Page 14 of Duke in Shining Armor
What did this mean?
It was not an unpleasant feeling and, to be frank, she liked it. Yet, she made a concerted effort to avoid touching him. At this precise moment, she realized he did not need to touch her to evoke these feelings, as a look would suffice. Catherine had been leaning over the checkers board, but she decided to sit back against the pillow as if that would increase the distance between them. She kept her gaze on her pieces.
“Would you care for another goblet of wine?” the duke asked in a soft voice as his eyes gleamed.
“Thank you, Your Grace. I think I shall.”
The duke stood and refilled both glasses before he placed Catherine’s before her.
“Tell me, what is the most outrageous thing that you have ever done?” the duke asked as he reclaimed his seat.
The duke’s question had caught Catherine unaware, and her eyes narrowed as she observed him. “Do you jest?”
The duke’s eyes sparkled with deviltry. “I can assure you, I do not. I would love to know the most outrageous thing that you have ever done, provided you are comfortable in speaking of it.”
Catherine smiled. “Is it not enough that you heard me swear and that I carry a derringer?”
“I would say that falls within the category of improper, but it is hardly outrageous. Well, it would cause outrage if you shot me, so I should consider myself lucky,” he said as the corner of his mouth quirked up.
Catherine considered his question. “A few years ago, I persuaded two of my closest friends to make a midnight trip to the cemetery. We had all heard the tales about people being buried alive and the so-called safety coffins that should prevent such a tragedy. I wanted to go to the cemetery to see this firsthand.”
She paused and glanced at the duke, who appeared interested in her story. His gaze did not leave her.
“My father was hosting a hunt, so all our families were together in the country; we decided to visit the churchyard on the estate. As the churchyard was not far from the church, we dressed in men’s garments and took a carriage to the graveyard.”
The duke arched a brow. “Interesting. What happened then?”
“I am not quite sure.”
“Not sure?”
“Well, shortly after we opened the gate to the churchyard, we heard bells tinkling. My friends made a hasty retreat to the carriage, and I thought they would die of fright. I had no choice but to follow, and we departed immediately with great haste.”
The duke rested his head against the chair and laughed. As Catherine reminisced on the events of that evening and the duke’s infectious laugh, she found she could not hold her own laughter. He was even more handsome when he laughed.
“I see that you are quite bold, Lady Catherine,” he observed, still with rich humor in his voice. “I am afraid it grows late, and you should rest. I shall retire. I bid you good evening, Lady Catherine.”
Catherine wanted to say … ‘do not go for you have told me nothing in return,’ but instead, she bid the duke good evening and watched as he closed the door behind him. That night as she slid into sleep, she had the most alarming, yet pleasant dream of the duke kissing her before he vanished like a thief in the night.
A few days later, Catherine was propped up on the bed hugging a pillow. She had been a guest of the duke for the past sennight, and she was surprised at how much she enjoyed James’s company.Yes, James. He had asked her to call him James, after all they were spending much time together. She gladly agreed and told him to call her Catherine.
How scandalous.
He was regretful when he delivered the news of the coachman; though this was no fault of his own, he apologized for not being able to do more. He expressed his condolences and was particularly attentive to her in the following days, for he knew she was hurt by the news. She put on a brave face when he told her, but that night she shed a tear as the coachman could not have a proper burial. She knew the coachman was a solitary sole. He had no family, so there was no one she could write to and inform of his demise. His was a lonely existence, and she felt sad his life had ended in this manner.
James made the ordeal more bearable. They had fallen into a daily routine which was quite familiar and domestic, she thought with amusement. They broke their fast together each morning, had supper most evenings, and played cards or other games to entertain themselves in the evening. Catherine was sure the maid would soon run out of garments to mend.
Although she enjoyed the duke’s company, she was not doltish. She understood some of what happened between a man and a woman, so she ensured her behavior was above reproach.
They had shared more about their idyllic childhoods, and she was starting to understand James more. He had been frank with her, mentioning his reputation in thehaut ton, but he professed it was mere gossip. He said he did not indulge himself more than any other gentleman of his class.
He was rather handsome, so she could understand why he would set the ladies’ hearts aflutter. She noticed there to be two evenings when James disappeared, and she wondered where he ventured, but dared not ask. There was a limit to her boldness. Nonetheless, she wondered if he spent those evenings in the arms of his mistress. She did not like the fact that he was not with her. Her feelings of ardor were quite crushed when she had supper alone, only to feel a sense of exhilaration when he appeared the following morning. Catherine was most confused by her feelings.
While she ensured her behavior was above reproach, he was a true gentleman. He could not be accused of doing anything improper.
She had not forgotten her ultimate aim was to go to Switzerland. She would not be sidetracked. The physician said she was healing well, and only yesterday he presented her with favorable news. Helen had awakened and Catherine was relieved. However, she was quite weak, and she needed a period of recovery. James had the maids tending to her until she regained her strength.
Catherine’s ruminating was interrupted by a knock on the door.
