Page 30 of The Duke's Last Dance
And at that moment, the butterflies once again began.
“Nor did I expect to see you while I was out, Lord Burton,” Catherine replied, curtsying to him softly. “How do you do?”
“I am well. How do you do?” He stood beside her, talking at leisure with her.
“I am well. We have just come from the modiste store, here,” she said, pointing behind her.
“Oh, what a wonderful little shop. I will have to recommend it to my mother, on your word, of course,” the Duke said. Then, his eyes darted beside her. “Who is this? Your sisters?”
“Oh, no, though you flatter us so,” her mother replied. “I am the Countess of Camberton, Catherine’s mother.”
“Oh, yes! I do believe we met briefly at Hyde Park,” the Duke smiled. “What a pleasure to see you again. I am Lord Burton, Duke of Hestina.” He turned to Miss Juliet and bowed.
“Miss Juliet.” Miss Juliet curtsied softly. “I am engaged to Lady Catherine’s brother, Lord Radcliff.”
“Lord Radcliff has fine choice in a lady, Miss Juliet,” the Duke said. “’Tis my pleasure to meet you.”
“Lord Burton, I am hosting a tea party in two days’ time. ‘Twould be my pleasure to see you there,” the Countess interrupted. “The party will be at Camberton Manor.”
“’Twould be my pleasure to attend, Countess.” The Duke smiled, bowing towards the countess this time. “Will you be in attendance, Lady Catherine?”
“Yes, I shall.” Catherine smiled. “I hope to see you there.”
“I shall be there promptly, Lady Catherine, Countess.” The Duke bowed even deeper. “May I leave my calling card so that you may send proper instructions?”
“Of course!” Her mother smiled, and then held her hand out.
The Duke of Hestina offered up one of his calling cards, and then he took his leave of the three women. Her mother held the card for a moment before putting it in her own reticule, and then turning to the other two women.
“How simply wonderful for you, Catherine!” Her mother smiled widely. “He is such a charming young man. I hope he will show promise as a suitor.”
“I believe he already has, Mother,” Catherine replied. “He was the one that asked me to walk with him at Hyde Park, and I believe by coming up to greet me, he has shown that he has interest in me.” The butterflies continued to flutter in her stomach.
How could one man make her feel so good about herself? He made her feel as though it was all right to pursue other courtships, and not to worry too much about what Nicolas thought about her.
As she got up into the carriage, Catherine could not help but wonder if the butterflies she had felt for Nicolas as a child were nothing more than a childish infatuation. He had left her without any warning, after all, and even though he had almost kissed her at the gardens, it seemed as though he expected her to have the same feelings that she had had before he left.
Her heart was not a piece of pastry that he could throw away, only to make the recipe again when he realized that it was good and something worth pursuing. He was not the chef here; she was.
As the carriage drew away from Bruton Street, Catherine took in a deep breath. Her stomach began to still, the butterflies leaving as she watched the Duke of Hestina turn the corner and finally leave her sight. Something felt better about pursuing the Duke as a courtship partner than pursuing Nicolas. Perhaps it was the fact that this was her debut and she felt that she deserved better than a man who would leave her without any word.
“Do you believe he may ask to court you, Lady Catherine?” Miss Juliet made conversation with her as the carriage continued back towards Camberton Manor.
“He may, but I would not hold my breath. You can never understand the heart of a man until you know the man personally.” Catherine smiled a little. “I have never understood the heart of man, but I believe that may change.”
“I personally hope he does. ‘Twould be a good match for you, Catherine,” her mother added. “He is charming and a duke, too. A duke, Catherine. Could you imagine marrying a duke?”
“I could.” Catherine smiled a little. “A fortuitous match indeed, ‘twould be.”
“I hope it works out for you as well as it has worked out for Lord Radcliff and myself,” Miss Juliet said.
Catherine only nodded. She hoped so, too.
Chapter Thirteen
Two days had passed since the lunch with Miss Alexia and Duke Balfour. He had spent both days at his loft room, and for good reason. After that lunch, he did not feel that he could see anyone. Miss Alexia made him feel as though he were inferior, and it did not make him feel any better about the marriage that his father was forcing between them. She refused to allow him to talk, and the way the lady’s maid had only shaken her head made him believe that this was a common thing with her.
He would not doom himself to a lifetime of listening to her prattle on about her dresses, how expensive they were, and the gardens. The gardens! The lace!
