Page 68 of Devoted to the Duke (The St. Clairs 1)

Statham gripped her elbow painfully. “Yes, Catherine. Leah will reside with me. You can tell her once you and Everton return to London. I will make all decisions regarding her welfare. To see her, you will have to see me. I expect to be invited to both Eversleigh and Everton’s London residence on a regular basis. I know how much you love the girl.”

“And you would use that love to control me?”

“Yes. Because if you fight me on this, I will tell thetonthat the two of you are bastards. You’re a St. Clair now. You don’t want to hurt your husband and your new family. Can you imagine what society would say about the bastard who hoodwinked a duke into marrying her? His name would be dragged through the mud. He might even have a case that you defrauded him and he could annul the marriage and set you aside. Of course, you would never find another husband in society again. Leah’s chances would also be ruined.”

Nausea filled Catherine. She knew Statham would do exactly as he said if she didn’t go along with his plans.

“There’s something else,” he continued.

The gleam in his eyes sent a chill through her.

“I’ve decided to wait two years before I wed. And when I do, I want my bride to be Rachel St. Clair.”

“No,” she moaned. “Please, Statham, no. Don’t do this.”

“I won’t have to. If you cooperate. Just think, in two years’ time, you could already have borne Everton a child. What if it’s a boy? He would be the heir apparent. I know you wouldn’t risk Leah’s future, as well as your own child’s. Do as I say and everything will be fine.”

“How will I get Rachel to agree to wed someone twice her age?”

His deadly stare caused her to tremble. “You have two more Seasons to figure that out, Catherine. Plenty of time.”

With that, he turned and descended the stairs.

She gripped the banister, feeling faint, and knew she had to get to her room. Once there, she rushed to the chamber pot and vomited. The sour taste filled her mouth.

What was she going to do?

She couldn’t let her secrets be exposed. It would ruin her and Leah, not to mention bring shame to the St. Clairs.

But when would the blackmail stop? Already, Statham wanted to weasel his way into Jeremy’s circle of friends. And how could Catherine let Rachel’s life be ruined by convincing her to wed a monster?

It became clear that she would have to cut ties now. Statham would never let up. Sooner or later, he would spill what he knew to theton. Ruin was inevitable. It would merely depend upon when he made the secrets known as to how many lives would be destroyed.

She still wasn’t truly married yet. She and Jeremy hadn’t consummated their union. If they didn’t, he could sue for an annulment. Once they separated, she knew Statham would gleefully make known the circumstances of her birth, and Leah’s. At least by then, Jeremy would be rid of her. While the gossips might rake him and his family over the coals for a short while, they would eventually sympathize with him for being duped by a fraud. After all, he was a duke. There would be enough eager mamas pushing their unmarried daughters toward him. In the long run, he would suffer only for a short amount of time.

It would mean utter ruin for her, though. She would never be able to hold her head up in society again. Leah’s chances of a match within thetonwould also vanish. Still, the rising merchant class could offer her sister a chance to wed within it. It wouldn’t be possible for her to marry a man with a title but, with her beauty, Leah could marry someone with quite a bit of money and be very comfortable.

Or they could go to America. The colonies prided themselves on being a classless society. She could take her earnings from her books and they could sail for Boston or New York and begin again. No one would care who their mothers had been. Maybe the both of them could find husbands and leave this disaster behind. Catherine decided that would be the best course of action. A clean break with England and everyone involved.

And no possibility of ever running into Jeremy on the street.

No matter what the outcome, Catherine knew her heart would never heal. She’d given it to Jeremy St. Clair many years ago. No man would ever bring her the joy and passion that he did.

She heard a quiet knock at the door and Charlotte came in.

“I thought I would help you—oh, Catherine, you look as if you’d seen a ghost!” Charlotte rushed to her and took her hands and then gave her a knowing smile. “I know what ails you.”

“You do?” She didn’t think anyone could have overheard her conversation with Statham.

“Without a mother to speak to you, I’m sure you’re worried sick about your wedding night with Everton. Never fear. I’ll admit that the first time you couple, it will hurt somewhat. He must breach your maidenhead.”

Charlotte smiled. “After that, things can be quite pleasurable. At least they are with Morefield. I’m sure Everton will be no exception.”

Catherine swallowed. “Thank you for sharing with me, Charlotte.”

“Here, left me help you undress.”

She gave herself over to her friend and allowed her to ready her for the trip to Eversleigh. Catherine decided she would wait until they were there in order to speak to Jeremy in private and tell him she couldn’t consummate the marriage.

As she accompanied Charlotte downstairs again, Catherine spied her new husband. He’d already changed from his wedding finery and now hurried toward her and kissed her cheek.

“Are you ready?”

She nodded, not trusting herself to speak.

They said their goodbyes and went outside to their coach. Jeremy saw her safely inside and then sat next to her, putting his arm about her shoulder. Catherine leaned into him, savoring what would be their last hours together in peace.

Before she ripped his world apart.

---