Chapter 6

Chapter Six

" D o you know if the Duke is courting anyone?" Miss Diana Applesworth asked Catherine when Richard walked into the Grimsbys' garden party.

Not wanting to meet his eyes, Catherine turned away from him. She was not sure she wanted anyone to know they were familiar with each other.

"I wouldn't know," she answered, sipping her punch.

"Oh, but you should," Miss Applesworth insisted. "I heard you went to call on them a few days ago."

"I went for Lady Emmeline," Catherine clarified, using her friend's title to prevent the girls currently hounding her from overstepping. "We are childhood friends."

"We know that, dear Cathy," Miss Fiona Merriwether interjected. "But the Duke would have been in residence, so you would be at least cordial with each other. Or are you trying to keep him for yourself?"

The other girls now regarded Catherine warily, as though she was officially a competitor. It was not as though she weren't beautiful, but compared to many of the great beauties that made their debuts in the last and current Season, she was somewhere in the middle.

And standing next to her current companions, the only thing that made them wary of her was her friendship with the Duke's sister.

"I have no designs on the Duke," she answered, only to be met with their scoffs. "Plus, we've hardly had a reason to talk aside from harried greetings. He's a busy man. You have nothing to worry about."

They still watched her with wary eyes, but Miss Applesworth, apparently getting some of her confidence back, sniffed.

"As if he'd consider the likes of you over me," she said snootily. "Come, girls, let's see if the Duke needs any refreshments. It is a hot day, after all."

Catherine watched their retreating backs in disbelief. This was exactly why she kept to herself. The only reason she even tolerated a conversation with them was to not come off as rude, but she was sorely tempted to snub anyone who came up to her again.

"Cathy!"

She heard her name from across the garden and winced as she turned to face Emmy, who apparently didn't care that people were turning their noses up at her.

"Emmy," she chided softly. "It's not proper to raise your voice like that."

Emmy winced and hid her red face behind her fan. "Sorry. I was just so excited to see you," she murmured. "I have gotten so many compliments on my dress. Do you like it?"

She spun, looking much like Lily, and Catherine couldn't help but smile at her. It was like having another younger sister.

"You look beautiful, Emmy." And she meant it.

"Of course, she'd look beautiful," Richard declared proudly, coming up behind them. "You have a good eye. As do I, I hope?"

Catherine turned beet red as she remembered the dress she'd hidden away until she needed to pull off her prank. She'd finally tried it on when Lily had returned to her chambers and had had to clap a hand over her mouth to muffle her squeal. It was that decadent, and she'd loved it. But she'd be damned if she let him know how much she loved it.

"Thank you for the compliment, Your Grace, but I'm afraid the same cannot be said about you," she joked.

Richard beamed at her jest. "You learn quickly. That is good." He nodded. "But I am hurt. You didn't like the dress?"

"What dress?" Miss Applesworth suddenly asked, shocking everyone with her proximity and inserting herself into the conversation. "Good day, Your Grace. I've been looking for you."

Catherine, once her heart rate had slowed, had to mentally applaud the girl for her bravery. Not only had she rudely ignored all the members of their group, but she'd gone ahead to initiate a conversation with Richard, who had a higher rank than her and to whom she'd not been introduced.

Catherine noticed Richard take in the petite blonde and wondered if perhaps he too would be ensnared by her cherubic charms. Miss Applesworth really was a beauty, with lush golden-blonde hair that glimmered in the sun and glowing skin. Her pale blue dress accentuated the blue of her eyes.

Apparently, she was also better at flirting, for many of the men of their party could barely keep their eyes off her, always looking to engage her in conversation when she was free.

If Catherine was looking for a different sort of marriage, she might have felt jealous of how much attention the girl was getting. Seeing Richard's eyes linger on her, though, sent a bitter feeling to the pit of her stomach that she couldn't identify.

Miss Applesworth squared her shoulders at his perusal, pushing her chest forward. At least on that point, Catherine won, seeing as the girl was small-chested.

Miss Applesworth had enough confidence to make up for it, though.

"Is that so?" Richard asked coolly. "May I inquire why, Miss…?"

"Applesworth. Diana Applesworth," she said, preening. She was definitely planning wedding dresses in her head now.

"Miss Applesworth," Richard said slowly with a sour look on his face. "I wonder. Would Lord Smythe smile so brightly when I tell him how his daughter rudely inserted herself into a conversation when she'd not been properly introduced to the discussants?"

