Page 38 of What's a Duke Got to Do With It
No matter that Sebastian pushed himself until his muscles screamed and his extremities turned blue with the cold, no matter that the waves beat at him as if Nature herself was punishing him for his actions, there was no getting away from thoughts of Katrina. No, she clung to him, refusing to let go. Or, rather, he clung toher, for he could not lay the fault of this at her feet. She had not asked for any of this, had not invited his attentions, had not flirted or seduced him. She had merely beenKatrina, the object of his affections, and he had been powerless against the pull of her, like the tide and the moon.
But while he could not control his thoughts of her, he had to at least make it appear as if he could. No one’s eyes were sharper than those of the formidable Lady Tesh.
“Did you have a pleasant time at the beach this afternoon, Your Grace?” she asked after dinner that evening. Her gaze flitted back and forth between Sebastian and Katrina, as if she were watching a tennis match.
And no wonder, for Katrina was looking decidedly pale. She had hardly said a word during dinner, her gaze fixed to her plate. Even now, she kept her eyes averted, fairly glued to the embroidery in her hands. Mouse, in a break from his typical exuberance, remained quietly stuck to her side like a burr.
Summoning up a smile, he replied, “Indeed. It was most invigorating.”
The dowager nodded in satisfaction. “My dear husband, God rest his soul, used to love swimming there. He did so nearly every day, in fact, even in the dead of winter, up until his last days. It is wonderful for the constitution.”
“I should love to try my hand at it,” Bridling said, looking up from the deck of cards in his hands, which he was shuffling over and over again in a maddeningshushof sound. He gave Katrina a melting smile. “Mayhap you might show me the way there as well, Miss Denby, if you plan on bringing Mouse down for his exercise again.”
Over my dead body.A thought that disturbed Sebastian to his core. No doubt the boy’s attentions to Katrina were nothing but a mild flirtation. But even if Bridling did have a particular interest in her, Sebastian certainly had no claim on her.
Even so, he found himself saying, “I would be happy to show you the way myself, Bridling. I’ve a mind to visit the spot often during our time here.” His gaze drifted to Katrina, caressing the curve of her cheek and the rise and fall of her bosom beneath the modest neckline of her gown before he hastily yanked it away at his body’s reaction to the sight of her. Oh yes, he would be visiting the beach quite often, indeed.
“Splendid,” Lady Tesh said. “The path is not an easy one, but you both are hale and hearty gentlemen. And,” she added, giving Bridling a sly look, “I do believe a plunge in the water is good for the effects of over-imbibing as well. Perhaps you should have joined them this morning, Mr. Bridling. It could have been of benefit to you.”
“No doubt.” Bridling laughed. “Though I will be certain to keep it in mind for the next time I’m in such a state.”
“The next time? Then I assume you are planning on more nights like last night.” The dowager nodded in satisfaction. “I am glad for it. They are a good bunch of young men. And no one of your years and spirit can want to spend all their time with an old woman like me.”
“Nonsense,” Bridling replied gallantly. “It brings me great joy to spend time with you.”
Lady Tesh considered him. “You are quite the charmer, young man, when you put your mind to it. Though I don’t know why I’m at all surprised, considering your rescue of Lady Paulette from that thief. It is all anyone can seem to talk about, as is proof by the multitude of female callers I received this afternoon while you were sleeping off the effects of your drinking.”
Which was news to Sebastian. And Katrina, as well, if the way her brow furrowed in confusion was any indication.
“We had callers, my lady?”
“Yes,” that woman drawled. “And you may have been aware of it had you not taken to your room after your return from the beach. Of course you would become light-headed after such an excursion. You are forever forgetting your bonnet, and the sun does play havoc with one.”
Katrina had retreated to her room? Had it been due to their kiss? Had she truly been so affected? Despite himself, Sebastian cast her a glance. Her color was bright from the reprimand, but she held her head high as she asked, a determined gleam in her eye, “Who came to call, my lady?”
“Who? Let me see if I can recall.” The older woman took a sip of her wine, pursing her lips in thought. “Ah, yes. Miss Mishra, of course, along with Lady Paulette. As well as Miss Pulman, and Miss Newton. Oh, and Miss Verity.”
Was it Sebastian, or did Katrina suddenly appear incredibly focused? She sat forward, her body tense. “Miss Pulman, you say? Mr. Kendrick’s granddaughter?”
Lady Tesh scowled. “You know very well who I am referring to, young lady. There is only one Miss Pulman on Synne.”
But for the first time, Katrina did not cower beneath Lady Tesh’s harsh words. “I, er, have some ribbon I promised to her, is all. But we shall see them tomorrow during our trip to the Beakhead Tea Room, as that is their usual time to visit as well. I shall bring the ribbon then.”
She was lying. He knew it as certainly as he knew his own name. Katrina was one of the most honest, most kind people he knew, and there was something off about the way she was speaking, some nervousness and harshness to her tone that belied her words. Before he could make sense of it, however, Bridling spoke up.
“What a pity I was not well for their visits,” he said with a small frown of regret. “I should have so loved to have met with such splendid company. Especially that of Lady Paulette; I wish to see for myself that she is well, you see.”
All too soon it was time to retire. Sebastian stood slowly, reluctant to face the restless night that was sure to come. As they were leaving the drawing room, however, Lady Tesh stopped him.
“Your Grace, there were some letters that arrived for you this afternoon. As I was not certain when you would return from the beach I had one of the maids leave them on the desk in your room. I apologize for not recalling earlier; it must have slipped my mind.”
Giving the dowager his thanks and wishing her and the rest of the party good night—all while doing his best to keep from staring with hungry eyes at Katrina—Sebastian hurried to his room and the promised letters. There were very few people who would be writing to him during his stay on Synne, and even fewer he wished to hear from. In truth, the only ones in that latter group were his sisters. He had not seen them in too long, not since leaving home for London, and he missed them dreadfully. It was the longest they had been without each other since their father’s death, and over the past four years they had leaned on one another for support. Though they had written often during his absence, helping him to feel connected to them, it had been difficult being without them by his side.
Blessedly, one of the letters was indeed from them. His eldest sister Rachel’s flowery scrawl stared up at him from the gleaming top of the oak desk, and the sight of it eased the band about his chest. He quickly broke the seal, his eyes tripping over words that fairly bounced across the page, each girl taking turns writing about the goings-on at Ramsleigh Castle and peppering him with questions about how he was getting on.
But there was something hidden in their missive, a darker undertone he had not read before, though they would camouflage it with their typical cheerfulness.
Mrs. Greaves has been fixing the most interesting meals, and I vow they are barely palatable. How you would laugh to see the faces we make in trying to swallow her food down. Gracie has declared she will learn to cook and has raided the kitchens for all manner of books to teach herself such a talent. I daresay by the time you return with your bride, our sister shall be able to create a feast to rival any you’ve had while in London.
