Page 70 of A Duchess Disciplined

“A man ought to learn patience,” Lady Beckingworth said, clearly amused. “Shall I introduce you to more of my friends, Your Grace?”

“That would be lovely.”

Catherine braced herself for all the encounters. She had performed well thus far, and it was the thought ofperformancewhich Catherine used to keep her strong. She would just pretend that she was an actress playing a role in a French theater. During the garden party, she would be playing the role of the perfect duchess, and once the party was at an end, she would be herself once again.

Lady Beckingworth was a gracious hostess who introduced Catherine to a dizzying array of lords and ladies. Catherine made certain to smile at them all. She complimented the ladies’ gowns and feigned interest when the lords briefly recounted their favorite diversions. After what felt like an eternity of introductions, she joined William once more at the white pavilion, which had been pitched in the center of the gardens.

“You seem to be gathering a whole host of admirers,” William said, seating himself beside her.

They were at a large table, laden with food and drink. Catherine had already eaten a few delicate pastries and now sipped a glass of lemonade, as she surveyed the gardens and listened to the idle talk of the lords and ladies around her.

A light breeze blew, sending the fronds of a weeping willow sweeping across the path; the fronds were near enough that Catherine could have reached out and touched them. Her mind conjured a delightful image of weaving beneath the sweeping fronds of the willow tree and pressing herself against the trunk, while William seized her hips and pulled her close.

“You seem to have already gathered admirers of your own,” Catherine said. “I am working quite hard to find as many as you have.”

“You appear to be succeeding,” William said, eyes narrowing. “I wonder if I ought to be concerned, given your talk of alliances with Lady Beckingworth.”

“If you are concerned, it is a mess of your own making,” Catherine replied, taking a dainty sip of her lemonade. “You were the one who invited me to the garden party. If you had not, I might never have made Lady Beckingworth’s acquaintance.”

“It would have appeared strange if I did not arrive with my wife,” William said, “especially being a newlywed man.”

“True.” Catherine glanced about to see if anyone might be eavesdropping on them, but there was no evidence to the contrary. “Are you pleased? I think I am doing quite well.”

“I do not think it befits a duchess to brag about how great she is doing,” William said, his lips twitching in amusement. “But you have performed very admirably. I am proud of you.”

Catherine’s face warmed with pleasure. “Thank you, Your Grace.”

“You are very welcome. The praise is well-earned.” William paused and seemed to deliberate on something for a few moments. Then, he pressed his lips close to her ear. “I will be certain to reward you handsomely for your good behavior.”

She shivered instinctively at the promise of a future amorous encounter. Catherine had, thus far, only seen his corrections. What might it be like to berewardedby him?

Catherine let out a low breath of air. “I shall be ensure that you keep your word. If you do not, I shall never forgive you.”

His eyes crinkled in amusement. “And I shall keep you toyourword. If you continue to do this well, you have no need to fear.”

“There is our new friend!” exclaimed Lady Beckingworth, gesturing to Catherine.

Catherine smiled. “Iwillkeep my word,” she said, climbing to her feet and waving to Lady Beckingworth. “Join us!”

Lady Beckingworth spoke to yet another lady, and they both crossed the path to join Catherine and William. Catherine straightened her spine and composed herself. She pretended that she was marble, smiling and unmovable.

It was time to play the role of the perfect duchess once again.

CHAPTER23

Catherine had performed admirably at the garden party. By the time the party had drawn to a close, she had managed to accumulate a small crowd of lords and ladies about her. They had gazed at her as if her every word was of incomparable value, and they laughed at her little jests. William knew that he should have been pleased. Beyond pleased.

But William had not anticipated the dull, aching feeling inside his chest. It was accompanied by a litany of possessive thoughts.I want her to speak to me.

When Catherine had walked alongside Lady Beckingworth, William had clenched his jaw and thought about how much he would prefer that she walk beside him instead. And when Mrs. Abernathy’s betrothed—a young and frustratingly handsome young man—had smiled and winked at Catherine, William had found himself filled with the sudden urge to punch that man.

William fought to bury those feelings deep as he and Catherine entered the foyer. He flexed his fingers at his sides, watching as Catherine untied her bonnet. His eyes swept over her form, whichdidlook lovely in that gown. Everyone else had probably noticed that, too.

They had probably spoken about how beautiful and shapely his new duchess was.

“Well?” Catherine asked, grinning at him. “How did I do?”

He inclined his head. “You did well throughout the entire event. I will confess that I am impressed.”

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