Lord Landry nodded. “Artworks like you cannot imagine.”
“Oh, I do love art. I do not have any talent with a brush or paint, but I love admiring the galleries,” Catherine admitted. Though, it was followed by a hint of sadness over the realization that she was unlikely to be invited to any openings any time soon. It was one of the social events of the Season that she had not actually minded attending. She did not miss the balls and the social intrigues, but the access to art…the proximity of the great library…those would be things that she missed while living out here in the country.
“Perhaps you could accompany me? I do have a secret passion for art. I will not claim to betalentedby any means, but I enjoy dabbling in the mediums,” Richard said. “I could show you…if you like.”
Did he truly mean it? He certainly looked as if he did…she almost was too nervous to hope that he did.
“I think I should like that very much,” Catherine agreed. “Is that what you would have wished to do with your life, if it were not for all of this?”
“I never gave it much thought, if I am being perfectly honest. Given that I was born to take the mantle for my father someday, that is all that I have ever allowed myself to know to be. If I were given the free choice? Oh, I could hardly say…” Lord Landry continued, appearing to give the subject great lengthy consideration. “What would you have wished to be?”
“A composer, I think.” Catherine waited for him to mock her. She had never said her ambitions out loud.
“Have you ever composed something before?” he asked.
“Nothing on such a grand scale as to be presented to an orchestra. Not by half. But I like to think that I could…if given the opportunity,” she admitted. She had certainly spent enough hours at the pianoforte, pushing at keys and buttons and playing with sounds until they were harmonious and beautiful. If passion alone would be enough to drive her—she knew that she could manage it. Talent was something, but her dedication would make it happen…if only she could.
“To think what might come of a world where one could simply have the freedom to be whatever they chose without having to be born into a particular family or act a particular way.” Lord Landry sighed. “Not that I mean to sound ungrateful. I suppose every life comes with its own challenges and setbacks, just depending on how things happen.”
“A utopia. Though, human nature would disrupt that.” Catherine chuckled.
Lord Landry winked at her. “Perhaps not with enough music, they would not.”
She liked the idea of that very, very much.
Chapter 15
Richard did not wish to get his hopes up, but he felt that things were going very well. Almosttoowell. It was easier to talk to Lady Catherine; he wanted to remain by her side, and yet, there was a lingering anxiety that perhaps he would do or say the wrong thing and somehow offend the stunning woman by his side.
Everything that he learned about her only endeared her to him further. Every new facet that he uncovered made him wonder what else there might be for him to learn about her.
But it seemed that she was still having some lingering doubts.
When he had tried to kiss her—the notion just a fleeting thing that he had felt the moment might have been more than it was…she had turned her head away. Was he pushing too hard? Had he been that far out of line? He had not thought so, but perhaps he had been, and he had not meant to be.
If they continued spending more time together, would it change her mind? Seeing her light up when she had seen his gift as she had, had awoken something inside of him. Something he did not have a name for. He wanted to make her smile.
More than anything, he wished to be the reason for her happiness when so much had already been taken from her in this life. Though, guilt was a small portion of that as well. Perhaps someday, he would even be lucky enough to have her compose songs about him.
But he was getting ahead of himself again.
“I have been giving it some more thought, you know,” Lady Catherine said ominously.
He tried to stop focusing on how her thigh was resting beside him, warm and within his reach. He refrained from acting on any impulse that might make her uncomfortable, but the desire was certainly there. “What have you been thinking about?”
“Your proposal.”
He nearly sputtered. Of all of the things that he had been thinking, that had not been it.
“The one that you rejected?” He smiled, but it still stung a little bit.
“Yes. The very same.” Lady Catherine smiled and continued, “Would the duke not stop the union? Is this not one trespass that he would outright forbid? I could only imagine that he would do absolutely everything within his power to stop an unwanted union.”
He had already taken great care and effort to plan everything out. He knew the contingencies and backup places with his eyes closed. Ever since he was a little boy, he had had to chase the things that he wanted in spite of his father.
He would have to acquire things in a way that would not be noticed and, therefore, had no possibility of being ruined by the duke or taken away from him prematurely. It was a very hard-learned lesson. But the principles of it would still apply here. He knew how to navigate around the man, and Lady Catherine was the most worthy prize that he had ever set his eyes upon.
Richard nodded. “Of course, he would, but he would not have to know about it.”
