For Love of the Duke(31)

But she said nothing.

Which was all the more terrifying for it. Mother was never short of words.

“Mother,” Katherine began. “I’m sorry I was out in such weather. I desired a walk and fresh air is good for one’s constitution.”

Silence.

Katherine fisted the fabric of her skirts in her hands, and shifted on her feet. It would appear her situation was a good deal more dire than she’d even believed.

“You need to wed, Katherine.”

A small pit formed in the bottom of Katherine’s stomach. She trailed the tip of her tongue around the seam of her lips. Mother was tenacious, and when she’d settled her mind upon something, she could not be deterred from her course.

Mother would have her wed Bertrand Ekstrom.

It spoke to how little faith her mother had in Katherine’s ability to make a match.

“I will,” Katherine said softly.

“Wed Mr. Ekstrom,” her mother finished for her.

Katherine shook her head, hard. “I’ve had but one Season.” She bit the inside of her cheek to keep from pointing out that Anne would also have her second Season. She could never resent Anne for the special place she held in their mother’s heart, even if it caused Katherine the greatest pain. “I’ll not wed him.”

“You’re nineteen—”

“Nearly twenty,” Katherine pointed out.

“And not free to make decisions until you reach your twenty-fifth year."

Katherine’s jaw hardened. “He’s an odious man, Mother.” With a paunch waist, and cruel set to his mouth, Bertrand Ekstrom, her distant cousin, possessed a cruel glint in his beady eyes.

Jasper slipped into her mind. Harsh and commanding, there was nothing soft about the young duke, and yet, she knew with a woman’s intuition that he’d never be capable of harming her. Her body tingled in remembrance of his hot, but gentle caress.

“He is next in line behind Benedict. Surely you learned with your father’s unexpected death that life is tenuous for females. We have to do everything within our power to maintain our security. Your brother is only thirteen. He has a great many years before he can marry and what if he doesn't have a male child?”

Katherine bit her lip hard to keep from pointing out that it hardly mattered to her if Benedict someday produced one or none future heirs.

“I’ll not wed him. These are not the feudal ages, Mother.”

“Your sister was prepared to sacrifice her happiness for the family.”

In the end, however, Aldora hadn’t. She’d found love with Mr. Michael Knightly, an obscenely wealthy gentleman and a second son. His funds had saved them from the dire financial straits they’d been in, and had smoothed over any disappointment Mother had harbored over Aldora’s marriage to a second son.

Apparently Mother’s now, pressing concern was securing the familial line by wedding one of her marriageable daughters to the second cousin who stood to inherit if Benedict failed to do so.

“Mother, can we please discuss this after the holiday.” If Katherine could not alter her Mother’s intended course, then perhaps she could manage to convince her to cease the discussion of it until after the Christmastide season.

Her mother’s mouth screwed up. Katherine thought she might press her argument, but then Mother nodded. “Very well.” With a curt nod, she left Katherine with the misery of her own thoughts.

Katherine breathed a relieved sigh, her eyes sliding closed. Mother would not be deterred in her efforts, that much was clear. Nothing could alter her intentions for Katherine, except…

We shall simply have to find you a husband.

Anne had the right of it.

Only, where could Katherine find an unwed gentleman in such a short…

Short…

Her eyes flew open. No, her silent thoughts were utter madness.

He’d been abundantly clear that he had no interest in wedding, Katherine or any other lady for that matter. He was cold. Cynical. Reserved.

Katherine began to pace.

With his title he was just a smidgeon shy of royalty and clearly unaccustomed to having his wishes thwarted. He was, if the reports were to be believed, as rich as Croesus.

Jasper Waincourt, the 8th Duke of Bainbridge was also exceedingly logical, to the point of fault.

Surely if Katherine put her argument to him, he’d recognize that a union     between them could be, nay, would be advantageous to the both of them. It would be nothing more than a strict business arrangement between a gentleman and a lady.

There would be no expectations of an emotional connection.

There would be no affection.

It would be a match based purely on a mutually beneficial contract.

They could carry on their own lives.