Chapter Text
After a year of mourning the passing of their family patriarch, Mr Vale, Catherine and her mother rejoin Darling society. As a gentleman’s daughter of average looks and yet few accomplishments, Catherine spends her time running errands for her mother and attending social events with her best friends Mary Earlwood and Phoebe in pursuit of a suitable husband. Coincidence puts Catherine in the path of several bachelors: Marcus Ashcroft, who lives at Thornleigh Abbey with his shy sister Eleanor; Demetrius Curtis, an older gentleman of independent means; and Mr Graham, a lieutenant in Colonel Watson's battalion in the British Army's 16th Regiment of Foot. Since Colonel Watson is a family friend, Graham’s and Catherine’s paths keep crossing and the two take to each other immediately. Like Catherine, Graham takes great joy in simple things, one of them being Catherine’s company. He is sweet, open and gentle. While not an ideal match, since he is a soldier and not yet financially stable, their courtship progresses well, to Mrs Vale great satisfaction.
However soon an unexpected arrival sours their relationship. Lord Sutton, landed peer and Mr Graham’s best friend, is handsome, educated and immediately dislikes Graham’s new acquaintance. He seizes every opportunity to needle her about her circumstances and country upbringing. Still Mr Graham is not dissuaded and continues his friendship with Catherine.
Soon after a sudden death in the family reveals something about James’ past: Mr Graham grew up in modest but happy circumstances with his family in Cambridgeshire. At a young age, Mr Graham become betrothed to his neighbour's daughter, Miss Amelia Thorpe. After the Thorpes came into money, however, both of their families grew fixated on accumulating wealth. Mr Graham refused to marry Miss Thorpe when he realised that she had become selfish and discontent, despite still having feelings for her. Consequently, Mr Graham was disowned by his family, and was taken in by Lord Sutton. Miss Thorpe married Graham’s elder brother Francis, who took ownership of the estate when his parents passed away a year later. After this, Mr Graham left for the military. Now he stands to inherit the estate and family wealth. Catherine, despite her better interests, advises him to follow his heart and stay with the military if it makes him happy.
Graham takes her advice and once he returns from settling his family affairs, has a surprise for her.