Page 23 of A Duke's Scandalous Obsession
Dominic knew that he deserved this hostility. “I promise,” he heard himself say politely.
“I can take care of myself,” Catherine suddenly interfered, addressing them both. “No need to speak on my behalf.”
Reginald glanced at her one last time, then nodded. She watched him retire to his carriage, then a few moments later, he disappeared from sight. Several other guests approached to bid their farewells, and soon enough, Dominic and Catherine were left alone.
Unexpectedly, he felt like a little boy, not sure what exactly he needed to do. He wanted to show her the entire mansion, but customs dictated that he presented her to the staff first.
So, he decided on that, although nothing they did was done according to any rules. However, rules provided somesemblance of routine, control over the situation, and a sense of safety. That was why he decided to start with the staff, as any other married couple would have done. He didn’t want to be different from them.
“Come,” he urged her softly. He considered taking her by the hand, but perhaps she would consider it too bold. So, he kept his hands to himself. “I will gather the staff in the hallway.”
She didn’t say anything to that. She merely followed him like a shadow, and for a moment, Dominic wondered if, in his selfishness, he had done the right thing or exactly the opposite of what he needed to do.
Chapter 12
The dreaded moment had finally arrived. Reginald was gone. All the other guests were gone as well, and Catherine was alone with her husband in her new home. She watched as all the servants were gathered in the grand hallway of the estate, all of them quiet and focusing their gazes on their master. Catherine stood by his side, unable to do anything other than to watch.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” Dominic began in a voice that strangely titillated her as only a combination of authority and warmth could, “I have the pleasure of introducing to you my wife, Lady Catherine.”
He gestured gracefully towards Catherine, who immediately smiled and did a small curtsy to greet everyone. The nerves in her heart almost made that simple movement impossible.
The servants immediately reciprocated, bowing and curtsying respectfully, their expressions filled with genuine warmth. Catherine realized that she actually felt welcomed there, in what had so unexpectedly become her new home. She was extremely grateful for that small act of kindness on behalf of everyone.
Dominic then turned to the housekeeper; a seasoned matron whose air of authority was evident in the way she was standing at the beginning of the long line of servants. “Mrs. Jenkins,”he addressed her with a respectful nod, “please show Lady Catherine to her quarters and ensure that she is comfortable.”
“Yes, Your Grace,” Mrs. Jenkins nodded politely. “It would be my pleasure.”
He glanced at Catherine. “I will be in my study, but if you need me for anything, do not hesitate to interrupt.”
“Thank you,” she said without any color to her voice. “That won’t be necessary. You’d best focus on your work.”
A part of her felt slightly offended that he would choose to leave her alone. He forced her to marry him, to come here and now he was leaving her alone on her first day there? That made no sense. Once again, she was angry with him. She kept adding more reasons to be upset with him. Why would he force her to marry him? Why was he leaving her alone? Why was he looking almost devilishly handsome in that wedding attire? The list seemed endless.
Mrs. Jenkins stepped forward with a reassuring smile, almost as if she could recognize all the doubt inside Catherine’s mind. She extended her arm towards Catherine in a gesture of hospitality. “If you would be so kind as to follow me, Lady Catherine, I will see to it that you are settled in.”
“Yes, thank you,” she smiled back at the friendly request, feeling at the same time a wave of relief. It was probably for the best forher to be alone, to collect her thoughts and acclimate to her new surroundings without the duke present everywhere she turned.
With a hasty nod in the duke’s direction, she proceeded to follow Mrs. Jenkins down the ornate hallway, her footsteps echoing softly against the polished marble floors. Then, once they were out of earshot of both the duke and the rest of the servants, Mrs. Jenkins spoke again.
“I must say, Lady Catherine,” her words were filled with genuine sincerity, “we are all delighted to have you here at last. We’ve been eagerly anticipating your arrival.”
“You have?” Catherine echoed, as the kind lady’s words felt like a gentle wave of warmth, soothing Catherine’s nerves that had fluttered within her since her arrival.
“Oh, indeed,” Mrs. Jenkins turned to her as she spoke. “Your chamber has been ready for almost a month, as per the duke’s special request.”
“Special request?” Catherine echoed again, lifting an eyebrow. “What special request?”
“Oh,” Mrs. Jenkins chuckled sweetly, looking away as if her eyes might betray what her lips almost did. “Perhaps I shouldn’t have said anything. I almost spoiled the surprise.”
Catherine had come to learn that surprises were never a good thing, so now she feared them. But something in Mrs. Jenkins’ voice assured her that this surprise was nothing to be afraid of. They kept walking through the labyrinthine corridors of the estate, until finally, Mrs. Jenkins stopped in front of a large, elaborately crafted door that held two lion heads as the doorknob.
“These are your quarters, my lady,” Mrs. Jenkins announced.
“Here?” Catherine wondered, staring in awe at the door. “But… I changed and got ready for the wedding in another room. I was under the impression that was to be mine.”
“Oh no, no,” Mrs. Jenkins shook her head. “That was one of the guestrooms. The duke stated specifically that we show you to your chambers after the wedding.”
“I see,” Catherine nodded, slightly confused by this unusual order of things. Still, that didn’t change anything. She was equally reluctant to be there, regardless of the chamber that was to be bestowed upon her.
