Page 79 of Devoted to the Duke (The St. Clairs 1)

Chapter Twenty-Five

Catherine waited forStrong to return with Leah’s valise. He had parked their rented carriage a block away from the St. Clairs’ London townhouse. She didn’t want to take any chances and be seen by any of the family or servants.

She leaned against the seat back, a deep weariness piercing her to the bone. Sleep again had evaded her. Even the countess had remarked upon the deep shadows under Catherine’s eyes. She’d thanked the woman for extending her hospitality and left when Strong arrived with the rented transportation. They’d gone directly to Davidson’s office, where he presented her with the annulment papers. Her hand shook as she signed them but it had to be done. She’d instructed him to write to Everton once she left and deliver the message promptly, telling the duke the papers awaited his immediate signature. The sooner he signed, the more protection his reputation would have.

She’d also left the letter to Jeremy with Davidson, telling him to keep it for a week and then send it to the duke. He agreed, his eyes sad. The solicitor asked what she would do next and Catherine had said she would be traveling. If and when she ever wed again, she would contact him regarding her dowry. She didn’t suppose American wives presented dowries to their husbands but if she married one, she would certainly claim the money Papa had designated. If she didn’t wed, she would claim it once she turned thirty. It would be more than enough to live on for years to come.

The carriage door swung open and Strong set a valise inside.

“I went around back, Lady Catherine. The maid had it waiting for me.”

“And the message to Leah?”

“I found a boy passing by and gave him a shilling to deliver it now. Hopefully, Lady Leah will be coming in the next few minutes. I’ll wait outside for her.”

She touched his arm. “Thank you, Strong.”

He tipped his cap and exited the vehicle.

Catherine prepared herself for what would come next. Leah was a high-spirited girl. She wouldn’t take well to the news they were leaving England. Catherine had decided full transparency was in order. She would keep nothing from her sister. Once Leah knew the entire story and the consequences, she would have to go along, though Catherine expected a hurricane of emotions to be unleashed from Leah.

The door opened and Leah climbed inside the coach. Strong quickly shut the door and moments after Leah seated herself, the carriage took off.

“What is going on, Catherine? Why on earth are you even back in London? And where is Jeremy? It’s not like you to be so secretive, much less demand it from me.”

“You didn’t tell Rachel you were meeting me? Or Cor?”

“No,” Leah said, sounding annoyed. “Rachel had a headache and didn’t come to breakfast. I didn’t say anything to Cor.”

“And Jeremy?” Catherine asked softly.

“He wasn’t there either,” Leah said, now perplexed. “Why would he be? Oh! You’ve quarreled.”

“Much worse than that. We are annulling the marriage. I’ve already signed the papers this morning. Jeremy will do the same within the next hour or two.”

The color drained from Leah’s face. “What?” She grabbed Catherine’s hands. “Tell me. Please. I want to help.”

She looked deeply into her sister’s eyes. “You aren’t an adult, Leah, but I’m going to have to treat you as one. What I tell you will only be spoken of inside this carriage the one time. We will never mention it again. I do promise to tell you the unvarnished truth so you will understand why we are leaving England for America.”

Leah jerked away. “What? You can’t mean it. Any of it. Catherine, youloveJeremy. You can’t leave him.” She crossed her arms. “I certainly don’t plan to be a part of this. I won’t move to America on some whim.”

“Do you think I would do anything on a whim?” she asked, her voice low and serious. “Listen to me, Leah. Do not interrupt.” She hesitated and decided the best course was to plunge in.

“You and I are bastards.”

Her sister gasped. Catherine dared her to speak.

When she knew Leah would remain quiet, she told the girl the truth. Leah wept through most of it. By the end, Catherine had an arm about her sister, trying to comfort her.

“Remember what is most important—that Mama and Papa loved us dearly—and they loved one another.”

Leah sniffed. “But... but what does this have to do with us now? Did youtellJeremy this? Is that why he seeks an annulment?”

“No,” Catherine said quietly. “Statham is the rat who will divulge our birth origins to theton.”

“Statham?”

“He is the one who revealed the circumstances surrounding our births to me. Statham wanted you to live with him the next two years, knowing I would be desperate to see you. If I saw you, it meant seeing him, as well. He wants to rise in society.”

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