My Captain, My Earl by K.J. Jackson

Author:K.J. Jackson [Jackson, K.J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2015-01-24T08:00:00+00:00

{ Chapter 16 }

Katalin stood in the entry of Lord Southfork’s London home, her gloved hands smoothing down for the hundredth time the emerald silk of the most exquisite gown she had ever seen. Exquisite—and it was on her body.

As difficult and overbearing as her mother had been over the past two weeks, the woman did have one outstanding trait—impeccable taste. That, and she was a maven of propriety. After the first rough week—rough because of her mother and because of Jason and because of the combination of them both—Katalin settled into a week of numbly doing exactly what her mother asked of her.

No questions. No complaints. Just regurgitation of all she was taught. With that, her mother’s constant judging did ease, even if the woman did not truly warm to Katalin.

Katalin still didn’t know what her mother thought of her. A burden? A mere inconvenience?

She tried to keep in mind what Reanna had told her. That her mother was cold, but that did not mean she didn’t feel. But if her mother did have any kind feelings toward Katalin, she hid them well.

It hurt, but in all reality, Katalin had never had a mother, so the sudden presence of one that didn’t care for her didn’t bother her nearly as much as the situation with Jason had.

Jason she had once had.

Jason she had loved more than life itself.

So how he had ripped her heart out under the willow had left a gaping wound in her soul. A wound she was having a hard time healing. Or at least ignoring.

But he did not want her. And what was she to do, except figure out a way to not want him? She had to for her own sanity, but she was having a devil of a time doing so. No matter that he humiliated her. No matter that he discarded her. She still wanted him and hated her own lack of pride in the matter.

She was grateful when he finally left Curplan the day after their last encounter. She did not think she could continue to see him daily, continue to be drawn into conversation with him. It hurt too intensely.

The only bright spots in her days had been Reanna and Aggie. Katalin knew she had been peckish, but her two new friends asked no questions, finding their only duty to make her laugh. And she did manage to laugh.

So now she stood, polished—the product of all of their hard work in making her a presentable lady—waiting to finally be judged by the masses.

“You will be fine, lass.” Her father’s voice made her jump. “I regret I cannot accompany you tonight. Witness what you were always destined to be.”

She watched him hobble heavy on his cane into the entryway, his good eye shining bright on her.

“You have more faith in me than mother.”

“Aye. But I know you have never not accomplished what you set out to do, lass.” His hands went on her shoulders. “This has been hard on you. I seen it.

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