Her face paled as her eyes darted around the garden, and in a whiff of powdery perfume, she was gone.

Catherine resisted the urge to smirk. It was no news that the Viscount Smythe was a stickler for propriety and was even more so when it came to his only daughter. Miss Applesworth would probably be sent to the country for a year to avoid scandal.

"You sent Cathy a dress?" Emmy asked, surprised.

Catherine sighed inwardly, grateful that her friend had not mentioned what had just happened.

"Yes. To thank her for agreeing to tutor you."

"Oh, you're such a darling, Brother."

"I am glad someone seems to think so." He sniffed, and Catherine almost laughed.

Emmy put her hand on her friend's arm. "Why didn't you tell me he bought you a dress? Can I see it?"

"Yes, can we?" Richard asked teasingly.

"Someday maybe." Catherine smiled at them, before walking away.

It was time for games, and she really was looking forward to doing something other than making conversation. Her polite facade was slipping, and it was only a matter of time before she said some not-very-proper things to Miss Applesworth if she kept glaring daggers at her from across the garden.

The first game was Pall Mall, and Catherine partnered up with the lovely Sarah Dowding, wife of the Earl of Branden. They were to play against Lord Dunham and Miss West, an American heiress she'd yet to be introduced to.

She and her partner easily won the first round, and that's how the day went, with her switching partners for each new game.

When it was time for cards, her opponent was Richard himself, and she smiled triumphantly when she looked at the cards she had in her hand.

"You might as well forfeit this round, Your Grace," she told him triumphantly.

"Why, Miss Burlow?" he asked cordially, as though they were newly acquainted. "Are you scared I'll end your winning streak?"

" Au contraire , Your Grace." She smiled, placing her cards down. "I only fear that if we were making a wager, I'd be the new owner of your estate."

Richard laughed long and loud and then put down his cards, and she laughed when she saw she had indeed beat him.

The other players at their table groaned as they put their cards down, and she noticed that she had beaten them all, although they didn't take it in stride like Richard had.

Why do men have such fragile egos?

They broke apart for refreshments, and while she sipped her punch, she made eye contact with Lord Evermore and Lord Riverton, players at her table during the last game of cards. But they looked away from her and then quickly walked off.

She frowned at their odd behavior, wondering what that was about.

"You seem to have scared away potential suitors again," Richard noted from behind her, startling her.

Her drink spilled over the rim of her glass, nearly ruining the front of her dress. She turned to him with a glare, but he just winked at her and handed her a kerchief which she used to wipe her hands.

"Keep it," he said when she tried to hand it back.

"Thank you," she muttered.

They were calling for the final game, and she made to find her seat when Richard pulled her back with a hand on her arm. She looked around to make sure no one saw them.

"Why did you do that?" she asked, worried. "Someone could have seen us."

"Relax, no one did," he said softly. "Plus, it's time for your second lesson."

"Now?" she hissed. "We could have discussed this at your home."

"Are you trying to spend time alone with me, Miss Burlow?"

"Richard!"

"Shh! Someone might hear you," he teased.

She glared hotly at him when some curious eyes turned in their direction. He might not have much of a reputation to preserve, but she did.

"Fine. Fine." He raised his arms in surrender. "I'm trying to help you."

She looked warily at him and folded her arms across her chest. "I'm listening."

"What do you think you did wrong today?"

"Could you not just tell me and be done with it?"

He rolled his eyes. "Humor me."

"I really don't know what I did wrong."

"Lord Evermore and Lord Riverton are potential suitors who would suit you way more than you know, and you have nearly ruined your chances with them."

"Nearly? How?"

"How many men do you think appreciate a woman beating them at games?" Richard asked mockingly.

Catherine stared at him blankly. "You can't be serious."

"Oh, but I am," he stated matter of factly.

"But you took it in stride."

"Because I am not interested in you."

That stung, but she pushed the feeling aside.

"What do I do then?"

"Lose a few games and ask for help," he said like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Men, throughout history, have always loved a damsel in distress."

"That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard."

"Is it?" He quirked an eyebrow at her. "Humor me for a few games and see."

"Alright."

"Let's make a wager." His smile was cat-like, chilling her to the bone. "If my plan works, you'll owe me a favor I can collect any time and anywhere I want."

"And if it doesn't?" She smirked at him.

"The same applies to you."

"This should be fun."

