Chapter 7

CHAPTER7

“Ah!” Katherine yelped in shock. She hadn’t expected anyone to be near her, but as she turned around, she was met with the large eyes of none other than Anne.

“My apologies, Your Grace. I was sweeping in your chambers and just wanted to make my presence known,” Anne mumbled, clutching the broom close to her chest. “I had not meant to frighten you, or invade your privacy.”

Katherine could see the fear in the maid’s eyes. Anne must be thinking she might be scolded for merely witnessing the Duchess going through a difficult time in her life.

“No, Anne, no need for any apologies.” Katherine sighed as she wiped her cheeks, closing her eyes and silently praying that she could be someplace else. “I should’ve looked around me before starting to…”

She waved a hand to indicate the mess she was, to which Anne nodded sympathetically.

“I know this is none of my business, nor is it my place to ask. But might I be of any assistance to you, Your Grace?” Anne asked, slowly resting the broom against the wardrobe. “You appear to be in quite a state of distress.”

“I can’t deny that, can I?” Katherine put her hands on her hips. She let out a sigh in an attempt to gather her thoughts. It was of no help. Her thoughts were racing like a wild stampede. “Nothing serious, it was just an overreaction. You should not worry about me. But thank you for your kindness.”

“Are you sure, Your Grace? I’m always willing to lend an ear, and I can make an excellent cup of tea that will lift anyone’s mood,” Anne replied as she slowly stepped closer to her.

“It might just be—” Katherine started, before abruptly cutting herself off. She waved a hand, looking away to prevent herself from crying again. “Oh, just need to adjust a little.”

“I understand, Your Grace.” Anne nodded. “It must be extremely difficult for you, and you have my honest sympathies.”

Katherine refused to look the maid in the eye, fearing her tears would spill over. She didn’t want anyone to see her cry. She didn’t want to appear weaker than she already did.

“I must say, I now understand why the Duke had so many troubles during his previous courtships,” Katherine joked, subtly wiping her eyes.

“What did His Grace’s brother do now?” Anne sighed, her face scrunching up in disgust and disappointment.

Katherine looked perplexed. “The Duke’s brother?” she echoed, curious as to how the maid had drawn that conclusion. “Simon?”

“Had it not been him, Your Grace?” Anne asked with a surprised expression. “It almost always is because of Lord Simon.”

“I don’t understand what you mean by that, Anne. Pray, do elaborate on your strange conclusion,” Katherine demanded, her hands now placed firmly on her hips as she turned fully toward her.

“I ask you kindly to keep this information between us, Your Grace,” Anne nervously said, wringing her hands.

Katherine nodded, eager to hear what the maid had to say.

“Well, Lord Simon, in my opinion, had ruined all of His Grace’s previous courtships. He achieved that by using several tactics. He had often tried to flirt with the women to steal them from His Grace. He had even once spread nasty rumors about His Grace, chasing the woman away before His Grace could even even get close to her.”

Katherine’s eyebrows rose in astonishment. Of all the reasons there could’ve been for their arranged marriage, she hadn’t expected this. Perhaps he was being honest when he said that his family was the reason that he couldn’t have entered a proper courtship.

“Well, I made promises to him on our wedding day,” Katherine said as she thought about their wedding vows.

“But rest assured that I will always lend an ear if you need it, Your Grace,” Anne promised.

She hesitantly reached out her hand in an attempt to rub Katherine’s back, and Katherine allowed her to do so. She had one person on her side in this manor, even if she happened to be a maid.

“Thank you for your kindness, Anne. It does well in times of need,” Katherine acknowledged, feel slightly calmer after having someone to talk to.

“Might I bring you a cup of tea, Your Grace? A cup of tea always does me well on a rough day,” Anne suggested as she made for the door, briefly turning back around as she awaited an answer.

Katherine hesitated for a moment. Her first instinct was to decline the offer, but after some thought, she decided it might do her some good.

“Thank you, Anne.” She nodded. “That would be lovely.”

Anne nodded before leaving the room. Katherine smiled as she listened to her retreating footsteps, having now become familiar with the sound—short yet quick and soft steps clicking on the wooden floorboards.

She then sat down on the edge of the bed, the pillow that she had flung across the room earlier lying at her feet. She looked at it with disdain, not wanting to accept the fact that someone had driven her to that type of aggression. She had always been a soft and gentle person, but now she had started to throw and scream at pillows.

How unfair. How unfair that the Duke can make me so angry, and I can barely get him to smile.

