Chapter 26

CHAPTER26

As Katherine and Gerald sat down at the dining table, the atmosphere was tense. Both of them were lost in thought, contemplating the recent events involving Simon and the Dowager Duchess.

Gerald had cut all ties. Katherine could see that he had no interest in meeting or speaking with them ever again, as neither of them had ever shown the slightest care for him. But now, she could see that the subject was weighing heavy on his mind once more.

Gerald poured himself a glass of wine, the liquid swirling in the glass as he took a sip, trying to calm his nerves.

“Can you believe what Simon did?” he finally spoke, breaking the heavy silence that hung between them. His voice was filled with a mix of anger and disbelief.

Katherine looked up from her plate, her eyes meeting his troubled gaze. “What happened?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

A part of her was curious, but another part was unsure if she truly wanted to know what happened.

Gerald took a deep breath, before continuing. “I received a letter this morning from an old acquaintance in Europe. Apparently, Simon stole a large sum of money from my mother before fleeing for the Continent. She’s devastated, and rightfully so. But I can’t help but feel that she has brought it upon herself.”

Katherine gasped, her hand flying to her mouth in shock. “I can’t believe it,” she murmured, reeling from the news.

However, as soon as the words slipped past her lips, she wanted to retract her statement. She shouldn’t have been surprised that Simon did such a thing.

“How could he do that?”

Gerald shook his head, his expression darkening with anger. “I don’t know, Katherine. I thought I knew my own brother, thought he was a scoundrel in several ways. I would have expected him to do such a thing to me, but I truly hadn’t expected him to do it to our mother. She is the only one who had always been able to deal with his nonsense—the only one to brush it off. But it turns out that he’s capable of anything. He has no concern for whom he might hurt.”

“But it’s not your fault, Gerald,” Katherine pointed out, reaching out to put a comforting hand on his arm.

Gerald had not mentioned that it might have been his fault, but she knew him. She knew that there was a part of him that blamed himself for his brother’s actions.

“You couldn’t have known what he was capable of.”

Gerald sighed, running a hand through his hair in frustration. “I know, but I can’t help but feel slightly responsible. I have seen the signs. I should have done something to stop him.”

Katherine shook her head, her eyes filled with compassion. “You tried your best to stop him several times, Gerald. But your mother had always interfered. You couldn’t have known. Simon is his own person, responsible for his own actions. You can’t blame yourself for what he’s done.”

Gerald looked at her, gratitude shining in his eyes. “Thank you, Katherine,” he said softly. “I just can’t help but feel pity for them… for how quickly they had thrown their lives away. Simon, for his stubborn refusal to change his behavior, and my mother, for having coddled him to the point where she had practically allowed him to steal from her.”

Katherine nodded in agreement. “I can’t understand it for the life of me,” she said as she let out a sigh. Then she took a sip of her wine in an effort to calm her nerves.

“What are you referring to, Katherine?” Gerald asked.

His mother and brother had done so many questionable things that he found it hard to choose which was the worst.

“I can’t understand how your mother had chosen the spoiled brat again and again, whilst ignoring the real treasure. It makes no sense, no matter how many times you might try to explain her favoritism.”

Gerald nodded somberly, echoing her sentiments. “I’ve often wondered about the same thing,” he admitted, his voice tinged with frustration. “It’s as if she were blinded by Simon’s stupid charm, unable to see the damage he was causing.”

Katherine reached out and gently squeezed his hand, offering him a reassuring smile. “Sometimes, people are blinded by their love for someone, unable to see their faults until it’s too late. But I cannot fathom how she had been able to do it for so long. She’s probably still doing it despite him having stolen every last penny she had to her name,” she said softly. “But you, Gerald, have always seen through Simon’s façad’. You’ve always known the truth, even when others chose to turn a blind eye. That is your gain and the loss of others. You had warned your mother time and time again, but she had never listened.”

Gerald sighed, a heavy weight lifting from his shoulders.

They sat in silence for a moment, the gravity of the situation weighing heavily on both of them. But despite the turmoil, Katherine couldn’t help but feel grateful for the bond she shared with Gerald. A bond she could only have dreamed of when they had first met. Now, she found him sharing his innermost thoughts and feelings with her.

After a moment, she cleared her throat, breaking the silence that had fallen over them. “What will you do now, Gerald?” she asked, her voice filled with concern.

Gerald sighed, running a hand through his hair as he considered his options. “I don’t know,” he admitted, his brow furrowed in thought. “But one thing is for certain—I won’t be reaching out to Simon or my mother anytime soon. They have burned their bridges with me, and I have no intention of rebuilding them.”

Katherine nodded in understanding, her eyes filled with sympathy. “I understand,” she said softly. “But just know that whatever you decide, I’ll be here for you. We’ll get through this together.”

Gerald smiled back at her, and she couldn’t help but feel lighter after speaking on the matter. It was uncomfortable, but frankly, it was no longer their problem.

