Forbidde to Love You

Chapter Eighteen- The Harringtons III

The place were finally quiet. James stood near the window, looking out over the estate. Katherine sat before the fire, removing the jewelry she had worn for the feast.

"Serena is distracted," Katherine said.

James smiled faintly. "She is."

"William Beaufort."

James looked at her. "You noticed too?"

"I am her mother."

"Fair enough."

Katherine studied him. "You fought beside Nathaniel's son today."

"I did."

"And?"

James was silent for a moment. "He's a way bette fighter than his father."

"That's not what I asked."

James turned from the window. "He's a good man."

Katherine raised an eyebrow. "That sounded dangerously close to approval."

James smiled. "Don't misunderstand me."

He walked toward the fire. "I haven't forgotten what happened."

Neither had Katherine. Her maiden name was Ravenswood, a family that had once stood beside the Harringtons during the war.

James's expression became more serious. "One of your brothers died because of the Beauforts."

Katherine looked down. "I know."

"I remember him."

"So do I."

James's voice softened. "But William wasn't there."

"No."

"And whatever Nathaniel did, whatever his family did, the boy isn't responsible for all of it."

Katherine looked at her husband. "You've changed your opinion."

"I've watched William for years."

"You've watched him?"

"From a distance."

James leaned against the mantel. "He doesn't behave like the rest of them. He doesn't flaunt their wealth. He doesn't treat servants like they are beneath him. He doesn't seem interested in using his family's name to gain influence."

Katherine gave him a knowing look. "And Serena has noticed."

Katherine removed the last of her earrings and placed them on the table. "The Beauforts may have changed their manners, James, but they haven't changed everything."

"I know."

"They still look down on people."

James nodded.

"They've always believed their wealth makes them better than everyone else."

"And we haven't?" James asked.

Katherine gave him a cold look. "Don't be clever."

"I'm not."

"You know exactly what I mean."

James smiled faintly. "I do."

Katherine stood and walked toward the window.

"I've seen the way some of those people look at Serena. As though she should be grateful simply to be invited into their circles."

James's expression hardened. "I would never allow anyone to treat her that way."

"I know you wouldn't." Katherine looked back at him. "But what about William?"

James frowned. "What about him?"

"He's still a Beaufort."

James understood. "You think he would treat her as lesser?"

"I don't know."

She folded her arms. "And that's what frightens me."

James was silent. Katherine's voice became firmer. "My daughter was raised to know her worth. She is not going to marry some nobleman who thinks his family name makes him superior to hers."

"He doesn't seem to think that."

"Today."

James raised an eyebrow but Katherine continued before he could answer. "Perhaps William is different. Perhaps he truly is. But his father is still his father. His family is still his family. And if Serena ever gives herself to that boy, I will not have her spending the rest of her life trying to prove that she deserves a place beside him."

James stepped closer. "You don't have to worry about that."

"I do."

"Katherine, my daughter will never be lesser than anyone."

Katherine's expression softened.

"And if William or another ever makes her feel otherwise, they will answer to me."

A small smile appeared on Katherine's lips. "Good."

James looked toward the door.

"But there is something else...