Page 42 of The Marriage Debt
But it was none of those things which made her want to order Jenny to throw everything into their portmanteaux, to send for John to harness the team and to flee back to the shabby comfort of last night’s inn. A creeping unease was coming into her heart, a feeling that she was out of her depth already and into a situation where she had no control. Whatever happened she was going to be hurt, she knew that, but now it was no longer just herself and Theo involved.
The men were gathered in what Heron informed her was, ‘The Chinese Salon, your ladyship, it being more comfortable for small family gatherings.’
Remembering some of the bewildering succession of apartments through which Robert had led her that afternoon, Katherine was thankful for that information. She swept into the room with her chin up, telling herself that if she could beard a highwayman in his den she could face a duke in his palace.
The men were gathered around a table with a paper spread on it and looked up as she entered. As Katherine came closer she saw it was a large map. She bobbed a curtsey and looked up to meet Theo’s eyes. He smiled and without calculation she smiled back, relieved to find his warmth in the middle of thecold formality. Then Robert greeted her and the duke stepped forward, gesturing her to look at what they had been studying and the chill, lonely feeling ebbed away.
‘I was just showing Theo this map which Mr Crase our archivist found recently in the Muniments Room. He is unable to join us for dinner, as he is dining with Dr Rossington, our chaplain, at the Bishop’s palace.’
Katherine swallowed a small gasp. Of course, a duke would have an archivist and a chaplain and of course they normally joined the family for dinner. Was it ever possible to be private in this vast house?
Theo was poring over the map again, one long finger pointing to what seemed to be a house towards the edge of the park. ‘Is Cousin Wilhelmina still in residence in the Dower House, sir?’
‘No, she died three years ago,’ the duke replied. ‘The place is empty now.’ He regarded his elder son sharply. ‘Have you a use for it?’
Theo shrugged, ‘Possibly, if you have not. I shall need to set up my own establishment.’
‘You can have the East Wing here to your entire use, should you wish,’ the duke remarked. ‘Why do you want to move out of the house?’
‘Because, with respect, sir, I think we would deal better together if we are not in each other’s pocket. And my wife informed me last night that she prefers a smaller home. Something snug and cosy were the words she used if I remember correctly.’
‘Theo.’ Katherine blushed. ‘Excuse me, Your Grace. I meant no disrespect, I had no idea where Theo lived when I spoke.’
‘So, he had not told you.’ The duke smiled thinly at their discomfiture. ‘You could not have guessed what you would find. And in any case, you would expect the marriage to have been ended long before the Dower House is fit for habitation, wouldyou not?’
‘Yes, of co…’
‘No.’ It was Theo, cutting emphatically across her response. ‘No, that is by no means agreed.’
Chapter Fifteen
As soon as he spoke he regretted it. Not the sentiment, but the abrupt way he had spoken, because Katherine’s eyes met his holding not the defiance and anger he expected but a sort of blank tiredness. He felt as though he had raised his hand to strike an already beaten animal.
‘Kat–’
‘Dinner is served, Your Grace.’
The duke stepped forward to offer his arm to Katherine and Theo wondered if he had imagined the expression in her eyes. Now they were attentive on his father, and she was already asking a thoughtful question about the Chinese wallpaper which extended from the Salon into the dining room.
The table was reduced by most of its leaves and conversation would be easy, he thought, taking the foot of the table while Katherine was seated on his father’s right and Robert took the opposite place. It did mean he was sitting at right angles to her which made it difficult to examine her face more closely.
Still, he mused while mechanically disjointing the capon set before him, the view of Kat’s profile was charming enough to keep any man occupied over dinner. The dark lashes swept her cheek, fluttering modestly in contradiction to the set of her firm little chin. Her nose was straight and, when she smiled, as she was doing now at Robert who was offering her fish, there was a hint of a dimple in her cheek.
But despite the smile he could not read her mood and he had become used to being able to do that on the long journey together. It had seemed she was not used to dissembling, to hiding her feelings: when she was angry her chin came up, her eyes flashed and she said what she thought. When she was happy her laughter was infectious and her whole body relaxed into afluent softness which had an alarming effect on his own.
But now she was on Society manners, listening attentively to her father-in-law and asking a sensible question from time to time. She seemed to be sharing her attention equally between his father and brother. Theo tried interjecting a question.
‘Do you ride, Katherine?’
She turned to look at him and he was struck by how refreshing she looked in her simple gown in that exotic room. Her expression was serious and when she smiled the warmth did not reach her eyes. ‘No, I have never ridden. We never lived in the country after I was twelve and in Town it was difficult enough keeping the carriage and pair without adding riding horses.’
‘Would you like to learn?’ Her eyes came back to his reluctantly, he could swear. What was wrong?
‘Thank you, but I am sure you will be too busy while I am here. And I will have no use for such a skill, it would be a waste of your time.’
‘I do not intend to keep Theo chained to the estate manager’s side,’ his father interjected dryly. ‘He will catch up on affairs here soon enough. And possibly he has plans of his own.’ He regarded Theo blandly.
Now what was the old devil up to? Calling his bluff seemed the easiest way to find out.
