Winslow's Web

by Jeanie P Johnson

  Did Alden Emerson think of her as just another stray to give shelter to, Katie wondered? She found the idea somehow disappointing. She would not put it past him though. The picture in her mind of him patting her on the head like a stray puppy was amusing, yet strangely disturbing. She hoped he thought of her as a person, and not just some “riffraff” to feel sorry for. Katie shook her head and forced herself to bring her attention back to what Alain was saying.

  "As I mentioned, I like your work, and as you know, my sister is due to arrive any day now. I would like a new gown for the occasion, and there is some material I saw in town that I would like you to purchase for me. Since you claim you need shoes you can pick up your purchase along with mine."

  "But Lady Yarnell, you have so many bolts of lovely material in the sewing room already. I could make a lovely gown out of anyone one of them!"

  Alain's eyes blazed at Katie. “Perhaps that is true, and you shall have your chance to show me your skills at transforming sow’s ears into silk purses, but there is some new imported material that just came in from France. It is the latest color and weave, and I must have some. I hope you don't prove to be difficult and feel you have to question my choices, or desires, Miss Dow!"

  The realization that she had been out of place, hit Katie in the stomach, and the way that Alain had used her Sir name suddenly reminded her of why she was there in the first place. She wondered if she was to spend the rest of her life in the employment of others.

  "I'm...I'm sorry. I didn't mean to meddle," The apology fell reluctantly from her lips. She had discovered in her short stay at Winslow hall, that Alain was quite insistent, and got whatever she wanted at any cost.

  Alain glided gracefully to the door and laid her hand on the knob. "I forgot to mention, Alden is downstairs. He had some business he wanted to attend to in town also and he consented to escort you. He can show you where the right shops are." She gave a nervous little laugh, as if something was bothering her. “He actually suggested I get you to make my purchases. He insisted the outing would be good for you. I suppose now that he has taken you under his wing there will be no end to his helping you settle in."

  "That is very thoughtful of him." Katie’s eyebrow lifted, as she wondered what to make of it. Alain seemed perturbed for some reason, and Katie speculated what the trip to town had to do with it. "It will be a good chance for me to see the town. I've been in Windy Gates all my life and have had very little chance to travel."

  "I must warn you that Randshire is not so very glorious. We are, after all, away from any large city, but it is the closest place to make purchases without having to travel for days. I would say it was quaint, but being from Windy Gates, you may think it more exciting than I do. I'm sure Alden will give you a worthwhile tour of the place. Well, it is best that you don't keep him waiting. Alden can get aggravated over being delayed."

  Alain turned the knob then, slipping out the door with the swish of silk skirts and tinkling of bracelets on her wrist, disappeared down the hall, while Katie immediately turned and began to change her clothes.

  Lord Emerson had not presented himself at Winslow Hall, since the first day she had arrived there. Though she had thought of him often enough, her feelings concerning him were confused. She wanted very badly to impress him, while at the same time she also despised the fact that he was trying to make her dependent on him. It was odd that Katie felt like she was actually working for Lord Emerson rather than for Alain since he had gotten her the position and seemed to have so much influence on the way things were run at Winslow Hall.

  Her first encounter with the man, looking for an uncle who really wasn't an uncle, and going about it so maladroitly, still stung her senses. In spite of a certain gratitude she felt for his kindness in helping her, she could not keep from thinking he had simply helped her out because of his stubborn sense of responsibility he had developed, concerning her. It infuriated her to discover anyone should have the power to direct her every move, as he seemed eager to do.

  Yet now, she remembered how her heart had stopped because of the way he had looked at her when he had first seen her in his sister's green dress. He had looked at her with... with... was it appeal in his eyes? Had he actually thought her appealing? He had brushed it away easily enough, and yet it had warmed her through, regardless of its fleeting existence.

  Was it her loneliness that made her long for some meaningful attention, or was there something else behind these persistent emotions? Even though she had acted so disturbed at his carrying her around, her real disturbed feeling stemmed from the fact that she felt so helpless yet contented in his strong arms. This was a feeling Katie did not know how to respond to.

