Page 14 of His Scottish Duchess (The Dukes of Sin #5)

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

“ Y es, there. That is perfect.”

The footmen moved away from the shelf and stood aside so Catherine could get a good look at her handiwork. She surveyed the drawing room with a critical eye, a small smile playing on her lips.

It did not surprise her at all that Mrs. Starling and her husband had been correct when they suggested that she spare no expense on items to redecorate the manor. She had ignored a basic detail from the start—the grandeur of the manor itself. The house was the very picture of elegance and classic beauty. It was only fair that it was filled with items that showed its owner’s wealth.

And now that she had taken their advice, the transformation was remarkable. Gone were the faded draperies and repurposed furniture. In their place were sumptuous velvet curtains in a rich sapphire blue, complemented by exquisitely carved mahogany tables and plush, silk-upholstered chairs. She had given little thought to the budget, ensuring that every piece reflected the grandeur of a duke’s residence.

This time, she had also consulted with the most reputable furniture makers and interior designers in London, selecting only the finest materials and most skilled craftsmen. She had learned her lesson. Extravagance, it seemed, was not merely acceptable, but expected. And she was determined to ensure that Rosehall reflected her husband’s status in all its splendor.

“Your Grace.” Mrs. Starling’s voice broke through her reverie. “The transformation is truly remarkable. You have done an exceptional job—as I believed you were capable of doing.”

Catherine turned to the housekeeper, a warm smile gracing her lips. “Thank you, Mrs. Starling. I wanted to ensure that Rosehall reflected the Duke’s status. I truly hope I have managed to add more splendor to his name and title.”

Mrs. Starling’s eyes sparkled with genuine admiration. “Suitable is an understatement, Your Grace. It is magnificent. You have come such a long way since your arrival. I must say, I am quite impressed with how quickly you have adjusted to your role as a duchess.”

Catherine felt a flush of pride warm her cheeks. Mrs. Starling’s approval meant a great deal, especially after the awkwardness of their initial interactions.

“Thank you, Mrs. Starling,” she repeated, her tone sincere as she gazed warmly at the housekeeper. “I have learned a great deal from you.”

“It has been a pleasure to teach and guide you. I must say that you were exceptionally easy to instruct, and I appreciated that greatly. Although you will be left to your own devices most of the time moving forward, I remain at your disposal, Your Grace. Your needs are my priority,” Mrs. Starling said, curtsying.

Catherine felt greatly honored, the older woman’s compliments making her more proud of herself.

It seemed it wasn’t only the housekeeper who loved the changes around the house. Anna had sung her praises at length, and it seemed that the other servants were excited to do their jobs, now that their environment had been given a makeover.

More than anything, Catherine was eager to show Sampson the results of her efforts. He had been the one to strongly reinforce what he wanted to see, and he had also trusted her to do right by him.

But strangely enough, they hadn’t really found time to speak since the ball four days ago.

After the ball, he had escorted her to her chambers, bidding her a polite goodnight with a gentlemanly formality that was quite different from his teasing and flirtatious demeanor throughout the evening. It had stunned her, how she had been returned to her chambers without so much as a goodnight kiss.

Then, she had nearly collapsed at the thought of wanting a kiss from him.

“I cannae believe this,” she grumbled as she walked down the hallway, peering out of the windows she passed for any signs of him. “It had been difficult to avoid him when I wanted to, but now that I am actively seeking him out, it seems he has vanished. Utterly ridiculous, that man.”

Her desire to boast about her good work and be complimented by him were not the only reasons why she was looking for him. She wished to thank him for standing up for her at the ball.

She had been too flustered, and eventually too tired and distracted when they arrived home to do so, but it was important to her that she express her gratitude. She wanted him to know that she did not take his kindness for granted and that she greatly appreciated everything he had done for her.

Catherine wandered through the house, checking the library, the music room, and even the gardens, but there was no sign of him. Finally, having grown sick of this cat-and-mouse game, she approached the unflappable butler to ask about her husband’s whereabouts.

“Oh, His Grace left the estate rather early to attend a meeting, Your Grace. He should be back in the evening. Shall I inform His Grace that you were looking for him?”

“Oh, no.” Catherine shook her head quickly, feeling strangely caught. “I will see to this matter myself. Do not worry at all.”

The butler let her be, but she couldn’t help wishing that she could have done something more than just wait.

It was odd, how the part of her that wished to resolve the situation had twisted the longing into a void only the presence of her husband could fill.

While she waited, Catherine handled a few more of her tasks, and she even went to the gardener so he could show her how he replanted seedlings that had been grown in the nursery.

She felt tortured by the slow passage of time, and eventually, she convinced herself to forget all about it until he returned.

