortable. The Duke of Sarsen seemed to delight in making others uneasy.

“That is unfortunate,” Elias said.

“Do you find the present company lacking?” Lady Hannah asked disapprovingly.

“Not in the least,” Elias replied. “It was only that there are some gentlemen’s matters that we must settle.”

“You have a lovely home,” Bridget said suddenly. “Verdant Castle must be a wonderful place to have a childhood, for it is so vast and beautiful.”

“I suppose,” Lady Hannah replied stiffly.

“The gardens are quite extravagant and varied. There is one which contains all manner of roses and another that holds only poisonous plants,” Lady Hester said with whatmighthave been a kernel of enthusiasm in her voice. “There are also many places for riding and sailing on the estate.”

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