Page 38 of Duke in Shining Armor
“I see your point, and the best advice would be … not to engage in gossip,” James said.
Her mouth curved in a small smile. “Sound advice, but not all will follow it, so there is no end to gossip.”
“Hmm,” James replied as the dance drew to a close.
He escorted her to the side of the ballroom where her parents stood.
“How lovely to see you again, Your Grace,” mama said with a sweet smile.
“The pleasure is mine, Lady Windemere. I was just telling Lady Catherine that the duchess is issuing an invitation to her dinner party. She has charged me to deliver the invitation personally.”
“That is very kind of her,” mama said.
“Can I call upon you with the invitation on the morrow?”
“Absolutely. Would you have afternoon tea with us?” mama asked.
“It would be my pleasure,” James said as he gave mama a smile. “Please excuse me; I shall find my partner for the next dance.”
James strode to the opposite side of the room.
“Well, he does seem quite taken with you, doesn’t he, Catherine?”
Catherine frowned. “You believe so, mama? The duke does not have a reputation of someone seeking a wife.”
“Pish. I know these invitations are a part of courtship. He has called upon you, sent you flowers, and taken you on a carriage ride in the space of a sennight. He reserved two dances again with you this evening. You are the envy of all the young ladies here.”
Her heart started a slow drumming. Isthatwhat he really was about? “The duke said he believes his mother is taken with me.”
The countess beamed. “This is excellent news, Catherine. I will invite the duchess to our ball, and I am sure she will attend. Regardless of the duke’s attention, you must accept invitations from other eligible gentlemen, until the duke makes his intentions known.”
Catherine stiffened. “I know, mama.”
She had no notion as to why the duchess would be taken with her, for she had only seen her on a handful of occasions. Catherine recognized the power that the duchess wielded within thehaut ton, so she did not mistake her influence. She was a good connection to have.
Catherine had to keep sight of why a good match was so important for her family, and she had given mama her word that she would do all that was required of her.
If the duke proposed, would she not be duty bound to consider it?
CHAPTER13
The following morning Catherine awoke quite late, for it had been a long night and she had been exhausted. Her lady’s maid entered to assist her with washing. Helen informed her that papa wished to see her in the library. She broke her fast but did not dally for her father was not a patient man. She knocked on the library’s door and waited until he bid her to enter. She saw mama was already there.
“I can see that the duke has shown an interest in you. He has whisked you off at all the balls, sent you flowers, and you have been to Hyde Park. Your mother agrees he seems quite keen.”
“Yes, papa.”
“He would be a good match as I have looked into him. He is wealthy, but he also has a good business acumen. A bit of a reputation with the ladies, but you cannot believe everything that is said.”
Her heart squeezed with an odd sort of pain at hearing about his rakish ways. Would such a man even be faithful to his vows? “That is so, papa.”
“Your mother said the duchess is issuing another invitation to a dinner party. Apparently, she is taken with you.”
“The duke seemed to think so.”
“Well, since he will attend for afternoon tea, I will have a chat with him. You should ensure you are equally attentive to other suitors, because the duke has not made his intentions clear.”
“I understand, papa.”
