Healing The Broken Marchioness (Laced Up Ladies Book 2) Read online

  He looked out the window, and she stepped back to give him enough space — to keep enough space between them. "I had no idea how much it took to be a titled man. It's so much work. I am only used to appearing in courts."

  Katherine's shoulders relaxed. She smiled in satisfaction at his obvious worry. He was worried he knew nothing. That was grand for her. Perhaps he'd leave everything to her. She knew very much because she stood by Victor most times. Even if he didn't want to involve her, she made sure she had learned enough about the estate and how to run it.

  He went on. "These roses are beautiful, but they seem to be dying."

  "They are," she replied in a low voice.

  "Are they your favorite?" he asked. She raised a brow. He jerked his head towards them. "The roses."

  She stared up at him. He had a small smile on his face. She liked his smile. It was warm and receptive. No matter how many times she told him off, he still gave her that smile. Even when he was tired

  "Yes." She stopped looking at him and looked outside, instead.

  "I like roses too," he said.

  "Are you familiar with flowers and telling them apart?" She challenged him.

  Lord Bowmount laughed. "Of course."

  "Most men do not."

  Lord Bowmount chuckled. He bit his lips for a moment before replying in a low voice that sent shivers down her spine: "I am not most men, Lady Bowmount. Put me to the test."

  Smiling, Katherine decided to test him. She pointed at a flower and asked him what it was. Even the rarest ones, she made sure to ask if he knew them. To her surprise, Lord Bowmount replied smoothly, calling out the name of each flower even before she was done pointing. His eagerness left her laughing and him chuckling. She stifled her laughs behind her hand, for fear that someone might hear her. But she was having a good time with him, just standing there.

  "See, I do know about flowers." He smirked.

  "You have proven yourself, indeed, Lord Bowmount." She giggled. Her gaze was on the flowers, but she felt him looking at her. She felt her cheeks grow hot as he did. Her stomach twisted in knots.

  She smiled and looked his way. They were both smiling at each other. She noticed his blue eyes, the way they gazed at her, she saw how a strand of hair fell out of place, falling across his forehead. She felt the slightest urge to push it away, but that meant touching him. She sucked in a breath and staggered back, worried about her thoughts. Was it not inappropriate?

  "Lady Bowmount —" he called, noticing that she had stepped further away. His voice was pleading. But she raised her hands in the air, stopping him. He knew better than to say anything further. He knew.

  "If you'll excuse me."

  As though determined, he shook his head but didn't try to come close. "I need help with the paperwork."

  "Lord Bowmount..." she warned.

  But he was having none of it. "It is urgent, and I'd like to see to everything that I can before the office is opened."

  She stilled. Of course, his office. He was still going to go ahead with opening an office all the way in town. She felt like getting angry again. She pressed her lips in a thin line and made to walk away. She didn't want to talk to him anymore.

  She heard his footsteps behind her and she was willing to go away from there, to be away from him. Luck was on her side because soon, the entrance door burst open and Gerald held open the door. Before the visitor walked in, Katherine heard distant voices.

  "Call my daughter down here immediately."

  Katherine froze for a millisecond upon hearing that voice. Then she looked behind her, Lord Bowmount stood there, looking confused. Her eyes widened at how close he was to her. On instinct, without having a second to think anything through, she pulled Lord Bowmount with her to the corner, away from the hallway and the light that came from the doors Gerald had opened.

  "Welcome to Bowmount Hall, Your Grace," Mr. Stewart's voice filled the air. Katherine wondered when he had walked over there. Suddenly aware of where she was, she shook her head. Lord Bowmount was standing in front of her, and they were both standing in a narrow path that led to the store room. She moved aside, to let him stand beside her. Lord Bowmount looked so confused.

  "What is going on, Lady Bowmount?"

  Katherine closed her eyes and raised her hands for emphasis, urging him to keep his voice down. Then in a whisper, she said. "You'll have to excuse me. But please, stay away from the drawing room until the guests are gone."

  He looked like he wanted to ask her a question, but she gave him no opportunity to do so as she swiftly walked into the hallway. Mr. Stewart met her halfway. He looked relived. She could only imagine how scared he was, with the Duke of Somerset breathing down his neck.

  "My Lady, I've searched for you through the whole of the east wing. I am so glad I've found you." He shook his head, his eyes wide.

  "Is everything alright, Mr. Stewart? You seem unwell."

  "The Duke of Somerset is here. And he does not seem happy. He is here with the Duchess. They wish to speak to you at once."

  Katherine swallowed hard. She knew why they were here. They had heard that Lord Bowmount had arrived and she had failed to inform them. She hadn't been ready to tell them, knowing what their reactions would be. She knew something like this would happen, which was why she had been taking her time with everything.

  She touched her chest and blinked at Mr. Stewart. "Whatever could be wrong?" She was near the drawing room as she uttered this.

  Mr. Stewart shook his head fearfully. "I have no idea, My Lady."

