Chapter 91 - Proof (1/2)
Charles Lancaster was quite pleased to run into the only woman who had ever interested him. Even more so since her worthless husband wasn't around. A captivating mind like Catherine du Pont's was wasted on such a man.
She had strange dressing habits, laughed too much for a noble lady, and seemed to have no sense of decorum after living inside the palace for long and being allowed too much freedom but that didn't matter to him. As long as he was able enjoy her sharp wit, he could tolerate nearly anything.
Still, he couldn't deny that he hated how coldly she treated him. He had been warmer toward her than anyone else since the beginning. He had done his very best to be attentive so why had she fled from him straight into that dunce's arms?
Sigmund's spy network had kept him informed about what the third prince and princess got up to. They snuck out of the palace frequently—nobody knew where they went—and the rest of their time was spent either visiting Mariela or with each other.
Hearing how much time they spent together, especially in each other's arms, made Charles' blood boil. He was a hundred, no, a thousand times better than that idiot prince. Catherine had married a jester solely to have him make her laugh.
”Has your winter passed peacefully?” he asked the taciturn woman next to him.
She replied stiffly. ”I would say so. How has your estate fared?”
”Quite well. Everything is taken care of until I must return at the end of the court session.”
Charles was pleased she was inquiring about his estate even though he knew it was nothing more than a formality. She wasn't fond of formalities according to Sigmund's spies. She wore commoner's clothes when she wasn't attending formal functions, never drank tea if she could avoid it, and preferred to be called Katie over Catherine.
He couldn't see it. Such an exquisite creature shouldn't have such a diminutive pet name. Catherine suited her better. But he supposed that was part of his problem. He had done his best to be the kind of suitor any young lady would wish for…but Catherine du Pont wasn't any young lady.
Whatever Alpheus had done to woo her had suited her unique sensibilities. Despite Sigmund's earlier reassurances that she was little more than his nanny, all reports now pointed to Catherine being in love with her husband.
”If you'll excuse me, I must go visit the second princess,” she said crisply. ”She is most distressed being without her mother and sisters at this time and I am the closest thing available.”
So she was giving him the slip. Again. His fists clenched as he thought about all the times she desperately tried to escape his presence as quickly as possible but managed to keep his expression and voice calm.
”By all means. Good day, Princess Catherine.”
”Good day.”
Catherine disappeared around the corner and Charles returned to his friend's side in a dark mood. He noticed immediately and patted his shoulder in a show of sympathy.