Suddenly, Katherine felt a sudden urge to share something with Gerald. She took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts before speaking.

“Gerald,” she began, her voice soft but steady. “I wanted to tell you something. Yesterday, I received a letter from my parents.”

Gerald looked up, his brow furrowing. “Your parents?” he echoed, his curiosity piqued. “That is rather unexpected. We have not heard from them since the party if I am correct.”

“Yes.” Katherine nodded, a slight smile playing on her lips. “After the party, they saw me as an embarrassment. Firstly for attending the party despite the rumors, and secondly for standing up to your mother and Simon. They thought it unfit for a lady to fight back. And, of course, they were really upset that I slapped Lady Louton.”

“You did so rightfully, in my opinion,” Gerald asserted, his nose twitching as he thought back to that dreadful night.

“They reached out to me, expressing their regret for the way they treated me in the past. They apologized for their actions and expressed a desire to reconcile,” Katherine added slowly.

Gerald’s eyes widened in surprise, his expression softening with empathy. “That’s… unexpected,” he ventured. “How do you feel about it?”

Katherine took a moment to gather her thoughts, her gaze drifting to the tablecloth as she considered her response. “Honestly, Gerald, I’m not sure how I feel,” she admitted, her voice tinged with uncertainty. “Part of me is grateful for their attempt to make amends, but another part of me is wary. I don’t know if I’m ready to forgive and forget just yet.”

“That is understandable.” Gerald sighed, before scrunching up his face as if he had come to an odd realization.

Katherine laughed at his expression.

“We are talking about family troubles as if we have been married for several years. As if our family has had plenty of time to cause all these problems.”

“We have been married for quite a long time.” Katherine laughed too. “Someone had just been too stubborn to act like a husband at first!”

Gerald gave her a blank look, but then he picked up an unused napkin and tossed it at her.

Katherine ducked her head as she continued to laugh.

“Would you accompany me if I accept the invitation?” she asked as her laughter died down. “I might never reconcile with my family if I never see them.”

“Of course.” Gerald smiled widely. “I’d be more than happy to accompany you. You know I am capable of turning on the charm in front of your parents.”

Katherine snorted, before they both rose from their seats. Gerald waited for her to join him before stepping out of the dining room.

“I have some work I must finish.” He sighed. “But I hope you might still spare me an hour before you retire to bed.”

“I will await you eagerly, husband.” Katherine smiled as he planted a kiss on her forehead. Then he made his way to his study.

With nothing else to do, Katherine found herself in the drawing room, in front of her easel once more.

No matter how long she stared at the blank canvas, she found it impossible to come up with new ideas. Her brush moved back and forth as if it had a mind of its own.Lost in thought, Katherine didn’t notice the sound of footsteps approaching until Anne cleared her throat.

“Pardon the interruption, Your Grace,” Anne said, her voice gentle as she approached her. “But I thought you might appreciate a cup of tea.”

Katherine turned to face the maid, offering her a grateful smile. “Thank you, Anne,” she returned, her voice warm with appreciation. “That would be lovely.”

As Anne busied herself with stirring sugar into the tea, Katherine couldn’t help but feel a sense of comfort in her presence. Anne had been working in Powell Manor for many years before she had arrived, and her quiet competence was an anchor in the chaos of daily life.

“So, what brings you to the easel this evening, Your Grace?” Anne asked, her tone light .

Katherine sighed, her thoughts returning to the conversation she had with Gerald earlier. “Just contemplating some family matters,” she replied hesitantly. “Somehow, that had affected my ability to paint.”

Anne nodded sympathetically, her eyes filled with understanding. “Family can be quite complicated, can’t it?” she said, her voice filled with empathy. “At least you have a family of your own now, even if it only consists of His Grace. I must say, Your Grace, in all my years working here, I’ve never seen him so fond of anyone as he is of you.”

Katherine’s heart swelled with warmth at the maid’s words, a soft smile playing on her lips. “Thank you, Anne,” she murmured, her voice filled with gratitude. “That means a great deal to me.”

“I mean it truthfully.” Anne smiled, carrying the cup of tea over to her. Katherine took it gratefully. “I beg you not to repeat what I’m about to say, but he had been quite a bum before you moved in. Now he has the brightest countenance, and I believe the entire staff of Powell Manor has you to thank for that.”

Katherine let out a gentle laugh, lifting the back of her hand to her lips. “He was quite moody.” She smiled. “But he had always had the kind-heartedness you have often spoken of. I just assisted him slightly in digging it back up.”

“I find that to be quite true.” Anne nodded. “I’ll leave you to your painting, Your Grace. I hope the idea might come to you swiftly.”

Katherine stared at the blank easel before her, her hand twitching slightly as she grabbed the paintbrush.

“I must thank you, Anne,” she murmured as she stared at the canvas. “I believe our brief conversation had somehow given me a new idea. You spoke of family, and how Gerald is mine…”