That evening, after Anna had smiled secretly and told her that the Duke had arrived shortly before dinner, Catherine found herself drawn to his study. It was an idea that held a strange mix of intimidation and intrigue for her. She had been there only a handful of times, always at his invitation, and yet she felt compelled to seek him out.

“Ye’re getting bold, or foolish, Cathy,” she mumbled to herself on her way to see him.

As she had several times in the past, she hesitated outside the heavy oak doors, her hand hovering over the polished handle.

He had not invited her tonight. She hoped it wouldn’t matter that he had not. She wanted to believe that all those times she had arrived and he had greeted her in a voice filled with such joy meant something—even though he mostly did it to tease her.

But this was a matter of gratitude. Simple but necessary.

With a deep breath, she knocked on the door. She waited until she heard his voice telling her to enter before she turned the handle and stepped inside.

Sampson was seated at his desk, a stack of papers spread before him. He looked up as she entered, his blue eyes widening in genuine surprise.

”Do my eyes deceive me?” he drawled, his voice laced with amusement. “Has my wife truly sought me out without my requesting her company? Is the world about to end? Am I dying? Are you dying? You know what they say about people acting out of character.”

Usually, his words had a way of getting on her nerves, but this time she found them slightly amusing.

Catherine rolled her eyes, trying to suppress a smile. “Dinnae be ridiculous, Your Grace,” she replied, her tone light. “Surely I am allowed to seek you out. We are married, after all, and it would be bad to go days without seeing each other.”

Sampson stared at her for a moment, then nodded, a slow smile spreading across his lips. “That is true, Duchess. How fortunate I am to have such a lovely, intelligent woman like you as my wife.”

“Hmm, yes. You are fortunate,” she agreed, nodding sagely.

He stared at her in shock, clearly not expecting her to go along with his joke. She began to feel as though she had made a mistake, but then he laughed, lightheartedly and loudly.

“That is true. I am.” He smiled at her. “So, tell me, Duchess, what brings you to the study of your fortunate husband?”

Catherine inhaled deeply, sobering up when she recalled why she had come to see him.

“I came to thank you.”

He leaned back in his chair, his gaze fixed on her. “Thank me? For what, pray tell?”

“For defending me at the ball,” she said, her voice sincere. “I… I did not know what to expect, and I was quite concerned about the… reception I would receive.”

He raised an eyebrow, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. “And were your concerns justified?”

“Perhaps,” she admitted, her gaze dropping to the intricate patterns on the rug. “But you… you made it clear that their opinions were of no consequence.”

She looked up at him, her green eyes earnest. “I was quite concerned about my ability to cope in a strange place and in a marriage with someone I knew nothing about. But, despite the entertainment ye find in my general discomfort, ye have shown me that ye will support me, and that means a great deal.” She paused, a flicker of vulnerability in her eyes. “I did not know what would become of us, Sampson.”

Using his name felt foreign, yet it rolled off her tongue easily. She wanted to call him by his name some more, to experimentally drag it out to see how long it would take before it became second nature to her.

Sampson was silent for a moment, his gaze searching hers. Then, he leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk.

“And what do you think will become of us, Catherine?” he asked, his voice low.

She hesitated, unsure how to answer.

“I… I do not know. I still don’t know,” she admitted. “But I am grateful for your… your protection. And your care. There is so much I have felt since my arrival here, and you have shown me that perhaps I have fewer worries than I think I do.” She took a step back, preparing to leave. “Thank you, Your Grace. I should not keep you from your work.”

“Catherine,” he said, his voice stopping her in her tracks. “Stay.”

She turned back, her eyes questioning. “Your Grace?”

“Stay with me tonight,” he said, gesturing towards the chairs near the fireplace. “I find I am in need of some… distraction. You do not have to if you do not wish to. I know that up until now, I have merely instructed you to do what I want. And it is quite fair if you choose not to. But I would like you to stay.”

Catherine hesitated, a maelstrom of emotions swirling within her. She had come to thank him, to express her gratitude, and now the welcoming tone of his voice sent a wave of excitement through her, especially as she realized she would get to spend some time with him.

There was no reason not to accept his request, not when she could see the tired shadows beneath his eyes and the way his shoulders drooped. She meant what she said when she expressed her interest in his health and well-being, and as such, she needed to be here for him now.

She moved towards the fireplace, settling into one of the plush armchairs.

The fire crackled merrily, casting a warm glow over the room, and the silence between them was charged with unspoken words. Catherine wondered what the evening would hold, what new dynamics would unfold between them.

“Very well, Your Grace,” she said eventually, her voice soft. “I’ll stay.”