Page 66 of Devoted to the Duke (The St. Clairs 1)

Chapter Twenty-One

Catherine decided thatif she must keep the knowledge of her and Leah’s mothers from Jeremy that she would be open in every other regard. Because of that, she asked her publisher to tea. She’d already invited him to their wedding but wanted her fiancé to know exactly who John Bellows was. She told Mr. Bellows she wanted her fiancé to know about her children’s stories.

Luke, Jeremy’s brother, had come down from Cambridge for the wedding. Catherine was enjoying getting to know the middle St. Clair sibling. Like his brother and sister, he had the St. Clair emerald eyes and midnight black hair. He also was a terrible flirt and teased her unmercifully. Not having had a brother, Catherine relished their banter. She hoped not only would she give Jeremy daughters but sons, as well. She imagined a household filled with children who loved one another and never hid their affection as they enjoyed one another’s company.

She’d asked that tea be at the St. Clairs’. As usual, Luke was giving both her and Rachel a hard time about how women primped. He also couldn’t understand the fuss over the wedding. Even though it was to be a small affair, there were many details to attend to and he’d become exasperated at all of the wedding talk.

“If I ever think of marrying, I’ll merely elope to Gretna Green,” Luke said.

“You’ll do no such thing,” Cor warned.

Barton announced their visitor and John Bellows entered. He was a jovial man, with a baldpate and blue eyes that twinkled, and as wide as he was tall.

“Thank you for coming, Mr. Bellows. I particularly wanted you to meet my fiancé.” She introduced him to Jeremy and then Cor, Luke, and Rachel. Leah had already met Bellows and knew what Catherine intended today.

As they waited for tea to arrive, Catherine said, “Mr. Bellows holds a special place in my heart. He is not only my friend but we do business together.”

She saw a puzzled expression appear on Jeremy’s face. Rachel sat up, suddenly more interested in their visitor.

Luke said, “Ah, this should be interesting. Catherine’s in business, Jeremy. I wonder what it involves. Should a duchess do business?” he asked, stirring the pot.

Cor gave Luke a look that immediately silenced him.

Catherine smiled. “I have always enjoyed creating stories. I did so when I was young in order to entertain myself. When Leah came along, she became my audience of one.”

Leah chimed in to show her support. “Catherine made up the most fantastic stories. They had adventure and romance. I begged for a new one each day.”

“Sometimes, I would alter stories I’d told Leah. I would tweak them until I was satisfied. Leah is the one who put into my head that I should try to publish them so other children could enjoy reading them.” She smiled. “That is where Mr. Bellows came in.”

All eyes turned to their visitor. “Lady Catherine sent me a letter several years ago. I run a publishing house. In it, she included a short story about a pig and a frog who become friends. I was quite charmed by it and wrote back, asking if she had written any more. We corresponded over several months and I started publishing her stories. Eventually, I put a group together and sold them as one volume.”

Rachel clapped her hands in delight. “I have a copy of it.” She gave Catherine an approving smile. “You’re quite talented.”

“I had time on my hands in the country,” Catherine continued. “Even though I was nursing Papa, he slept for long periods of time. While I sat at his bedside, I would write. Mr. Bellows eventually came to visit us at Statham Manor.”

The publisher chuckled. “I had to meet the author who’d entertained both me and my seven grandchildren. Every time I saw one of them, they clamored for another C. E. Lawford tale. Imagine my surprise when I discovered C. E. was a female.”

“My name is Catherine Elizabeth,” she explained. “I didn’t think I would have a chance of being published unless I masked my identity. Initials indicate a male. Hence, I became C.E.”

Jeremy threaded his fingers through hers and smiled warmly at her. “Who knew I was marrying such a talented author?”

“Will you continue to write your stories once you wed Everton?” Leah asked hopefully.

Before she could respond, Cor said,” Of course, she will.” Looking at Catherine, she said, “I would think you might sell even more copies if you wrote as the Duchess of Everton.”

“I would like to continue writing. As long as it doesn’t interfere with my duties once I marry Everton,” she said. “When we have children, I’m sure I’ll be quite busy.”

She sensed tension run through him. “Would you rather I stopped writing?” she asked softly.

“No,” he said firmly. “You should continue. We can’t have Mr. Bellows’ grandchildren disappointed, can we?”

Her publisher beamed. She knew he was glad the duke would allow her to continue since her books were some of the most popular in England.

Luke held up a teacup. “To Catherine—a future St. Clair who continues to surprise us all.”

The others lifted their cups in response. “To Catherine.”

After Mr. Bellows left, Jeremy walked her back to Morefield’s. She didn’t see the point of getting the carriage out when there were only a few blocks between the two residences.

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