Page 49 of The Duke's Last Dance
“Nicolas, I love you too,” she said. “I have been too blind to see it, believing that the lack of tingles and butterflies around you meant that what we had had as children was only a childhood infatuation… I now see that ‘tis something deeper. Something more. Something…truerthan anything I could have with anyone else.”
“I am glad that you are able to see what you feel now,” he replied. “I want to be with you, and only you, Catherine. If you will have me. I do not know what I am going to do about Miss Alexia yet, but I do not want to marry her. She is too self-centered, and I cannot get a word in edgewise.”
“I was watching you converse with her… if you could call it conversing,” Catherine stated bluntly. “She does tend to keep all of your attention on her. Perhaps that is why your father wishes you to marry her.” Catherine could not help but fall into a state of giggles at that. “If your father truly wants to keep you away from me, you will have to marry a woman who will never let you out of her sight!”
“Miss Alexia certainly does not follow that rule,” Nicolas replied, a soft laugh in his voice. “I was able to slip out when she started talking to my mother, if you can believe that. She didn’t want my opinion on what she was talking about, as my opinion was not helpful. Never is to her, I believe.” He scoffed. “Again, why would my father think he could force me to marry such a woman?”
“Nicolas, do not think of that,” Catherine said softly, putting her other hand over his. “We will find a way to be together; I know it. You have pursued me even when I thought I wanted to court other people, even when I have been abrupt and curt with you. Any man willing to wait and get through that kind of treatment is worth giving another chance to, and worth marrying.”
Nicolas’s cheeks started to turn red.
“Lady Catherine, you flatter me,” he smiled. “I know this is probably not how you imagined this, but… there is one more thing I wish to give you before we must part.”
He reached for her face. A host of butterflies began to flutter in her stomach, as if they all knew what was coming next. He pulled her closer, and the butterflies flittered furiously.
Then, there were footsteps near them, and he stopped.
“I ought to go. We would not want to be spotted alone in the gardens, would we?” He stood up.
Catherine watched as he hurried away. She appreciated that he was looking out for her reputation, too, but there was something more that she wanted. She knew what he had been about to do; he was about to kiss her.
More so than when they had been at Vauxhall Gardens together, Catherine felt annoyed that they had been interrupted. She had dreamt of her first kiss with Lord Lockhart for so many years that it felt as though it was going to happen sooner rather than later, and it would be a beautiful kiss when it happened. It would be one of those kisses that would be on her mind for many hours after the fact, and for many days later, too.
She sighed quietly and stood up. Without Lord Lockhart there to keep her company, she felt it time to head back inside to the wedding breakfast. Besides, now that she knew that he was here with Miss Alexia out of necessity and not out of choice, she was less jealous. She still felt that it ought to have been her sitting beside him, but that was all she could do.
She could not change his father’s mind without revealing that Nicolas had told her about the ultimatum, and from what Nicolas had told her, his father would not easily change his mind when it came to who Nicolas married.
“Lady Catherine. What a surprise,” Miss Juliet’s voice interrupted her thoughts. “I thought you were still inside. I came outside to get some fresh air; there are too many people inside.” She laughed a little.
“As did I, Juliet.” She smiled a little. “Is Edward treating you well in there?”
“’Twas his idea I come out for some fresh air, actually,” Juliet replied, a soft smile on her face. “He takes good care of me, Catherine. I believe he believes himself lucky to have a wife such as I, and he is going to treat me as if we were still courting every day.”
“That would be the wise thing for him to do, I can tell you that,” Catherine added. “May I ask you something rather personal, Juliet? How did you know you had fallen in love with my brother?”
“Hmm… I do not believe I knew all at once,” Juliet started. She put a hand to her face in thought. “I believe it came on slowly, as it would with anyone, I suppose. First it was butterflies and tingles as we first started to court. I thought it would never end, but when they did come to an end, I found that it was because I felt secure and safe around him. I never wanted to run away, nor did I ever wish to find a way to end the courtship without a scandal. Those feelings eventually turned into love, and… and well, here I am, now married to Edward.”
“It has certainly been good for him,” Catherine said. “I am glad to hear that you feel safe with my brother. If you did not, then I would wonder why in the world you had agreed to marry him.”
This got them both to giggle, and Catherine wondered if Miss Juliet was really only out here to get some fresh air. However, she was not about to ask about it.
“If you will excuse me, Miss Juliet, I ought to be heading back inside. I have been out here too long,” Catherine added.
“Of course,” Juliet replied. “I will see you inside, then.”
“Yes, inside,” Catherine said, nodding slowly. “Enjoy the fresh air.”
With that, Catherine took her leave, and headed back inside. There were still plenty of people milling about the dining room, and she wondered if there was anything more she could do to help Edward with all the gifts. They were still sitting in a pile on the side of the room, as if they were to be opened later.
She found her brother sitting at the head of one of the smaller tables, with an empty seat beside him.
“May I?” She smiled a little.
“Of course, Catherine!” He smiled back and pulled the chair out for him. “Did you happen to see Juliet before you came inside?”
“Yes, I did,” Catherine replied. “She said it was your idea for her to get some fresh air.”
“Yes, ‘twas my idea. I believe it will do her good,” Edward added. “Where have you been? I have been meaning to ask you if you have had a chance to talk to Lord Lockhart; he just left with Miss Alexia and his mother.”
