“How did I embarrass or ignore you? I didn’t even know you and Father were here. Now if you’ll excuse us, we were just leaving.”
“You can’t leave yet. There are so many people you need to meet.”
Cathryn shook her head and linked her hand through Charles’s arm. “No, we don’t. My only purpose for being here was to play for the prince and princess. We’ve done that. We’re leaving.”
“You ungrateful cow,” her mother hissed.
Charles moved his body in such a way he blocked the two women, standing in between them. He was about to say something when Cathryn tugged at his arm, trying to lead him away.
“She’s not worth it, Charles.”
He nodded. “You’re right.”
She let him lead her out the same door they had come in through, leaving her mother alone, her mouth once more open in disbelief.
Neither spoke while walking down the hall to their waiting carriage. What could be said? Her mother wasn’t worth the words it would take to describe her actions.
A footman opened the door to the carriage and stood aside as Charles helped her up the steps leading into the carriage. He immediately followed her and sat down next to her. The footman closed the door, and the carriage began to roll forward.
“You were extraordinary this evening, love,” Charles said.
“I was quite satisfied with my performance, but I’m glad it’s over with.”
“Your mother?”
“No. I’ve gotten to the point where when she gets like that, the best thing to do is ignore her. It’s almost as though she wants you to get into an argument with her,” Cathryn replied.
“I was very proud of how you handled her.”
Cathryn smiled at his compliment. It wasn’t something he did a lot so when he did, it was something to be cherished because it came from his heart. “Thank you.”
The carriage was moving at a slower than normal pace due to the congestion in the streets.
“When do you want to go back to the estate?” she asked, leaning her head against his shoulder.
“Would tomorrow be too soon?”
“I can be ready,” she said.
“I’m afraid if we stay, your mother is going to start calling on you.”
Cathryn laughed softly. “I hadn’t thought of that, but you are correct.”
“From all I’ve observed of your mother, I would say she lives vicariously through you,” Charles said.
“You might be right. She’s not a very good player even though she’s practiced and practiced. She simply is an average player, and it makes her crazy. Not everyone can play at my level.”
The carriage finally pulled up in front of Jameson House. They walked into a relatively quiet house. Cathryn had made sure no one waited up for them by giving the staff the night off. She took off her shawl and placed it in her arms.
“Come, let’s go upstairs. I asked Frazier to leave a bottle of chilled champagne in the sitting room in our suite. I thought a celebration was in order,” Charles said.
“How thoughtful.”
They entered the room and indeed found a bottle of champagne chilling on ice. It was set on a small marble-topped table with two glasses beside the champagne. The bed was turned back waiting for them and a fire was still lit.
“Would you like to get more comfortable first or enjoy a glass now?” Charles asked.
“Let’s enjoy a glass now. Afterwards we can change and enjoy the rest of our evening,” she replied, kicking off her slippers. She sat down on a settee and waited for him to bring a glass to her.It hit her right then how tired she was. Having been on the go all day, she hadn’t stopped at all until now.
