“Perhaps,” she said, hoping to placate the lady and put an end to the uncomfortable conversation.
“But you are probably right to wait and take your time deciding what you really want for yourself. In the meantime, I am hoping to get my grandson settled, though I’m having a difficult time ascertaining what he wants. The two of you have always been close friends, of course, but that’s neither here nor there, considering the keen interest he’s showing in Lord Rockly’s daughter, Lady Julie, this evening.”
Katherine stilled. “I’m sure the two of them have only just met.”
“Oh, indeed they have, but only because Roxberry specifically asked me to introduce him to her. Of course I couldn’t say no, though I can’t help thinking that she’s not the right match for him.”
Something fierce and protective began to unravel inside Katherine, and she simply couldn’t stop herself from saying, “I’m sure he will come to that realization on his own. After all, he is hardly a fool. I trust him to make the right decision when it comes to choosing a bride.” She could scarcely believe that rushing into marriage with a woman he didn’t really know was something Lucien would be able to accept in the long run.
Lady Roxberry waved her jewel-encrusted fingers nonchalantly. “My dear, Lucien is the heir to an earldom, and as such, he will do his duty come what may. Now, he and Lady Julie may have little in common, it’s true, but since he specifically asked me to point out this year’s most desirable catch, I do think he’s paying attention to pedigree. There’s no denying that Lady Julie is of good breeding, not to mention beautiful and a delightful conversationalist to boot. I have no doubt that she’ll become a magnificent woman with time.”
“It seems so superficial of him though—completely out of character,” Katherine said. “Forgive me, my lady, but I find it difficult to believe that he would consider marrying a woman whom he barely knows.” She found it nearly impossible to keep an edge of bitterness from her voice. What on earth was wrong with her?
Lady Roxberry gently patted Katherine’s arm. “Unfortunately, my dear, how well he knows the lady is of little significance when compared with her ability to produce the heir he needs.”
Katherine halted her progress and turned toward the dowager. It was a hard truth to face—the aristocratic obligation to procreate no matter the cost. Making a brilliant match was always of greater importance than whether or not the parties involved were capable of getting along with each other. It was absurd!
Katherine sighed. All she wanted to do was go home and crawl into bed. This conversation had made her feel dismal. “It just seems rather rushed,” she confessed, “and so unlike Lucien, who’s always given a great deal of thought to even the most trivial of things.”
“Well, war can have a life-altering effect on a man. With everything he’s lost, I do believe the only thing on Lucien’s mind right now is building a future so he can leave the past behind him.”
“Yes, of course,” Katherine said as her eyes darted toward the terrace doors. She wasn’t ignorant of the effect war could have on any person. Lucien had changed, and she was suddenly alarmingly aware of just how much. The innocent playfulness of his features had been worn away and replaced by hard lines—a silent account of all the horrors he’d seen—and there was something harsher about the way he spoke. Yes, when circumstance required it he could shove it all aside and pretend that he was still the same carefree person, but one would be a fool to ignore the pain and anger that surely gripped his soul.
But for him to throw himself away on a woman he’d only just met, just because he believed she’d make a suitable countess . . . It wasn’t jealousy that washed over her. No, that would be ridiculous. She was just concerned for him and the choice she feared he might
“But you are probably right to wait and take your time deciding what you really want for yourself. In the meantime, I am hoping to get my grandson settled, though I’m having a difficult time ascertaining what he wants. The two of you have always been close friends, of course, but that’s neither here nor there, considering the keen interest he’s showing in Lord Rockly’s daughter, Lady Julie, this evening.”
Katherine stilled. “I’m sure the two of them have only just met.”
“Oh, indeed they have, but only because Roxberry specifically asked me to introduce him to her. Of course I couldn’t say no, though I can’t help thinking that she’s not the right match for him.”
Something fierce and protective began to unravel inside Katherine, and she simply couldn’t stop herself from saying, “I’m sure he will come to that realization on his own. After all, he is hardly a fool. I trust him to make the right decision when it comes to choosing a bride.” She could scarcely believe that rushing into marriage with a woman he didn’t really know was something Lucien would be able to accept in the long run.
Lady Roxberry waved her jewel-encrusted fingers nonchalantly. “My dear, Lucien is the heir to an earldom, and as such, he will do his duty come what may. Now, he and Lady Julie may have little in common, it’s true, but since he specifically asked me to point out this year’s most desirable catch, I do think he’s paying attention to pedigree. There’s no denying that Lady Julie is of good breeding, not to mention beautiful and a delightful conversationalist to boot. I have no doubt that she’ll become a magnificent woman with time.”
“It seems so superficial of him though—completely out of character,” Katherine said. “Forgive me, my lady, but I find it difficult to believe that he would consider marrying a woman whom he barely knows.” She found it nearly impossible to keep an edge of bitterness from her voice. What on earth was wrong with her?
Lady Roxberry gently patted Katherine’s arm. “Unfortunately, my dear, how well he knows the lady is of little significance when compared with her ability to produce the heir he needs.”
Katherine halted her progress and turned toward the dowager. It was a hard truth to face—the aristocratic obligation to procreate no matter the cost. Making a brilliant match was always of greater importance than whether or not the parties involved were capable of getting along with each other. It was absurd!
Katherine sighed. All she wanted to do was go home and crawl into bed. This conversation had made her feel dismal. “It just seems rather rushed,” she confessed, “and so unlike Lucien, who’s always given a great deal of thought to even the most trivial of things.”
“Well, war can have a life-altering effect on a man. With everything he’s lost, I do believe the only thing on Lucien’s mind right now is building a future so he can leave the past behind him.”
“Yes, of course,” Katherine said as her eyes darted toward the terrace doors. She wasn’t ignorant of the effect war could have on any person. Lucien had changed, and she was suddenly alarmingly aware of just how much. The innocent playfulness of his features had been worn away and replaced by hard lines—a silent account of all the horrors he’d seen—and there was something harsher about the way he spoke. Yes, when circumstance required it he could shove it all aside and pretend that he was still the same carefree person, but one would be a fool to ignore the pain and anger that surely gripped his soul.
But for him to throw himself away on a woman he’d only just met, just because he believed she’d make a suitable countess . . . It wasn’t jealousy that washed over her. No, that would be ridiculous. She was just concerned for him and the choice she feared he might
Similar Books
