Liz Carlyle - 01 by Beauty Like The Night

Author:Beauty Like The Night [Night, Beauty Like The]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2011-01-16T23:31:24.942000+00:00

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“And her friends were happy to provide the reassurance she needed, I am sure.”

Catherine looked suddenly uncomfortable. “Yes,” she said slowly, “until Cam put a stop to their coming.” She paused for a long moment, her gaze flicking up from the table, as if to gauge Helene’s reaction. “Cassandra became rather too blatant in some of her behavior. One night, they had a horrible row, and then ... well, I never asked my brother about it. But the house parties ceased.”

“Altogether?”

“Indeed,” Catherine rolled her expressive eyes, “and if it had been hell here before, it was ten times that when Cassandra was deprived of her admirers. She became exceedingly bored, and alternately, feverish with energy. She would roam through the house at night, and through the woods by day. But soon, she announced that she was enceinte, and for a time, she seemed more settled.”

“But by then you had left Chalcote, I take it?”

“Yes,” she said. “Cam had finally agreed that Will and I might wed, and Papa did not care.”

“I ... I hope you are very happy,” said Helene uncertainly, no longer comfortable with discussing Cam’s past.

“Perfectly content,” answered Catherine. “Nowadays, it is not my happiness, but my brother’s, which most concerns me.”

“I ... I do not know what you mean.”

Cam’s sister studied Helene’s face for a long moment before she answered. “You knew my father well, did you not?”

Helene nodded.

“It will not shock you, then, to know that Cam had little choice but to marry Cassandra. Her father offered a generous dowry, and Cam saw it as his duty to settle Papa’s debts and restore our family name to respectability. Of course, I am inordinately grateful. But in truth, Helene, I should have preferred to see my brother happy. I still would.”

“And will not Miss Belmont be capable of assuring his happiness?” asked Helene softly, hoping that her hurt and bitterness did not show.

Catherine shook her head uncertainly. “Who can say? From childhood, Cam’s life has been one of responsibility. His first marriage was much the same, but I had rather hoped that his second would be made for love. That is what would make him truly happy, do not you think? And as fond as we all are of Joan, I cannot think he loves her.”

Suddenly, a sharp knock sounded on the door, and Cam strode into the room to stand before them, his hat clutched rather tightly in his hands. “I beg your pardon, Catherine, Miss de Severs.” He spoke rapidly, his words spilling forth. “I fear I have come to take my leave of you. I must go down to Devonshire in all haste.”

“To Devon?” Catherine bounced out of her chair. “So suddenly?”

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