“It did,” she agreed.
“But I did not ask how you feel about it. About him. I know you well enough to know that you would not do anything without reason. And I also know that you are not one to make a decision you did not think about completely. But still, as your uncle and guardian, I feel it is my duty to ensure that you are happy with that decision.”
Happy…
She didn’t know if she was happy. She didn’t even know if she was content with it. All she knew was that there was an obvious advantage to becoming the Duke’s wife for her and her sisters, and that had always been at the forefront of her mind.
She hadn’t considered whether she would be happy or not.
Frederic must have sensed her inner conflict because he asked, “Do you see yourself being happy with the Duke?”
“I… I don’t know,” she admitted. “I wish to believe that I will be content at the very least. He has stated that there will be no love between us which I am fine with as long as he upholds hispromise to respect me and assist my sisters in finding proper matches.”
Frederic furrowed his brow. “And you do not care to be in love?”
“Did you?” Catriona countered with a raised brow.
“I was far too focused on my studies to care about the starting a family. Now that I am old, I cannot help but regret how I neglected that part of my life. I don’t want you to make the same mistake.”
“I won’t. I’m getting married, aren’t I? That is already more than I had ever expected for myself.”
Apparently, that wasn’t the response Frederic was hoping for because he thinned his lips. Catriona wasn’t used to him being this serious. But before he could say anything else, Francis entered bearing a box wrapped with a large ribbon with a letter on top.
Catriona’s heart thudded painfully in her chest as Francis made his way over to her and said, “This arrived for you, Miss Wallace. It is from the Duke of Irvin.”
“The Duke?” Frederic echoed. He shifted closer, peering at the box curiously. “What is it?”
Catriona didn’t answer him. She was too busy trying to quell her nerves, praying that the butterflies creating havoc in herstomach would relax long enough for her to see what had been sent.
It was one thing to imagine him coming to see her, but it was another thing entirely to actually receive something from him. There was no obligation after all. They weren’t a love match. He could decide not to see or speak to her until the wedding date, though they were yet to set a date, and it would be perfectly acceptable.
She was grateful for her steady hands as she undid the ribbon and opened the box. Laying within was the most beautiful sea-green dress of lace and muslin, one that outdid every dress currently in her armoire.
“Quite an interesting gift from someone who says he does not care for love,” Frederic observed over her shoulder.
She ignored him. She reached for the letter instead.
Dear Catriona,
I have been invited to attend Lady Saxbury’s ball. This is the perfect opportunity for us to attend together. This dress will look lovely on you.
Yours, Joseph.
“To the point,” Frederic commented. Catriona didn’t flinch at his suddenly close proximity, not at all surprised to see that he hadbeen reading over her shoulder. “I think it would look lovely on you as well.”
She ignored him. Instead, she looked up at Francis, who waited patiently nearby. “Is the person who delivered this still here?”
“Yes, Your Grace. His footman was asked to wait for your response.”
How presumptuous of him to assume she would issue an immediate response. Catriona nodded sharply and stood, making her way to the desk on the other side of the library.
Unsurprisingly, Frederic and Francis followed.
“What are you going to say?” her nosy uncle asked.
She still didn’t pay him any mind. Not when he made it clear he intended to watch her every move with no care in the world. So, she simply reached for a clean sheet of paper and the quill pen, and she penned her response.
Your Grace,
