Page 99 of The Scandalous Love of a Duke
Too mentally exhausted for this conversation and feeling belligerent, John answered, ‘She has no need to be, it is Katherine who has good cause. She is carrying the child.’
‘How far gone is she?’
‘Almost three months.’
There was judgement in Edward’s eyes. They both knew three months made it the night of the dinner party at Pembroke Place and Edward also knew John had not been near there since.
‘You will not be able to hide it for long.’
‘We know. I am not going to publish the marriage and leave the date obscure. There is good reason for it to have been quiet because of my mourning.’
‘You sound like your grandfather, all matter of fact.’
‘Do not preach to me, Papa, remember I know the truth about a certain parlour in a gambling den…’
‘I am not preaching,’ Edward growled in a low voice, ‘and if you dare raise that again, I might forget my principles and strike you. Besides, I simply want to say the mistake has been made and we will support Katherine.’
‘The mistake? It was not a mistake.’
‘John—’
‘I mean it, Papa, I love her. I took too long coming to the point, yes, but I had acquired a special marriage licence and I had travelled there to offer her marriage before I knew of the child.’
Edward stared, then set a hand on John’s shoulder. ‘Well, then, I am glad for you and I will tell your mother how things stand.’
John breathed out, only then realising he had been holding his breath. ‘Would you ask Mama if she will discuss with Katherine what help she needs? I would be grateful… Katherine will need help with everything if she is to be respected and find a place within society.’
His father nodded, then left.
John retired, and in his rooms he went to stand at the connecting door leading into Katherine’s chamber. His fingers settled on the door handle as he listened for any sound.
There was none.
His forehead rested against the cool solid wood.
He was making a mess of things already. His marriage was barely hours old and he had already failed her. He should have been here.
How many times in his life would his duty come before her, and would she be able to understand?
35
The next morning, after a night’s sleep, John felt in higher spirits when he reached the long sunny room in which he normally ate breakfast.
He looked first at Edward who was sitting nearest the door and nodded. Then his gaze swept over the other occupants, searching for Katherine. She was not here. His heart dropped in his chest.
His mother rose. So did Mary, with far less decorum, as she launched herself at him and hugged him tightly. ‘You sneak, marrying Kate in secret. I will never forgive you. I may not invite you to my wedding in return.’
He tapped her beneath her chin as she let him go and stepped back. ‘You will. You’re too much of a show-off. You’ll want everyone to gloat over your brother, the Duke of Pembroke. Where’s Katherine? Has she eaten?’
‘You are not the only Duke I have as a relation, I have uncles too, and I have not seen Katherine yet.’
‘She has not come down?’ John looked at his mother for the answer.
‘No, and Kate did not join us for dinner last night either.’ His mother’s pitch held a disapproving tone. ‘Esther said Kate was not feeling well. Is she still unwell this morning?’
He could not answer.
‘Have you not seen her?’ The implication in her last words was explicit – he should have gone to Katherine.
