by Lucy Langton
Back in the sitting room, Catherine sank heavily down into the chair near the window. Marcus returned to the chair he had occupied earlier, their voices still silent as the ticking of the grandfather clock filled the space with some sort of sound. After a while, a maid brought in a tea tray, and Catherine happily accepted a hot cup of Earl Grey tea to help lift her spirits.
All the while that they waited to hear what would happen, Catherine remained silent and tried to still her mind. She ate a few of the tarts that had been brought with the tea, thinking they were lovely. For so late in the season for strawberries, she thought it was a rather nice treat. She didn’t focus on Marcus’ behaviour or what they would do if the Royal Magistrate did not believe them. Instead, Catherine focused on what she could see in the gardens outside the window or the people she saw passing through the courtyard.
“We should return to the countryside as soon as we know what will happen,” Marcus spoke up after an hour or so had passed. “Town will not be a place for us, regardless of whom the Royal Magistrate votes in favour of.”
“I’m sure all of our matters of business can be settled before too long. I’m just worried about how the traveling will affect Lady Evergreen,” Catherine replied, not looking towards Marcus as she spoke. She was so nervous that she was afraid to look towards him in case she burst into tears. She felt rather guilty that she hadn’t spoken to Marcus sooner about her brother’s problems. Perhaps if she had, then this entire situation wouldn’t have happened.
“I’m sure Aunt Daniella wouldn’t mind staying in Town. There are more resources here, and so are her dear friends. I’m sure the children at the orphanage miss their patron,” Marcus said. Catherine had been so focused on her own problems that her thoughts had wandered from the orphan children. Just thinking of them made her long to go visit with them and do something simple such as reading them a book or joining in with their games. She did love to bring them such joy, even when her own life wasn’t much better.
“Before we leave Town, I want to visit the orphanage with Lady Evergreen. I miss seeing their happy faces,” Catherine commented, finally daring to look at her husband. “After all, it was where we first made introductions.” She saw the smile come to Marcus’ lips as he nodded his head.
“You truly did look happy with those children, Catherine. That is how I knew you would make a good mother for Beth because you showed those orphans such compassion,” he said. “It is your loving nature that I truly love dearly about you.”
Catherine turned her head away from Marcus, knowing she was close to tears. She hated what had become of them and their situation. She greatly disliked all the poor choices her brother had made that had led to this moment. And she even more disliked the thought that a man such as Lord Whetstone could practically get away with any ill action of his choosing. She felt terrible for the woman he was set to marry and hoped that God would show the young lady mercy.
Catherine jumped when the sound of knocking came to the door. She was quick to rise to her feet, as was Marcus as the door opened and the Royal Magistrate himself stepped into the room. He wore a simple smile on his lips, making Catherine wonder what he could possibly say next.
“I apologise for keeping the two of you waiting,” he said as he gestured for them to take a seat once more. As they did so, he took to the settee opposite them and folded his hands in his lap.
“After discussing the pressing matter with the other gentlemen of high society, we have all agreed that Lord Whetstone is surely at fault after hearing the testimonies that all did blend together. I have sent for the constables from the palace to be dispatched immediately in order to summon Lord Whetstone to the palace to stand trial.”
After hearing the Royal Magistrate’s words, Catherine let out a long, audible sigh. She was relieved to hear that justice would finally come to the man who had plagued her for so long. Perhaps now he wouldn’t be able to hurt any other young ladies, and the Duke’s daughter could be spared being married to such a horrible man.
“I’m pleased to hear this,” Marcus spoke up then. “I think my wife has suffered greatly because of the actions of this man. I want the record to be set straight that she wasn’t at fault.”
“The news will be published in the papers, no doubt. Either from myself or from the gossiping words of one of the other gentlemen,” the Royal Magistrate said with the shrug of his shoulders. “But, for now, you two are encouraged to return home when you are ready.”
“Thank you for hearing us,” Marcus said as he stood with the Royal Magistrate and exchanged handshakes. When the older man left the room, Catherine watched as Marcus approached her and extended his hand to her.
“Let’s go home,” he said, a smile on his face. Catherine nodded, taking his hand and allowing him to pull her to her feet. She sighed once more before leaving the room, feeling better knowing that this matter was now through and she wouldn’t have to worry about Lord Whetstone again. He would finally receive the justice he deserved.
Now that the matter was settled, Catherine allowed her eyes to wander about the hallway as they were shown back to the courtyard. She hoped that she would never have a need to speak to the Royal Magistrate again, but thought that the palace was rather lovely. She had no desire to mingle with those who were close to the King and his family. She only wanted to return home to Beth and focus on being a mother.
