Page 85 of Devoted to the Duke (The St. Clairs 1)

Strong retrieved a handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to Jeremy.

“She sent me to sell this so we’d have enough to purchase a small place in Boston. I think it only right that you return it to her, Your Grace.”

He unfolded it and found Catherine’s sapphire necklace. His throat grew thick with emotion.

Placing his hand on Strong’s shoulder, he told the valet, “I owe you a debt I may never be able to repay.”

“I just want to see her happy, Your Grace.”

Jeremy said, “Horseback will be quicker. Follow me in the coach, Strong. We’ll need a way to bring them home.”

The servant beamed. “Certainly, Your Grace.”

*

Strong hadn’t returned.Catherine tamped down her fears, trying to appear confident for Leah’s sake. She watched as their coach arrived and passengers disembarked. Once the luggage was unloaded, the team of horses was traded out and a man called for those leaving to begin boarding.

“What are we to do, Catherine?” Leah asked anxiously.

“We’ll go to Bristol. I’m sure Strong is trying to get the best price possible for my necklace. He knows where we’re headed. We’ll wait for him there.”

She summoned one of the men who was gathering luggage and indicated her trunk and Leah’s valise. When the last of the luggage was strapped down, she took her sister’s arm and moved them toward the carriage. They were the last passengers to board. Leah went up the stairs and entered the coach. Catherine stepped onto the first rung.

A commotion caught her attention. Someone was shouting and riding a horse hell-bent in their direction. Catherine drew a sharp breath. Her worst nightmare had come to pass.

It was Jeremy.

He drew up the reins, his gaze locked upon hers.

“Don’t get on that coach, Catherine,” he ordered.

Summoning her courage, she raised her chin a notch. “You are no longer my husband, Everton. You cannot tell me what to do.”

He withdrew a sheaf of papers from his pocket. “I didn’t sign the annulment. You are still my wife.”

Without taking his eyes from hers, he tore the pages again and again and then flung them into the air. The pieces fluttered on the breeze and drifted to the ground.

Jeremy dismounted and slowly walked toward her.

“I know the truth, Catherine. I read your letter.”

She knew she hadn’t confessed to her illegitimacy in it. “No, Jeremy. You don’t know the whole truth. If you did, you wouldn’t be here.”

He smiled. “The letter only gave me a piece of the puzzle. Strong filled in the missing parts.”

Catherine couldn’t believe that Strong had betrayed her.

Jeremy continued steadily walking toward her. He reached her and his hands spanned her waist. Being a step from the ground made them stand at eye level.

“I know about the blackmail. I know why you demanded the annulment. You thought the St. Clairs would be humiliated.”

“Yes,” she hissed. “I couldn’t have you and your family humiliated, Jeremy. It’s true that some gentlemen in thetonproduce bastards. But none of them have tried to pass those bastards off as their legitimate offspring to society. The truth will get out. Leah and I will be ruined. And you and your family would share in our disgrace. I can’t allow that.”

Tears filled her eyes. “I always prized family above all else, never knowing it was all a lie. I’m a mongrel. Not good enough for the St. Clairs and their rich heritage.”

His hands tightened on her waist. “I think your parents are the greatest love story I’ve ever heard. Your father loved your mother so much he was willing to give her children the only way he could. And your mother loved the two of you girls deeply. You were hers. From the start. Most of thetonwill see it the same way. Those that don’t aren’t worth our time. You and Leah are innocents in this, Catherine.”

He lifted her to the ground and tenderly cupped her cheeks. “Dukes are known for weathering scandals better than most, thanks to our lofty titles. And even if this became the scandal of all scandals, it wouldn’t matter. Because I love you. I was a fool before. An utter fool.” His thumbs stroked her cheeks. “I want to have children with you, Catherine St. Clair. As many as we can. I want to love you every day for the rest of our lives.

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