Page 32 of Treating a Sinful Earl
“I do apologize. I had some important business to attend to.”
Selina shared, “She was making tinctures.”
“How lovely,” her mother chimed in, taking a sip of her tea.
Catherine seated herself and watched as a footman poured her a cup of tea. “It is for a dear friend who is suffering from health complications.”
Selina said in a hushed voice, “It is for the Earl of Simmons.”
Her father raised his brows. “You have spent much time with the Earl, I see. Is there something that I should be made aware of, Daughter?”
Catherine felt a flush come to her cheek and her heartbeat elevated. Why should this question fluster her so much? “There is nothing to be made aware of, Father. He is a kind gentleman, and we enjoy one another’s company. It is as simple as that.”
Silence fell over the table and Catherine was left to wonder if no one had believed a word she had said. She nibbled on a sandwich, wishing to change the subject quickly. “It is difficult to believe that the Duke of Brighton is holding another ball so quickly. He must have a considerable income to do so,” Catherine said.
“It is common in the Season,” her mother said. “The Duke of Brighton is notorious for holding balls upwards of twice a week. He enjoys having revellers roaming about his vast estate. You have never noticed that because you have simply not been out in society much before.”
This was not a jab from her mother, merely an observation. She thought it amusing that she had missed out on so much due to her shyness. If her shyness had continued, would she ever have met the Earl of Simmons? But considering that he did not care for society affairs either, it was perhaps just good fortune that they had met when they had.
Light chatter continued at the tea table and Catherine gazed out the window, wondering what Jasper’s reaction might be to the tinctures and whether or not they had arrived yet. What if they were delivered but Jasper was not at home? Oh, it mattered not. It was merely pleasant to think about him, what his reaction might be, and whether or not the medicines would be of any assistance.
Once tea had concluded, Selina insisted on coming up to Catherine’s room so that they might select a gown for the following evening’s ball. Selina seated herself on Catherine’s bed and Catherine perused her bureau.
“Some of these I refuse to wear. They are too showy,” she said.
“Nonsense,” Selina insisted. “They are stunning. The Earl would like to see you in any of those.”
“The Earl does not seem to care about what I wear.”
“He would care about what you do not wear,” Selina said casually.
Catherine turned to her forcefully, her face falling open. “What did you just say?” she asked in shock.
Selina snickered. “I did not say a thing. You must have been hearing things,” she said with a wry smile.
Catherine stood there in disbelief, her mind racing.
Chapter 15
The following evening, Jasper was finally in good spirits again. The previous day, he had received Catherine’s letter, as well as the tinctures that she had made, and these provided almost immediate relief! This was a blessing, for just when they had arrived, Jasper was in the midst of a terrible fit of coughing and faintness that seemed to abruptly disappear.
Was it all in his mind, that the tinctures had made him feel better? For surely, upon reading Catherine’s letter, he already felt healed due to his delight and admiration for her.
The Duke of Brighton’s estate was brimming with guests, just as it had been on the previous occasion, only this time, Catherine was nowhere in sight. His heart sank in his chest as Jasper feared that something might have happened.
“Where is Abigail?” Fenton asked, looking all around.
“I was thinking the very same thing. They are nowhere to be seen.”
Both men stood in silence, although the ballroom itself was filled with music and chatter. Jasper massaged the back of his neck, fearing that another fit might take hold if he were to believe that Catherine was not coming that night.
The Duke of Brighton approached. “Gentlemen, I am overjoyed that you have come again.”
“We are most grateful to be here, Your Grace,” Jasper replied, bowing his head.
“I love the Season.” The Duke clapped his hands together. “There are so many marvellous occasions, and everyone is in full form. I myself had to take the healing waters after my last ball, for I admit to waking up with the most dreadful hangover.”
All the men laughed, and Jasper found himself comforted by the distraction that the Duke provided. But just then, out of the corner of his eye, Jasper saw Abigail enter the ballroom wearing a rather fetching silver gown, Selina by her side. His heart sunk once more as Catherine was nowhere in view.
