Page 36 of The Virgin in the Rake's Bed
“Men are all the same. Even our husbands can be lacking in the necessary morals,” the Duchess of Sinclair said, tutting and shaking her head.
She knew from bitter experience the manner in which men could treat women. Her own husband, George Lowood, the Duke of Sinclair, had been a notorious philanderer in his youth, and even now, his reputation was far from secure. It was common knowledge that the duke kept a mistress. And listening to the talk around the room, Catherine was beginning to wonder whether any man could be trusted.
“But not Nicholas,” Rebecca interjected, and the Duchess of Sinclair raised her eyebrows.
“Just because he is my son, does not mean I will not suspect him,” she said, and Rebecca winced.
“But not all men are like that,” she insisted.
“And I know Norman has not eyes for any other woman,” Samantha said, nodding, as she and Rebecca exchanged glances.
“All I am saying is that men are fickle creatures, and will be easily seduced. It is not to say that a man cannot be faithful, but he can always be tempted,” the Duchess of Sinclair remarked.
“But is temptation always such a bad thing? If one does not act on it then surely it cannot be considered wrong,” Catherine remarked, remembering her Sunday school lessons.
All eyes turned to her, the women exchanging puzzled glances. “You would not mind if your betrothed were tempted by another woman?” the Duchess of Sinclair asked.
“Is it not inevitable?” Catherine asked, suddenly feeling terribly embarrassed at being the center of attention.
“To be tempted?” the Duchess of Sinclair asked, raising her eyebrows.
“But we are all tempted at times,” Catherine replied, for she did not believe such things were the domain of men.
Women too could be tempted, women could be the seducers, and men could take women from their husbands. If Ian had taught her one thing, it was that a woman could have what she wanted, too – she did not need to wait for a man to make her his plaything. That had been her mistake with Ian – she had allowed him to seduce her, and in doing so, she had been hurt when what she believed to be true, seemed far from the truth.
“I suppose we are,” the Duchess of Sinclair replied, and the conversation swiftly turned to other matters.
Catherine did not expect to be invited to return to the soirees. She disliked the other women and their naivety in matters of romance. To them, men were meant to play their role in the seduction, but when a man should step out of that expectation, he was branded as something wicked. They believed they should wait for a man to come to them, and then they were surprised when he grew tired of their foolish ways. This was not how Catherine wished to behave, though she now realized she too had been foolish in allowing Ian to entice her so readily.
“Did you enjoy the evening, Catherine?” Rebecca asked, as they bid goodbye to her and Samantha.
“Not really. I feel so terribly sorry for all those women. They have nothing better to do than speak of scandal and find fault in others. They are surely doomed to unhappiness if they continue in their ways,” she remarked, and Rebecca looked somewhat shocked.
“I see…” she said, glancing at Samantha.
“You have had a terrible shock recently, Catherine,” Samantha said, for Catherine had explained everything to her during their carriage drive to the Somerset residence.
“And so, I am supposed to indulge myself in this nonsense,” Catherine replied, glancing across the hallway to where the gaggle of other women were still in high-pitched conversation as to the failings of men.
“No, but surely you can see you have allowed yourself to be carried away by Ian, who had no real intention of anything more than assisting you in your plight,” Samantha said.
“I fell in love with him. Is that such a mistake? He was tempted, and gave into that temptation, as did I. I am as much to blame, more so, perhaps, because I allowed my feelings free reign,” Catherine replied, and Samantha patted her arm.
“My dear Catherine, whatever are we to do with you?” she said, as the sounds of their carriage pulling up came from outside.
They bid Rebecca goodnight and left the other women behind. Catherine gave a sigh of relief when the carriage door was closed, determined never to indulge in such silliness again.
“I think I shall remain a spinster,” she said, as they set off.
Samantha laughed, rolling her eyes and shaking her head, the carriage lit by an oil lamp hanging from the doorframe.
“I do not think you would be in the least bit happy, Catherine. Surely these words come as a reaction to Ian’s treatment of you. Do not be despondent, perhaps Rebecca’s invitation – though well meant – was not the most sensible,” she said.
Catherine smiled. If anything was meant to put her off the idea of marriage, then the hours spent in the company of women who seemed only to delight in the follies of men was it. She had come away feeling utterly despondent, convinces that every man given over merely to base pleasures and the satisfaction of personal ego.
“But surely some men are decent,” she said, and Samantha nodded.
“They are, as I tried to say, though the Duchess of Sinclair is unfortunate in having had a husband whose infidelities are well known. I think she likes to surround herself with those for whom the criticism of men comes naturally. I assure you though, I have no doubt about Norman. He has a past, of course, just like any other man. But I know he loves me, and I love him. It is as simple as that,” she said, smiling at Catherine, who nodded.
