Page 29 of A Daring Desire

―Excerpt of a letter from The Most Hon’ble Jules Adolphus, Marquess of Blackstone (eldest son of Their Graces, Robert and Prunella Adolphus, Duke and Duchess of Bedwin) to Mr Hartley De Beauvoir (adopted son of Mr and Mrs Inigo and Minerva De Beauvoir).

23rd December 1849, Connaught Place, London.

Cat returned from her shopping spree, hurrying indoors as sleet pelted down on her. Footmen ran to take her cloak and bonnet and gloves whilst others carried in her purchases. All her gifts to the family had been sent down to Dern the previous week, but now she was spending Christmas at Connaught Place with her husband and, whilst she knew he was in no fit state for lavish dinners, she did not wish the festive season to pass him by without comment. She suspected if she had showered him with gifts and made a great fuss, he would have been disgusted by such a display of affection. So, she had done her best to err on the side of caution and reined in her natural exuberance and delight in spoiling those she loved.

“Where would you like the tree, my lady? Shall we take it to the green salon?”

Cat turned to the footmen to see them holding either end of the prickly Christmas tree. “No, to my private sitting room. I’d like it set up between the two windows if you would. Oh, and be careful with that box, Howard, it’s full of glass decorations.”

“Yes, my lady.”

“Shall I have a tea tray sent up to your room, my lady?” Jefferies asked, approaching her.

Cat smiled. “Oh, what a wonderful idea. And some biscuits or something sweet. I’m famished and chilled to the bone. But send it to my lord’s room, if you would. I shall bear him company until it’s time to change for dinner.”

“Certainly. However, I ought to inform your ladyship that Lord Kilbane’s sister is with him at present.”

“Aggie is here?” Cat exclaimed. “Oh, how wonderful. I must go up at once.”

Hurrying up the stairs, Cat hesitated outside the door upon hearing a burst of laughter… Kilbane’s laughter. The sound was so extraordinary that she froze with her hand on the doorknob and had to squash a most uncharitable niggle of jealousy that it had been Aggie to make him sound so happy and not her. However, if he was in good spirits, that was the only thing that mattered, and she was so glad that he was getting along with her very best friend.

She gave a soft knock and entered to see Aggie sitting at her husband’s bedside playing cards. A tray sat across Kilbane’s legs, and at its centre lay a little mound of coins and paper notes.

“Cat!” Aggie said happily, jumping to her feet and running to embrace her friend.

“Oh, how good it is to see you, my lady,” Cat said, grinning at her.

Aggie laughed, shaking her head. “I still cannot get used to this ‘my lady’ business. I keep thinking people are talking to someone else.”

“Well, I cannot think why, for you look like a duchess. Lud, how glamorous you are. I think married life agrees with you.”

Aggie blushed prettily but did not deny it. “I think it does too, and as for my gown, well it’s Parisian, you know, so of course it’s the height of fashion,” she remarked, putting on airs to make Cat smile.

“If you’ve quite finished twittering about like a couple of nitwits, there is a game in progress,” Kilbane groused.

“Oh, don’t make such a fuss. I’m coming, or are you that desperate to lose again?” Aggie asked, taunting him as any sibling might in the circumstances. Cat smiled, pleased to see such easy familiarity between them, even if she was envious. Aggie lowered her voice a little. “I was wondering what you were doing for Christmas?”

Cat shot a glance at the bed, where Kilbane was studying his cards with an intent frown, but she was certain he was listening.

“Why, staying here, of course,” she said lightly.

Aggie let out a breath, evidently relieved. Cat guessed she’d worried her brother might be alone for Christmas.

“I ought to have known,” Aggie said quietly.

“For the last time, Catherine, I do not need babysitting. Go to your family for Christmas. Jones and I will get along admirably, I assure you. We usually do.”

“But I would like to spend Christmas with you,” Cat said, keeping her voice gentle but firm. “And I have made my arrangements now, so don’t even think of oversetting them.”

He darted a look at her, something like confusion in his eyes, but shrugged. “Suit yourself.”

“I shall,” Cat replied, gaining an encouraging glance from Aggie.

“Are you finishing this game, or aren’t you?” Kilbane demanded.

“Stop being so testy, I’m coming.” Aggie smiled and returned to her place by the bed.

Cat, feeling a little de trop, decided she had best change her damp gown. By the time she returned the tea tray had arrived, but Aggie was gathering up her things.