Chapter Two

"This is unbelievable." Robert muttered to himself as he read the headline of the newspaper.

It was disgusting, a powerful man and his wife were both assassinated by a group of Serbian terrorists. Not only that but they brutally murdered his wife, subsequently ripping away three human lives in one night. It was still a current topic almost a month later, which meant that Lady Caterina would be distraught for another day. She was constantly uneasy now when she heard the news because it would only heighten the rumours that were being whispered throughout the country.

That this act would spark the greatest war the world has ever seen.

The death of the Archduke of Austria had completely blackened the birth of Natalie Oliver, who was thriving under the constant care of Caterina, Beck or her mother. Now a month old you could tell that the child was going to bless with huge blue eyes and luscious brown hair. Caterina had insisted that Tori little Natalie would remain in the nursery while Tori continued her work. It meant that Caterina got to spend time with the little blessing, much to her mother's disapproval. But Cat would not budge on the matter, her godchild would stay in the nursery while she was in charge of Blackwater.

"Maybe someday you will have a friend to stay in this room with you." Caterina said softly as she cradled the baby who was sleeping silently. Setting the baby down in the crib she sigh as her hand fluttered absentmindedly to her stomach.

"Are you upset?"

The voice behind her surprised her and she turned quickly, smiling back at her husband she shook her head, "No of course not." She timidly replied, "I am happy for Tori."

Sir. Robert frowned, but before he could reply to her Lady Rebecca burst into the room, like a ball of energy she bounced around the room, the newspaper in her hand.

"I knew I would find you both here." Lady Rebecca hissed, "Caterina you need to be more involved in the preparations for the dinner tonight!"

Caterina scowled at her mother as she snatched the newspaper from her, "How can you even think about having a party when this is the headline mother. War could be declared at any minute."

Lady Rebecca dismissed that remark, "Cat my darling, it is just a nasty rumour. This will all be smoothed over in no time and you told me yesterday how excited you were to Lady Jadelyn and Lord Harris again."

Sir. Shapiro kissed his wife's cheek, "I am going to go into the town for a while."

Caterina scowled at him, wanting so much to slap him when he winked at her as soon as her mother was not looking. He smiled condescendingly as he bolted out the door making Caterina scowl, if only she could get away from her mother that easily.

"Sometimes I wonder why I married him." She joked to her mother.

"Nonsense he makes a splendid husband!" Lady Valentine replied, not catching the sarcasm in her voice, "Now come Caterina, we only have a few more hours."

Wrapping an arm around her daughter she assisted her out of the nursery and forced her to move down the corridor. Along the way they passed Tori who was vigorously polishing the wooden staircase, her cheeks reddened from the effort.

"Oh Tori." Lady Rebecca snapped her finger and Tori stood up quickly.

"Ma'am."

"Tonight could you please take your daughter to your own house. I do not want a crying child ruining my festivities."

Tori blush deepened from embarrassment, dipping her head she muttered, "Oh course madam." before returning to violently polishing the banister.

Caterina locked eyes with her best friend and mouthed a quick apology as she followed her mother down the staircase and into the living area. Lady Rebecca knew that Caterina thought she was being harsh on her oldest friend but she was just being a realist. While she was still alive and breathing she would attempt to instill some form of proper conduct... that her daughter had become so lax with.

"Mother I do not care about this." Caterina complained, "Why can you not take care of this, it is technically your party after all."

Lady Rebecca rolled her eyes at her only daughter, "Because Caterina, you need to teach you how to run a manor and plan the prefect party before I am dead and buried. Besides a party will be heartwarming, it will remind everyone that we are still a loving community and it will take your mind off of these foolish war rumours."

Lady Caterina sighed, despite what her mother said, Caterina was certain that a ball could not fix the problems the country was facing.

"""""""""""""""""

Sir Robert bounded up the driveway as the first guest was arriving. Darting into the house he rushed up the staircase to change out of his boots that were caked in mud. His valet, Mr. Clarkson was waiting for him, suit and polished shoes in hand.

He smiled in relief, "You are a life saver Clarkson."

The valet resisted the urge to smile as he placed the dinner jacket on his master, using his hand to flick off stray pieces of lint, "Lady Caterina was searching for you an hour ago, she was not pleased that you rushed away from the manor."

Shaking hands with his valet, he gave him a quick thank you before rushing down the staircase, tucking in his cravate as he rushed out of the front to stand beside Caterina and her mother, who were recieving the guests. Caterina glared at him before warmly greeting Sir. Dashwood, an acquaintance from Lancashire. Sir. Robert frowned when he saw an old friend pull around, his Ford Model T.

Charleston nodded at him slightly, before opening the door for Lady Jadelyn West. She smiled directly at the driver before confidently striding over to the happy couple. She had not seen them in so long that she had almost forgotten how disgustingly in love they were. It seemed to radiate around them, the closer she approached, the worse it became.

That is not to say she did not enjoy visiting her cousin and his wife, she especially loved the look on Robert's face when she had emerged from his old car, one that he had given her as a parting gift. Partly because he was leaving London, but mostly for saving the his wife's reputation on the day of their wedding. Yes that was one secret she had promised never to divulge to anyone: the secret double-life of Miss Caterina Shapiro.

"Jadelyn." Robert said stiffly, still staring longingly at his car, "I trust your journey was pleasant."

"Yes but frightfully long and tedious." she complained, her lips curling slightly, "But the car is just so comfortable and Charleston is a delightful driver. Although you already knew that didn't you Robert?"

