Chapter 14

CHAPTER14

“Once again, I have to apologize on my brother’s behalf for last night.” Gerald sighed as he stepped into the drawing room.

Katherine had been up early, despite having caught little sleep the previous night. She smiled, allowing her husband to stand next to her.

“It doesn’t matter, Your Grace,” Katherine said as they stared at the painting. “Some poets might say this gives the painting a deeper meaning.”

Gerald shook his head with a faint smile, before heaving a sigh. Katherine looked at him, her intent clear in her eyes. She was more than willing to listen to him.

“My brother,” Gerald started, but then he closed his mouth abruptly. “It’s all right, I don’t find him worth my worry on this fine day.”

“I’m sorry, Your Grace,” Katherine said softly, reaching out her hand to gently hold his.

She expected him to jerk his hand back, or look at her in disgust. But to her surprise, he allowed her to hold his hand, even if it were just a gentle grasp.

Katherine couldn’t help but blush and smile simultaneously, and she ducked her face to hide her reaction. She felt like a schoolgirl who had just met her first crush. All butterflies, blushing and shyness. She couldn’t help but laugh at the thought of it.

For a brief second, she let go of the Duke’s hand. Gerald looked a bit startled, not used to rejection in any form. But Katherine did not mean it as a form of rejection. Instead, something had caught her eye, and she saw a good opportunity to point it out.

Katherine stepped closer to the easel. She picked up the torn painting gently, extending her fingers so as not to touch the wet paint that had already been smudged. Gerald watched her curiously.

“Come look, Your Grace,” she urged, beckoning him over.

He hesitated for a moment, looking at her with a wary expression, before obliging her.

Katherine held the painting up to the window, causing him to burst into laughter. “My goodness!” he exclaimed.

The way she held the painting in front of the window created some optical illusion. The untorn parts of the painting fit exactly with the garden, as seen through the window—a painting completed with the help of reality.

“I’m just being silly.” Katherine blushed, placing the painting back on the easel.

This morning had started on a good note, and she could only hope that the rest of the day would follow suit.

“Good morning,” Simon called as he walked into the drawing room.

Katherine turned around to face him but found herself unsure of what to say.

“Simon,” Gerald said in a low voice.

His tone had so drastically shifted that it made Katherine come to a realization. How come that whenever she was sharing a good moment with Gerald, Simon decided to barge in?

“I have come to apologize.” Simon held up his hands in surrender. As Gerald watched him carefully, he turned toward Katherine. “I am dearly sorry about the painting, Your Grace,” he said.

It sounded more as if he were attempting to finish one of his daily tasks than making a sincere apology.

“I accept your apology, Lord Simon.” Katherine nodded, her own voice a bit colder than usual ever since he entered the room.

“Wonderful,” Simon chirped, raising his eyebrows.

He was quick to turn on his heels and fall back into the same chair that Katherine had feared he might break. She was unsure how the chair was still standing.

Gerald’s eyes continued to follow his brother around the room, but as soon as Gerald fell into the chair, he let out a sigh of disbelief. Katherine shook her head at him with a reassuring smile. She didn’t want him to fight Simon just because of his half-hearted apology.

“You didn’t come to speak with our old friends last night, Brother,” Simon said. “I think it best if we go out tonight.”

As Simon’s words hung in the air, Katherine exchanged a glance with Gerald, silently conveying her apprehension. She had hoped that Simon would take the events of the previous night as a lesson, but it seemed that he was already reverting to his old habits.

Gerald clenched his jaw as he struggled to maintain his composure. “No,” he uttered firmly, his tone brooking no argument. “We will not be going out tonight, Simon. Not after what happened last night.”

Simon’s brow furrowed in frustration, his expression darkening. “But why not?” he demanded petulantly. “We’ve been cooped up in this manor for far too long. I need to get out, to have some fun.”

Gerald’s gaze hardened as he met his brother’s defiant stare. ‘You need to understand, Simon,” he said coldly. “Your behavior last night was unacceptable. Until you can show me that you’re capable of handling yourself responsibly, we will not be going out again.”

Simon’s jaw tightened with frustration, his fists clenched at his sides. “You’re just like Father, always trying to control me,” he muttered, his words laced with bitterness. “You are trying to toss me away, treating me like a pest! Then do it, Your Grace, throw me where the ton might never see me again! Just as I’m sure you want to!”