As Catherine glanced at Marcus, his eyes focused on the way out of the palace, she wondered what their relationship would be like moving forward. She felt like their love life had been rekindled after she had been brought home. But as all the dark parts of her life had been revealed, she wondered how Marcus would treat her from now on. After all, she had kept this part of her past hidden from him for it only to come striding back into her life.
The sunlight felt good on her skin as they were shown from the palace and back to their waiting carriage. Catherine knew she could breathe easier once they were situated in the carriage once more and on their way back to the townhouse. Catherine remained silent, thinking there was no need to say anything now. They could finish their business in Town and return to Ralston Manor. Then, the only thing that Catherine would need to focus on was raising Beth.
“Aunt Daniella suggested this morning that we try to become more social during our time in Town. I long to return home but wonder if there is some truth to her words,” Marcus said, breaking the silence between them.
“Depends on how important you think reputation is, Marcus,” Catherine replied, her tone flat.
“I want Beth to grow up and not have to fear what other people say,” Marcus replied, focusing his brown eyes on her once more.
“Then you shouldn’t be worried about what society says,” Catherine retorted.
“I want what is best for this family,” Marcus said, leaning forward with his elbows resting on his knees. “I will need time to focus on your brother’s estate and affairs since he has left them to me. In the meantime, we could attend a few social functions to help improve our position within society.”
Catherine shook her head, thinking that Marcus had become a very fickle man. “First you state how eager you are to return to the countryside. Now you speak of prolonging our time here,” she said as she shook her head.
“With the Royal Magistrate deciding in our favour, we might as well use this opportunity to our advantage,” Marcus said after a time. “It would be best to create a good view of our family in society’s eyes.”
“What family, Marcus? Or do you not remember that you are trying to hide Beth’s existence so no one discovers that your brother had a child out of wedlock?” Catherine’s tone was harsh, but she no longer cared. She wanted her point to be seriously considered by Marcus.
“Beth will be able to be seen in public next year and everyone will have thought she was born to you,” Marcus said.
“Yet, if society sees me without a large stomach, it will be hard to believe,” Catherine countered, raising her chin a bit hig
her in defiance.
“Then I will just have to attend alone, stating how you are home resting due to your pregnancy.” Marcus leaned back against the carriage and folded his arms over his chest.
“You are free to do as you please, Marcus. You don’t need my assistance or opinion in the matter,” Catherine said with a click of her tongue. She turned and looked out the window, wanting to ignore that Marcus was even there. She fumed with anger at his ideas, wondering why she had ever thought that Marcus was different than most gentlemen. He seemed more worried about his reputation than how his behaviour would affect the rest of the household.
When the carriage came to a stop outside the townhouse, Marcus leaned forward and opened the door without waiting for the footman to hop down from the driver’s seat and do the task. Marcus alighted from the carriage quickly, not even waiting for Catherine to step down as he made his way inside.
Catherine sighed deeply as she allowed the footman to help her down. With her gown bunched in her hands to keep her hem off the footpath to the front door, she made her way inside as well to find some sort of solace after the exhausting day they had just experienced.
Chapter 28
Marcus stood in the dressing room where his valet helped him ready for a dinner party that Lord Hunter had invited him to. The invitation had come at the perfect time, for Marcus had become rather agitated with remaining inside with a wife who seemed to be put off by his very existence. A night out would surely do him good.
However, he was currently contending with Lady Evergreen as his valet tied his cravat and the widow stood behind him in the doorway. Though this was his private dressing room, his aunt clearly did not care about privacy as she stood with her hands resting on her cane, her eyes peering down her nose at him.
“You still haven’t explained why Catherine is not attending this dinner party with you,” she said, her voice rough as though she wanted to yell.
“I will tell the other families that she is currently expecting and needs bed rest after the ordeal she has experienced. They will understand,” Marcus said plainly as he stood still to be dressed.
“These are modern times, Marcus. Pregnant women aren’t concealed at home like they used to. It would do both of you some good to go out together and dine with other families,” Lady Evergreen said as she pressed her cane down into the floor with a loud thud. The sound was only muffled by the carpeted floors of the dressing room.
“If I take her, they will see she doesn’t look like she is expecting. That’s the biggest issue, Aunt Daniella. If we are to cover up what Martin did, we must take precautions.”
“I’m not sure what has got into your head, Marcus, but I see the way you treat Catherine nowadays. She’s no longer the apple of your eye, nor does she receive the affections from a loving husband. What happened that day at court?” Lady Evergreen pressed as she took a few more steps into the drawing room.
