“And does my position mean that I must lounge around doing nothing? Is that what duchesses do all day?”
Her bottom lip jutted out into a slight pout that pulled another smile to his lips. “A duchess can do whatever she wishes.”
“I find that hard to believe.”
“Which does not surprise me,” Joseph responded easily, earning him a sharp look. “Tell me, Catriona, what do you want the most?”
“Pardon me?”
He met her stare, not backing down even though the warning bells blaring in the back of his mind told him that he should. “What do you want the most in this moment? Don’t think about it. Just tell me.”
“I…” She trailed off as her eyes drifted to his lips. Without thinking, Joseph licked them, feeling hot all of a sudden. He swallowed as the memory of their kiss flashed in his mind, pulling at something deep within him. For a moment, he considered throwing caution to the wind, considered ignoring everything in him telling him that what he was about to do was a terrible idea.
Catriona stood suddenly and took two large steps away from him. She kept her back to him for a few seconds, and when she turned, she wore her usual look of cool indifference. “I know exactly what I intend to do.”
Joseph didn’t stand. He didn’t dare let himself get close to her again. “What is that?”
“I intend to find the only other person in this manor who surely must be as bored as I am.” Then, with only a small nod of farewell, she turned and left the gazebo, Nina happily bounding after her.
Joseph stared after her, tempted to follow. He knew who she meant. At this time, Dorothea must be having a break from her lessons, surely drawing in her nursery like she usually did whenever she got the chance to. Joseph knew his daughter well enough to know that she might not welcome the interruption.
But he was beginning to know Catriona well enough to sense that Dorothea’s coldness wouldn’t serve as a hindrance to her. She just might get his daughter to warm to her, just like she got him to do the same.
CHAPTER 13
Catriona waited until she was out of sight before she let out the breath she was holding. Once inside, she sagged against the wall in the hallway, hand to her racing heart, eyes wide.
Had he… nearly kissed her?
No, that was utter madness. She had come to terms with the fact that she was his wife in title alone which meant she was nothing to him. There was nothing to be confused about, she told herself. She should only focus on the facts.
“You were only caught up in the moment, Cat,” she murmured to herself, continuing her trek to Dorothea’s nursery. “You were feeling bored and restless and… hot. Yes, the heat has a way of muddling one’s mind, after all. I was not thinking straight.”
But all she could imagine was that slight dip of his head.
The days apart had only driven her to the point of delusion; that was all. Catriona had known better than to seek him out, knowing that her husband would not appreciate the interruption. She hadn’t dared to give in to that longing to seek his company and had simply convinced herself that the only reason she cared to in the first place was because she was lonely. She missed her sisters, and the two other residents of this house seemed only to keep their own company. She clearly hadn’t been thinking straight.
Catriona stopped in front of Dorothea’s nursery, hesitating with her hand hovering over the doorknob. It was time to forget about the Duke, she told herself. Surely, he must have forgotten about her by now.
But his laughter still echoed in her mind. His smiling face was still all she could see. Her heart had fluttered at the sight and did the same now thinking back on it. He was gorgeous. But he wasn’t truly hers, and he never would be. She had to remember that. Joseph only belonged to himself.
With that, she shoved her shoulders back and entered the nursery.
Dorothea was sitting at the small table under the window on the other side of the room. The little girl looked up at her entrance, her hand going still over the sheet of paper she drew on. No expression crossed her face. She only looked at Catriona and then looked away, resuming her task.
Catriona ventured over. She’d tried seeking Dorothea out before but every time she did, the girl was far too busy with her lessons. Catriona didn’t know how a girl this young could possibly keep up with learning so many things at such a young age, but she didn’t seem to have time to do anything else. And since Dorothea didn’t come seeking her out again, Catriona had only assumed that she’d used her free time alone. Or perhaps with her father. She hoped it was the latter.
“Good day, Dorothea,” Catriona greeted as she sat on the little chair across from her stepdaughter. “How are you?”
Dorothea didn’t answer. She focused on the rose she drew, her fingers deftly curled around her pencil. Catriona peered closer.
“My, that is quite impressive. You are very talented, Dorothea. It almost looks as if I could pick it up off the page.”
Still, there was no response. Dorothea didn’t look at her and didn’t stop her drawing.
Catriona could take a hint. It seemed she was destined to be lonely in this manor. With a sigh, she began to rise.
“Have you seen Daddy today?”
