Page 60 of Duke in Shining Armor
“Pity, their daughter is such a beauty, but she will not find a good match now.”
“And they dared to show for this ball. How scandalous!”
“Even the Duke of Pembroke had danced attendance to Lady Catherine. I heard whispers that he might now offer for Lady Jane.”
That last whisper almost pushed Catherine to her knees. The pain and shock was just too fierce.
Oh. James, is it true?
Catherine did not look to see which of the ladies uttered these words. She held her chin high and followed her parents to the refreshment table where she availed herself of a glass of port. They moved to a quiet area at the edge of the dance floor, and those close to them pretended they were not there. As they sipped their drinks, and made polite conversation, no one approached them. Catherine glanced down at her empty dance card, mortification crawling through her.
Her mother’s lips were pinched and the strain of the entire affair was evident in her stare.
“We will only stay an hour and then we will leave.”
“Yes, mama,” she said.
At that moment, a hushed silence fell over the room when the next guest was announced.
“His Grace, the Duke of Pembroke,” the butler announced.
Catherine’s head jerked up and she gazed at the duke. He was by far the most handsome man in the room. A thrill of frightened anticipation touched her spine. The duke’s eyes moved slowly over the crowd until he spotted her, and the corners of his mouth curved into a smile.
Why is he smiling?
The duke went over to Lady Summerfield and greeted her before he approached Catherine. There was a buzz in the room as thehaut tonrealized the duke would speak with Catherine and not give her the direct cut. Emotions swelled inside that he would still be this kind. Catherine paid no attention to the whispers rising in the ballroom. Her only focus was on the duke. He greeted her family, and her gaze did not leave him. She was already scandalized, so she did not give a fiddle if they saw that she stared.
“Lady Catherine, may I say that you look lovely this evening.”
“Thank you, Your Grace,” she answered with a sweet voice that belied the turmoil she felt inside.
The murmurs had died down, and those in close proximity strained to hear so they could spread the word to thehaut ton.
“May I have this dance?”
The duke held out his hand to her as the orchestra started a waltz.
“Certainly, Your Grace.”
The duke took her hand and led her to the dance floor. Catherine glanced up at him, and she was impaled by his steady gaze. She was flushed by the intensity of it. As he whirled and twirled her across the floor, she glimpsed Lady Jane and her expression was not pleased. Catherine flashed the duke a winsome smile.
“I have missed you terribly, Catherine.”
Catherine nerves tensed immediately, and she lowered her gaze.
“Look at me, my love,” the duke said with a chuckle.
Catherine gazed up and their eyes locked. “Do you still call me your love?”
His expression grew serious. “Always.”
Emotions burned the back of Catherine’s throat.
“I have had nothing but time to think about you and about us,” James said softly, spinning her into an elegant arch before drawing her closer. “Although you did not tell me of your circumstances, I reflected on what you told me in the library, and I understand. My wealth will not make me happy Catherine. I have been absolutely miserable at the thought of losing you. I do not need your dowry for I am a very wealthy man who can provide for you. I love you and these past few days have shown me that I cannot live without you. I want you to be my duchess. I want you by my side.”
Catherine was speechless as the duke twirled her across the floor. Her chest felt as though it would burst with happiness. She had longed for the duke in the very same way, but she dared not hope that he would still wish to have her. He had reaffirmed his love for her, and she would not have to contemplate life without him.
“That you are staring at me with such shock is making me feel decidedly uncertain, my love.”