Marcus looked at his aunt in the reflection of the looking glass. His valet had finished his job and bowed before leaving the room in a hurry. With just the two of them remaining in the room, Marcus turned to face his aunt.
“Catherine and I don’t see eye-to-eye about remaining in Town for a period of time. There is business to conduct with Lord Hall’s estate of affairs that I’m still sifting through with my solicitor. In the meantime, it is important to improve our reputation in Town,” Marcus said.
“So, you shun Catherine and Beth because of your high opinion of what is right and ignore them in the process? What’s the point of building a reputation when you don’t have a good family foundation? No woman should be treated like this, Marcus.”
He scoffed in return, avoiding the action of running his fingers through his hair in frustration when his hair had been combed and styled to fit the latest fashions. Marcus wanted to fit in with the other gentlemen and hopefully gain their approval. With the full story of what Lord Whetstone had done to Catherine being published in the papers, followed by his immediate arrest, there was plenty of gossip circulating that Marcus wanted to set straight once and for all before returning to the countryside.
“Catherine will recover from her moods once she sees what I’m able to accomplish. Come this time next year, she will even thank me for taking the extra time to improve our position within society before retiring home for the holiday season,” Marcus reasoned.
“You’re too proud, Marcus. Something you must have accrued from serving with the Royal Navy. But this isn’t war, Marcus. This is life. And at the end of the day, it is Catherine that you must contend with.” Lady Evergreen then picked up her cane and walked out of the room, her cheeks flushed with anger.
He hadn’t mean to upset his aunt, who had come to pay him a visit that evening for dinner. It was then he had announced that he was going out for the night and had invoked his aunt’s wrath.
Marcus was sure of his plans as he left the dressing room and made his way downstairs. He stopped for a moment in the entryway as he heard Beth’s giggles from the sitting room not fair from the front of the house. He smiled, thinking that at least one of his family members was happy. Marcus then received the top hat and gloves that Mr. Burg held out to him. Once ready, the butler opened up the door so that Marcus could make his way to the waiting carriage out front.
The entire way to the townhouse where the dinner party would be held by an associate of Lord Hunter, Marcus reasoned with himself that he was making the right decision. He would socialise with others of his station and give personal insights into the matter that the Ton was all talking about. It would do them all good to have the public think better of the Kingstons. That way, when they did return to Town next year, they would be easily accepted by all. It would be beneficial in the long run.
The only downside to Marcus’ plan was the distance he felt growing between he and Catherine. He was not pleased with her behaviour, how she spent most of her time in the nursery with Beth, or out in the gardens while the weather was still decent. He had tried to approach her a few times to see if she wanted to accompany him to a few shops with him. Thinking that Catherine could benefit from a small outing, he had been disappointed when she had refused the idea.
The worst part seemed to be the nights. No longer was Catherine sharing a bed with him and instead had decided to occupy one of the few guest rooms. There, she had Beth sleeping with her in the bassinet. Sometimes Marcus could hear Catherine singing to the child as she rocked her to sleep. The sound of her singing really pulled at his heart strings, but also reinforced that what he was doing would be the best for their family.
Marcus was pulled from his thoughts as the carriage came to a stop. When the door was opened, he alighted from the carriage and followed the glow of the lanterns outside the townhouse to guide him to the front door.
As he approached the brick townhouse, a newer house built in an established neighbourhood, he could hear the sound of many chattering voices inside mixed with the noise of someone laughing as though a good joke had been told. He took a deep breath before he pulled the house cord, hoping he would be chipper enough to enjoy the evening and accomplish his intentions.
A warm glow enveloped him as the front door was opened and he was greeted by the host’s butler. After passing off his top hat and gloves, he followed a footman to the drawing room, the hallway enveloped in light from the wall scones that shone brightly due to the mirrors positioned behind them. In the candlelight, Marcus saw how the marble floors shone to reflect that they had been recently polished. All in all, the townhouse was fashioned in modern tones of papered walls and white décor.
“Lord Kingston,” the footman announced as he stepped into the drawing room. Various eyes met him as he entered and stood for a moment to survey the room. Everyone seemed to be in rather high spirits as many laughed openly in their small groups of conversation.
“Kingston, my old friend,” Lord Hunter said by way of greeting as he quickly approached him. “I wondered for a moment if you were going to show.”
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“I suppose I’m a bit late, aren’t I?” Marcus asked sheepishly. “It’s been a long time since I attended this sort of function.”