Page 18 of Treating a Sinful Earl
“Father, although I am surprised by this news, I encourage you and mother to do what pleases you best. But it’s rather vexing to think that now there is pressure to have this business over and done with. You know that I am attempting to be less shy, and this shall make me shyer, if only due to the nerves alone!”
He inhaled sharply, folding his hands upon his desk, and leaning forward. “Take heart, Catherine. Every woman has been in the same position in which you find yourself. It is new and frightening, I am sure. But trust that I shall never allow you to marry a man that is not of the highest calibre. You will find someone in London more easily than here in Bath, where the options are more limited. Trust that I have fully considered all of this.”
She froze, hating the notion of travelling to London. How frightening it would be to attend all those large parties with merely her chaperone to accompany her, for she was not sure if Selina and Abigail would be allowed to go. Of course, her mother would travel with her, as well, but that made the prospect even more intimidating!
“Father, allow me one more year in Bath. I promise that I shall do my best, and after that one year, I would be amenable to travelling into town to fulfil your wishes.”
He shook his head from side to side. “Please understand, your mother and I must be hastier in our decision than that. I can allow you two more months in Bath, and if a suitable husband is not secured, you shall venture to London.”
Catherine bit her lower lip, hating what her father was suggesting. Only two months to find a husband in Bath. Why, who would ever agree to such a quick courtship?
Oh, but the Earl of Simmons came to mind….
Catherine banished that thought, for he seemed far too good, far too amusing and fascinating to agree to such a thing. What’s more, he was in no rush to be married himself. What was she to do? In that moment, it seemed as though there was no other option.
“Father, I agree to your terms, merely because I have no choice in the matter. I understand your desire for haste, and I shall do my best to secure a husband in Bath within the next two months.”
He smiled, then leaned back in his chair. “Thank you for being so amenable, Daughter. You may go now.”
Catherine slowly rose from her chair, her heart pounding in her chest. A fit of nerves took over as she thought of the immense task at hand. She had to find a husband in two month’s time, and if not, she would be shipped off to London? How abominable her fate now seemed. If only her father had more sympathy, he would allow her more time.
When she finally arrived in the garden, she felt dejected. What was to be a pleasant encounter with Abigail was now fraught with fear for her future. She discovered her friend seated on a bench, a broad pink hat upon her head. Catherine rushed to her with open arms. “Oh, Abigail, but fate is doomed!” she cried out, embracing Abigail as she stood.
“What has happened?”
“Father says that I must find a husband in Bath in two month’s time, or else, I must go to London for the Season.”
Abigail’s mouth dropped open. “That cannot be.”
“It is true. My father has decreed it. Oh, Abigail, I need your help! It is so terribly difficult for me to be social. I have tried in the past week, and I cannot say that I have been much of a success,” Catherine said, turning downcast.
Abigail placed a loving hand upon her back. “You are far too hard on yourself. You did a marvellous job this past week. You met the Earl of Simmons! And I believe that he is ever so fond of you! Is that not enough to prove to you that all is well?”
Catherine considered Abigail’s words. Surely, the Earl did not have feelings for her, but there was that look in his eye which could not be denied! He seemed like he might be rather fond of her, but that signified nothing in light of her current circumstances. She needed to be honest with herself about what her prospects were, for the Earl was far out of her league and there was no chance that he would take a wife so beneath himself.
But then, she reminded herself that she was not beneath him in the slightest! Catherine had so much to offer, and what’s more, she knew that she could help him to feel better using her remedies. Her attention stolen, Catherine walked over to a bush of nettles and toyed with them using her fingers.
“These can help my fear,” she stated, pulling off one leaf.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean that nettle is a perfect tincture for fear,” Catherine explained. “I used to make a tea of it when I was a young girl. When mother fell ill….”
Abigail seemed to entirely understand what she was referring to. Catherine’s mother was ill with her second child, and sadly, this child was lost. Her mother expressed that she felt a great deal of grief and fear after the passing of this child, and although Catherine was young, she knew to make her mother nettle tea every night to calm her. Now she would be the one that would need to incorporate this tea in order to soothe herself.
“You know so much about this garden,” Abigail mused. “But it seems like now, more than ever, you need a love potion.”
Catherine could not help but laugh, for she did know how to make a love elixir but had never attempted it. It had never been important for her to do so, for love had been the last thing on her mind.
“No, no. I do not wish to deceive,” Catherine explained. “I merely wish to truly love someone who loves me in return. Oh, I believe that love is quite simple in the end. It is a mutual experience, and this is something that I now need to find with haste.”
Abigail replied, “I am confident that you shall do it, Catherine. You are such a marvellous person, and I must admit that I am jealous of your beauty. If I was half as beautiful as you, I would be married by now.”
Catherine turned to her with curiosity written upon her face. “Would you marry Felton Andrews?” she asked.
Abigail smiled faintly and looked away. “I do not know if my parents would approve of Mr Andrews. He is a mischievous sort of fellow, and I must say, who enjoys carousing just as much as I do. They would not see him as a secure kind of man, and that is very much what my family wishes for me.”
Catherine’s shoulders slumped in disappointment. Yes, it was evident that Abigail’s parents wanted her to meet a man with considerable funds, and although Abigail was fond for Mr Andrews, he was something of a wanderer, it would appear.