“Don’t you dare,” Gerald hissed, pointing a finger at him. “I decline one night of drinking, and you come here handing out insults!”

“Lord Simon, please. Tonight does not seem like a good night to go out. And I believe it best if both of you remain here and rest,” Katherine interjected, hoping to ease the tension before their argument turned violent once more.

“Look at you, prancing around like you own the place,” Simon snarled, his words dripping with contempt. “You think you can control us, don’t you? Well, let me tell you, you’re nothing but a glorified maid.”

Katherine recoiled slightly at his harsh words, her expression a mix of hurt and indignation. She opened her mouth to respond, but before she could utter a word, Gerald stepped toward his brother threateningly.

“Enough, Simon.” His voice cut through the tension like a knife. “You will not speak to her in such a manner!”

Simon scoffed, rolling his eyes in disdain. “And who are you to tell me what to do?” he retorted.

“I am your brother and the Duke of Powell,” Gerald replied, his voice unwavering. “And she is the Duchess—your Duchess. As long as you are under our roof, you will show respect to her and everyone else in this household.”

Simon opened his mouth to argue further, but Gerald silenced him with a stern glare. He stumbled over his words, frightened by the expression on his elder brother’s face.

“Go on, take your pretty, little wife and forget about me once more! Your Grace, I warn you. He is an awful man, but then you seem a good fit for such an awful man!” Simon yelled.

Gerald lunged at him, but Katherine was quick to catch him by the hem of his coat. “Your Grace, he is not worth it,” she said softly, looking him in the eye. Tears welled up in her eyes, but she blinked them away.

“Yes, listen to your little lady. The same lady who can’t even walk properly!” Simon laughed.

Katherine bit her bottom lip to prevent herself from saying something she couldn’t take back. Instead, she tugged a bit harder on Gerald’s coat.

“You will regret the day you have said this,” Gerald hissed bitterly, the veins in his neck and forehead bulging. “She is a far better human than you could ever dream to be, Simon.”

“Your Grace!” Katherine yelled, her voice cracking as she held back her tears. “Leave him, he isn’t worth a minute of your energy.”

Gerald looked at her for a second, and she could tell that he had noticed the tear welling up in her eyes. Without another word, he took her by the arm and guided her toward the door, his grip firm yet gentle.

Katherine listened as Simon continued to scream at her from the drawing room. “How dare you speak to me like that, I am Lord Simon!”

“Come,” Gerald said, his voice softer now, filled with concern. She could sense the anger roiling inside him, but not a bit seemed to be directed at her. “I will escort you to your quarters. Away from the madman in the drawing room.”

Katherine nodded gratefully, her trust in him unwavering despite never having seen anyone this angry before. With one last glance at Simon, who was watching them with a mix of resentment and defiance, Gerald led her down the hall and toward the staircase.

Tears slowly started to roll down Katherine’s cheeks, but she didn’t sniffle or cry. She was far too angry to allow Simon the pleasure of knowing that he had hurt her—deeply hurt her.

As they walked up the stairs, the tension gradually began to dissipate, replaced by a sense of calm and solidarity between them. They were silent, the way Gerald preferred things, and for the first time, Katherine could notice that there was some sense to his theory. Though silent, she had never felt less alone—but she would not admit it to him for fear of chasing him away.

Together, they navigate the corridors of the manor, their footsteps echoing softly against the polished floorboards. And as they reached her door, Gerald paused, his gaze lingering on her for a moment longer.

“Thank you, Katherine,” he said quietly, his voice slightly hesitant. “For everything.”

Katherine returned his smile, her heart swelling with warmth at his words despite feeling a mountain of absurdities. “Anytime, Your Grace,” she replied softly. “I hope I haven’t worsened things.”

“One can’t worsen things that are already at their worst.” Gerald shook his head sadly.

To her surprise, he followed her into her room, taking a seat on the edge of her bed. She stood staring at him for a moment.

He appeared emotionally exhausted, and for a second, Katherine thought that she might understand him, difficult as that might be. She stepped closer to him, standing at the edge of the bed for a moment before taking a seat beside him. Gerald looked up at her.

“I’m sorry that you keep finding yourself in our disputes,” he said after a pause. He turned his head away and stared off into the distance, but her gaze was fixed on him.

