Page 20 of A Duchess Disciplined

She longed to tell her sisters about what had happened, Dorothy especially, but Catherine could not. Even if her sisters were willing to forgive her impropriety, which they would, Catherine did not wish to increase their burdens.

“It was pleasant enough,” Catherine said. “His Grace is an unusual man. I have much to think about after our conversation.”

It was the most neutral answer that she could give without lying about how the walk had been.

“I imagine so,” Dorothy said. “He is certainly a man who inspires conversation.”

Catherine was that.

“It is something that you might have in common,” Dorothy added.

“Perhaps.”

Catherine looked further up the corridor and smiled. “I am a little tired after my walk. I think I will spend some time in my room.”

Dorothy frowned, her eyes bright with concern. “Of course, Catherine.”

“Shall I bring you a book to read?” Bridget asked. “I have just finished readingMansfield Park. I think you might enjoy it.’

“Maybe another time,” Catherine replied. “Thank you, though.”

Catherine had still not entirely managed to vanquish the conflicting feelings inspired by His Grace, and love was thelastsubject she wished to read about.

CHAPTER5

The day was perfect. Warm sunlight flitted through large, white clouds, which moved lazily across the sky. The air stirred with a faint breeze. Flowers and trees bowed their heads and swept their limbs, making a soft symphony of sound that whispered throughout the garden. William closed his eyes and inhaled, letting the sweetness of flowers fill his senses. He caught the faintest whisp of lavender and roses, conjuring the image of Lady Catherine in his mind.

After their kiss, she had gazed at him with wide eyes and startled, parted lips. The lady had appeared flushed and disheveled, much like the flowers when the wind disturbed them. He imagined Lady Catherine on her knees, her lips parted and ready to receive something far more intimate and brazen than a kiss.

“Good afternoon, Your Grace.”

His eyes snapped open. As if his thoughts had summoned her, Lady Catherine stood before him in the gardens. He had wondered if she would be inclined to speak to him again after the events of the previous day. Most young ladies would make themselves conspicuously unavailable. Not Lady Catherine, it seemed.

Her lady’s maid trailed her. The young woman’s face was flushed scarlet, likely because she recalled the episode from the day before. As delightful as that interlude had been, William had spent the previous night pacing his room and wondering if he had made a terrible error. He had anticipated Lady Catherine telling her brother and His Grace raining retribution upon him like an angered god. But there was nothing. William suspected that neither the maid nor Lady Catherine had told anyone.

He straightened his spine and affected an ambivalent expression. “Good afternoon, my lady. Join me.”

Lady Catherine neatly seated herself on the bench beside him. He looked askance at her, observing her delicate profile. Lady Catherine was not a great beauty. There was nothing which made her uniquely lovely when compared with the many ladies of the ton, yet there was something singularly intriguing about her. He found that he longed to let his gaze linger on those fine cheekbones, soft chin, and crystal-blue eyes.

“Are you enjoying your book, Your Grace?” Lady Catherine asked, gesturing towards the discarded volume.

“It is Samuel Butler’sHudibras,” William replied. “Are you familiar with the piece?”

“No.”

“A pity. It is rather enjoyable,” William replied. “I found it in your brother’s library and thought to read it again.”

“I am told that you must open books to read them,” Lady Catherine said.

“I found myself distracted by the beauty of these gardens.”

“My mother designed them,” Lady Catherine said. “We have kept them unchanged since her death. Well, as unchanged as one may keep a garden.”

“To honor her?”

“Yes.”

William hummed and fixed his gaze forward, thinking. A change seemed to have come over Lady Catherine. She seemed almost as though she were making an effort to be a polite, young miss. That was promising.

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