She’d given him her heart, and he had cast it aside without a care.
Silently praying she wouldn’t bump into him, Catherine hurried out into the hallway and paused to catch her breath beside the life-size statue of some half-naked Roman god. Lysander’s appearance had shaken her to core, more that she could have imagined. She eyed the grand staircase, wondering if she should simply feign a headache and sneak off to her room.
“I knew you’d be rattled,” a familiar male voice said. “The fellow is here for the night, apparently, which means you’ll have to face him sooner or later. At least, I suspect the reason you scurried out here was to try and avoid him.”
Catherine regarded her eldest sibling, Henry, who had always been able to read her every mood. “I just…” She winced. “It was such ashock, Henry, seeing him after all this time. I wasn’t prepared.”
Henry scoffed. “It’s been a shock to everyone. The elusive Duke of Gillingham, in the flesh and unattached. I’m not sure how Lady Pennington managed it, but it’s quite the coup, and she’s basking in her triumph. All the unmarried women present, young and not so young, are practically throwing themselves at the man’s feet.”
“Notallthe unmarried women,” Catherine replied, with emphasis.
“No, Cat.” Henry gave her a sympathetic smile. “Not all of them.”
“And besides, it looks like he’s already spoken for. There was a woman with him in the grand salon. Young. Very pretty. She seems familiar, but I can’t place her.”
Henry appeared to ponder. “Young? With yellow hair?”
“Gold hair, yes.”
“Gold, yellow.” Henry shrugged. “Yes, that would be his cousin, Miss Halliwell, Lord Stanley’s daughter. She’s engaged to Lord Fullerton.”
“Oh, yes, of course.” Catherine nodded, annoyed by an unexpected flare of relief. Why should she care whether Lysander had acquainted himself with another since Helena’s death?
“As far as I can tell, the man is making it very clear that he’snotlooking for a wife.” Henry regarded her intently. “Much to the disappointment of many.”
“Well, it does not signify with me, Henry.” The declaration sounded forced, not quite genuine. Flustered, Catherine fiddled with the lace edging of her cuff. “Though I will confess to wondering why he’s here, if seeking a wife is not his motive.”
“I’m sure he has his reasons.” Henry offered his elbow. “Come, my dear. Enough of this foolishness. Let’s rejoin the party.”
Catherine shook her head. “No, I’m afraid I can’t. The thought of having to face Lysander terrifies me. Please understand. You, of all people, should understand.”
“Terrifiesyou?” Henry’s eyes widened. “Why, for Heaven’s sake? It all happened years ago, and you did nothing wrong. He’s the one who should be—”
“Please, Henry.” Catherine placed a hand on her stomach as if to calm the churning within. “I know I’m being foolish, but I just need a little while to gather myself. That’s all.”
“Oh, very well. I’ll give you fifteen minutes, and then—”
“Thirty.”
“Twenty. Anymore, and your absence is certain to be noted and probably investigated. I guarantee I’m not the only one who thought of you when Gillingham appeared. In any case, I’ll not allow him to ruin your day.Youshould not allow him to do so. Take a few minutes, by all means, then I’ll come and fetch you. That way, if youshouldrun into him, you won’t be alone.” Henry scratched his jaw. “If he’s still here, of course. He might grow weary of all the female attention and leave. You never know.”
Catherine heaved a sigh. “Oh, I do hope so.”
“Hmm.” Henry gave her an odd look. “So, where will I find you?”
She glanced about. “I don’t know. Somewhere quiet. I’d really prefer to feign a headache and retire to my room.”
Henry shook his head. “No, Cat, you can’t do that. I won’t allow it. Why don’t you spend some time in the orangery? It’s a restful place, separate from the house, and heated too. I doubt anyone will be there at the moment.”
“The orangery.” Catherine blinked. “Yes, that’s a good idea.”
“Twenty minutes, then, and not a minute more. In my opinion, you need to face him.”
“I really don’t see why. It won’t solve anything.”
“There is nothing to solve. You just need to get it over with, and the sooner the better. If the fellow is out and about in society again, bumping into him is inevitable, don’t you think?”
She heaved a sigh. “Yes, I suppose so.”
