“I can imagine.” Catherine paused, taking another bite of her cake. “Do you miss your father, Your Grace?”
Newcastle paused. He hadn’t been expecting that. And, if he was honest, it wasn’t something he was ready to talk about. But for Catherine, Newcastle would try.
At his hesitation, Catherine blushed even more, putting her fork down. “That wasn’t a conversation for the dinner table, either.”
Newcastle took a deep breath. “I don’t mind.” He did, a little. “I prefer things to be honest and out in the open. You should be able to ask me what you want. It’s just us in here.”
He gestured at the empty room, which only had Roberts nearby serving them. Against Society’s rules, Newcastle had asked for Catherine to sit beside him, so they could keep talking, no need for shouting. It was not something that would be smiled upon, but Newcastle didn’t really care right now. He didn’t want Catherine to move further from him that she needed to.
Selfishly, he just wanted her undivided attention, just for a bit longer.
Chapter 6
An Evening Ruined
“I was merely curious.” Catherine hurried on, “I… I miss my mother. It’s been two years since she passed away, and I still miss her.”
“What about your father?” Newcastle asked.
“He died of the pox when I was nine. It’s always been Mother, Louisa, and myself.” Catherine sighed. “And now it’s just my sister and me.”
Newcastle had heard rumours of Catherine’s father, which had been completely glossed over by her mother. There had been rumours that Catherine and Louisa were illegitimate; they had different fathers. And nobody did anything to stop them. It was refreshing to hear the truth out of her mouth.
“Louisa looks very comfortable in her life.” Newcastle commented, prodding at his cake slice with his fork. “And she’s outgoing. Very warm.”
“She is.” Catherine smiled. “She’s been a rock for me. I don’t know what I would do without her.”
“You know exactly what you would do without her.”
“What?”
“You’d be a strong woman and carry on. You’re stronger than you think.” Newcastle rubbed at his eyes. “That’s what I’m doing now my father’s gone from this world. Being strong and carrying on that is. Not the woman part.”
Catherine giggled. “I knew what you meant, Your Grace.” Her giggling faded away. Newcastle couldn’t take his eyes away from Catherine’s mouth as she bit her lip. “Even though we’re grown men and women, loss is still hard to take.”
“I know.” Newcastle tore his eyes away from her mouth. “Some cope better than others.”
Catherine gave a small sigh. “I suppose they do.”
They finished their dessert in silence. Newcastle was unable to stop glancing at Catherine as she ate her cake. A few of his friends had joked that Catherine didn’t have much going on beneath the surface that she survived solely on her beautiful appearance and her voice. Newcastle knew better. Catherine was a shy woman. Singing was what she used in order to feel confident. Anything else had her pulling away.
Newcastle felt privileged to be spending time with her. He wanted to see more of that smile, more of the sweet, confident Catherine Patrick.
Once they were finished, Newcastle led Catherine back into the drawing room. Roberts served them a glass of port each before withdrawing. A footman hovered in the shadows by the drinks cabinet. Newcastle assisted Catherine onto the couch before sitting opposite her.
“Singing is your life, isn’t it?”
“Of course.”
“Is that what you thought you would be doing growing up?”
Catherine frowned. She looked a little put out by the question. She lowered her glass and stared into the fire, the light of the flames dancing across her face. “I’ve wanted to do it since I was a little girl. Ever since I watched Mother and how much people loved her. But now… I’m not so sure.”
“Why not?”
And then it all came out.
“I don’t seem to get a moment to myself. And when my career takes over everything, my love for music seems to diminish.” Catherine shrugged. “I don’t find it appealing anymore.”
Newcastle wanted to cross the hearth and sit beside her. It sounded like Catherine had never said that to anyone before. “You have a beautiful voice, Miss Patrick,” he said gently, watching as Catherine’s eyes snapped up to his face. “It’s what captivated me when I first heard you. It’s why I wanted you to sing for us last week.”
Catherine chewed at her lip again. It looked like she was trying not to smile. “Your mother wasn’t impressed.”
“This is my house, not hers. She might have manipulated me into having a dinner party with lots of eligible young women, but she wasn’t about to control the entertainment.” Newcastle didn’t blink. “I wanted you there to sing for me.”
Catherine’s eyes darted away, staring down at the fire. “Thank you, Your Grace,” she whispered.
“No need to thank me, Miss Patrick.” Newcastle sipped at his port. “I prefer straightforward women, not those who giggle and try to put praise on me to get my attention.”
“Isn’t that what all men want?”
“Not like that.” Newcastle made a face. “It sounds like trying to kiss my feet, not genuine comments.”
“You prefer genuine, do you?”
“Absolutely.”
They stared at each other. Newcastle could feel the room getting warmer, and it had nothing to do with the roaring fire. Catherine gave him a small smile and settled back against the cushions, sipping her drink. She looked very comfortable.
In fact, Newcastle felt comfortable. It had been a long time since he could sit down and talk to someone without worrying if they had another agenda. Catherine was straightforward and genuine, just as he liked his companions.
If he was honest, he had no idea when the last time was that he had felt comfortable in a woman’s company. Probably because Catherine wasn’t one of the women Lady Georgia had pushed in his direction. He didn’t feel like he was on display.
