Page 52 of The Scandalous Love of a Duke
‘A week ago.’
When she had been meeting John, but he had not told her. Why had he not said?
‘Do not trust him, Katherine. A man in his position would not align himself with the adopted daughter of a local squire.’
It was cruel of Richard to point out how unworthy she was of John. He was implying her chastity was at risk, but John had preserved it. ‘He is Phillip’s friend, and he is kind. You need not be concerned.’
‘I hope that you are right.’
She was becoming more like John, arguing with the most placid and considerate man she had ever known.
They fell into silence as they ate, but when John and Phillip arrived at their table a quarter-hour later, Richard glanced at her meaningfully.
She and Richard stood, but Richard did not stay. He gave John a curt bow and then walked away.
She knew her cheeks must be pink when she met John’s gaze. ‘I thought you were not coming,’ she said breathlessly.
Both men carried plates and John waved her to sit down again while Phillip drew up a third chair.
‘Our business took longer than expected today,’ John answered as he sat.
‘So, John gave me a lift home. His curricle is much faster than mine,’ her brother added.
John had not said he had gone to London to see Phillip.
‘Why are you not sitting with Mama and Jenny, or at least Papa?’ Phillip asked, before he took a bite of a pastry.
She smiled at him, feeling overwhelmingly glad to see them both. She felt as she had done as a child when they came home from school or college. ‘You know very well why not, she does not wish me anywhere near her.’
‘That is absurd.’ There was rare emotion in John’s expression, shock and disbelief.
‘Absurd is my mother,’ Katherine responded, her smile dropping, but she was not bitter. This was her life, she knew nothing else. ‘What business did you have in town?’
‘Nothing of any importance,’ John answered, dismissively.
‘An issue John has asked me to help resolve,’ Phillip said.
She was surprised by the camaraderie flowing between them.
‘Are you sure it is business that made you late, and nothing to do with avoiding the number of times you shall have to dance?’ She teased Phillip.
‘You wound me! Would I be so calculating?’
‘Yes.’
‘You know me too well, Kate.’ He gave her a fond smile.
She loved her brother. He was the reason she was so untroubled by her lot in life, he always cheered her up. ‘Well, you shall have to make up for it after supper. Mama will be throwing every eligible woman your way.’
‘But I shall dance the first with you.’
Her smile lifted, and it came from a warm glow in her heart as she reached out and captured his hand to say thank you.
When she let go, he looked at John. ‘See what a blessing it is to be in mourning. No one can throw the women at you.’
When Katherine looked at John, his eyes were on her, crystalline and bright. ‘Yet I shall regret not being able to take Katherine onto the floor.’
There was a hard edge to his words which made Phillip look askance for a moment, before he smiled at Katherine again; appearing to dismiss the undercurrent as being John’s now natural coldness.
