Page 52 of Treating a Sinful Earl
Walter nodded. “As have I. I am surprised that I have never encountered you here. I go on rides every Sunday morning. I like to take the fresh air.”
“As do I.”
As he continued to inspect her, Catherine was beginning to think that perhaps he was just a curious fellow looking to strike up a conversation. Considering the state that she was in, she found this welcome.
“Old Blue here,” he said, continuing to pet the horse, “if she does not get her Sunday ride, she is rather cross with me.”
Catherine laughed. “I know the feeling. I get rather cross with myself when I do not take a walk in the forest most days.”
“Life is a funny thing.” Walter walked over to an old stump and seated himself. “It is the simple pleasures that are the most profound. When I began my haberdashery business, I was convinced that nothing would give me more pleasure than to make my hats and be a great success. Well, now I am something of a great success, and all that I wish to do is remain out of doors. My wife is most frustrated with me for this, for she thinks that I have a mistress! But Old Blue is my only mistress.”
“How long have you been married?” Catherine asked, walking over to a second stump, and seating herself upon it.
“Thirty-seven years. Do you know, I love the woman more and more with each passing day! But women are women, and they become distrustful when they do not have you in their sights.”
“Is that so? I do not consider myself one to be distrustful.”
Walter pointed his finger in the air. “And that is a mistake. Men are a sorry lot, I tell you. When you find a man that you can truly trust, hold onto him for the rest of your days.”
This suggestion gave her pause. Were men really a sorry lot? For her, Jasper was the only man in the world, and there was nothing sorry about him.
“I think that I have found such a man, but I cannot understand why I falter.”
Walter cocked his head to the side. “You falter?”
“I mean…he has made his intentions clear, and I find myself full of fear. Why should that be.”
He sighed to himself and massaged his shoulder once more. “That is a sign that you are truly in love. It is frightening, it is. For when one is truly in love, there is no protection for their heart when they are in the presence of their beloved. There is no escape. They hold you in the palm of your hand and have the power to crush you.”
“But this man will not crush me,” she insisted. “In fact, I have never trusted anyone more.”
“Trust is a form of faith, and that faith is not proved until years pass. Even if you trust this fellow, he has not proved himself, and there is no way of knowing whether your feelings are real…whether you are giving yourself to the right man. Once he has you, he owns you completely. This is a tricky business.”
Oh, but Walter’s words were not soothing her in the slightest! What a dreadful way to perceive love, and yet, Catherine knew very little about it. She could not help but share, “This man…this man is rather ill. He has professed his love and his concern that his illness is something of an impediment.”
Walter scratched his chin. “I see. That is a very unique occasion, indeed. Are you sure that he is telling the truth?”
“Of course, he is telling the truth!” Catherine exclaimed. “Why should he lie?”
He smiled broadly. “When I was courting my Minnie, I told her all manner of things to get her to love me. I admit to lying here and there, but I was a desperate man. I had to have her.”
“Is this true? You lied to her?”
“Naturally! When a man sees a good woman, he will go to great lengths to make her his. Now, I am not proud of what I did, but in the end, it was all rather worth it, I would say.”
Catherine was in shock. Was she to believe him? What’s more, was she to believe Jasper now that she received this information. But, of course, she still trusted Jasper. She had seen his symptoms, and one brief encounter with Walter Pembroke was not going to change her faith.
She shook her head. “He is not lying. The Earl of Simmons is an ill man. I have set out to heal him.”
Walter fell silent, seemingly struck by her words. “Did you say the Earl of Simmons?”
“Indeed,” she replied with pride.
“Well, this is a whole new ordeal entirely. I make hats for the Earl of Simmons. One of the kindest, brightest men I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. Of course, the rumours are not true.”
She constricted her brow. “The rumours?” Were these the ones that Selina told her of?”
He nodded faintly. “Bath society is just as crude as London society if you ask me. I see it all, what with all the society gentlemen coming into my shop. When society is jealous of someone, they will say all manner of things to have the upper hand. No, I know that the Earl is a good man, and I can say with distinction that you are a lucky girl.”
