Page 12 of Duke in Shining Armor
He was dashing, agreeable and thoughtful. He appeared to be smart and focused. Gentlemen in his position would have shied away from the fact that she was learned, but he had not; rather, he embraced it by sending her a political periodical. Catherine buried her head in the periodical, lost in the interesting news and views, until she heard a knock on her door.
Dr. Blackwell appeared. “I trust you rested well, Lady Catherine.”
“Thank you, I did. How is Helen faring today? I am worried for her.”
His face creased in a small smile. “You should not fret. I have seen this before, and it is likely to take a little while before she wakes up. I have tended to her, and her heart is beating strong. I feel assured she shall recover. I will continue to see her. Now let’s see your ankle.”
He studied the contraption that rendered her immobile. “All appears well, and you should continue to keep it elevated. At this point you do not require much of me so I will not attend you for a while. I will see Helen every day for the next few days and hope for some improvement. I will keep you apprised.”
Catherine smiled. “Much obliged.”
Once the physician departed, Catherine returned to her reading. She was surprised to see the day pass quickly. She was absorbed in her reading so that helped to pass the time.
She heard a knock on the door and somehow knew it was the duke.
* * *
James lowered his hand,wondering at the thoughts that had pushed him to visit Catherine so soon. He had been in his library, that unnamed restlessness once again eating at his insides, and his thoughts had turned to her. He remembered when he shared the news about his father’s death. She said she was sorry to hear, and she said it with such sincerity.
Here she sat, in a strange house, unable to continue her journey, yet she showed him empathy when he declared he had lost his father. She thought of others, not just herself. There is something special about her, and James had the overwhelming feeling that he wanted to get to know her.
“Come in,” a soft voice said.
A ripple ghosted over his skin, and James opened the door and walked inside. “Good evening, Lady Catherine.”
She was modestly dressed in a pale green gown, her broken ankle in its splint propped up on a pillow. Pleasure lit in her blue eyes upon seeing him, and her lashes lowered to mask her expression. When she looked up at him again, her face was suitably composed.
“Good evening, Your Grace. How was your day?”
The maid he had bid to act as a chaperone followed into the bedchamber with Catherine’s tray, and James settled at the desk with his. The maid had a collection of garments for mending, and she sat in the far corner of the room to attend to her tasks.
The meal was just as inviting and tasty as it was last evening.
“It was rather hectic, Lady Catherine,” he said, mildly surprised at sharing with her so easily. “I reviewed accounts and reports and there were a couple of meetings. And yours?”
A soft smile touched her mouth. “Quite illuminating. I must thank you forThe Spectator. It was a good read.”
He arched his brow and gave her his undivided attention. “Illuminating, you say. How so?”
Her eyes sparkled as she replied, “I note with interest there has been some movement on the Slavery Abolition Act, Your Grace. Full emancipation has been granted to all enslaved persons, and Parliament has decided to compensate the slave owners. This will cost the crown a fortune. It is shockingly immoral.”
James had just taken a sip of wine, and he almost choked. Bemused yet fascinated, he studied her face as he dabbed his garments with a napkin and noted she was ardent, but there was a twinkle in her eyes. “And how did you arrive at that conclusion, my lady?”
“Well, the poor slaves have been toiling for many years, but now they have nothing to show for it. They will be free, but destitute. Should they not be the ones to receive some compensation?” She looked at him quizzically.
James was flabbergasted, for ladies are usually reluctant to offer their opinion. Society frowns on it. Nonetheless, he understood her logic. Well, somewhat.
“You must remember, Lady Catherine, the slave owners paid for the slaves, and I believe that is why compensation is fair.” Yet, he also agreed with her point. James merely wanted to point out to her the other arguments debated in the House to see her viewpoint.
Her eyes flashed, lighting up with passion, before she lowered her lashes, thus closing the world out of her inner sanctuary once more.
“And therein lies the conundrum, Your Grace. In the first instance, those enslaved arepeople, and they should not have been bought and sold,” Catherine said with conviction. “Do you not agree?”
“I do agree with you.” James was surprised to find he was enjoying this exchange with her. These were conversations he normally held with his political allies and barristers. James continued, “Lest we forget when slavery began, the slaves were treated as property until the abolitionist advocated on their behalf. Perhaps you are right on that point as it stands today but it was not historically so. Therefore, slaves will not be compensated. My reasoning is merely based on the law, and no such provision has been made within the Act.”
“Hmm,” Catherine replied in contemplation.
She bit the corner of her lower lip in concentration, and it made him forget what he would say next. James felt a sudden heat rush through him as he thought about what it would be like to kiss those lush lips. He would so love to nibble on them and moisten them with his tongue.
