“Yes, they are old enough to know better, but I am afraid such things get worse with age. If a man has a mind to nurture petty resentments, the habit it forms takes the resentment to greater heights. It builds to a point beyond which nobody knows how it began in the first place. It is simply about conquest; victory. Like so many wars, the original quarrel is superseded by the need to win, to have power over another, and to grind his face into the dirt.”
“Do you know how it all began?” Thomas sat down on the fallen tree by her side.
He looked so handsome in his shirt sleeves and dark green waistcoat. Green suited him very well indeed. And his face, when he spoke, became animated in a way which made him more handsome still.
Catherine knew that she was beginning to feel something for this determined young man. Even before his curious approach at Lady Morton’s townhouse, she had begun to think of him more and more.
There was an impressive sort of courage attached to a young man who defied the constraints of a powerful family simply to be pleasant to the enemy; to make a friend of her.
“No, I have never dared to ask,” Catherine said and was full of interest.
“Apparently, our grandfathers both favoured the same woman many, many years ago. They had been friends before but became instant enemies when neither one would yield his interest in the young lady.”
“Is that it?” Catherine said and could not hide how appalled she was. “But how did it end? Which of them married her?”
“Neither of them.” Thomas’ eyes were wide with amusement. “She ran away with a minor baron because she very likely preferred his manners to theirs!” He laughed loudly, and Catherine joined him.
“Well, I shall say it served them both right. No doubt the young lady’s feeling in the matter was neither here nor there to them, not the smallest consideration. But she was the victor in the end, was she not? Breaking away from two strutting rams who were locking horns over her, assuming that one or the other must have her.” She smiled and shook her head. “Well, whoever she was, I must admit my admiration for her.”
“Yes, I think she deserves admiration.” He nodded vigorously. “And things do not change, do they? The lineage goes on and maintains its foolish pride and arrogance on both sides.”
“Yes, with little thought to the feelings of others. Really, that our fathers could consent to continue such foolishness when they had an opportunity to let the thing die with their own fathers.”
“And I have no doubt my brother, Pierce, will see it carry on into another generation.”
“Fortunately, he will find himself alone in the feud then. My brother, Philip, cannot abide the thing and has every intention of keeping out of it in his own way, and then when my father is dead, he will turn his back on it altogether.”
“I had heard that Philip Ambrose was turning into a fine man. And now I have it confirmed by his sister.” Thomas spoke so well, and his voice was far deeper than his age and appearance would have suggested.
“He is. My father has always treated us so differently, making it very clear that I am of little value to the family. But that has never stopped us being friends, and I am grateful for such a bond. Tell me, do you have any common feeling with your brother at all?”
“None whatsoever, I am afraid.” He shrugged and smiled sadly.
“Then I am very sorry to hear that. But how does your father regard you?” She hoped that he would at least have some consideration from his father; otherwise, his family setting would be just too sad.
“Like an afterthought.” He laughed. “I am the spare, only brought into this world as insurance should some tragedy befall my brother. And my father, like your own, has made little secret of his lack of regard for me.”
“It is all so unnecessary, is it not?” Catherine said sadly.
“Yes, it is. It is pointless really. What is to be gained in ignoring a family member, treating them as an inconvenience if they ever speak?”
“I cannot see one, Thomas.”
“Then I do not know what is to be done.” He laughed, but it did not sound as amused as it did jaded.
“Nothing can be done to improve the circumstances within the family. I know this to be true, for I have tried it and been thwarted on many occasions,” she said with a light practicality which had Thomas smiling in earnest again. “But the circumstances of the afterthoughts can be improved, but they must improve them for themselves.”
“And I take it that we are the afterthoughts? You and I?”
“Yes, as harsh as it sounds, it is always prudent to be absolutely honest with oneself.” She laughed.
“Then I shall follow your lead.” He moved a little closer to her, and yet she did not find his proximity at all oppressive.
In fact, she found it comforting and, still in the spirit of being honest with herself, she admitted that she would not have minded at all if he had closed the gap further still.
“That would be a new experience for me.” She laughed. “But I would not seek to put you off, for I should like somebody to follow my lead once in a great while.”
“I would not deny any pleasure of yours, My Lady,” he said and tipped his head respectfully. “But how are we to go about it? How ought we afterthoughts to improve our circumstances?”
“By making our own little rules and keeping our victories in life a secret.” She felt shy and bold all at once.
Catherine knew what she was offering, and yet she did not feel ashamed. And why should she? All she wanted was a friend, a nice young man that any young woman would be proud to know. If she had to conduct that friendship in secret, then that was the shame of her father for continuing to live in all-pervasive hatred.
“Then you would consent to meet me here again, Catherine? You would do me that great honour?” She realized he was making the question his own, but only to release her from any tendency towards guilt or shame.
What a fine young man Thomas Carlton was, and how much he could have taught his own father, not to mention hers.
“Yes, I would consent to meet you here again without question. I like you very much, Thomas, and can openly state that you are a very fine person against all the odds, just like my brother, Philip.”
“Thank you, Catherine. You have complimented me again, and I have still not returned it.”
“You must not worry, for your friendship in itself is compliment enough.”
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For the Love of a Duchess: A Historical Regency Romance Book Page 29