  Katherine pushed open the doors and walked in. She smiled the moment she set eyes on them. Her mother was seated on the blue velvet settee, her foot tapping impatiently on the floor. Her father, the Duke of Somerset, paced the room, his belly protruding — outlined from the fine material of his coat. They both whipped their heads her way upon her arrival.

  "Mother, Father, what a pleasant surprise." She curtsied and hurried to kiss her mother's cheek.

  But her father's rage didn't let her get to it. "Katherine!" He boomed, causing her to freeze. He stopped pacing and was standing inches away from her. "I hear that the new Lord Bowmount has arrived."

  Katherine looked at him and smiled. "Yes, father —"

  "Yes? You promised to inform me the moment the new Lord arrived. Yet you have kept this from me. From us! "

  "He's only been here a few days, papa."

  He laughed without humor and waved his index fingers at her. "A week and a few days are more than a few days, Katherine, and you know it! Can you hear what she's saying, your daughter has gone absolutely out of it, Adaline. Absolutely!"

  She wondered who had informed him. Whomever it was had clearly delivered the news in the worst way possible.

  "Katherine, your promised to tell me when the new Marquess arrived. Why didn't you? You have no idea how this has blown out of proportion, Katherine!"

  Katherine had indeed promised to inform them of Lord Bowmount's arrival, months ago. While they had been preparing for Victor's funeral. She had promised to inform them immediately. Her father didn't like the condition she had been in for seven years, and was even more unhappy when Victor died and the news of a new Bowmount’s arrival had spread across Somerset like wildfire.

  Her father had never liked that she was married to Victor because he had been bankrupt then, and still struggling to keep everything together. Worse was that he had made use of her dowry to set most things right, pay off debt and stable the household. Her father had been outraged, claiming she'd sold herself to a life of poverty. But Katherine loved Victor, and no one could change her mind about being wed to him. She knew what her father's plans were, she knew what he would demand of her the moment she informed him of the new Lord. She was not going to let that happen.

  "Papa, I was going to inform you of his arrival. I've been busy with Victoria and showing Lord Bowmount around and helping him go through the records Victor had left behind."

  "Katherine, surely you don't take me
for a fool? He's been here long enough for you to write a letter! You've kept this from us deliberately, Katherine!" he snapped. The lines under his eyes became more visible in his anger. Katherine sucked in a breath as he went on. "Do you know what the ton is saying?"

  "Pray tell, Papa," she said, knowing fully well where the discussion was headed.

  "They say it is wrong that you'd live in a house with a man you're not married to, Katherine. Rumors are starting to spread, and soon they'll think you're having an improper relationship with the new Marquess."

  "But I am not, Papa." She shook her head.

  The Duke nodded. "I know, Katherine. Which is why to clear your name, you must return to Somerset Castle with Victoria. You're young and may find a suitor sometime soon. It is improper to stay here with the marquess, knowing fully well that he is young and unmarried, just like yourself.

  "I see details about the Marquess have been spread as well," she muttered sardonically.

  "Katherine —"

  "Papa, I will not leave Bowmount Hall. This is Victoria's home. And it has been mine for the past seven years. You can't expect me to simply move on."

  "Victor is dead," her father snapped. "Pray tell what you're holding onto!"

  She clenched her jaws. "I am holding onto what he has left behind. His legacy. I am holding onto the inheritance my daughter deserves. And what I deserve. What I own. My dowry was put into this estate, Papa."

  "You'll receive a monthly payment from Bowmount Hall, and you know it. For yourself and for Victoria. For the rest of your life. So, it does not matter where you are."

  Katherine nodded. Her words had fallen on deaf ears. He had not understood what she said. He didn't understand that she could not just let the house go, and she could not just start over. Why should she always have to start over? With Henry, with Victor, and now with her home of seven years. "I won't leave here, Papa."

  Her mother, who had been sitting quietly, tapping her feet away rose angrily. "Katherine Greer Stuart! You will listen to your father!"

  Tears pricked the corner of her eyes. Why were they trying to decide for her? She was tired of letting people, situations and circumstances dictate her life for her. She would have none of it anymore.

  "I shan't be leaving Bowmount Hall. I don't care what the ton says." She raised her chin and faced them both squarely.

  "Is this about Dalia?" Her mother asked.

  Katherine sighed. Perhaps, it was partly because she never got along with Dalia, her brother James' wife, but it was more than just Dalia. "Partly," she replied truthfully.

  "Dalia would learn to get along with you —"

  "No, Mother —"

  "We are trying to save your reputation, Katherine! The sooner, the better! If you stay here much longer, you'll be ruined. And you may never get the chance to be wed again." The Duchess walked towards her, her eyes glistening. She touched Katherine’s cheek, gently. "Darling, you're young and you have your whole life ahead of you. Surely you would not want to throw that all away, the chances of a bright future, darling."

  Katherine stared at her mother. Her heart broke because her future was decided for her. Her heart broke because her parent truly cared for her and wanted the best for her. But their best was not what she wanted for herself.

