Page 44 of Devoted to the Duke (The St. Clairs 1)

“I must. Statham has made his feelings known that he doesn’t care for either of us. The sooner I can find a husband, the better.”

“But... what about me?”

Catherine took Leah’s hand. “Oh, dearest, you would go with me. Statham has no interest in being a guardian to you. I want us out from under his thumb. I’m sure I’ll be able to find some nice gentleman to wed.”

She’d given it a great deal of thought and decided to aim as low on the social ladder as possible. Her age alone would lessen her prospects to barons and possibly viscounts. She would hope a nice baron would take an interest in her. The fortune she would bring him would certainly help. By marrying a man without a lofty title, he wouldn’t have as many connections in society and wouldn’t be invited to as many prestigioustonevents, lessening her chancing of being seen by Statham. Her idea was to blend into the woodwork and quietly settle into marriage.

And keep her secret safe.

When it came time for Leah’s come-out, her sister would be young and fresh. With her fair looks and generous dowry, she would be able to wed a better title. Statham should be married himself by then and rarely present at all of the social gatherings since he’d already have a wife in hand. Catherine hoped Leah would marry well and, hopefully, find love.

“Think about it, Leah. Any gentleman that becomes interested in me will be getting two Crawford ladies and only have to wed one,” she teased.

“I suppose. So, we came to London not only to manage the townhome but for you to prepare for the Season?”

“That’s correct. I left all my party gowns behind when we left for Statham Manor. I’ll need to comb through them and see if there’s any I can still wear.”

“Oh, Catherine, you can’t do that. Years have passed. Those gowns will be sorely dated.”

She hadn’t the heart to reveal to Leah that Martin refused to pay for a new wardrobe for her. She’d written to their solicitor for an appointment and asked that he send his reply to their London home. She wanted to ask if she could use a small portion of her dowry on her wardrobe. If not, she’d need to find a good seamstress to help alter the gowns she had. Only then would she dip into her author savings and buy a gown or two.

The carriage slowed and Catherine glanced out the window again. Icy fear gripped her heart.

They were at the very corner where the accident occurred.

She looked quickly away, fussing with her reticule, swallowing the bile that threatened to erupt.

Finally, the carriage came to a halt. The door opened and Strong held out a hand to help her down. Statham refused to send any footmen to London with them, saying they wouldn’t be needed until he arrived and used the coach on a regular basis. Though he’d decided to keep his valet, Catherine had talked him into letting Strong become their coach driver while in London. He would remain in that capacity even after Statham arrived. The valet had been grateful to her. If she were lucky enough to find a husband, she planned to ask him if he would hire Strong.

The door opened and Jervis greeted them as Strong brought in their luggage.

“I’ve placed Lady Catherine and Lady Leah in their former rooms,” Jervis told Strong. Turning to her, he added, “I haven’t cleared out the earl’s and countess’ wardrobes yet, my lady. I thought you and Lady Leah might want to go through them to see if there’s anything of sentimental value that you wish to keep. Do you know when the earl is expected in London?”

“Not until the start of the Season. He has a shooting party planned this week and another social gathering two weeks afterward. It will give us plenty of time to make sure his rooms are ready. He does plan to take a wife soon. As we look through the house and note any repairs, we should leave the rooms designated for the countess alone. That way, she may redecorate them however she chooses.”

“Very well, my lady. I’ll have hot water sent up for both of you.”

“Thank you. Have tea prepared, as well. I’d like to discuss with you everything that’s been done so far. You will join us?”

“If you wish.”

Catherine went to her bedchamber. It was like stepping back in time. Nothing had changed. The wallpaper and furniture were the same. Everything was arranged as it had been before. She glanced at the bed, recalling how she lay there in agony, with her aching leg and head. Her fingers went to her forehead and touched the scar that she artfully covered with her hair each morning. She wondered how women were wearing their hair these days and what the latest fashions were.

The only friend she’d remained in touch with had been Charlotte, who’d actually married Morefield. They wouldn’t be in London until the start of the Season. She had written of her father’s passing but not of coming to town. She would write Charlotte today and let her know she was in London. Knowing Charlotte, she would demand Morefield return them early.

Catherine couldn’t wait to see their children. Charlotte had given birth to a boy four years ago. A little girl had arrived last spring. It made her wonder if she would be able to have children of her own. If some man might find her—or her dowry—appealing enough to offer for her. Would it be as Statham said and she’d become a stepmamma to motherless children? Would her new husband want more? Only time would tell.

She left a maid who unpacked for her and summoned Leah to tea. Jervis had made two hires and there were appointments tomorrow for maids and a cook. The butler led her through the house so she could inspect it. Together, they decided what tasks needed to be performed to bring the house up to date. Jervis would handle that portion.

As they finished their tour, the doorbell sounded. It surprised her to find their solicitor being admitted by a maid.

“Mr. Larson. This is a surprise. Won’t you come in?” she offered, leading him into the parlor.

“You asked that I send my reply here. I knew that meant you were coming to town. Do you have time to see me now, Lady Catherine?”

“I do. Please, have a seat.”

“I’m sure you have a few questions of me and that is why you requested an appointment.”

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