Read Online The Honorable Heir by Laurie Alice Eakes - Free Book Online
Authors: Laurie Alice Eakes
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“I rather scuttled those relationships when I eloped with Georgette’s fiancé.”
Mama sighed and returned her pen to its holder. “That was five years ago. It’s past time everyone forgot about your youthful folly. See, you’ve already had a gentleman caller. Did you have a pleasant coze?”
“Lord Tristram is as warm as the conservatory without a fire. I am still to blame for my disastrous marriage.”
“Hmph.” Mama brought her fist down on her desk. “And what about Lord Bisterne’s behavior? He made a promise to her and broke it. Why does everyone blame you as though you forced him to the altar?”
Catherine’s heart warmed at Mama’s never-failing loyalty. “I did flirt with him outrageously. You told me to stop.”
“And if he truly cared for Georgette, no amount of flirtation would have swayed him to run off with you.”
“My greater dowry persuaded him.”
“Estelle is about to follow in your footsteps if we’re not careful.”
“I thought she’d have learned her lesson with me for an example, but you are so right, Mama, in more ways than one.”
“Those young men in the music room are fortune hunters, as well?”
“Without the dubious honor of bearing a title.”
“Neither of these young men have either money or title prospects?”
“Neither. But if I may offer you some advice from my own experience, don’t deny her access to them. I believe now that if I had been allowed to spend more time in Bisterne’s company, I would have learned his pious talk and fine manners covered an empty soul.”
Mama sifted through the stack of engraved invitations. “I will discuss your suggestion with your father tonight. We don’t like this notion Estelle has of joining a band, of all things. As if a girl of good birth would ever do such a thing. I’m happy enough to have her perform here, but in public? Out of the question.”
“And yet her talent is special.”
“It is.” Mama’s face glowed, smooth and lovely in the lamplight. “We pray her faith will anchor her in doing the right thing with her music.”
“Did you hope my faith would persuade me to make the right choices?”
“I’m afraid we did, but worldliness got ahold of you.” Mama leaned forward and covered Catherine’s clasped hands with one of hers.
Catherine avoided meeting Mama’s eyes. “I need to find forgiveness here, but Mrs. Selkirk says I will not be received and Georgette will not speak with me.”
“Then Georgette will be in the wrong, not you. As long as you conduct yourself with impeccable behavior and we can keep Estelle from running off, your being home can finally set that old scandal of yours behind us, where it belongs.”
Catherine flinched away from Mama’s kindly meant words. If she could not prove her innocence to Lord Tristram, a new scandal could damage her family right to its core. Estelle would be the sister of a jewel thief and would never find a decent man to marry her, and other men might refuse to do business with Papa and Paul, thus ruining the family financially. A family that had given her so much in love, forgiveness and money all her life deserved better than that.
Whatever course of action was necessary, she would take it to protect her family.
* * *
Tristram needed the walk through the biting cold to calm him before he felt ready for a civilized meal with the Selkirks. Never in his life had a female set his blood to boiling as did Lady Catherine Bisterne. She may as well have been holding a rapier in salute before an old-fashioned duel with that last glance of hers. American-born or not, she could have given any duchess a run for her money in the hauteur division.
Suddenly, he laughed, his voice ringing out along the empty road lined with trees that hid the opulent houses beyond. She might have been nervous around him last night, but today she had herself well in hand, and the result was...
Alarmingly charming.
Tristram shoved his hands into the pockets of his coat and
Mama sighed and returned her pen to its holder. “That was five years ago. It’s past time everyone forgot about your youthful folly. See, you’ve already had a gentleman caller. Did you have a pleasant coze?”
“Lord Tristram is as warm as the conservatory without a fire. I am still to blame for my disastrous marriage.”
“Hmph.” Mama brought her fist down on her desk. “And what about Lord Bisterne’s behavior? He made a promise to her and broke it. Why does everyone blame you as though you forced him to the altar?”
Catherine’s heart warmed at Mama’s never-failing loyalty. “I did flirt with him outrageously. You told me to stop.”
“And if he truly cared for Georgette, no amount of flirtation would have swayed him to run off with you.”
“My greater dowry persuaded him.”
“Estelle is about to follow in your footsteps if we’re not careful.”
“I thought she’d have learned her lesson with me for an example, but you are so right, Mama, in more ways than one.”
“Those young men in the music room are fortune hunters, as well?”
“Without the dubious honor of bearing a title.”
“Neither of these young men have either money or title prospects?”
“Neither. But if I may offer you some advice from my own experience, don’t deny her access to them. I believe now that if I had been allowed to spend more time in Bisterne’s company, I would have learned his pious talk and fine manners covered an empty soul.”
Mama sifted through the stack of engraved invitations. “I will discuss your suggestion with your father tonight. We don’t like this notion Estelle has of joining a band, of all things. As if a girl of good birth would ever do such a thing. I’m happy enough to have her perform here, but in public? Out of the question.”
“And yet her talent is special.”
“It is.” Mama’s face glowed, smooth and lovely in the lamplight. “We pray her faith will anchor her in doing the right thing with her music.”
“Did you hope my faith would persuade me to make the right choices?”
“I’m afraid we did, but worldliness got ahold of you.” Mama leaned forward and covered Catherine’s clasped hands with one of hers.
Catherine avoided meeting Mama’s eyes. “I need to find forgiveness here, but Mrs. Selkirk says I will not be received and Georgette will not speak with me.”
“Then Georgette will be in the wrong, not you. As long as you conduct yourself with impeccable behavior and we can keep Estelle from running off, your being home can finally set that old scandal of yours behind us, where it belongs.”
Catherine flinched away from Mama’s kindly meant words. If she could not prove her innocence to Lord Tristram, a new scandal could damage her family right to its core. Estelle would be the sister of a jewel thief and would never find a decent man to marry her, and other men might refuse to do business with Papa and Paul, thus ruining the family financially. A family that had given her so much in love, forgiveness and money all her life deserved better than that.
Whatever course of action was necessary, she would take it to protect her family.
* * *
Tristram needed the walk through the biting cold to calm him before he felt ready for a civilized meal with the Selkirks. Never in his life had a female set his blood to boiling as did Lady Catherine Bisterne. She may as well have been holding a rapier in salute before an old-fashioned duel with that last glance of hers. American-born or not, she could have given any duchess a run for her money in the hauteur division.
Suddenly, he laughed, his voice ringing out along the empty road lined with trees that hid the opulent houses beyond. She might have been nervous around him last night, but today she had herself well in hand, and the result was...
Alarmingly charming.
Tristram shoved his hands into the pockets of his coat and
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