Page 52 of A Game with the Rakish Duke
“Indeed, it does,” the Dowager Duchess pronounced eventually, a small half-smile on her face. Her eyes were alight with amusement. “I always liked to make a dramatic entrance as well when I was young, my dear. Knock them off their perches. Have them choking on their champagne.”
Catherine gave a laugh of delight. The Dowager Duchess had just given her seal of approval. She exhaled slowly, feeling relieved.
“You look like a princess,” the Dowager Duchess continued in an amused voice, her head tilted to the side as she continued examining her. “Or do you look like you belong in a harem? Perhaps both? I cannot decide.”
Catherine and the Duke laughed.
“An intriguing combination, indeed,” the Duke said, his eyes twinkling with mirth as they lingered on his wife. “And an irresistible one.”
They stared at each other, their gazes locking. Catherine blushed.
The Dowager Duchess coughed into her hand. “I am glad you think so, Thomas,” she declared in a dry voice. “Perhaps that will mean that I will finally get the news of a great-grandchild on the way soon?”
Catherine blushed. The Duke looked awkward.
“I see,” the Dowager Duchess muttered, raising her eyebrows again. “Well, perhaps tonight will change everything.” She smiled slyly. “There might be magic afoot tonight, my dears. Please, do go and enjoy yourselves.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
“My Lord, Cathy,” Oliver said, gazing at her, his eyes amused. “What on earth possessed you to wear a gown likethat?”
Catherine laughed, sipping her champagne. Now that she was here and the Dowager Duchess had given her seal of approval, she was starting to feel much more relaxed.
She shrugged nonchalantly. “I do not know. I just felt like it, Oliver. Why did you decide to wear those particular britches and jacket?”
Oliver laughed. “Because I felt like it,” he replied before taking a sip of his own champagne. “But do you not feel a trifle… exposed? Everyone is looking at you.”
Catherine turned around, gazing at the crowd milling around the ballroom. She had felt their eyes on her the whole time she had been talking with her brother, almost boring into her back. Now,as she faced them, they hastily looked away, sipping their drinks or pretending to talk.
But one group of young ladies near the doorway were whispering and giggling behind their fans, still blatantly staring at her. Catherine smiled at them sweetly, raising her glass in the air towards them in a mock salute. They looked panicked, turning away.
She looked in the other direction. Her husband was watching her across the room, an amused look on his face. He had seen what she had just done to the young ladies. Catherine ducked her head, smiling, before turning back to her brother.
“You are causing a sensation,” Oliver mused, gazing around the room. “Everyone is talking about the new Duchess of Newden and her scandalous gown. They say it looks more fitting for a courtesan rather than a duchess.”
Catherine let out a bark of derisive laughter. “Let them talk. They have nothing better to do with their time.” She shrugged again. “I do not seek their good opinion.”
“What a firebrand you are, Cathy,” her brother said, shaking his head in amazement. “I swear you grow fiercer by the day.” He took a quick sip of his drink, glancing towards the Duke. “How goes it with your new husband?”
Catherine felt her cheeks turn pink. “It is fine,” she replied quickly. “There is nothing to talk about.”
“I hope he is treating you well?” Oliver gazed at her steadily. “He promised me that he would, but I was skeptical, of course. He has such a reputation with the ladies.”
“He treats me well enough,” Catherine replied, trying to keep her voice steady. She hesitated. “I trust that your debts are all settled now?”
Oliver nodded, looking shamefaced. “Yes, they are, Cathy. Thanks to you.” He shook his head. “I would still be mired in debt and at risk of losing both houses if you hadn’t won enough to cover it all that night at the gambling hell. I still cannot believe you won just enough to pay it all off.”
Catherine smiled at him, her heart thudding hard. She was very glad to hear that her husband had been true to his word and had paid off the entirety of her brother’s remaining debts. Oliver was entirely ignorant of that fact, of course. And that was the way it was going to stay.
“Wonders will never cease,” Catherine agreed, her smile widening. She lowered her voice. “And I trust you are staying away from the gambling hells? You are not racking up any further debts?”
Oliver flushed. “I told you I was turning over a new leaf, and I have, Sister. I have not stepped into a gambling hell in over a month now.” He grimaced. “I even avoid the cards at balls like this—and in my club. It is hard, but I know it is something I must do. The lure to gamble is like an illness, sweeping over me. It is best to just stay away entirely.”
Catherine reached out, squeezing her brother’s arm. “I am so proud of you,” she whispered fiercely. “And I know our father would be proud of you, as well. You have really grown into your position, Oliver.”
Her brother looked touched. “Thank you, Cathy. That means the world to me.” He hesitated. “I will admit it is not easy. The desire to gamble is constantly with me. But I will never put myself in such a position again. My duty and the estate mean so much more to me. I will never endanger either again.”
Catherine squeezed his arm again. She knew how hard it was for him. Oliver had clung to gambling like a lifeboat. It had helped him cope with everything. But she could clearly see that the experience of almost losing everything had changed him. He reallyhadturned over a new leaf. She knew there would be no more danger that he would gamble their inheritance away.