Caterina tried to conceal her laugh with her cough when her mother slapped her arm slightly, causing Jadelyn smile to grow. Sir. Robert held out his hand, and grabbed her arm.

"Darling cousin!" he exclaimed as he lead her into the atrium, "Let's get you a drink."

""""""""""""""""

Caterina was a little ashamed to admit that she was enjoying herself at this party, Jadelyn was providing light relief for her constantly. She was one of the few who could poke fun at anyone and get away with it. She was behaving rather recklessly, going up to all of the older males and insisting they have another drink with her until they were intoxicated. Lady Caterina had to leave the room to laugh because the men had began to dance so terribly it had almost brought her mother to an early grave. This was not the elegant soireé that she had desired at all.

She was having a wonderful time, dancing properly with her husband and gossiping with Jadelyn and Lord. Harris. Until she made an entrance.

Of course she had to arrive fashionably late, she always loved to make a scene. Lady Rebecca squealed excitedly as she bobbed over to meet the stunning female.

"Who is that?" Jadelyn muttered to Lord. Harris, who was staring at the female with a look of pure idiocy.

"That is Miss Isabella de Bourgh." she said scathingly as she gulped down the remainder of her champagne, "I cannot believe she came."

Lady Isabelle, with her striking eyes that shone four different shades of green when they hit the light, her golden hair was always perfectly styled in loose curls that shaped her heart-shaped face. She was taller, prettier and a lot meaner that Caterina, polar opposites in every way. From a young age they had loathed each other, from the second their mother's had set them up on a play date they knew they would be enemies. It had been that way ever since, the girls in competition with each other to find a husband. Their mothers had taken them to all the same balls and Lady Isabelle would always strop off in a rage when all of the men flocked around Caterina like lost sheep.

Caterina smiled to herself, she had the upper hand here. For she was married to one of the most desirable men in all of England while Lady Isabelle was alone.

"Lady Caterina." Isabelle smiled as she clasped her hand, "I wondered when we would meet again."

Caterina rolled her eyes, "Yes well my husband just insisted that we throw this party to keep the spirits up."

Her tactless emphasising of the word, "husband" caused Lady Jadelyn to snort with laughter.

Isabelle nodded, "Ah yes I heard about your surprise marriage to Sir. Shapiro. Do you know where he is? I would so much like to talk to him once more."

Suddenly Caterina did not feel cocky anymore, her palm became clammy as she clutched her champagne flute tighter. Pressing her lips together she tried to calm herself.

"You know my husband?" she asked, her voice strained slightly.

Lady Isabelle laughed slightly, "Last year when I visited London, we had an... encounter."

"Indeed." Lady Caterina coolly replied, as she handed Lady Jadelyn her empty glass, "Would you excuse me a moment?"

Swiftly walking away Lady Caterina, she left Isabelle in the company of Lady Jadelyn, hoping that her quick witted friend would send her to tears as she went in search of her inconsiderate husband. She found him moments later, lurking at the doors that opened into the patio where they had their first real moment together, pushing him outside she shut the doors behind her.

"What did I do?" he asked uncertainly.

Judging by the looks on his wife's face he had done something that he immediately needed to apologise for. Lady Caterina's eyes were narrowed, her small fists clenched at her side and she stared her husband down. She knew about her husband's past better than anyone else, but she did not under any circumstances enjoy someone using it as leverage against her.

"Lady Isabelle is looking for you." she hissed, "She relished in informing me that she had a romantic trist with my husband! Really Robbie, Lady Isabelle. What is the matter with you?! We despise each other!"

He scoffed slightly, which did not help his cause at all, Lady Caterina went to slap him. He anticipated it, grabbing her arm before her hand made contact with his tender cheek. Slamming his lips on to hers, he kissed her quickly before laughing at her absurdity.

She scowled as she attempted to push him back, "I am still mad at you. Do not think that you can distract me by-"

He kissed her again, "Cat, I met her before I even knew you and I have told you countless times that I do not care for any of the women from my past. I only care about you."

"She is just a reminder of the amount of partners you have had, I will never be able to escape the fact that so many came before me."

Sir. Robert clasped his wife's hand as he opened the french doors, "But Cat you have to remember that you were the last, the most important. The one that I was waiting for. Do not let this possess your thoughts. We can conquer anything as long as we are together."

Leaning against her husband's arm she sighed contently as they walked through the atrium to rejoin the party, "You are right."

Entering the grand hall again, they were taken aback by the silence that had claimed the court. No one was speaking, the band had stop playing and everyone was frozen to the spot, listening intently to the radio that had just been turned on. Caterina rushed forward to listen closely, using her hand to suffocate the scream that was attempting to burst out of her. Grabbing Robbie she held him close, as she felt her panic rise. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. Knowing that life would never be the same after this moment.

The guests began to panic, commotion breaking out as Lady Rebecca tried to salvage her party. But it was useless, no one would want to pretend that everything was okay when it certainly was not. Rushing to the doors, they demanded their cars, attempting to get home to be with their family. The future was so uncertain now and no one was safe.

Great Britian has just declared war against Germany.

Craic lads ;)

CHANGED THE TITLE!

Thank you Silent Hopes :D I loved it, the sibilance just makes it so nice to say :D

Like the chapter?

Slapping Robbie is certainly Cat's go to move when she is feeling vulnerable :P

and oh no war... almost no one saw that coming (!) ;)

Love you guys!

xoxoxo