Page 127 of The Scandalous Love of a Duke
Katherine called the maid in, sitting up.
The maid set down the tray she carried and turned to leave.
‘His Grace?’ Katherine asked tentatively.
‘Is out riding, Your Grace. The duke left an hour ago.’
As luncheon loomed he had still not returned, and Katherine fretted. Yet neither his mother nor Mary seemed to think it odd.
When his Aunt Jane arrived to accompany them to her friends’ fundraising luncheon, Katherine was in turmoil, terrified she had pushed him too far. But he had told her to go, and perhaps the social event would distract her thoughts, and he would be home when she returned.
After the charity luncheon, they were shown about the orphanage, to view the children at their desks, practicsng their letters on slates. They were well fed, clothed and cared for, but they lacked a mother’s love. Something she and John both knew could affect a young helpless soul.
In a room full of children at their lessons Katherine stopped to sit with a girl. John’s aunt and mother continued the tour, following the group of women, as Katherine lingered, listening and learning about the children’s days.
When they came back for her later, Katherine knew she was in love with all of the children, and the charity which kept them. She had found the thing to fill the void in her marriage. But just handing over sums of money would not suffice for her. She would come here and help during the day, when John shut her out.
When the other ladies bid each other farewell, returning to their carriages, Katherine turned to Jane and Ellen. ‘Would you mind if I stayed a little longer? I wish to speak with the matron about helping more significantly. But I do not want to delay you.’
Looking at her in earnest, Ellen hesitated. ‘I’m not sure, Katherine. I do not like leaving you. Why not come back tomorrow? I can come with you then.’
‘We are committed tomorrow; we are visiting the Duchess of Arundel,’ Katherine said. ‘I can stay alone. You may send the carriage back or I can hire a hackney. One of the grooms can wait with me.’
Ellen smiled. ‘Who is teaching who how to go on, Katherine?’
‘You are teaching me, and I am very grateful. But I can hire a carriage and get home without support.’
John’s Aunt Jane smiled too.
Ellen touched Katherine’s forearm. ‘You do please me, Katherine. I know John can be a trial, but you are very good for him.’
Katherine’s smile fell. ‘I wish him to be happy.’
Ellen’s fingers tightened on Katherine’s forearm. ‘He is stubborn. I hope he can make you happy too.’
Oh dear, his parents knew how things stood. Katherine felt a blush rise, but there was nothing else to be said. She knew she was the only person who could reach him.
Once the others had gone, Katherine and the matron spent a good hour discussing the things she could do to help. It was nearly four when she finally stepped out onto the pavement with John’s groom.
Two children barrelled about the corner and collided with her.
She caught the arm of the younger boy. ‘Stop. What’s this?’ She saw fear in his eyes as he looked up.
‘Miss, let me go, I gotta get elp for me ma. She’s aving a baby, an it ain’t goin right, miss. She said come an beg ere f’r the midwife. She needs elp, miss.’
There was no time for thought. Katherine thrust her reticule at the groom, ordering him to go immediately with the eldest boy and get a doctor. The youngest she bid to hurry into the orphanage to find the matron, certain the staff would help until the doctor came. Katherine could find a carriage by herself. She was hardly a cosseted female, and Finch would settle the amount when she reached home.
Katherine turned around, only to find herself looking up into a familiar face. ‘Mr Wareham?’
He lifted his hat and bowed slightly. ‘Miss Spencer, what a fortuitous surprise. What brings you to town?’
Swallowing her shock, Katherine did not correct his use of her maiden name, he obviously had not heard about her marriage. ‘I am visiting my brother. I was just looking for a hackney.’
‘Well, it’s very remiss of him to leave you unescorted. Town is not Ashford, nor Maidstone, Miss Spencer. Allow me.’ He lifted his arm.
Katherine looked at it uncertainly. She did not really know Mr Wareham beyond a very slight acquaintance, and yet he was a gentleman, who had been in the employ of the old duke for years, so surely she could trust him. ‘Thank you.’
She laid her fingers on his arm.
