Page 67 of The Duke's Last Dance
Over the last week, she had become more comfortable with the idea of marrying the duke. He may not have been her childhood love, but childhood loves were never meant to last. They always let the woman down, and if not that, then they were not meant to last because children did not know their own hearts as adults did.
“Good evening, Catherine,” Jasper said. He smiled gently at her. “You look simply ravishing this evening.”
“Thank you, Jasper,” she said. “You look dashing yourself.” She walked over to him. “My mother certainly outdid herself for the party. I could not have imagined anything more spectacular for this dinner.”
“Well, then you have not imagined everything,” he replied.
He pulled out a small box from one of the pockets in his jacket.
“I know ‘tis not very traditional for a man to give a woman a gift upon engagement, but here. As a token of my love,” Jasper continued.
He opened the box to reveal a ring with a small diamond.
“’Tis a new trend; they call it an engagement ring,” he said. “I hope you will accept it, though we are already engaged.”
Catherine looked up from the ring to Lord Burton.
“Of course I will accept it, Jasper,” she said quietly.
He pulled the ring out of the box and put it on her finger.
“I told your father I wished to buy you something for the dinner, and he said ‘twas up to my discretion what I bought you,” Jasper said. “I am glad to know that I have done well. You are truly a lovely lady, and I am incredibly lucky to be the one you marry.” He kissed her knuckles softly after speaking.
“No, I am the one who is lucky, Lord Burton,” Catherine said.
Though Lord Burton gave her a look that said he did not quite understand what she meant, her mother entered the room at that moment. Thankfully, Miss Amelia had not been too far away, so they were technically chaperoned for the night.
“The guests will be arriving soon, Catherine, Lord Burton,” her mother said. “Are you ready for the dinner?”
“Yes, ma’am,” Jasper said.
“Yes, Mother.”
“Wonderful!” Her mother smiled. “Wonderful, just wonderful. You make a lovely couple, and I cannot express how happy I am for you. Congratulations.”
“Thank you, Mother,” Catherine said.
Jasper nodded his thanks.
Then, her mother went to let the guests in. Jasper squeezed her hand softly.
“If you need to get air just let me know, and I will make excuses for you,” he whispered. “I know you are not a fan of large crowds indoors.”
“Thank you, Lord Burton.” She smiled a little.
Then, the festivities began. The dinner was certainly delightful. The menu consisted of roast duck and chocolate mousse, a wonderful dessert from France, of all places.
She sat beside her fiancé, and she knew that there were many other people here who would want to congratulate not only him, but her. Some of the people she did not recognize, but Lord Burton recognized them. That was all that mattered to her, honestly.
“Congratulations, Lady Catherine, Lord Burton,” someone said.
Catherine nodded towards them, and Lord Burton made the introductions. This was a large crowd; did he expect to see everyone in the crowd? She did not. In fact, if she had to meet everyone in this crowd tonight, she was worried she may not get through it all.
She lasted longer than she had expected to. Many guests had said congratulations, but she told Lord Burton that she needed to step out into the gardens. He nodded at her, and then immediately began to make excuses for her as she walked away.
“I am afraid my lady has need of air,” she heard him say, “Please. I will tell her all of your congratulations when she returns, but do not go after her.”
She appreciated that he was trying to keep everyone from following after her to wish her congratulations in the garden. It didn’t stop a few people from stopping her as she made her way to the doors to the gardens to congratulate her, but she could handle those people. It was the large crowd crushing in on her that she was sure she would not be able to handle for much longer if she tried.
