Scandal at the Dower House by Sally James

Author:Sally James [James, Sally]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Regency Romance
Publisher: Belgrave House
Published: 2010-09-07T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 9

For several days Catarina kept to the house, and had Staines deny her to all callers, saying she was indisposed. From him she learned that Nicholas had left Marshington Grange the day after he had seen her. Jeremy was still here, and had called, but she refused to see him. Staines told her Jeremy was talking to the villagers, and had promised to do nothing about enclosing the common until after the hay was gathered, but as it continued wet they expected a poor harvest of that, as well as the corn which was struggling to grow.

She considered going to Bath for a while, in order to get away from her problems, so when a letter came from Delphine Pearce inviting her to London it seemed like a miracle.

‘My husband has to go on some boring mission, and will be away the rest of the Season, which is such a shame,’ she wrote. ‘I have many friends in London, of course, so I will not be lonely, there are all sorts of entertainments, but it would be more pleasant to have someone compatible to go with me.’

Was she compatible? They had got on well at school, but Delphine was the sort of girl who got on well with most people.

‘I remembered that you never had the opportunity of a Season when you were young, so I wondered whether you would like to come to me for a month or so? We could have such fun! Do say yes.’

Catarina was tempted. Of course, there was always the possibility that in London she would meet Nicholas, and that was the last thing she wanted to do. She could never forget how scathing he had been about the lies told him by Walter’s new agent. After his suspicions of her, and the lies she had been forced to tell him, that would be unpleasant. Perhaps, she thought hopefully, he and Delphine did not move in the same circles. She would know the military, while he might be more involved with politicians, since he was now in the House of Lords.

Why, she then wondered, was she concerned? Was she always to govern her actions by the fear of meeting him? He was the one, after all, who had thrown unjustified accusations at her. Was that worse than telling lies to protect Joanna? He should be ashamed of that. She would not allow herself to be intimidated. She had been longing to escape from the Dower House.

What about Maria? She could not take the baby to London, but in Clarice she had a reliable wet nurse who loved the child as though she were her own. The rest of her servants, Liza, the new cook, and the others, were to be trusted absolutely. Most of all, she had Staines, who was more capable of controlling the household than she was herself.

Before she could change her mind she sat at her writing desk and dashed off an acceptance. Delphine had said to come at any time, as early as she could make arrangements, so she told her friend to expect her in a week.

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