Page 2 of Devoted to the Duke (The St. Clairs 1)

Catherine didn’t want to attract a man by wearing a fancy ball gown. She wanted a man who would be attracted to her forher—not because of what she wore. She wanted a man who was interesting and kind and could carry on a decent conversation. Already, she’d discovered too many eligible gentlemen of thetonhad very little to say. It was important for her to fall in love with someone who loved to talk about everything—politics, literature, economics—and not merely the weather. How were you supposed to get to know anyone when all they spoke of was the weather?

Not only did she believe she needed to love a man to marry him, she wanted him to love her in return. How could she be sure if he did?

It was all so very complicated.

A part of her knew her decision would be important not only for her, but for her family. Her father was already in his early fifties, not old but not terribly young. Since Mama hadn’t provided the expected heir, much less a spare, the earldom and lands would fall to her uncle. Edward Crawford was nothing but a busybody, always sticking his nose into everyone’s business. At least she knew he was gentleman enough to live up to his obligation to take care of her mother and his nieces if her father passed.

She wasn’t so sure Cousin Martin would.

Martin Crawford was Uncle Edward’s only child, which meant he would eventually inherit Statham Manor and become the Earl of Statham. He was smallminded and had a vicious streak. Martin had pinched her repeatedly as a child when they were young, causing large bruises and making her cry. He’d threatened her not to tell. Being six years older than Catherine, Martin had assured her no one would believe her wild stories about him and so she’d kept quiet. Something told Catherine that if her father and uncle were both gone, Martin would continue the cruelty toward her he’d displayed since childhood.

Because of that, it was imperative that she wed a man who would promise to look after not only her, but her mother and Leah. Just in case the unthinkable became reality.

A knock sounded at the door and her mother entered, closely followed by her father. She couldn’t remember the last time he’d come to her bedchamber. Possibly, never. Catherine rose to greet them, uncertainty filling her. She wondered if he would ask her to begin to consider from the many gentlemen of thetonwhich one might become her future husband.

“Oh, you look stunning, my dear!” her mother exclaimed, taking Catherine’s hands as her eyes swept up and down her daughter. “Tilly is a genius.”

“You look more lovely with each outing this Season,” her father declared, kissing her cheek and then bringing a flat, square box from behind his back and pressing her to take it. “For you, child. After all, it is your birthday.”

No one had mentioned it all day and Catherine assumed her parents and the rest of the household had forgotten with all the many events they’d been swept up in over the last few weeks.

She pushed the lid up, finding a sapphire necklace inside. Stunned, she raised her eyes and met her father’s twinkling ones.

“Do you like it, dearest?”

“Oh, Papa, I adore it!”

Catherine threw her arms around his neck as he chuckled.

“Your mother wanted to give it to you at the start of the Season but I thought we’d wait for your birthday.” He gazed lovingly at his wife. “She made sure you would wear blue tonight in order to complement it.”

“Give it to me, Catherine,” Mama said. “I’ll place it around your neck.”

She handed the precious necklace over and her mother fastened the clasp. Eager to see what it looked like, Catherine ran to the mirror and fingered the jewels, in awe of receiving such a tremendous present.

Turning to face her parents, she said, “I don’t think I’ll ever receive a more lovely gift.”

“Let’s hope you do,” her father teased good-naturedly. “That husband of yours, whomever he might be, better shower you with jewelry.”

The thought of marrying anyone she’d met so far gave Catherine pause. She looked at her parents, her father’s arm around her mother’s waist now, and saw how close and loving they were toward one another. Tears misted her eyes.

“Don’t cry, dearest,” Papa said. “No matter who you wed, you’ll always be my little girl.”

She hurried to him and hugged him tightly, wishing she never had to grow up and leave his household.

He grasped her elbows and drew her back. “What’s wrong, Catherine? I thought the necklace would please you but you seem most upset.”

Her lips trembled as she said, “I’m afraid I may never find someone to love, Papa. The way you and Mama love one another.”

He kissed her forehead. “Well, if you don’t find anyone good enough for you this Season, we’ll simply do all of this again next year.” He cupped her cheek. “There’s a perfect match waiting for you out there, Catherine. I feel it in my bones.”

“You mean... you don’t expect me to wed by summer’s end?” she asked.

“Of course not,” he said. “Your mama and I want you to be as happy as we’ve been all these years. If it takes another Season—no, five Seasons—then you’ll wait until you find the right man to be your husband. You have no need to rush into a match. The same goes for Leah.”

Catherine fell into his arms again, relief pouring through her. She could wait and let love find her, after all, and not be hurried in her decision. Whether he knew or not, her papa had given her a greater gift than the beautiful sapphire necklace.

He’d given her the gift of time.

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