  It would be humiliating to discover that he only thought of her as some riffraff, in the way Alain so bluntly put it, needy of his attention, but merely something to amuse himself with until a more important occupation came along.

  Now she wasn't quite sure how she should proceed with him. She didn't feel she should act like a servant and bob all the time as Bess did, but neither could she conduct herself with the assurance that Alain used in demanding his attention and affection. Nor could she cower, like a pup that is anxious to lick its master's hand, but afraid to approach him. Did she really feel like that? Just what were these feelings that flooded over her concerning this self-assured Lord of Emerson Manor? She decided she would have to give the subject a great deal of attention before she could discover the true answer to that question.

  After donning one of the traveling suits, belonging to Lorna, Katie sank down on the bed trying to muster up the courage she would need to face a long trip to town with Lord Emerson. She wondered why she felt like this? She was anxious to be with him, yet reluctant at the same time, knowing she would be scrutinized by the man, and feeling that she had to prove something to him, but she wasn't quite sure what!

  There was a loud rap on the door and Katie murmured, "Come in," knowing full well that it was probably Alain ready to scold her for taking so long to get dressed. When the door opened, Lord Emerson stood framed in the light from the hall.

  “I came to discover what the delay was," he raised a curious brow. “Perhaps, it is another sprained ankle, which would require my services of lugging you downstairs?"

  The sardonic smile did not escape Katie’s eye as she looked up in surprise. Her face colored. Then she gained her composure. "You are quite out of luck on that account. However, you did not have to come up to fetch me," her voice was notably cool. "I was just on my way down."

  Lord Emerson frowned as she stood up. "It is just as well I did come up, even though I must say the climb was not enjoyable. Why does Alain have you stuck up here in the top tower like a prisoner?” He didn’t give her an opportunity to respond, as it was more of a statement than a question. “Apparently she did not inform you that we would be ridding mounts. The carriage is being repaired, and I know you must be a fairly good horsewoman to attempt a trip all the way from Windy Gates to Emerson Manor on horseback."

  Katie sat down again. “I hope you did not tell Alain that. She believes I brought a trunk of clothes with me, due to your little gift, and explanation of how my clothes were left at your house. Therefore, she assumes I came to your manor in a carriage, which brings up my next question. What about the purchases I am to get? Certainly we cannot carry packages on horseback."

  “We can have them delivered. You are only needed to pick the right things out, not tote them around for Alain. I will not mention the incident of your horse to Alain, though,” he replied, eyeing her. “Now don't just sit there. I think there was a riding habit among the things I sent you." He turned toward the door. “When you are dressed I will meet you down at the stables. Try to hurry, will you?" His hand was on the door, but Katie jumped up and caught at his sleeve. He paused with a questioning look.

  "I...I just...wanted to...to thank you for the things you sent me, Lord Emerson," The words came out unexpectedly brought on by her feeling rather small and insign
ificant in his towering presence. She had intended to say that the present had been quite unnecessary, and that she could have sent for her own clothes, but when he turned and looked at her so expectantly, she did not want to see his expression change because of her lack of gratitude. So she had swallowed her pride and thanked him, only to receive a short, “It was nothing."

  Katie had to admit to herself that it must be the truth. It had meant nothing to him. Even though his note indicated it was to apologize for his unthinking behavior. She wondered if anything concerning her was of any consequence to him? This left her feeling all the more flustered!

  With great effort to calm the excitement that was growing inside her at the prospects of riding horseback into town, Katie quickly obeyed Lord Emerson’s orders and changed to the riding habit. She had missed Shancy so, and had been stuck up in the sewing room the whole time she had been at Winslow Hall. Now that Lord Emerson had mentioned it, she was almost like a prisoner, stuck away in the tower room!

  Hurrying downstairs, she nearly tripped on the narrow steps of the third floor. She had completely forgotten all about her search for the hidden passage in her anticipation of the ride.