Katherine realized what needed to be done. And what would be done was exactly what the Duke wanted. If he wanted a cold and distant relationship, then so be it. She wouldn’t try to engage him in conversation or show affection toward him. She would act as cold and blunt as he did. That way, she would not only be protecting her peace of mind but also her pillows.

“Here you go, Your Grace,” Anne intoned as returned to Katherine’s bedroom, a cup of tea in hand.

Katherine smiled up at her, still sitting on the bed. “Thank you, Anne. Truly,” Katherine said as she took the cup from her. She was unsure if she were more grateful for the tea or the kind shoulder Anne had provided her.

“Of course, Your Grace,” Anne replied as she picked the pillow off the floor. She placed it neatly back on the bed, fluffling it before starting to walk away. As she reached the door, she stopped abruptly, her feet unsure how to move. Katherine looked at her with a perplexed expression.

“Your Grace?” Anne said as she spun back around.

Katherine merely looked at her, awaiting the question that she was hesitant to ask.

“Should I tell His Grace you will not come down for tea today?” Anne asked as she pointed to the cup in Katherine’s hands.

Katherine knew the maid was hinting at what had happened between her and Gerald.

She opened her mouth, only to close it. She cocked her head slightly, thinking on the matter. “No worries, Anne. I will be there. One can never consume too many cups of tea or pastries.” She smiled.

She knew that going down for tea would appear desperate to others, but she did not mind in the slightest. The afternoon tea would allow her to finally set her plan in motion. But she was determined not to run away from her problems or have Gerald think he was in full power. This would be her attempt to take her power back.

* * *

“Tea will be served in five minutes, Your Grace,” Anne announced after knocking three times on the study door.

“Thank you, Anne,” Gerald replied, not looking up from his paperwork. He hadn’t a clue what he was staring at, his mind too far away from what lay in front of him.

He could see that Katherine was a sweet, kind, gentle lady, and he wanted to prevent himself from hurting her in all manners possible, but each time he tried to do so, he hurt her even more.

He rubbed the back of his neck in shame as he thought about what had happened earlier. He had nearly kissed her. She had even started to close her eyes. Yet, he had pulled away.

How stupid!

He lifted his head once again. He squirmed in disappointment with himself. And now he was to have tea with her, but he doubted that she would be attending.

“Afternoon, Your Grace,” Katherine said before he even had the chance to realize that she was in the drawing room.

She was sitting in his chair. The chair he wouldn’t allow anyone to sit in except himself.

“Duchess,” he responded, not looking her in the eye. He was quite surprised at how calm she was. Legs folded and sipping a cup of tea like it were just another average Thursday. Had he dreamt the entire interaction today? Why did she appear so… content?

Gerald took a seat across from Katherine as she bent down to pick up a pastry from the tray. She took a gentle bite, before looking out the window into the garden. Her leg was bouncing, yet not in a nervous manner. Instead, it was bouncing as if she were lost in thought.

Gerald continued to watch as the kitchen maid stirred a sugar cube into his tea, not a word passing between him and Katherine

After being handed his own cup, he shifted back in his seat uncomfortably. Silence fell over them, the only sound being Katherine’s soft chewing paired with the rustling of her dress every time she bounced her leg. She had usually been the one to break the silence, attempt to start a conversation, but now she was silent.

What was she thinking about?

“I apologize for what happened this morning,” Gerald finally said in an attempt to fill the silence. His voice cracked a bit as he realized how he started to go against his own word.

Had he truly just started a conversation to break the silence?

“It is quite all right, Your Grace,” Katherine replied before taking another bite of pastry and continuing the rhythmic bouncing of her leg.

Gerald nodded, unsure of how to continue. Instead, he merely took a sip of his tea and pretended to be observing the wallpaper on a nearby wall. He squinted to feign intrigue, but one could only look so perplexed by a piece of paper stuck on a wall.

“Are you all right, Duchess?” Gerald asked again, starting to get nervous by the strange situation he found himself in.

Is this how Katherine felt when he behaved in a distant manner? The guilt sunk a bit deeper into his stomach.

“Perfectly fine, Your Grace,” Katherine replied, before turning away once again and taking a sip of her tea.

Gerald nodded at her, wishing that she would speak more. She did not.

Katherine took her last sip of tea and gently placed her cup back on the saucer. She gently put them down on the tray before standing up and making her way to the door.

“Good day to you, Your Grace,” she uttered, before rounding the corner and disappearing into the hall.

Gerald looked at her retreating back, wide-eyed, his breaths stuttering.

He rose from his seat, anger sparking inside of him. He hadn’t even bothered to greet her, merely walking into the room without a word.

What a strange woman he had married. She was like a labyrinth.