The Rebellious Ward by Joan Wolf

Author:Joan Wolf [Wolf, Joan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Regency Romance
Publisher: Belgrave House
Published: 1984-09-24T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

If popularity on the dance floor was anything to judge by, Catriona was having a very successful season. The real test of success, however, was a marriage offer, and so far there had been none forthcoming. The Earl of Wareham was certainly taken by Catriona, but, as Lady Dawley confided to her mother, there was little hope of his ever coming up to scratch.

“Eugenia Wareham won’t allow it,” said Lady Dawley definitely. “Let’s be frank, Mama. If the people involved are high-born enough, illegitimacy may be overlooked. But that is not the case with Kate. Diccon was the cousin of a duke, but he himself was only a plain gentleman with a comfortable property and income. And who was Kate’s mother? A Highland girl. No, Mama. We can have no hope of Wareham.”

“Perhaps the young man will have a different idea,” replied the duchess. “In my experience young men do not always follow their mother’s wishes.”

“In this case he will,” said Lady Dawley. “Wareham is a very amiable young man, but he thinks a great deal of his position. Don’t try to persuade yourself that he doesn’t.”

The duchess sighed. “What about Mr. Hardy?”

“He is a possibility,” Lady Dawley acknowledged. “His family is good, but not noble. And he has plenty of money. He may think a connection with Burford would outweigh all the disadvantages of such a union.”

The duchess stared at her daughter for perhaps ten seconds, then said flatly, “I would rather see Kate married to Prank Winthrop. Or to her cousin George, for that matter. I was not in favor of bringing her to London and I am beginning to think it was a very great mistake.”

Lady Dawley frowned. “What do you mean, Mama? She has taken far better than I ever dreamed possible.”

The duchess rose. “I mean that Kate has the most loving heart in the world, and it distresses me unutterably to hear her discussed as if she were a piece of goods put up to market.”

“Come, Mama,” said Lady Dawley impatiently. “I don’t say that affection is not an important part of marriage. But considerations of station, fortune, and property are important as well.”

“Edmund should not have brought Kate to London,” repeated the duchess before she turned to go upstairs to her room.

Catriona had come to the same conclusion as her grandmother. For the first time since she had made her appearance in society she was aware of the insecurity of her own status. She had known before of course that she was unacceptable to some people, but it had not mattered to her. In fact, it had been a protection. She didn’t want anyone to marry her. She had been shielded by her false assumption that when the season was over, she and Edmund would go back to Evesham and resume their old life. It was not overhearing herself called a bastard that had so upset her at her first Almack’s assembly; it had been the sight of Edmund dancing with the beautiful Lady Sophia Heatherstone.

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