Just as Newcastle opened his mouth, the door opened and cut off his impending question. Roberts came hurrying in, his expression grim. He dropped a quick bow to his master. “Forgive me, Your Grace, but Lady Georgia is here. And she’s not happy.”
Newcastle groaned. He had forbidden his mother from coming over. But clearly she was incapable of listening. “Send her away, Roberts?”
Then there was a shout from the hallway, and Lady Georgia came sweeping in. She looked like she was dressed up ready to go to the theater. She stopped short when she saw her son and Catherine sitting by the fire. The dowager duchess’s face became pinched. “Newcastle, what are you doing?” she snapped.
“I told you, I’m having an evening with Miss Patrick.” Newcastle stood, passing his glass to Roberts. “What are you doing here?”
“You’re missing an evening at the theater with Miss Olsen. Her father is furious with me because you never turned up, and I promised him that you would be there.”
Newcastle growled. “I told you earlier that I wasn’t going, and I sent a message to Miss Olsen’s family to let them know and apologised for the misunderstanding.”
“Well, they didn’t get the message.” Lady Georgia sniffed. “You insulted the Olsen family, Newcastle. They’re a wealthy family. You’ve made me look like a fool. Over this chit from the music hall?”
Newcastle heard Catherine’s slight gasp. He glowered at his mother. “You will not talk with that disrespect towards Miss Patrick!” he snapped.
“What about the disrespect shown to Miss Olsen?”
“You set that up, not me. And I said I wasn’t going anywhere.” Newcastle folded his arms. “But someone is.”
“Really?” The dowager duchess looked over her shoulder and smirked. “I think someone already has.”
That was when Newcastle realised that Catherine was gone. The door was partially open, and th
ey heard the front door open then close. His heart sank. She was gone.
“Now you’ve done it, Mother,” he growled. Pushing past his mother, he signalled for Roberts to follow him. “Fetch my cloak, Roberts. And then make sure the dowager duchess is escorted from the property.”
***
Catherine tried not to cry as she headed down the road. Snow beat down on her, stinging her cheeks, but Catherine swiped them away and kept going. The humiliation stung as much as the biting cold.
How could she have been so stupid as to think this was a good idea? Louisa had managed to persuade her that it wouldn’t be a bad thing to have dinner with the handsome duke, and Catherine had been taken in. Now she had been embarrassed, and the evening had been ruined, especially after hearing that Newcastle was meant to be at the theater with another woman.
Maybe this wasn’t meant to be. Maybe this was a sign that they shouldn’t have done this in the first place. It could only end in disaster.
Now all Catherine had to do was get home and lock herself in her room. Then she could break down before vowing that she wouldn’t take an offer for dinner from another nobleman again.
She got to the corner of the road when there was the sound of horses coming towards her. Turning, Catherine saw a carriage pull up beside her. The driver was covered in snow, but there was no mistaking the insignia on the side of the carriage.
The door opened, and Newcastle jumped out. He had a cloak on but no hat. The snow was sprinkled across his hair, his cheeks red from the cold. Catherine suddenly wanted to go to him and try to warm him. But she stopped herself in time. She started to back away.
“Please, Your Grace,” she pleaded, “let me go home.”
“Not in this weather,” Newcastle said grimly. “Get in.”
“No, I cannot.”
Mouth hardening into a thin line, Newcastle grabbed her arm and hustled Catherine into the carriage. “That wasn’t a request.”
Chapter 7
Not Getting Away Easily
Catherine knew better than to fight. She got into the carriage and tumbled onto the seat. Newcastle jumped in behind her, slamming the door. Moments later, the carriage set off again. Newcastle sat opposite her, wiping the snow out of his hair and off his shoulders.
“Even if you run out on me before you’re supposed to leave,” he said grimly, “I’m not going to let you go home alone in this weather. I’m still a gentleman.”
Catherine huddled on the seat. It was suddenly too warm, too intimate. This was not right at all. She could feel panic tightening in her chest. “I shouldn’t be in here,” she whispered, but Newcastle shook his head.
“You should be here. Because I want you to be.” He sat forward, his blue eyes piercing her walls of protection. Catherine found herself rooted to her seat. “Why did you run out like that?”
For a moment, Catherine forgot how to speak. She was captivated by his eyes. She swallowed and managed to whisper her answer. “You heard your mother. I shouldn’t be having dinner with a duke. I’m a singer not a woman with a title. We could create a scandal.”
Newcastle snorted. “You make it sound like Mother caught us in a clinch.”
“From the way she came in, I think she was expecting to catch us in one.” The thought of being in Newcastle’s arms had Catherine’s face warming. “I… I shouldn’t have accepted your invitation for dinner, Your Grace. This wasn’t meant to be. I should have seen it and listened to my conscience.”
Newcastle stared at her. Catherine shifted in her seat, nervous at the intense stare. Then the duke threw back his head and laughed. That laugh seemed to wash over Catherine, much like her music. The hairs on the back of her neck stood up. “You, Catherine Patrick, are a fool.”
Catherine started. “A fool, am I?” she demanded.
