Page 2 of Duke in Shining Armor
“A wealthy husband could invest in the family business, providing a loan to steady the ship until we recoup our losses. These marriages are the only way to save us from total ruin. Your prospects are somewhat diminished because we lost our fortune; nevertheless, we have our family name, title, political connections, and favor with the Queen.”
Catherine released her mother’s hand and hugged her arms around her waist. This was the last explanation she had anticipated. Her heart pounded as emotions she barely understood bloomed through her. She could envision the church adorned with flowers and hear the church bells peal. She was sure that at this moment her face was as white as the dress she was expected to wear.
No, no, no. She did not want to accept it. “If you will excuse me, mama, I need to rest.”
Her mother nodded, her expression lined with sympathetic understanding. Catherine hurried from her mother’s room. She was one and twenty, and she should already have been launched into society, but for her ‘manly’ pursuits and her parents’ indulgence in her refusal to marry. She had two younger sisters, Charlotte and Beatrice, whom she adored. They had not yet had their first season, and they both looked forward to the pomp and pageantry of being presented. How they would fuss over their hair, beautiful dresses, and jewelry.
They were siblings with personalities that were so different for they loved the outings and festivities, chatting incessantly about them. Charlotte loved horses and anticipated attending Royal Ascot with fervor, while a favorite of Beatrice’s was the Henry Royal Regatta. Catherine had no care for the races, balls, dinner parties, soirees, and festivals.
Although Catherine was opposed to marriage, she could not be selfish. What future could her siblings hope for if she did not marry well? Is this not her lot as the daughter of an earl?
Catherine returned to her bedchamber to inform her lady’s maid of the news for she needed to make arrangements to have her trunks packed. It appeared there was no time to delay for she was to spend a year in Switzerland, and she must travel by ship. This was her first sojourn abroad, and she must consider it an adventure so that she would not expire from loneliness.
Her next task was to find Charlotte and Beatrice for she needed to share the news herself. Catherine proceeded to the drawing room where she found Charlotte knitting and Beatrice playing the piano. Catherine sat beside Charlotte on the sofa and beckoned Beatrice to join them.
“Girls, I will leave for Switzerland shortly. In a few days I believe.”
“What?” Charlotte said, her eyes widening.
“Why?” asked Beatrice, her fingers falling from the pianoforte.
Both sisters stared at Catherine with a look of confusion.
She beckoned them to join her. Once they were both seated beside her, she took a steady breath and started to explain, “Mama and papa have decided that before I am to marry, I must be refined. The best finishing schools are in Switzerland so I will travel there.”
“You have always said that you do not wish to marry, Cath,” Charlotte exclaimed. “This is so sudden and unexpected!”
The love she had for her family had to come before her personal desires. Though Catherine accepted what she must do, she felt knotted inside with dread and pain. Relinquishing all she had dreamt of would be most difficult. “That is so, Charlotte, but papa insisted the time has come so I must do my duty. We are in a bind, and all of us will need to play our parts so our family survives.”
“Switzerland is so far away, and we will not see you,” Beatrice said with sadness.
“I will write to you often. I promise. I will miss you both terribly,” Catherine said as she hugged her sisters. “Look at the bright side, my lovelies. I will only be gone for a year.
“But I shall still miss you” Charlotte said as she held on to Catherine’s hand.
“Yes, as will I,” Beatrice said with a sigh.
Catherine stood. “Well, I wanted to speak with you myself and now I must find Edward. Carry on.”
She left her sisters to their own devices and searched for her brother. Edward had his own library, and Catherine was sure this was where she would find him. It had previously been the tutor room and was fashioned into a library so that Edward could have a private place to work and write letters. Whenever he needed to meet with father, they did so in the main library.
As Catherine climbed the stairs, she wondered what it would be like to have a husband like Edward. One who did not frown upon her education, wit, and spirit. A husband who would accept that she was well read, educated, and had opinions of her own.
Why the devil should she hide her attributes?
Catherine arrived at Edward’s library and knocked.
“Enter,” Edward replied.
Catherine opened the door and, on seeing her, Edward stood up from his chair. His expression was carefully composed, and she stilled, staring at him. He had an animated and amiable personality. This somberness filled her with pained awareness. “Edward, I take it you know I am to travel to Switzerland.”
Edward came from behind his desk and gave Catherine a hug. “Yes, father informed me of it.”
Catherine watched as he pulled back and gazed upon her face.
“Will you not have a seat?” Edward motioned to an armchair.
They sat in armchairs opposite each other. “Did you try to dissuade him?” Catherine asked and immediately regretted doing so. Edward had always been protective of her. “I am sorry, Edward. You are one of the few people who understands me and knows that I did not wish to marry. Why did you not tell me?”