He walked away from her with a confident, lazy gait she wished she could match. Confusion clouded her mind, and she wondered if perhaps she should test his theory.

What did she really have to lose except her pride?

Besides, when his plan didn't work, she planned to use that favor against him so he'd regret making a fool out of her.

The next round of cards was shared, and for this round, Lord Hightown and Lord Grainsbury were at her table. Richard was playing with new partners but could see her clearly from where he was sitting.

He nodded at her and focused as his companions called for his attention. One of the ladies at his table placed her hand on his arm, showing him her cards, and he gave Catherine a look as if to say, See what I told you? She rolled her eyes and attempted the same move.

"Lord Hightown," she asked softly, "would you mind showing me how to play the game?"

Lord Hightown stared at her in surprise and then gave a confident grin that indicated his ego was being stroked.

"Miss Burlow, it would be my pleasure," he said and then went on to explain the game slowly as if she were a child, even though he ended up losing a few rounds.

Catherine lost a few as well but got fed up with his encouragement quickly.

Is this really what it takes to trap a husband? God, women really do suffer a lot.

She won a round and then turned to him, thanking him for his guidance.

He literally puffed out his chest. "I am glad I could tutor you." He smiled.

She nodded and blushed as his stare became intense—he looked taken with her.

"Tell me, Miss Burlow," he said as the cards were being shuffled. "If you are not otherwise engaged tomorrow, I'd like to take you on a ride at Hyde Park."

Catherine was taken aback by that. Richard's plan had actually worked?

"That will be nice."

Lord Hightown beamed at her. "I'll pick you up at ten."

She nodded and continued the game, keeping up the act for the next few rounds. By the end of the day, she was surrounded by smitten men trying to make conversation with her.

She laughed when necessary and blushed when necessary and found herself enjoying their conversations, as she found out she shared hobbies with a few of the men—not that they didn't make obnoxious comments sometimes, though.

She laughed at something Lord Kilmore said and turned to find Richard staring at her from across the garden, his brown hair silhouetted by the golden light of the setting sun. His eyes shone with humor and satisfaction.

God, he is handsome.

What?

He winked at her and turned away, and her heart started pounding in her chest.

She hadn't even realized she had flushed until Lord Hightown called her attention to it.

"Are you well, Miss Burlow?" he asked, putting a hand on her back. "Do you need to sit down?"

"No. No," she answered, shaking her head. "I am well."

And oh did she hope so.

Richard looked away from Catherine with a satisfied smile as he saw her surrounded by gentlemen he knew fit her criteria. She had looked odd playing the small-brained lady, but she'd followed his instructions very well, and a dark part of him wondered just how well she'd follow his instructions on other things.

He shook the thought out of his brain as she approached him, looking every bit the smart, cool Catherine he'd seen playing with his sister when they were children.

But then sensual thoughts crossed his mind as he noticed the way her skirts swished around her long, elegant legs.

He'd never noticed how smoothly she walked before. He had never noticed many things about her, and now he noticed one thing—all her features started to stand out to him.

He frowned at that.

What the bloody hell was going on?

He couldn't be attracted to practical Catherine, could he?

Yes, she was striking when she laughed freely without a care in the world, but that wasn't enough to warrant attraction, was it?

Perhaps he'd stayed too long without a woman. That was the only explanation he could come up with for the inappropriate thoughts crossing his mind now.

"Is all well, Your Grace?" she asked, pouting with concern.

Had her lips always been that pink?

Damn.

He really needed to focus.

"Yes." He swallowed past the lump in his throat. "All is well."

"Do you need some punch?" she asked, handing him her cup. "God knows I've had enough."

He laughed, and those sensual thoughts faded from his mind as he finally reminded his body that she was good old Catherine, his sister's best friend. He should not be picturing how her legs looked bare.

He swallowed and then smiled at her. "I have had enough, thank you. I believe you owe me a favor."

She sighed. "I do, but I must thank you." She smiled. "I didn't know flirting was so fun."

"I am glad I could help." He nodded. "Now imagine how much more successful you'll be in that dress."

"Please don't talk about it again."

"Why not?" he asked innocently. "It is a beautiful dress, and I've been known to have good taste."

"In women and not dresses."

"And how do you know that?"

She didn't answer.

Smart girl.

"It wasn't appropriate for a garden party, but I'll put it to good use at the next ball."

She gave him a wink that went straight to his groin and strolled away.

Damn. What was she doing to him?