Katie felt that if several accidents had happened to her, even at such a young age, one of them would have impressed her enough to cause her to remember it. Katie remembered back to the things that had frightened her as a child, and she could still remember when she was very small and had tripped down a flight of stairs. Though she couldn't remember anything else involved with the incident, she could remember well the fright she had suffered at the time...the same fright she had felt as she clung desperately to the railing of her balcony not so long ago.
Could Katherine so easily forget a similar feeling, even if it did happen to her as a child? According to Maggie, it was not just one incident, but many. If that was the case, wouldn't she be able to remember at least one accident, or had she just blocked them all out of her mind?
Katie had heard stories of people who had gone through a harrowing experience and had shut it out of their mind so strongly that they could not remember it even when witnesses described the entire event to them. Could that have happened to Katherine too? Katie wasn't so sure. Still, she had no proof and could say nothing. Even if Maggie could tell her the things that had happened to Katherine as a child, it would serve no purpose unless Katherine told her the same story. Katherine was denying any memory of those accidents, so there was no way of comparing the two stories. This gave Katie no real reason to doubt what Katherine and James claimed, but no real proof that their claim was legitimate either.
It seemed that so far, there was really no way to disprove Katherine's claims, and she and James Langdon had more physical proof and believable story than Alain could present to disprove their story. Still, Katie could not shake the uneasy feeling she was having about all of this. She actually found herself wanting to help Alain prove Katherine to be a hoax, even if it meant that Alain might end up marrying Alden.
Katherine was very pleased with the progress of her costume. It was designed in white and red, with large red velvet hearts appliquéd to the billowing white skirt. Katie had made a crown out of stiff paper hearts. One large one was at the center, and smaller ones tapering towards the back of the head. She pasted satin material over the paper crown and lined each heart with seed pearls. She also made a scepter for Katherine to hold with a heart at one end, which was also lined with pearls.
The dress had a high ruffled collar that stood up about Katherine's slender neck, and barely brushed her delicate ears lobes. Seed pearls marched along the pointed waist line, held fast with precise tiny stitches. The white sleeves puffed in luxuriant satin with heart shaped windows, revealing a red velvet lining. The deep scarlet, velvet bodice, supported a white lace ruffle that whispered softly up along the edge of the low cut neckline.
To enhance the whole costume, Katie pinned a long trailing robe of the same scarlet velvet at each shoulder, with a pearl clasps. It shimmered with white satin hearts that were strewn over the length, which like the others, were also outlined with pearls. A soft white fur trim added elegance to the illusion and finished the costume off perfectly. The mask that Katie fashioned was in the shape of two hearts, with one side red and one side white.
When the costume was finished, Katherine was overwhelmed with pleasure. She was sure that she would be the grandest one at the ball. She had no idea what Katie had planned for Alain.
Alain came to fittings with reluctance and pouted the whole time Katie was fashioning her costume. She was impressed with Katie's ideas and efforts, but she just couldn't get excited about a ball thrown for someone who was stealing the attention from herself.
The Snow Queen gown was of filmy white satins and silks, with streams of jeweled netting. It was long and flowing and hung loosely at the shoulders then fell in a drape about the ankles with a whisper of a train. The hem of the skirt fastened to each wrist with narrow ribbons, which made the skirt billow as Alain moved. The cape, which encircled the neck in a soft ruffle, stopped short in front at the waist, but sloped towards the back in a gentle angle to the floor. It was of delicate netting with bits of transparent sparkles sown in the shape of snowflakes, and it gave the impression that the Snow Queen was enclosed in an icy mist.
Together, Katie and Alain ransacked the attic until they dug up an old white wig worn by some long forgotten ancestor. It looked a little moth-eaten, and needed to be refashioned, but with Katie's talent she managed to transform it. She adorned it with gleaming white glass jewels, and white goose down feathers that floated and fluttered with every movement. It added to the effect that Katie was trying to achieve of lightness and floating mist. All in all, it was a true work of art. The wig also added height to Alain's stature, which would make it harder for someone to figure out who was behind the feathery mask, which Katie had made to cover Alain's face.
