A Season for Christmas (Desire and Discipline #3)

Chapter 3

3

Catherine

Catherine blinked, flushing as she suddenly became the center of attention. She’d been hanging back, watching and listening, but now all the focus was on her, and she had no idea what to do with it. She’d been listening as quietly as she could, taking in her surroundings and the shelves and shelves of books around her. The room was large but comfortable, the shelves well-stocked, warmed from the fireplace, and she’d been lulled into a sense of safety by both the room and the lack of attention on her.

“I…” She blinked again, shaking her head, her hands flicking at her skirts as if she could flick away the many gazes now burning holes into her. “I do not even know what is going on.”

“Ah.” Diana coughed delicately. “Yes, I do believe we skipped a step, did we not?” She gave Catherine an apologetic smile. “You felt so much a part of things, I forgot you were not, and I believe the others did as well.”

“The marquess is the former spymaster to the Crown,” Priscilla said, reaching out to take Catherine’s hand with an apologetic smile. Catherine met her fingertips, allowing Priscilla to give them a supportive squeeze before they both dropped their hands. “Evie and Anthony have taken over from him—mostly—since he was injured last year.”

“I… oh.” The information clicked into place, like tumblers in a lock, as so much became very suddenly clear to her.

“Last year, we also foiled a plot against the Crown and unearthed a traitor.” Priscilla smiled. “It was rather exciting.”

“And now we are investigating the tragedy of the dukes,” Evie interjected, tapping her finger against the map right next to the marker for Clarence. “The Crown wants answers, and we are going to do our best to find them. At the moment, we do not think this year’s events have anything to do with last year’s. There seems to be no Russian involvement in their deaths, whether it was deliberate or by misadventure. At least, no connection we’ve been able to find so far.”

“But we have not been able to fully reach a conclusion, either,” Captain Browne said, taking over where his wife left off. “So far, we have not found any evidence that any of the heirs are responsible, but there are a few like Clarence who we have not been able to mark off the list, either.”

“And with so many victims, there is a myriad of suspects other than their heirs.” Evie’s expression was a study in frustration as she scowled at no one in particular. “We do not even know if all of them were the target, some of them, or just one of them, and the rest a cover.”

“Or it could still have been an accident, though I admit that’s looking less likely,” Lily said, brushing a strand of dark hair back from her face as she sighed. “But until we can prove otherwise... ”

“Clarence has been reclusive, which is not at all like him,” the marquess said. “That is why we need Samuel’s help. Montagu has also been difficult to pin down, especially as he has no close family to help us achieve access, and Hereford has been avoiding everything and everyone.”

“Though his mother has been bemoaning his lack of support to everyone who will listen,” Mary murmured.

“He’s likely recently discovered that he’s out of money,” Catherine offered up, causing everyone to turn toward her again. At least this time the focus was not so much on her as on the information she had. “The previous duke did not have a head for money.”

Something she knew because, for a while, Hereford had wanted to pay her for her services. Catherine had turned him down. She indulged her desires for her own satisfaction, not for money. There were men who enjoyed spending vast sums of money at the behest of their chosen lady, allowing her to dominate him financially rather than physically, but that had never been Catherine’s preference. Her initial refusal had not stopped him from sending her elaborate and expensive gifts to try to entice her to change her mind. Eventually, he’d happened upon Mrs. Rebecca James, who had been all too happy to accept his financial generosity.

Though she did not run in quite the same circles as Mrs. James, Catherine did hear about how eagerly the duke had emptied his coffers for her, on top of his own expenses, as well as indulging in quite a bit of gambling. From what she knew, he’d spent and spent and spent his way directly to the creditors. Rather rough ones, as the more ethical ones had closed their doors to him.

“Interesting.” Oliver frowned. “He did a good job of covering. ”

“Speak with Mrs. Rebecca James when you have the chance,” Catherine advised. She had no doubt the woman was in mourning for her lost duke, and she would likely be all too willing to help. Though Catherine doubted the creditors would be to blame—it was very difficult to collect a debt from a dead man, after all. Whether or not the new duke would be willing, or able, to honor the debt was also questionable.

Immediately, Evie reached for a pen, dipping it quickly in the inkpot beside it to write down the name on the edge of the map.

“That still leaves Clarence and Montagu,” Evie said. She looked up at Catherine. “Would you be able to accompany Mr. North for the holidays? I know it is a lot to ask, but his grandmother is far more likely to talk to another woman than her grandson’s friend. Priscilla trusts you, and we have all seen how well you can keep a secret.” Samuel frowned at Evie’s statement but did not interrupt. “It would be a great help to us.”

