Page 139 of The Scandalous Love of a Duke
Her father pressed on, his eyes darting between Katherine and John. ‘My marriage to your, to Philip’s, mother was arranged by our parents. We were not happy. It is no excuse, I know.’ He glanced at Phillip, and then back at Katherine. ‘I was fond of your mother, Katherine.’
‘She took her own life,’ Katherine said.
‘She had lost her position, she had no income, she was?—’
‘Alone,’ Katherine interrupted. ‘Papa, you had left her alone.’ Katherine was horrified by the revelation.
‘What could I have done? I was married, Kate. I gave her money…’
‘You could have not touched her,’ Phillip growled.
‘Hindsight is no good,’ her father threw at Phillip. Then he turned back to Katherine. ‘I cannot change what happened. But your mother and I took you in, and I raised you as my daughter.’
‘I am your daughter! And you never told me.’
‘I am sorry.’ He blushed.
This man had left her suffering, when he knew how lonely she had felt.
John looked at Phillip. ‘You knew?’ He felt angry with Phillip too. Everyone in Katherine’s life had let her down.
Phillip’s gaze met John’s. ‘Since I was fifteen. I worked it out, challenged him, and he confessed.’ He looked at Katherine. ‘I have always wanted to tell you, but it was not my place to speak.’
‘At least I know why Mama hates me now,’ Katherine whispered.
‘She does not hate you. She hates what you came from,’ her father answered. ‘Phillip has pressed me to speak of this to you for years, but I have never had the courage. Was I wrong?’
‘Yes, you were wrong! You let her treat me like I am nothing, when I am yours…’
‘I’m sorry, Katherine.’
John had kept apologising to her,sorry was not good enough. John saw it in her eyes. Putting things right, treating her as she deserved, that was what needed to be done. She was the sort of person who just kept giving while people took. John was going to give back to her now.
He stepped forward. ‘I think you have said enough for today.’
Mr Spencer’s gaze flew to John.
‘Let me show you out,’ he said.
‘But—’ her father began.
‘You may call again tomorrow, when Katherine has had a chance to think and decide if she wishes to maintain any connection with you.’
‘Your Grace?—’
‘No complaints. Let Katherine rest.’
‘I will speak with you again tomorrow, Papa, if you stay in town.’ Again, Katherine gave – she always would because compassion was embedded in her soul.
‘I will leave you alone to talk to Phillip, while I show your father out.’
Their journey downstairs was littered with warnings, as John made it clear Spencer was to recognise Katherine openly and as John spoke he heard the words himself and knew he must do the same. He had built up the courage to marry her, but not the courage to show the world he loved her. He would show them now.
51
The room was dark, almost black. The day had been grey and the sky beyond the closed curtains must still be cloudy, hiding the moon. It was chilly too, the fire having burned itself out long ago, but John’s presence warmed Katherine.
He lay behind her, his body moulded to hers, one arm across her waist. His other arm lay above his head.
