“I thought you’d feel that way,” he answered, his tone full of humor.
“About what in particular am I right?” she inquired.
Catherine turned to Quin, her heart full as she awaited his answer. “I love her. And Lady Catherine Greatheart has agreed to be my duchess.”
The Duchess of Wesley studied the two of them, and then hurried forward with wide arms. “I knew it!” She rushed toward them, grasped their intertwined hands, and squeezed tightly. “I knew it. I knew it from that first dinner when you were here and Quin couldn’t keep his eyes from you,” she gushed. “You were meant to be a part of our family, my love.”
She lowered her eyes, but Catherine thought she saw the shine of tears brimming.
“You know what it is to lose someone you love.” She turned her attention to her soon-to-be daughter-in-law, confirming Catherine’s earlier observation about her teary eyes.
Hot tears prickled Catherine’s eyes as well as she listened intently to the Duchess of Wesley.
“I never weep.” She sniffed, wiping a tear. “But I will say that loss can teach more about love and gratitude than anything else I know of, and that is a blessing you bring. I know you cared for Avery”—the Duchess of Wesley took a calming sniff—“and I’m thankful you care for Quin.”
Catherine was going to interject that shelovedQuin, but the Duchess of Wesley wasn’t done, so Catherine waited.
“The day I lost Avery…I also lost you, or so I thought. I was so thrilled to have a daughter-in-law. Sons are all well and good.” She waved her hand in Quin’s direction. “But I was looking forward to having you in the family as well. And now”—she hitched a shoulder—“I get to keep you too.” She turned to Quin and cupped his chin in her hand. “I love you, Son. You’ve made a good choice.”
“I think she’s taking the news well.” Quin turned to Catherine as his mother released her hold on his chin.
“At least we don’t have to talk her into it,” Catherine answered.
“So, a wedding!” The Duchess of Wesley stepped back, clapping her hands and then touching her lips as if holding back all the things she wished to say at once, trying to discern which was most important.
“We were thinking a special—”
“Don’tyou say ‘special license,’” the Duchess of Wesley warned, her brows raised high on her forehead.
“License,” Quin finished.
“What is your suggestion, Your Grace?” Catherine asked.
The Duchess of Wesley began to pace. “There will be talk. After all, you are marrying the brother of the man you were engaged to…”
Catherine wondered just how many times that very phrase was going to be circulated before they heard the end of it. If that was the price to pay, she’d happily pay it, but it did grate against her nerves, true as it might be. It implied she was marrying Quin for reasons other than love.
“Let me think,” the Duchess of Wesley said. “Have you said anything to anyone else?”
Quin smirked. “It’s quite recent.”
The Duchess of Wesley nodded. “Let’s keep it quiet for a day or two till I figure out the details and what will be best. Do you mind?”
Quin turned to Catherine.
“I would like to speak to my grandmother,” she said.
“Oh, dear, of course! I’m talking about announcing it to the world. Maybe wait on that.”
“In that case, I can be patient for a few days, if you think it will help.”
“Well, it will help me consider the angles. It’s a tricky situation, and I wish to give you the best start with the least amount of gossip. Of course, people will talk, but let’s keep it to a minimum, you know?”
Catherine nodded. She honestly didn’t care what people thought, but she did care about Quin and the Duchess of Wesley, and if they could make the news less scandalous, it would be a benefit for all of them.
“Good, very good. Catherine, I’ll call on you tomorrow, and I’ll bring Quin so you won’t need your nasty chaperone hovering and listening in.”
“Lovely,” Catherine answered from the heart.