Page 40 of The Duke's Last Dance
“Lady Catherine, what a pleasure to see you.” The duke walked over to her. “I apologize if I embarrassed you… I did not catch myself staring until you caught me staring yourself.”
“’Tis all right, Lord Burton,” Catherine replied. “I do not often have the chance to catch a man staring at me.” She smiled softly, not sure what else she was going to have to say or do. She wanted to make sure that she was enjoying the tea party, but there was something about the way that he walked up to her that made her worry he wanted something else with her.
“Are you enjoying your mother’s tea party?” The duke continued to make conversation with her.
“Yes, I am.” She smiled a little more. “Are you enjoying it as well? I believe this is the first time my mother has ever invited someone so last minute.”
“Are you sure of that?” The duke seemed surprised that that would be the case.
Catherine nodded.
“I must say, I feel greatly obliged then,” he said, taking her hand. He kissed her knuckles. “I do apologize again for staring at you.”
“There is no need to apologize, Lord Burton,” she said.
He was called elsewhere, and she took a deep breath.
The gardens were calling to her. Besides, she needed a chance to take a break and clear her head. She had got herself riled up with the thoughts of love and marriage, and that was not something that would make for a good party.
So, she quietly excused herself and then started to walk through the gardens.
The flowers were not yet in bloom, but Catherine could imagine how beautiful this walk would be if they had been. She had made this walk many times, and she knew that it was going to be beautiful. There were many rose bushes right along the walkway. When they were trimmed of their thorns, she knew that it was a beautiful, peaceful place to be.
In fact, even with some snow still on the ground and the flowers still small buds – if that – on the sides of the walkways, the Camberton Manor gardens were such a sight to behold. There was nothing more that would have completed the walk.
If it were not for the fact that she could hear footsteps behind her.
This startled her. She was supposed to be the only one who had broken away. Her mother had said that as long as she stayed in the gardens, she would not need a chaperone. Especially since she was not taking a man with her.
Perhaps it was Miss Amelia, coming to see what she needed since she had separated from the party.
She turned around and found Nicolas sitting on one of the fountains.
“Lady Catherine, what a pleasure.” He smiled at her. “I need to talk to you. Alone.”
“Nicolas! Do you know how highly improper this is?” Catherine could not believe it. This was all right when they had been children, but now… now they both had other things to think about. They could not afford to be caught alone. “We cannot be alone like this, not anymore.”
He laughed.
“Who would see us, Catherine? The duke? Your mother? I doubt it. They’re both at the party and highly engaged in their own respective activities.” He got off the fountain but did not make a move towards her. “What I need to tell you is very important. I wouldn’t risk being alone like this with you if it weren’t important. Please. Give me a chance.”
“I cannot, Lord Lockhart. I have a reputation to think about, as do you. We cannot do this alone. If you want to tell me this, find Miss Amelia and then do it. Do it where someone else can see it, hear it. I will not risk my reputation just because you think you need to do this alone with me.” She turned on her heel. “And next time, do it properly and ask me at the front door, please.”
She walked away from him.
She heard his footsteps following her, but they abruptly stopped. Then, they started to fade away. She looked over her shoulder, only to see that Nicolas had started walking away. She turned to face where she was heading again before he could catch her staring over her shoulder at him.
She decided it was best if she rejoined the guests at the tea party for refreshments, and she did just that.
As she held the cup of punch in her hand, she could not help but wonder what Nicolas had wanted to talk to her about. There was no doubt that it had to be something important to him, but she could not fathom what could be so important to Nicolas. Was he being recalled to sea? Was he being threatened by someone here at the party?
Whatever the reasons, she could not believe they had warranted such an approach as he had taken with her.
“Ah, Lady Catherine,” the duke’s voice interrupted. “I hope I am not interrupting anything.”
“No, nothing at all, Lord Burton,” she said, smiling. He held two teacakes in his hands. He held one out to her. “Would you like a teacake?”
“Thank you, yes,” she replied, taking the cake. “Did you come just to offer me a teacake?”
