Page 48 of Duke in Shining Armor
James returnedto the drawing room.
“I daresay, it appears things are going marvelously with Lady Catherine,” the duchess remarked.
“I agree, mama.”
“Her family is also pleasant and agreeable with no scandal in their background and very respected in society. They were good company this evening,” the duchess mused. “You are spending much time with her, and I do not need to remind you that one must be careful. Thehaut toncan be dastardly.”
James lifted a brow. “Whatever do you mean?”
“If you keep spending so much time with her without making an offer for her hand, you will give rise to gossip that could ruin her reputation.”
“Ahh, I see. We are getting to know each other, mama, and I do feel strongly for her. I do believe she would make me a good wife.”
His mother smiled. “I can see that she also cares for you. She is lovely and seems a bit spirited, which reminds me of my younger self during my first season. Much time has passed since then, and I am growing old.”
James chuckled. “Mama, take heart for this is the closest I have ever been to taking a wife. There’s hope yet.”
“The countess has kindly extended an invitation for us to join them at their ball in a fortnight. I graciously accepted on our behalf.”
“I am sure to look forward to Lady Windemere’s ball.”
“It is a busy season indeed, and I am pleased the weather has held. I thought of arranging a hunting party for a weekend at Pembroke Estate. We will issue an invitation to the usual parties, and the Windemere’s, of course.”
“That is a splendid idea, and to have one mid-season is quite novel,” James replied.
“My thoughts exactly. Alas, I am no longer a young lady, and I fear I am quite worn out. I shall retire for the evening.”
James rose with the duchess and gave her a peck on the cheek.
“Goodnight, mama.”
Once the duchess left, James poured himself another snifter of brandy and took a long swallow, before pouring himself another. He reminisced on the events of the evening. Catherine loves a challenge, for he had seen it in her eyes before she entered the maze. He was amused that she thought she could best him, in a maze he had known as much as the back of his hand since childhood. She should have known that he would best her, but she tried nonetheless, and did not suggest he was at an unfair advantage.
The duchess was right; she was indeed spirited, and he gleaned the determination in her eyes. Although the night went well, he was quite frustrated. He enjoyed the interlude in the maze, but he was unfulfilled, and there stemmed his frustration. He wanted her in his life.
Wife.
James turned the word over in his mind, and he was determined, more than ever, she would be his duchess. He had thought of it when she departed for Switzerland, and he wondered if upon her return, she would reject him. This had almost happened, and he breathed a sigh of relief that her heart had softened.
He wanted her to be his then, and he felt much stronger now as he spent more time with her. James was comfortable with Catherine, and he could be himself, for she spoke candidly, and this encouraged him to do so. He could not think of another lady with whom he discussed politics, as well as his mistress.
The duchess would be mortified if she knew of what they discussed and of what passed between them. James chuckled as he thought of how avant-garde Catherine really was, and this made her all the more appealing to him. She was most certainly not the usual debutante, the genteel ladies of thehaut ton,who could not have an opinion, much less to voice it. Catherine was refreshing, he enjoyed being in her company, and he could see himself there for an eternity.
Although Catherine was educated, he knew she did not understand much of the ways of the world. As propriety demanded, she would spend time in the company of other gentlemen, until an offer was made for her. He knew that all gentlemen were not honorable men, and he did not wish for any of them to take advantage of her. He vowed to keep a close eye on her at social events.
If any man dared to treat her with reproach, there would be hell to pay.
CHAPTER16
Catherine sat soaking in her bath. She felt the need to be alone, so she asked the maid to leave her with her thoughts for a while. The season was going tremendously well, and she had attended several engagements, which frankly exhausted her. She found the atmosphere of a ballroom exhilarating, such as the lights, music, company, and even dancing itself, and she was often in high spirits. Even so, she did not recall being told how exhausting it would be, and tonight she would attend Lady Shrewsbury’s ball.
She could count on some pleasure this night for she would be seeing James. Catherine sighed with longing. James had been most attentive since the duchess’s dinner party. He had afternoon tea with the family on the following day, and they took a stroll in the garden. Unfortunately, they did not get up to any shenanigans, because her mama was the chaperone. She wondered why her mother decided to accompany them, and it could only be that she blushed at the mention of James’s name. After all, her mother was no fool, and she had been young once.
James had sent her flowers and poetry, so he ensured that he was always in her thoughts. Nevertheless, she was forced to endure the company of other men at afternoon tea, carriage rides in the park, and dances at the ball. However, by some unspoken agreement, she ensured James had two dances, which always included the waltz and the last dance. This made the evening more tolerable for she knew it would have a pleasant ending, even if they did not manage to sneak any time alone.
She found James had invaded her consciousness, and she wanted to be always with him. Why, only yesterday, Lord Winslow visited with her, and she barely heard a word he uttered. She was ruminating on James and how tender her feelings were toward him. She pondered if more married couples eventually found happiness, after spending years together, for she knew many marriages did not start with great affection.
Catherine was interrupted by her lady’s maid, who came to complete her bath and dress her. She must not dally for she would not hear the end of it, as her mother would be most displeased. She had chosen a gown of peacock blue, and she fussed and paid much attention to her jewelry and rouge.
