Page 38 of The Curious Life of the Unfortunate Duchess
I shall count my blessings that His Grace cares for me and not permit anything to plague our budding happiness,she vowed. Yet before she could cast aside the last of the bitterness, Catherine volunteered something which did not help her cause.
“I am elated that Leo came to his senses,” she told Elizabeth confidentially. “Priscilla was a witless tart.”
Elizabeth’s spine tensed and she did not immediately realize she had stopped walking. She did not wish to think of Priscilla but she did not much appreciate hearing the woman be insulted, no matter how accurate a description Catherine may have given. The ring of Priscilla’s cruel words reverberated through Elizabeth’s head from the wedding.
“Everyone knows about her! I heard she permitted herself to be deflowered by a stable hand! Can you imagine?”
The woman had spoken, loud enough for everyone in earshot to hear. A buried flood of sadness had washed over Elizabeth at the time but in that moment, listening to Catherine degrade Leonard’s formerly betrothed, Elizabeth could not stifle the pity she felt for Priscilla. It appeared that the lady had loved Leonard but her affections had been unrequited. There was no cause for Catherine to add to her suffering, whether or not Priscilla would hear of it.
“I am certain that Miss Priscilla has many fine qualities,” Elizabeth said stiffly. “There is no need to insult her.”
Catherine gaped at Elizabeth.
“You cannot be serious!” she choked. “The woman insulted you endlessly! How can you be so…”
Catherine was at a loss for words.
“Forgiving!” she finally managed and Elizabeth could not resist a small laugh.
“I believe God sees all things,” Elizabeth explained. She tugged gently on Catherine’s arm to move her along, lest she lose sight of Frances. Her sister had already rounded a corner, the tails of her skirt disappearing with her. Bernadette quickened her steps to follow but the Duke’s sister was unperturbed that their chaperone had vanished along with the older Follett girl. Catherine simply had no notion of how quickly one could lose Frances. God forbid she catch sight of a hare or butterfly.
“I am not one to judge,” Elizabeth continued. “Moreover, Miss Priscilla seems to be pained in her own right. I need not add to that woe. Why would I? I am happy with what I have been given.”
Elizabeth knew that included a chance at love with Leonard.
“Well,” Catherine drawled as they, too, made their way around the corner which had claimed Frances. “I daresay I see why my brother finds you so endearing.”
“You seem skeptical,” Elizabeth commented and drew to another halt where her sister had stopped. “You do not believe that matters happen as God intended?”
“I believe that some people are more miserable than others,” Catherine replied shortly. “And are not worthy of forgiveness.”
Idly, Elizabeth wondered if there was more to Catherine’s disgust toward Priscilla than she knew. The Duke’s sister appeared to have quite a loathing for a woman whose only fault appeared to be dimwittedness.
Perhaps Lady Catherine is more protective of her brother than she believes.
If that was the case, Elizabeth realized she was fortunate that Catherine liked her for Leonard.
“Look, Liza!” Frances gasped, thereby ending the heavy conversation between Elizabeth and Catherine. “There it is!”
It took Elizabeth little time to understand at what her sister indicated. Clearly, it was the headdress she had yearned for, the dainty net of gold emblazoned with pearls.
“I must have it!” Frances announced and Elizabeth stifled a small sigh.
“You must buy it at once!” Frances continued, possibly sensing the refusal which was apt to spring from Elizabeth’s lips.
“Franny, you have so many headdresses.”
“Then what is one more?” Frances asked innocently.
“Do indulge her,” Catherine pressed. “She is like a young girl.”
Elizabeth knew Catherine did not mean to sound condescending but the words stabbed her all the same. She was constantly reminded of her sister’s shortcomings without others bringing it to her attention.
“I cannot,” Elizabeth murmured but Catherine did not to hear her as she untangled her arm from Elizabeth and looped it in with Frances.
“Come along, Frances. I daresay I see a brooch inside Mother would adore. We shall try on the headdress and see if it suits you.”
They swooped into the store together, leaving Elizabeth outside. She could not be certain but she did not believe she had enough in her purse to purchase the piece, if Frances had her heart set upon it. In Gordon, she would have simply asked that the headdress be charged to the manor but she was not in Gordon any longer.