  CHAPTER NINE

  Katie walked into the stable yard to find Lord Emerson waiting with two striking mounts. One she recognized as his black stallion he called Satan, and the other was a lovely chestnut mare with a white blaze on her face and one white stocking. The mare tossed her head and whinnied as Katie approached.

  Katie's excitement rose at the soft nuzzle the mare planted in her hair when she was within reach. Her heart sprang towards the animal naturally, as she held its downy soft muzzle against her cheek. Katie had almost forgotten the bonding one could feel towards an animal, since she had lost Shancy. Her hand lovingly reached up and patted the horse's neck, as Lord Emerson viewed the scene through satisfied eyes.

  “Why, you are beautiful!" Her voice sounded soft and supple. “And what do they call you?" She turned to Lord Emerson for the answer.

  “Do you like her?" he asked, ignoring her question. “She seems to like you well enough."

  “Oh yes! She is lovely. I see she is wearing my saddle. Is she one of your horses, or is she from Alain's stable?"

  "No, she is neither mine nor Alain's." His expression was held straight, except for a faint twitch at the corner of a half-turned smile.

  Puzzlement filled Katie’s eyes, as she wondered who the horse did belong to. To her surprise, Lord Emerson said softly, in an almost husky sounding voice, "She belongs to you, Katie."

  Katie abruptly stepped back away from the horse, as though touching it now was forbidden. She hesitated, trying to assimilate his words. It could not be hers! That was absurd! It was a lovely animal and she knew she wanted it, yet this was still another ploy to make her feel dependent upon Lord Emerson.

  "Are you telling me, that this horse is another one of your gifts?" Katie could not keep the sting out of her voice.

  "No. It is not a gift, as you put it! It was my fault you lost your own horse." There was a faint sound of aggravation in his voice. "This is merely to repay you for your loss."

  Katie nodded, but her lips were pursed. She turned her head away and pretended to be examining the mare, as she reached out once again and caressed the soft coat stretched against a muscular neck. It was true that he caused her to lose her own horse, but Shancy had just been a grade mare. She was nothing as spectacular as this piece of horse flesh!

  "I…I can't possibly accept the horse." She avoided meeting Lord Emerson's eyes. “She is much too expensive a breed! Shancy was only a grade mare, and she was getting up in years. She had no fancy blood lines like this horse surely has."

  Her hand fell from the absent stroking of the mare’s neck, and she started to turn away from the magnificent animal. Katie felt Lord Emerson's hands on her shoulders. He turned her to face him.

  "I want you to have her, Katie. The blood lines are not important. She suits you. Head strong and full of flair! She knows she has good blood lines. Yet you, you think you don't, and act like you do! That is what I like about you, Katie. Even though you are rather stubborn, you don't seem to let anything get you down. You stand your ground and hold your head up."

  He chuckled. "If you could have seen yourself the night I picked you up out of that mud puddle. The defiance, the spark, even though you were a pitiful sight! Don't ever lose that quality Katie. Now I shall hear no more of your protests. Even though you are a stubborn child, you are no match against me. We will have no arguments over a mere horse! Just let me help you up on her, and while we ride into town you can think up a name for her."

  He was practically commanding her to accept the horse whether she wanted to or not! He called her a stubborn child, and Katie decided he must think of her as a mere child. Perhaps, that was what infuriated her about him.

  He had paid her some very fine complements about her spark and being able to hold her head up in the face of disaster, but the truth of the matter was she was only a child to him. She was a challenge for him to master and toy with for as long as it amused him.

  Somehow, Katie was determined to prove to him that she was not the child, he assumed her to be. He most likely admired her spunk because it was probably refreshing, after having Alain simpering around so helpless and needy of his directions. Lord Alden Emerson was used to taking the role of the dominating Master of the House, but she vowed never to be dominated by any man. The very attribute he claimed to like in her, was the very aspect he seemed determined to squelch by forcing her to bow to his wishes.

