Page 39 of The Scandalous Love of a Duke (The Marlow Family Secrets #6)

‘Are you ready, Katherine?’

Katherine turned as Richard entered the chapel. She nodded, doing her best to smile as she joined him.

When he handed her up to the seat of his trap a few moments later, she was unable to look him in the eye, and she knew she blushed. He smiled. ‘Here, put this blanket over your lap, it is cold today.’

She accepted the blanket and spread it over her legs.

As he drove, she sat in silence, her hands holding the blanket to stop them shaking. This was the time to speak but the words would not come. She sensed him look across at her. She did not look back.

Richard sighed. ‘What is bothering you, Kate? There is something…’ He slowed the horses from a trot to a walk. ‘You may trust me. I am your friend.’

She just had to say the words. ‘I have made a terrible mistake, Richard… I am with child.’

A look of shock struck his face and he pulled the horses to a halt then tied the reins off.

‘It is—’ she continued.

‘Pembroke’s,’ he interrupted. His voice was steady but there was a hint of judgement in it. ‘I warned you against him. Did he force you?’

‘No! No. It was not like that.’

‘Just seduced you and left.’

Tears brimmed in her eyes. Yes, she supposed she had been seduced by the idea of John, not by John.

Richard’s hand lay over hers. ‘Do not worry. We shall sort it out.’

She shivered. ‘How?’

His arm came about her shoulders. He’d never held her before, but she needed comfort and she held him too, burying her face in his neckcloth and hugging his middle. He did not have John’s physique or strength. He did not make her feel secure. But what was secure about John?

‘Katherine… I… I need a wife. I have wished to ask you anyway… and now… Now… Well, it would seem to be the best solution.’ Drawing from his hold, she met his gaze.

‘I would bring the child up as my own,’ he said.

‘We will have to change parish of course. We cannot raise the child here, people may realise it was not mine. But I swear I shall take care of you both.’

She saw sincerity in his eyes and felt steadier. She liked Richard. He would do everything he promised. And what choice did she have?

‘If you agree we shall not delay. I will call the banns immediately, and once we are married I will give notice here. Will you accept me, Katherine? Will you be my wife?’ He caught her fingers up and kissed the back of her hand.

This would solve everything. Her child would have a father. ‘Yes, Richard.’ Her heart beat hard.

‘You must know though, Katherine…’ his fingers held hers firmly, ‘my offer is purely selfish. I am in love with you.’

‘Oh, Richard.’ She hugged him again. He was good and kind, it was not selfish to willingly take on John’s child. Richard could have despised her. He did not.

‘I lay no blame on you,’ he added.

He should, though, she had let this happen, she had said yes in the beginning, and in the end, she was the one who had gone to John. It was her fault. ‘I do bear blame,’ she said. ‘It was my fault. I loved him, Richard. I am sorry if it changes how you feel, but I cannot lie to you…’

‘It does not. I know what you felt for him, I could see that, and I saw him take advantage of it.’

Richard was painting John as cruel. He was selfish and spoilt, but she did not think him cruel. She still loved John. Yet I will be Richard’s wife…