Page 71 of A Rogue to Resist
Rosabel placed a restraining hand on her husband’s arm. “Perhaps we should respect Katherine’s decision. Lord Clifton himself seemed to take her refusal with admirable grace.”
Indeed, he had.
After their unexpectedly revealing conversation in the rose garden, Lord Clifton had accompanied Katherine back to the house where they had rejoined James and Rosabel. With impeccable tact, he had made it clear to her brother that while he found Lady Katherine’s acquaintance delightful, they had mutually determined that further pursuit would not be advisable.
James had been visibly disappointed, though too well-bred to express it in front of their host. Now, safely ensconced in their carriage, his frustration was finding voice.
“It’s been nearly a year,” he persisted. “Surely, it’s time to consider your future. Willow Park is well enough, but a woman alone—”
“Is entirely capable of managing her affairs,” Katherine finished firmly. “As I have demonstrated consistently since Edmund’s death.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
“Isn’t it?” Katherine met her brother’s gaze directly. “You believe I need the protection of a husband, despite all evidence that I am perfectly competent on my own.”
“I believe you deserve more than solitude,” James countered, his expression softening slightly. “Is it so wrong to wish for your happiness?”
The question caught Katherine off guard. Beneath her brother’s high-handed matchmaking attempts lay genuine concern, however misguided his methods might be.
“No,” she admitted quietly. “But you must understand that for me, happiness cannot be found in another conventional marriage. After Edmund...”
She trailed off, unwilling to elaborate further on the wounds her first marriage had inflicted—wounds that had only recently begun to heal, and only then because of her encounters with avery different sort of man than her brother would likely consider suitable.
Drake values my mind,she thought with unexpected clarity.Not just my connections or my comportment or what I can bring to his estate. He values me.
The realization sent a tremor through her that had nothing to do with the carriage’s motion over the rutted country lane.
“At least promise me you’ll try to open your mind to the possibility,” James said, misinterpreting her momentary distraction for consideration of his argument. “Not all gentlemen are like Edmund.”
“No,” Katherine agreed softly. “They’re not.”
Her thoughts returned to Drake—to their arguments over estate management, their shared concern for the tenants, the unexpected respect he had shown for her knowledge and abilities. To the way his grey eyes darkened when they debated particularly contentious points, the rare smile that transformed his serious features when something genuinely amused him.
What would it be like to be married to a man who saw her as an equal partner rather than an ornament or a possession? The question surfaced unbidden, sending a flush of warmth to her cheeks that she hurriedly concealed by turning back to the window.
“I believe we’re nearly home,” she observed, deliberately changing the subject as Willow Park’s familiar gates came into view.
The remainder of the journey passed in less contentious conversation, with Rosabel skilfully redirecting James whenever he showed signs of revisiting the topic of Katherine’s matrimonial prospects. By the time they arrived at Willow Park, an uneasy truce had been established.
“Will you stay for dinner?” Katherine asked as the carriage drew to a halt before the house. “Mrs. Winters has likely prepared for your return.”
James shook his head. “We should return to London tonight. Parliamentary matters require my attention early tomorrow.”
The excuse was transparent—her brother was still displeased with her rejection of Lord Clifton—but Katherine chose not to challenge it. In truth, she welcomed the prospect of solitude to sort through the tumult of emotions the day had stirred.
“Of course,” she replied, accepting his assistance down from the carriage. “Thank you for the excursion, even if it didn’t produce the result you hoped for.”
James’s expression softened slightly. “I only want what’s best for you, Katherine.”
“I know.” She reached up to kiss his cheek. “And I’m grateful for your concern, truly. But you must allow me to determine my own path.”
After bidding farewell to Rosabel, Katherine watched the carriage depart with a mixture of relief and affection. For all his overbearing tendencies, James did love her. Perhaps one day he would understand that her happiness might look different from the conventional path he envisioned.
Her housekeeper, Mrs. Winters, greeted her at the door with a concerned expression that immediately put Katherine on alert.
“Is something amiss?” she asked as she removed her bonnet.
“Not amiss precisely, my lady,” Mrs. Winters replied, taking the bonnet and Katherine’s light shawl. “But there has been a caller in your absence. Lord Greythorne.”
