The Virgin in the Rake’s Bed by Ava MacAdams

Chapter Thirty-Three

“It is all too remarkable for words,” Rebecca exclaimed, shaking her head for what must have been the tenth time that morning.

Catherine, Rebecca, and Samantha were sitting in the drawing room at Westwick Manor, taking tea. It was the morning after Catherine and Ian had returned from Ashcourt Park, and Catherine had barely slept for fear of what had happened to Ian. She had remained awake, listening for the sound of his carriage, which had not come until the early hours. He had climbed into bed and kissed her before falling asleep almost immediately.

It had not been until the early morning that Catherine had learned the full story of what had transpired between Ian and the Duke of Sinclair, and she had sent word to Rebecca and Samantha immediately that they might join her. The events of the past few weeks seemed even more remarkable when explained in their fullness, and Catherine could almost not believe herself that she was now a married woman, albeit one not yet living in the full happiness of that state.

“And you were married by a blacksmith?” Samantha said, looking at Catherine in amazement.

“The anvil priest, in the forge, at Gretna Green, yes. It was all very romantic, though I did miss having the two of you there,” she replied.

“And we have missed seeing you married, too, Catherine. It is so sad,” Rebecca said, sighing.

“A sadder fate would be to see me married to the Earl of Westwood. That would be a fate most unfortunate. I would have had my society wedding, granted, but a life of misery would have awaited me. I far prefer the forge,” Catherine said, smiling at them both.

“But what is to happen now? Do your father and your brother know you have returned to London?” Samantha asked.

Catherine shook her head. As far as she knew, neither Rickard nor her father knew she and Ian had returned to London. That was part of the plan, which Ian had explained to her that morning. The Duke of Sinclair was to host a dinner under the auspices of business. Rickard and Catherine’s father would be invited, and Ian and Catherine, too. The Duke of Sinclair intended to make it clear that a threat against Ian was a threat against him, too, and he had ways and means of making things very difficult for Catherine’s father in matters of business. It was a risk, but one which Ian had explained was necessary if this sorry business was to be put behind them.

“Then you and I are sisters-in-law, Catherine,” Rebecca exclaimed, as though the fact had only just occurred to her.

“Of sorts, I suppose. Though hardly in orthodox terms. It is true that Ian and Nicholas are half-brothers, but it hardly counts for anything. I do not believe Ian wishes anything to do with the family which is his by blood. It is all so terribly complicated, but I hope it will come well in the end, though we both know what a huge secret this is,” she said, taking a sip of tea.

It had been a bold decision to tell Rebecca the truth. Her loyalty to Nicholas was undoubted, and the secret itself was so fraught with danger that even to know it was a risk. But Catherine had always trusted Rebecca, and it was clear now she could trust her again, despite the astonishing revelation.

“And do you think your father and brother will allow such a threat to be made against them?” Rebecca asked, wide-eyed with amazement.

“My father is a greedy man. If he is told his business interests are to suffer – even if he stood to gain much from my marriage to the Earl of Westwood – then I believe he will back down. Rickard is another matter, he has less to lose, and more to gain. We shall see,” she replied.

Secretly, Catherine was worried. She wished it would all just go away and that she and Ian could be left in peace. But her father would never give in so easily, and she was certain that in her absence he had made further moves to ensure her marriage to the Earl of Westwood. She wanted that same happily ever after which Rebecca and Samantha had enjoyed, but it seemed she would have to wait a little longer before that happy day could come.

“Nicholas does not know. He said nothing of all this at breakfast this morning, and I have not seen the duke today,” Rebecca said, and Catherine nodded.

“And that is how it must stay until all is revealed. Promise me you will say nothing to him, Rebecca?” she said, and Rebecca glanced nervously at Samantha.

“I do not like keeping secrets from my husband. Surely, Nicholas has a right to know of the existence of a brother,” she replied.

“And he shall know, but not yet, please,” she said, and Rebecca nodded.

“Very well, for your sake, Catherine,” she replied.

Catherine was glad to have the confidence of her two closest friends. They had been through much together in matters of the heart, and with her own happiness so close at hand, Catherine was adamant that nothing should now stand in the way of her final release from the influences of her father and brother. It pained her to think it, but she wished for nothing more to do with them, and that the dinner might be the final break.

“I am grateful to you both, really, I am,” she said, and her two friends smiled at her.

“We have always been there for one another. That is what friends do,” Samantha replied, and Catherine raised her teacup.

“To friends, and a happier future,” she said, as each of them toasted the other.

* * *

“And you are sure you wish to go through with it?” Catherine asked, as she and Ian dressed for the dinner.

It was two days after Ian’s encounter with the duke, and an invitation had arrived the previous morning, inviting them to dine at the Somerset residence. Catherine was nervous at the prospect of encountering her father and brother, nervous as to what might occur when their hands were dealt, and intentions made clear. She did not wish to see either of them, but she knew she must in order to break free.

“There is no other choice, Catherine. The Duke of Sinclair intends to settle the matter this evening. Do not worry, you will not have to say anything, though I am sure there is much you would wish to say. I will be at your side the whole night, and after it is over, we shall be free to enjoy our happiness together. We can go wherever you wish and do whatever you wish,” he said, smiling at her.

Catherine nodded. Her heart was already beating fast, her nerves rising, but she put on a brave face and finished dressing, examining herself in the mirror for a moment, before taking Ian’s arm. “When I first encountered you in the library at the Somerset residence, I never thought it would lead to this,” she said, and he laughed.

“And when I encountered you there, I never thought it would, either. But love has a strange habit of taking us by surprise. All my self-imposed rules were as nothing. They did not protect me from true love, and how thankful I am for that,” he replied.

“Did you imagine you would live by them your whole life?” she asked, as they descended the stairs together.

“When the dreadful truth of what had happened between my brother and Cassandra was revealed, I thought I would never trust another woman again. I wanted to shut myself off, to never allow my emotions to get the better of me. But that was mere folly, and I could not hope to ever truly prevent myself from falling in love. I thought I would live by them, yes, but I have discovered it an impossibility when faced with the true love that was ever meant to be,” he said, and he turned to her as they came to the hallway and put his arms around her.

“I just want us to be happy together,” she replied, and he kissed her.

“And we shall be, we are, but first we must see to this sorry situation. Come now, the carriage awaits,” he said, ushering her toward the door.

As they rode toward the Somerset residence, Catherine found herself growing more and more nervous. She was glad that Rebecca would be there, but anxious to think about what Nicholas would say when the truth was revealed. There was so much at stake, and as they drew up outside the house, she turned to Ian and put her arms around him.

“I am terrified,” she admitted, and he kissed her on the forehead.

“Of your father?” he asked, and she shook her head.

“Of it all. It seems foolish to admit it, but I would happily have remained forever at Ashcourt Park. The gardens there were so lovely, and that night we spent there… well, I felt as though everything was all right,” she said, and he smiled.

“And if you wish to return there, we shall,” he replied, as the carriage door was opened and they stepped out to face what might be.