  She shook her head and gazed into her mother's eyes, her gaze as hard as steel. "I won't be leaving Bowmount Hall, Mother. I've made up my mind."

  "What is your obsession with Bowmount Hall, Katherine?" her father groaned.

  Bowmount Hall was her home. Wasn't that enough reason? Or were her parents right? Maybe she should have left months ago. She should have left at Arthur's arrival. Everything Victoria owned was safe. Everything she deserved for being the widow of the late Marquess, she was going to get it. What then was her reason not to leave? Her heartbeat increased rapidly. Realization hit her like a splash of cool water. Her reason to stay was much more than herself, much more than Victoria. Much more of everything she claimed.

  The door creaked; she froze. Lord Bowmount walked in, his eyes searching the room until they met hers. Blue glinting eyes searching hers desperately, hoping that she would respond, checking to see if she was fine. She knew then, that she was fighting for more than she cared to admit.

  Chapter Ten

  "What is your obsession with Bowmount Hall, Katherine?" Arthur heard from the hallway.

  He was seated in the study, the paperwork was once again before him and yet, today he had no focus on the papers. The noise from the hallway carried through the whole house. He wondered what Katherine felt as she stood there. He hadn't heard the earlier discussion, he barely heard most, only a few shouts from a gentleman, who Arthur guessed was Katherine’s father. From what he heard, her father wanted her to return to his home rather than stay there at Bowmount Hall. And Lady Bowmount was refusing to go. He knew that it was because they cared for her, but the thought of Lady Bowmount feeling so vulnerable and misunderstood by her family made him sad.

  He wondered if the Dowager Marchioness would perhaps defend her. The elder Lady Bowmount seemed to have a good relationship with the younger Lady Bowmount. Perhaps if she were there, she would defend her, try to make her parents understand. He pushed back the chair and rose. He froze for a second. He wondered if it was wrong that he wanted to get involved in a family affair. Was it his place to interfere?

  He sat back down.

  "No, Papa!" Lady Bowmount yelled.

  "Do not raise your voice at your father!" a feminine voice shouted—the Duchess, no doubt. The voices calmed down again. But Arthur was sitting up, and more worried than ever. The sound of her voice tugged at his heartstrings. It was a family matter. He had no right to intervene.

  He dashed to the door of the study and pulled it open. He counted himself lucky the moment he saw Mr. Stewart standing by the corner, looking just as worried as he was. Mr. Stewart, perhaps, knew more about what was going on than Arthur himself did, but they shared the same worry, for Lady Bowmount. Arthur wanted to keep to his promise to stay in the study until the guests left. But he could not bear the thought of her there, alone.

  He made a whistling sound, which attracted Mr. Stewart. The man turned towards him uncertainly. His worry turned into a scowl. But he masked it immediately and made his way over. Arthur was in no mood to see whatever expression he had for him. He had called him for a reason, and so he told him.

  "You should inform the Dowager Marchioness that there are visitors in Bowmount Hall," he said.

  Mr. Stewart raised a brow. "Inform her? These guests are not hers to entertain. In any case, the Dowager Marchioness is out."

  Arthur nodded. He really had no idea how to put his worry into words, but he tried. "Lady Bowmount does not seem quite at ease in there. Perhaps if the Dowager Marchioness were there... Mr. Stewart, perhaps you should inform the Dowager Marchioness that there are guests and that you worry for the lady. She's been in there for a very long time, don't you think?"

  Mr. Stewart's eyes widened. He shook his head and stared at Arthur, as though surprised. He smiled sadly. "She is not home."

  Arthur nodded at the man.

  A voice was raised again. "Katherine, you must return to Somerset Castle. The rumor will be too much for you to bear, Katherine. You cannot have that on your name if you ever intend to wed again."

  Arthur stilled as realization dawned on him. He knew very well what the issue was. His heart broke for her. Why did she have to bear the brunt for an accusation meant for two? He couldn't stand back and simply listen as she endured so much strife for his arrival. He could not bear the thought of her leaving Bowmount Hall. He couldn't. Arthur needed her. He rushed past Mr. Stewart, out of the study and marched purposefully towards the drawing room.

  He pushed open the doors and walked in. The shouting stopped. His eyes moved around, seeking Lady Bowmount's. She stood at the end of the room, her eyes on him. He wanted her to understand that she was the reason he walked in. She stared at him, her blue eyes glisteni
ng. It was hard to read her with everyone else staring at him. He turned swiftly to his right. The gentleman who stood there, chubby and stern, glared at him. Arthur bowed to him.

  "Your Grace. I am Lord Arthur Shepherd, Marquess of Bowmount." He spoke slowly, aware of each word that he said.

  The Duke stared at him warily, but said nothing in return, merely bowing his head in acknowledgement. Arthur did not see the need to beat around the bush. He simply went straight to the point.

  "Lady Bowmount forever has a place here at Bowmount Hall. Irrespective of what happens," he said. “With her knowledge of the estate and how it is run, she has been absolutely necessary. I have not much experience with it, myself. My intentions towards her are nothing less than honorable.”