  "Very well," she conceded slowly, "but you are no longer in my debt, and have amply repaid any losses you feel you have caused me."

  His broad grin conveyed his pleasure at having persuaded her to accept the horse as he helped her up on its back. But for the life of her, she could not understand why it was so important to him to have her accept it. She watched as he mounted his own horse, and the two started in the direction of town at a leisurely pace.

  "That's a good girl," he praised, with a wink, knowing it irked her for him to patronize her so. "Actually, you should feel privileged. Alain is consumed with envy, you know." Katie gave a quizzical look. “I assume she will devise little ways of snubbing you because of it, so don't be upset if she is a little abrupt with you for a while.

  “She has been the center of attention all these years, and there is nothing to be done for it now, but to suffer her tantrums. She pouts because I have never given her a horse. I tried to explain to her that you have no mount to ride and it would be better to have your own horse, rather than rely on one of the stable mounts. After all, you should have a little independence, even if you are in her service. I sense it is important to you. However, that matters little to her, or the fact that I have given her countless gifts in the past. She still feels slighted by it. It is understandable, though, the fact that her half-sister is about to return, has kept her on edge lately."

  "You would think she would be eager to be reacquainted with a lost sister," Katie reasoned. "I know, if I thought I had a lost sister, I would be anxious to be reunited with her again."

  "It is not the sister that she hates. It is the fortune that she will lose if she accepts her. Wealth is such a wicked temptation. It causes people to do abominable things. That is what is so refreshing about you, Katie. You have not been ruined by the influence of wealth and power."

  "Be that as it may, it puts me in a position never to have the chance to experience wealth, since wealthy people seldom like hobnobbing with people below their station," Katie pointed out.

  "Don't be so hasty in your assumptions!" The interjection caught Katie off guard. “Katherine Gail Winslow's father married someone beneath his station, you know."

  "But I understand that she was raised in a family of wealth, even though she had no claim on any of the money. Therefore, she was raised a proper lady and acceptable in the right circles."

  "It sounds like someone has been filling you in
on some Winslow history, but are you informing me that you are not a proper lady?” There was a tease in the twinkle of his blue eyes.

  "Not in the Gentry's eyes," she retorted, at his mockery.

  "Well, you are every bit of a lady in my eyes," Lord Emerson surprised her by saying. “It is easy to see that you are well educated. Mere backwoods people don’t usually have the kind of education that you have apparently had, so this says something about your background. You appear to have been raised to become a proper lady, even if you don’t think of yourself as one now.”

  Katie felt flustered. "I...I thought you looked at me as a stubborn child!" she threw back at him.

  "Yes. You are that as well!" His laugh, softened the blow.

  Katie made a face at him. "Well, I am sorry if your replacing my horse has caused Alain to be angry with you," Katie said, trying to turn the conversation back to the original subject.

  "Don't worry. She will get over it, and the scandalous fact that I am ridding with you to town...unchaperoned!"

  "I think we are beyond needing a chaperone to watch over us, Lord Emerson. Don’t you agree?”

  He smiled. “I quite agree.”

  “But I get the feeling that this little jaunt to town was your idea." Katie began to understand why Alain seemed so perturbed when she informed Katie of the trip.

  Lord Emerson chuckled. "Perhaps," he admitted, "but Alain did ask me to get some things for her on my trip into town. When I suggested you might enjoy coming along, she was quite put out in spite of the fact that I explained to her that I felt you should have a chance to ride your new horse to get used to it, and if you didn’t like it, I would need to replace it. Therefore, I would have to discover how you handled the mount first."

  "Of course, you couldn’t tell her how your driver practically ran me down." Katie raised a well-shaped eye brow at him.

  "No, of course, not, some things are better not mentioned."

  "You are very adept at telling half-truths," Katie observed very bluntly. "You seem to have told more than your share since I met you. I don't know that I should trust you in the least. You keep weaving new stories around our short acquaints, to explain away all the gifts you keep heaping upon me."