“Absolutely not.” Catherine laughed humorlessly. “But as this is not a situation that either one of us is going to be able to avoid, I do not see how we truly have a way around it.”
The first time that they had awoken this morning had been around breakfast time, though neither one of them was hungry for food. They had spent the better part of the morning daylight hours in bed, indulging in anything and everything that they could possibly wish. The second time that they had awoken, however, had been to a messenger arriving with the announcement of a very important letter.
A summons from the duke.
Despite the fact that he was full of resentment over the presumption that his father felt comfortable summoning him and his new bride as if they were dogs, he knew that ignoring the invitation would bring a veritable storm of terrible things headed in their direction.
They did the only thing that was possible to do in such a situation as that one. They packed up all of their things, seriously considered running away, and then they loaded into the carriage back to Wallingham Place.
“I wish that I could say with any amount of honesty that I thought there was any possibility of this turning out in our favor.” Richard sighed.
Catherine grinned and placed a hand on his knee as she leaned closer to him. “I no longer fear him. He cannot do anything to us. Whatever it is that he thinks that he will do to us, we shall endure it together. That was always the plan.”
Richard took comfort in her words; the fondness that had grown for her was growing in his chest. “I wish that I could say the same.”
“Well, you have had to endure him for a far longer amount of time than I have,” Catherine replied. “There is nothing left that he can take from me.”
Richard did not answer, for there was still plenty that the duke threatened to take from him all of the time. Disinheritance was perhaps at the top of the duke’s list of insults. Even without probable cause. It was another reason that the pair of them had been so bold last night and at dinner.
“The plan shall work, Richard,” Catherine reminded him with more confidence than he possessed.
He rolled his shoulders back and inhaled sharply. “You are right. Sitting here fretting about things that have not yet happened is only going to delay us further.”
“Correct.”
“Though, I will not deny that I would much rather stay here and find creative uses for this carriage for a while longer,” Richard said with a grin. The comment was the truth, but also a deflection that he used to shove his nerves down deep inside of himself. His father was best at finding the small weaknesses and insecurities in a person. His old man delighted in tearing others down with swift brutality.
He would not be able to do so to them. He would make sure of it.
Richard signaled for the door to be opened and then stepped out. He reached for Catherine’s hand automatically. A small thrill went through him as she daintily placed her hand in his. She wore a very fine lavender-colored gown for the occasion.
Her raven hair had been swept up and pinned with pearls. A small hint of rouge was added to the apples of her cheeks. She looked every bit as bridal as she had last night.
Her touch was delicate as she rested her hand on the crook of his arm. A mask of indifference was placed onto her lovely face like armor, and he did his very best to emulate it. He was walking into his own home, and yet he felt as if he were trespassing.
The butler greeted them at the door and started what felt like a procession of funeral slowness toward the duke’s office. Of course, he would not come to meet them anywhere else. No, he would demand that this was all done on his own turf so that he could sit at his polished wood desk and feel superior to them both.
The butler gave them a strange look right before he knocked on the office door, and then allowed them into the awaiting silence.
“Presenting, Lord Richard Landry and Lady Catherine Landry, Your Grace.”
Richard heard his father scoff even from the hallway. His hand balled into a fist tight enough that it cracked a knuckle. Catherine placed her other hand on his arm and squeezed.
Richard spurred them both into motion before he could think better of it. The knot of dread in his throat threatened to choke him, even as he plastered on a bright, chipper smile. “Good afternoon, Father!”
The duke, naturally, did nothing but glower at him.
“I wished to present my new bride to you formally. I am certain that we missed your well wishes at the ceremony.” Richard even managed to smile throughout the whole line.
“As I am certain that I missed my invitation,” the duke practically snarled. He did not so much as glance in Catherine’s direction. As if looking at her directly would be too much. He would not be able to make her disappear just by refusing to acknowledge her, no matter how he might wish otherwise. “Just the same, I suppose, as I missed the part where I consented to such an abomination!”
Richard refused to flinch. He inhaled as deeply as he could to keep from raising his voice in return. Catherine’s presence was soothing. “I seem to recall that you insisted that I take a wife. I have done so, and now you are cross that it was not the one of your choosing? I am perfectly capable of finding my own happiness.”
The duke laughed humorlessly. “Happiness?! Do not pretend that I cannot see through this pathetic attempt at rebellion. You have made a mockery of yourself with this, boy!”
“Watch your tongue.”
“Do not presume that you will dictate the way that I shall speak in my own house. I do not accept your marriage, and I will not have that…that…tainting my bloodline. Her father was of bad stock and ill blood, and I will not allow it!” The duke slammed his fist down on the top of his desk as he shouted.
