Page 79

How had she gotten to this point? Catherine was never opposed to a walk through Hyde Park.

That was not why she was so discomposed.

Being stuck in the city did not feel as confining if you could visit nature, and she enjoyed nature.

Walking through Hyde Park was always lovely if you could ignore all the people trying to be seen.

She had planned on avoiding Theodore for a while to get over her feelings for him, or at least be able to hide them better.

Yet here she walked through the park with Colonel Theodore, Lydia, Mr., and Miss Burgess, and she wondered how she had gotten herself into this situation.

The morning had been normal, and she had plans to continue her work on her latest painting.

She had been working on the project sporadically, but with renewed determination, she planned to make progress.

As it was a gift for Theodore, she wanted to get it just right.

She had spoken with her painting master about a problem she was having with the light and shadow.

With his guidance, she was hopeful about creating the scene exactly as she had envisioned it.

Despite all her plans, Catherine was not up to her elbows in paint and smudges.

She was dressed in her latest walking dress and her new capote bonnet walking on the arm of Selene’s brother, Sebastian.

It had started when Lydia had bustled into her room and demanded that she change.

Lydia insisted she wanted to go for a walk and Catherine had to go with her, there was no choice in the matter.

She was quickly dressed and ushered downstairs only to find Theodore waiting to accompany them.

Seeing him smile at her from the foot of the stairs had sent her heart thudding in her chest. She still had not recovered even when they ran into Selene and her brother at the entrance to the park.

So distracted by how quickly her plans for the morning had changed, she had not been up to conversation.

Lydia, being the sweetheart she was, had taken control of the conversation and was regaling Mr. Burgess with stories about young Artie.

Up ahead, she saw Miss Burgess on Theodore’s arm, and she hated the feeling of resentment it gave her.

She was not a resentful person. Selene was a lovely woman, and he deserved lovely.

She was also older and most likely more to his taste.

No matter what she told herself, however, she could not shake the jealous feeling she felt watching Theodore with Selene.

Selene suppressed a chuckle as she watched Lord Matlock beside her.

It was obvious to anyone with eyes that he had developed quite the pash for Miss Catherine.

She pondered for a moment, briefly considering the merits of ignoring the situation, but ultimately decided that wouldn't be any fun.

“So, Lord Matlock, just how long have you had feelings for Miss Catherine?”

The man beside her stopped in his tracks and looked down at her, shock evident in his wide-eyed expression. It was only a moment before his shoulders slumped and he looked away from her. “Is it as obvious as that?”

Tugging slightly on his arm to get him to continue walking, she smiled at his consternation.

Selene's inner matchmaker immediately sprang into action as she began to plot how to help her new friends.

“I am sure being a relative outsider helped me detect it. People who are close to someone tend to stick with preconceived assumptions about a situation, whereas newcomers can sometimes see simply what is. But the question remains: how long have you had feelings for her?”

Lord Matlock's brow furrowed as he stared off into the trees, appearing to be deep in contemplation. Glancing back down at Selene, he stated simply, “It has been a recent development.”

“I would like to see my friend happy and, as far as I can tell, you are a good man. Your brother certainly was.” Selene knew he would not necessarily be disposed to come clean about his feelings to her, but maybe if she offered to help?

“With your permission, I would be inclined to offer my assistance. But if I am to do anything, I will need information. How goes the quest to win her fair heart?”

His words spilled out slowly and deliberately as he recounted some of his tale.

“Darcy and I spoke this morning, and although he was surprised, he did not object. He is so completely happy with his wife Elizabeth that he wants everyone else to have their own chance at finding bliss.” Laughing, he stopped momentarily, as if remembering something from the encounter.

“He even arranged things so that we could spend some time together this morning in the park. Though I had hoped to have her on my arm, not your brother’s. No offense intended.”

Selene had to stifle her laughter. She was having the best morning, a pleasant walk, and even a new love to help along. How splendid. “None taken. Rest easy, for my brother has no designs on Miss Catherine. His attentions lie elsewhere I think.”

“That is good to hear.” He said the right thing, but his voice had a hint of irritation, hinting at his lingering discontentment.

Selene looked behind her to check on the group following them.

She was not surprised to note that though Miss Catherine was on his arm, it was Lydia he was smiling at and chatting with.

He had always had a pash for energetic blondes, and further inspection showed something even more interesting.

It revealed that it was possible Miss Catherine was quite blind to Lord Matlock’s affections.

Probably due to the fact that she was working so hard to hide her own.

How interesting indeed. “Do you believe that Miss Catherine shares your feelings?” she questioned.

An exasperated huff came from Lord Matlock. “That is why I wanted to spend the morning with her so that I could find out.”

“And by some stroke of fate, you happened upon us, derailing your plans as Miss Lydia invited us to tag along on your escapade,” Selene tsked, offering a mischievous smile as she solidified her plan in her mind.

Just why was Selene laughing so? It was simply not fair. Catherine didn't want to be consumed by jealousy, but she couldn't help the way she felt. She told herself it had to stop; she had to get over her feelings or she would spend the rest of her life in a jealous huff.

“Oh, look at the lovely little benches. Let us all sit down and watch the water,” Selene announced from the front of the group.

“Yes, let’s,” Lydia agreed and hurried her pace to the water. “Do you suppose there are fish in the stream? Maybe if there are, I could bring Artie with his nurse to show him. His surprise at anything new is just darling.”

“Anything is possible,” Mr. Burgess responded while leading Catherine to one of the benches, only he did not sit down next to her. His sister did. “Thank you for allowing me to walk with you, Miss Catherine.”

“It was a pleasure, thank you.” Smiling as best she could, Catherine thanked him as she knew she should.

With a bow, he followed after Lydia, who was looking into the water.

Watching him walk away, Catherine couldn't help but feel envious of how easily he connected with her sister.

She was confident there was nothing there, but should something develop, there would be no impediments.

Unlike her own emotional entanglements, which were proving to be quite imposable.

“I am sure that you would have enjoyed the walk more had you been on Lord Matlock’s arm.” Selene's voice was a mere murmur as she spoke from her spot next to Catherine on the bench.

Though spoken softly, Selene’s words were quite jarring to Catherine.

Catherine's gaze landed on the woman with pretty, raven hair, and tried to smile happily.

“You both made a very pretty couple. I think you will make a wonderful match if things work out that way. I can assure you he is the best of men.” Catherine was determined to conquer this petty jealousy.

She would rise above it, even if it killed her.

Despite what Catherine hoped was encouragement, Selene's eyes widened, and she responded with a sudden rush of words.

“Oh, do not hurt yourself by saying such things. I fear you will break if you try to smile any harder. I am simply trying to help you. Please do not think that I am interested in your gentleman.”

A furious blush crept up Catherine’s cheeks. Had she been that obvious to everyone? “I am sure I do not know what you mean. I have no gentleman to call my own. If you are under the misconception that you need to step aside on my account, that perhaps I have a prior claim, it is not so.”

Shaking her head, Selene reached over and took Catherine’s white knuckled hand in her own and squeezed it. “Don't try to be a martyr; it won't do any good. Trying to give him to me won't benefit either of you, since he likes you in return.”

Catherine looked into the woman’s cerulean eyes in wonder.

What had she just said? She opened her mouth to question Selene but found she could not come up with the words she wished to speak.

Closing her mouth after having said nothing, she bit her lip in silent contemplation, her mind a whirl.

Theodore liked her in return? She had already convinced herself that it was not possible, but here Selene was telling her it was the truth.

Was it possible that her foolish love was not so foolish after all?

Trying once more, she looked at Selene, her voice almost desperate.

“How can you know his feelings on the matter?”