“And you always did love a good mystery,” Samuel murmured, his gaze meeting hers again. Clashing with hers, challenge clear within his eyes.

“I…” She could not find the right words. She wanted to do her duty by the Crown. It did sound as though her presence could be of use. She was honored that Evie and the others trusted her so much. Not just with their secrets but with an assignment.

But…

Traveling to Clarence for Christmas with Samuel?

Madness. The very idea was madness. As was the inescapable fact that he’d been the one to suggest it. What on earth was he thinking? He’d run after seeing her with the Duke of Kent, though it had been no more than a flogging. She and Kent had no relationship beyond discipline. But that had been too much for Samuel. That was not the kind of man he was, not the kind of bedroom play he’d enjoy. She’d known it then, and he’d proven it when he’d left. Again.

So, why on earth was he suggesting she accompany him to Clarence now?

Samuel

He could bring Catherine. She was the only woman in the world who might not rouse Gregory’s suspicions because Gregory had been there for him through the heartbreak of courting her and losing her. Gregory had been the one to tell Samuel when Lord Cross died. It had taken Samuel some time to wrap up his business and return home, but Gregory had been the first to know he was on his way… and why.

Gregory would not only understand why Samuel had brought an extra guest, but if the guest was Catherine, he would encourage it.

It was not until he’d made the suggestion that he realized how badly he wanted her to say yes. To choose him. The idea of her rejecting him—again—even though this was an entirely different kind of offer, made his chest tight.

“If I could have a moment alone with Catherine,” he said, keeping his gaze locked on hers. He could see her chest heave as she took in a deep breath, but she did not protest.

There was curiosity in her eyes, along with a kind of… fear? Longing?

Or was he putting his own emotions on her?

All he knew was that this was likely his one and only chance with her. He did not want her to see how desperate he was for her. She’d already refused him once and looked to be on the verge of doing so again. He did not even know if the people they’d become would love each other the way the people they’d been in their youth had loved.

But he wanted to know.

He wanted to try.

The others nodded at each other and filed out, Mrs. Stuart taking a moment to touch Catherine’s hand and whisper a word of encouragement. He also thought he heard her say that she would be right outside if Catherine needed her.

Hopefully, Catherine would not need her.

Samuel was moving on impulse now, following his gut rather than his head, which could be dangerous at the best of times. However, his gut was also responsible for some of his best investments. Sometimes, a man just needed to follow his instincts, and his were telling him that this was his chance with Catherine.

If he blew it now, he was pretty sure he would not get another one.

Trying to see if he liked what she wanted, if he could fulfill her needs, would be far better done away from London and all the prying eyes. He certainly did not want to make an attempt at a Society of Sin event, only to fail and embarrass them both. Or lose his nerve and humiliate himself.

Traveling together would make it impossible for them to stay apart. They’d be in forced proximity, unable to avoid each other the way they had been. It would be as much for him as for her.

As the door closed behind Mrs. Stuart, Catherine huffed a breath, crossing her arms across her chest in a manner that was rather defensive. Despite that, she also immediately started talking rather than hearing what he had to say.

“I do not know what is going on, but I am not traveling anywhere with you.”

Well then, if that was how it was going to be.

“Why not? Do you have other plans for the holiday?” If she did, of course, he would not interfere, but from the way she winced, he was fairly certain his arrow had struck its target. Since both her parents and her late husband’s family’s homes were far from London—as far as he knew, none of them were currently in the capital—traveling to either would take a substantial amount of time. Much more time than she had before Christmas.

“My plans are none of your business.” Her chin went up in the air, stubbornly defiant. “Suffice to say, I am not going to change them just to travel with you to a home I have not been invited to.”

“I am inviting you now.” He smiled easily, leaning against the table and tracing his fingers over the map. “Gregory certainly would not mind. He said I could bring anyone I wanted.” He had not, but Gregory would back him up. He understood the importance of bending the truth when necessary. “And you would not be doing it just to travel with me. You would be doing it in service to your country.”

Fire lit in her eyes, along the curiosity. Yes, he remembered how much she’d loved to read mysteries, always trying to figure out the villain before the end of the book. She loved her puzzles. That was clearly something that had not changed, even if so many other things had.

Pressing her lips together, she took another deep breath, obviously thinking. Samuel took the moment to enjoy watching her, his gaze traveling over the way her blue day dress hugged her curves and the tendril of hair that curled beside her long neck.

“You are very impertinent,” she said after a long moment.

“Perhaps you should flog me for it.”

The words were out of his mouth before he could think them through, but he did not regret them. The challenge hung in the air, waiting for her response.