“You don’t have to apologize, Your Grace.” Katherine waved a hand dismissively, but she found his apology comforting nonetheless. Her parents were strange and often far too full of themselves, but never bitter as Simon appeared to be.

“I still find it unacceptable.” Gerald sighed, his hands folded in his lap. “And, unfortunately, drinking might be one of Simon’s lesser problems at the moment.”

“What?” Katherine blurted out, confused by how something else could possibly top Simon’s drinking problem.

“He has a gambling problem,” Gerald admitted. “And, unfortunately, that had led to it becoming my problem as well.”

Katherine’s eyes widened in shock at the revelation. She had suspected that Simon’s behavior was driven by more than just a fondness for drink, but the reality of his gambling addiction shook her to the core.

“Gambling?” she echoed in disbelief, her voice trembling. “But how… how bad is it?”

Gerald’s expression darkened, his frustration evident in every word. “It’s worse than you can imagine,” he confessed. “Simon has racked up considerable debts, and he often comes to me, asking for money to cover his losses.”

Katherine felt a wave of nausea wash over her as the full extent of Simon’s addiction became clear. She had always known that he was troubled, but she had never realized the depths of his self-destructive behavior.

Then, at once, she felt a sharp pain in her heart as another realization dawned on her. Puzzle pieces starting to fit together, explain another part of Gerald’s mysterious behavior.

“Why… why did you marry me?” she asked, her voice filled with confusion, curiosity, as well as anguish. “Was it just to produce an heir and prevent Simon from inheriting the title? I mean, why else? He would drive the duchy right to the ground.”

Gerald’s eyes snapped up to meet hers, filled with a mix of regret and honesty. “Yes,” he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. “I had to marry you to ensure that Simon never becomes the Duke. He would have ruined everything, Katherine. Everything that my family has worked for for generations. I can’t allow my family’s legacy to fall into disrepute.”

Katherine’s heart sank at his words, the weight of his confession crushing her spirit. She had always known that her marriage to Gerald was one of convenience, but she had never realized the true extent of his sacrifice. He might never even have sought a wife.

“I… I had no idea,” she murmured, her voice choked with emotion. “But I think I understand. I would also do everything in my power to prevent him from inheriting the title.”

Gerald looked up at her, his brow furrowed in worry and deep thought. He looked unsure of what to say, his jaw ticking as he stared deeply into her soul.

“I—” Gerald began, before pursing his lips.

Katherine waited for him to say something—anything—but instead, he had started to laugh quietly.

“What might be so funny?” she asked sharply, unsure how anything might be funny to him in that instance. For a moment, she even feared that he had been making a fool of her.

“I am so sorry for my inappropriate laughter, Katherine. I have just come to a rather strange realization,” Gerald said, trying his utmost best to stop laughing.

Katherine looked at him, shocked at his absurd response and his use of her Christian name.

“What realization, Your Grace?” she asked as she looked at him sharply, still unable to fathom how any bit of their conversation could have made him laugh.

“I just find it quite funny how you had somehow wormed your way through my defenses, despite my several attempts to keep you at arm’s length. You are a hot-headed woman,” Gerald explained, and then chuckled again.

He put a palm over his forehead, letting out a steadying breath.

“I’m a tad confused, Your Grace,” Katherine mumbled.

“I had sworn to myself to have no emotional attachment toward you. I made you swear to have no emotional attachment toward me. Now I find myself revealing secrets not even my closest friends know of,” Gerald admitted, staring ahead, a somber look in his eyes.

Katherine thought it her time to laugh, and she couldn’t help the chuckles that escaped her lips. She had expected many answers, but not that one.

“I guess that to be true, Your Grace.” She smiled as her laughter died down. “Perhaps you needed a wife for more reasons than merely producing an heir. Everyone needs a listening ear.”

Gerald smiled shyly, brushing a curl from his forehead. “You may just be right.”

For a moment, Katherine thought that she might have been dreaming, wanting to pinch her arm to pull herself back to reality. Gerald had gently placed his hand on hers, which had been resting in her lap.

Her hand lay motionless for a moment, until she, curled her fingers around his hand. She stared at him, even if his eyes were averted. Perhaps this was his way of showing affection, even if it were just for a brief moment.