“So, you decided to come to the rescue?” There was sarcasm in Henry’s voice, but Christopher knew by way he looked at Lady Catherine that he did not dislike her quite as much as he’d claimed. The opposite, in fact.
“I have decided to save my sister from having to spend her life with a man she does not love and who is, to say the least, insufferable.” She glanced back at them, determination on her small, round face.
“Perhaps if she gets to choose the husband she wants, so can I.” She shrugged as she stepped through the front door of the church, the group falling silent as they followed.
Then, as his eyes adjusted to the dark, Christopher saw her and once more, his heart leapt.
Chapter 20
Rowena sat in the pew beside her sister-in-law. She’d never been particularly close to Margaret. She was a nice enough woman but a rather plain girl, raised to be nothing but a wife. To be obedient, loyal, and perfect.
Rather like me. Yes, it is true, Margaret is just like me. A plain, boring, perfect wife of theton.
Rowena shook her head at the realization. Still, it was not her concern at this very moment. No. Right now her fear, her worry, were not for herself but for Betsy.
She glanced at her sister-in-law.
“Thank you for telling me,” she squeezed Margaret’s arm.
“I grappled with it. I like Betsy well enough, but I do not know her as you do and I do not want to alarm her unnecessary. But being close to Lady Portsmouth as I am–” She shook her head and sighed, placing her hand over her belly as she often did these days.
“It must be difficult for her,” Rowena said when the sound of a door opening drew her attention.
She turned back, expecting worshipers to enter for the next service. Her breath caught in her throat as she saw that it was not a stranger, looking to pray, but her sister, Catherine. Followed by none other than Christopher and his brother, Mister Newmont. Beside her, she realized Margaret had been talking and she’d heard not a word of it.
“I am sorry, dear. What was that?”
Margaret looked up at her, a small smile on her thin lips. Her eyes were round and amber colored. Usually they stood out, giving her face a unique appearance. Today however, her eyes looked as tired as the rest of her.
“I was just saying how fortunate I am to have wed your brother. I cannot imagine being stuck in a marriage with a rake like Lord Portsmouth. Lisbeth is ever so miserable with him, and yet can do nothing but endure.”
Rowena swallowed, filled with gratitude that her brother had grown into an honorable man who did right by his wife. Along with the gratitude came a wave of fear once more. Fear for Betsy who was now stuck in a house with a man who, if Margaret was right, viewed his servants as his property–the female ones in particular.
She glanced back at Christopher and her sister, frowning as they entered her line of sight.
What are they all doing here? Certainly, they have not all come for me.
“Catherine,” Margaret’s voice filled the empty space in the church.
“Margaret, are you well?” Catherine asked as she slid into the pew beside them.
“Faith, no. I am swollen and ready to hold this child in my arms, but apart from that I am as well as can be expected. Have you come for us?”
Catherine locked eyes with Rowena when replying.
“I have come to assist the Duke’s brother in search of his watch.”
Rowena listened with her eyes narrowed as her sister told the tale of the missing watch. All the while she kept the Duke in sight. Suddenly, an idea rose inside of her.
“I shall assist them. Catherine, why don’t you escort Margaret back to our parents. She is ever so tired. It’s been a vexing day.”
“Perhaps we can take the air in the shade a little, Margaret. What do you say? We can sit on the bench by the lake and watch the ducks before rejoining the others.”
Margaret nodded and rose, assisted by Catherine. “Indeed, that is a lovely idea. I could use some air; these old churches are ever so stuffy.”
As she made her way down the aisle she stopped in front of Christopher. “Your Grace, thank you again for the assistance. It would have to be on a hot day such as today when our carriage broke down.” She curtsied. “You are a blessing upon this family, Your Grace.”
Christopher bowed and bade her farewell as Margaret and Catherine made their way out of the church, leaving Rowena alone in the church with Christopher and his brother.
