Page 17 of The Scandalous Love of a Duke
She accepted his hand and made a decision never to see John again.
Phillip held her arm and walked with her towards the house.
‘If you want to come up to town, to pay Eleanor or Margaret a visit, write.’
She shook her head. ‘I am sure the last thing they would want is for me to actually call. I know they made the offer and their husbands were charming, but it was just politeness.’
‘You are too self-deprecating. They meant it.’
‘They were merely being charitable. I am happy as I am.’
Phillip’s gaze caught hers. ‘Are you?’
‘Yes.’ She withdrew her arm from his hold as they reached the door.
‘You do not convince me of it, Kate, you hardly ever smile, and I cannot remember the last time I heard you laugh.’
He was speaking out of concern, she knew that, but she had no intention of talking to him about how things stood for her, it would not be fair, and she would never speak to anyone of her redundant feelings for John.
The door opened. ‘Castle,’ Phillip said to the middle-aged butler.
Katherine untied the ribbons of her bonnet as she entered.
‘Phillip! You are back!’ Their mother’s voice came from the drawing room and then she was in the hall, holding her hands out to Phillip. ‘You must stay for dinner.’
‘I need to get back, Mama, it is almost dark.’
Katherine clung on to her bonnet and gloves.
‘But, Phillip, I barely see you.’
He gave their mother an understanding smile, holding her hands. ‘I will come on Sunday next.’
Their mother nodded. ‘I shall look forward to seeing you then.’
‘We spoke to John,’ Katherine stated, feeling uncomfortable as her stepmother had not yet acknowledged her presence.
Ignoring Katherine, their mother said to Phillip, ‘Is he in good health?’
‘Well enough. Eleanor and Margaret were pleased to see Kate. They have asked her to call.’ Phillip was trying to direct their mother’s attention to Katherine, but it was pointless.
‘Well, one can understand why they would be polite.’
Katherine threw Phillip a look to say, see, she agrees. He smiled. Katherine poked out her tongue, without her mother seeing, then turned to the stairs.
‘I will see you next Sunday, Mama,’ Phillip said.
‘Kate. Phillip.’Their father stopped them.
Her hand stilling on the newel post, Katherine smiled.
He was standing in the doorway of his study, smiling too, his affection genuine.
‘And how does John fare?’ he asked Katherine.
‘Like he was born to it,’ Katherine quipped.
Her father’s eyes glowed, catching her humour.