“Yes, you are a fool.” Newcastle sat back, still smiling. “I asked you to dinner because I genuinely wanted to know you more. This is something I wanted to do. Mother isn’t in charge, especially in my own house. And I wanted to have you over for dinner.”
“Really?” Catherine didn’t want to put her hopes up. But he sounded insistent, genuine. Did he really want to know her better?
“I really do.” Newcastle reached over and took her hand, sitting forward earnestly. “Please, Catherine, give me another chance. I promise, things will be better. It can be on your terms,” he added hurriedly. “I’ll do whatever you say.”
Catherine could hardly believe it. A duke was practically begging her for another chance. That was something she never expected to see.
She wasn’t about to get another opportunity like this, a noble man of noble birth almost on his knees at her mercy. Maybe this could be her Christmas present, having the brief attentions of a duke. Catherine would be happy if she could spend time with this interesting man, maybe strengthen a friendship. She could always do with wealthy patrons.
And, if she was being slightly selfish, Catherine wanted the duke to herself for a while. Taking a breath, she nodded. “All right. On my terms.”
The relief on Newcastle’s face was palpable. He squeezed her hands. “Thank you.”
***
“You know, all the years I’ve been in London, I never knew this place existed,” Newcastle said as he looked around the clearing in wonder.
Catherine smiled as she watched him. The river had frozen. The snow had stopped falling, leaving a thick layer of snow on the ground. It made everything rather slippery, but Catherine knew this place by heart. It was secluded and private. Just how Catherine liked it.
Newcastle had called on her three days later. By that time, Catherine had an idea of what they could do and suggested a walk in the woods. Newcastle had eagerly agreed, and Catherine had decided to show him her favourite place just outside of London. It was where she had spent many hours as a child, her mother and grandparents taking her out of London for various holidays. Catherine loved the smell of the trees, the stillness in the air. It was enchanting and secretive.
Catherine could tell from the look on Newcastle’s face that he was thinking the same thing. “It’s the advantage of not being in Society.” Catherine stepped onto a snow-covered rock and looked at the frozen river. “You don’t stay firmly to the restrictions given to you. You find all the little nooks and crannies that nobody else has found.” She smiled. “It becomes special.”
“It certainly is beautiful here,” Newcastle gushed.
“Even more so with the snow.” Catherine nudged some snow off the rock with her foot. “In the summer, this is the perfect place for a picnic. No one would disturb you here.”
“I can imagine.” Newcastle turned and looked up at Catherine. In his pale blue coat and matching riding britches, he cut a very fine figure in the snow. “Is this where you come when you want to escape?”
“Yes.” Catherine sighed and rubbed her gloved hands together. “Being famous for your voice is one thing, but it does mean people follow you around. Sometimes, I just sneak out here for the day with a book. It’s practically the only time I can get away from my work.”
“I can see why.” Newcastle hopped up onto the rock beside her, barely losing his balance. “And nobody knows about this place?”
“No.”
“Then why are you showing me?”
Catherine was aware of how close he was. Even when they were alone, it wasn’t proper. She carefully stepped off the rock and started picking her way along the bank. Newcastle jumped down and fell into step beside her. It felt completely natural to slip her hand into the crook of his arm.
“Because if you’re insistent on wanting to be in my company, I would like to do it with no prying eyes, in case of scandal.” She caught a movement between the trees and smiled. “Except for Roberts, of course.”
The duke’s loyal valet had come along as a chaperone, hovering close by. Catherine hadn’t objected to it at all. If anything, it saved her having to ask Louisa to come out into the cold, which her sister detested.
&
nbsp; “At least we’ve got a watcher, just in case.”
“That is true.” Catherine looked up at Newcastle. He looked just as handsome in profile. “You and Roberts have known each other a long time, haven’t you?”
“We have. Roberts came into my father’s household as a boot boy when he was six years of age. Father had no objection to the two of us playing together. Then when I was fifteen, Father made Roberts my valet.”
“You’re close friends, and you still call him formally.” Catherine rolled her eyes. “Still keeping to the boundaries, then?”
“Roberts prefers it.” Newcastle chuckled. “I have a feeling he’s forgotten his own Christian name at times.”
“You trust him, though?”
“I do. Roberts keeps my feet on the ground.” Newcastle kicked up some snow with his riding boots. “A lot of people in Society love the bright lights, the extravagance, and the connections. They end up sticking their heads in the clouds, and that results in being brought back down to Earth with a heavy thud.”
Catherine stopped and stared at him.
Newcastle turned to her. “What is it?”
“I never expected that from you.” Catherine blushed. “I mean…”
“I knew what you meant.” Newcastle smiled and squeezed her fingers. “Mother’s very much the same as everyone else in Society, I’m afraid. She wants to keep her status as the matriarch in our family. Now that Father’s dead, she’s been reduced to the dowager duchess, meaning she doesn’t have as much power. That’s why she wants me to marry.”
“I thought it was so you could have an heir.”
“She wants a young wife for me, someone she can control,” Newcastle said grimly. “Then she will be in charge again.”
Catherine blinked. “She can’t expect that to happen.”
Regency Romances Page 100
