Page 85 of Her Bear of a Duke

"It is a miracle," Dorothy whispered as they watched them.

"Indeed," he replied. "The second miracle that has ever happened to me."

CHAPTER 31

In the end, their time in Scotland had become more of a holiday, and it was one that Dorothy did not want to end.

A week passed, however, and they had to return home. Though sad that she would not see her sister again for some time, Dorothy was well aware that she had an important matter to tend to upon her return. Morgan had explained that Lady Annabelle had been staying there, partly as she had nowhere else to go and partly to conceal the truth of Catherine's identity. He also had not wanted gossip of their supposed annulment to spread throughout theton,which she agreed could not happen.

Even so, it did not make the thought of confronting her any easier. In spite of the way the inevitable conflict frightened her, however, she wanted to go through with it. She wanted to be the one to prove herself, rather than have her husband do it for her. Not only that, but she had an awful lot to say and she intended to say it.

"Do come and visit again," Eleanor said kindly as they were leaving.

"We most certainly plan to," Morgan nodded.

"And you must visit us!" Catherine added, looking directly at the children behind Eleanor. "We have plenty of room for you all."

The adults chuckled, and then went their separate ways. Catherine, pleased to have been forgiven, fell asleep almost as soon as they set off, her head on Dorothy's lap. She stroked the child's hair, pleased that there would be no need to mend anything between the two of them. What Lady Annabelle had done to the girl was cruel, and Catherine had not deserved any of it, but they would settle that upon their return. For the moment, she was simply happy to be sitting with her family, and going home.

"I rather like Scotland, you know," Morgan commented. "Perhaps we might find a home here? We could visit it in Summer, or at Christmas."

"I would very much like to see my sister at Christmas," she replied, eyes sparkling. "It would also allow Catherine to see her new friends."

"She was very different there, was she not?"

"Very much. It would seem her condition is at last improving."

She had, of course, meant it in a good way, but her husband's face fell. She placed a hand on his knee, smiling encouragingly.

"I blame myself," he said suddenly. "I have been the one that kept her hidden away for so long, terrified that she would be looked down upon, when really being seen is what she has needed all along. I cannot imagine how sad she has been all this time."

"She has always been a very happy little girl–"

"But she has always wanted more. She must have lived believing I was ashamed of her, and that I would keep her hidden away forever."

"Was that not your plan?"

"No, I was going to– well, I never had a plan to introduce her into society, but she would have been allowed to meet people. You and your friends, for example."

"But never any other children," she mused.

"That will change," he said firmly. "It has to. I simply do not know how to do it as yet. I cannot have her looked at the way thetondoes illegitimate children. I do not care whether my brother was married or not, she is my niece."

"She is also mine," she agreed. "We will find a solution. In the meantime, we should prepare for what is to come."

One good thing about being away from London was the fact that Catherine could go wherever she pleased. They would not be recognized in local taverns and inns, not when the nobility was all in London for the social season. They stopped at an inn, and at once Catherine began to introduce herself and talk to any other children she could see. It was as though she had truly come to life, and Dorothy felt as though she truly was with her daughter, rather than her niece.

They continued their journey home, and the closer they got to the manor the tenser Dorothy grew. She could not stop thinking about the lady she would soon be facing, and she felt the anger burning inside of her. Lady Annabelle had done more than try to hurt her. She had made vicious lies about her friend, and had tried to destroy her family, and that was unforgivable. She would have to maintain a calm exterior, but underneath it was a storm that she knew would only grow.

They reached their home, and Catherine leaped out of the carriage, leaving Dorothy alone with her husband for a moment.

"Keep Catherine away for a while," she whispered to him. "Perhaps take her to the glasshouse, or to the stables, but she must not enter the household."

"Of course, though I must ask you why."

"Because I do not want Lady Annabelle to say anything to her that is unkind. We are going to protect her, and if that means not allowing her into her home for a short while then so be it."

Morgan was looking at her with pride, and that made what she was about to do less frightening. She watched as he whisked Catherine away, and then she marched through the front door.

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