Both Katie and Alain were utterly pleased and excited with the end results because they knew that as lovely and elegant as Katherine's costume had turned out, it did not compare to what Katie had created for Alain to wear. Now, at least, Alain would be able to draw a little attention to herself on the night of the ball, Katie thought delightfully.
Katie had been working so diligently on the costumes up until the day before the ball she decided to take a well-deserved break, and go for a long relaxing ride on Chance. She secretly wished that Alden could accompany her, but she lacked the courage to be so forward as to ask him, and since he hadn't offered to take her out again since he gave her the horse, she did not feel it her place to impose her company upon him.
So she saddled up Chance and rode out alone. The one advantage was that her solitude gave her the opportunity to think over the things which had transpired the last couple of weeks.
She rode leisurely across the wind swept moors, taking in the beauty of the countryside, as the breeze played teasingly with her short cape, and kissed her cheeks with a cool refreshing whisper, which seemed to kindle new strength and hope within her. It almost made her forget about the strange incident that could have brought her to her death, and made her feel at peace and contented with life. Perhaps her future was not as glum as it appeared to be, she tried to convince herself, with renewed optimism.
She had been out for quite some time, lopping along the soft, rolling hills and following well-worn paths along the wooded strip that boarded the two estates when she finally tired and decided to start back towards the Hall. It was then that she saw a rider approaching her.
At first her heart leapt as she thought it was Alden riding in her direction and her pulse quickened in anticipation, but as the rider came closer to view, she saw that it was Alain's uncle, Justin Yarnell, and she felt her heart fall in disappointment. This was one person that she had not gotten a chance to meet or speak to about the incidents of Katherine's disappearance as a child. She reasoned, however that he probably would have only told her Charles side of the story and never admit that the man was actually trying to do away with his step-daughter.
When Justin came abreast with her, he fell in pace with her horse. "Good afternoon, miss," he said politely. "You are the seamstress, are you not?"
"Yes, I am, and you are Alain's uncle, on her father's side."
"That is correct. I have been told that Nancy Dow was your mother. I knew of her, but not very well. Tell me, what is it that has brought you to Winslow Hall?"
Katie wondered who had told him that Nancy Dow was her mother. Was it Alden, or James Langdon, the only two that knew? What would be the reason for either of them telling him, she wondered? She decided to act as though the question was not disturbing to her. "I...I needed work, and Alain needed a seamstress. It is as simple as that."
"I understand your mother owned a dress shop of some sort in Windy Gates. Did it not support you well enough?"
Katie was silent for a moment. Surely, if Justin Yarnell knew of Nancy Dow, then he would have known that James knew her well. She wondered where this line of questions were leading? Did he see some sort of resemblance and was trying to find out if Katie was related to the Winslows in some way? Even if he discovered her true relati
onship to the family, it would not change things for Alain. Katie decided it was just idle curiosity on Justin Yarnell's part and there was no harm in the question, but how did he find out about Nancy being her mother in the first place?
"The dress shop was a failure," she said at last, her voice shaking slightly as she struggled to control her emotions. “Windy Gates is such a small place, there wasn’t much business there to support the shop.”
"And you decided to look for work elsewhere?"
"Yes."
"I think there is more to this story than you are relating,” he accused. "I know who you are, and it seems a strange coincidence that you should show up here. Why are you being so secretive about your true identity? What is the game you are playing, young lady?"
Katie realized he must have known about the whole sorted affair between her mother and James Langdon, but how had he discovered it? "Who told you?” she demanded. “Surely, it was not James Langdon. He would be the last one to tell you anything."
"What makes you think anyone told me? There are many ways to discover the truth."
"I don't see that it is any of your affair who I am. I am no threat to you or Alain, and I would rather not have it known that James Langdon is my father. I want nothing from him, or the Winslows, so I hope you don't intend to stir things up, especially now, with all this confusion concerning the heiress of Winslow Hall."
He seemed to sneer at her as he said, "Then you are more naive than I thought. You act so innocent, as though your true relationship to all this is of no import. If I were you, I would go back to your little dress shop in the woods before you get more mixed up with this affair than you wish to be."
"I don't see what harm it creates for me to be here."
"How did you come to this conclusion that James was your father in the first place? There is no way you can prove it, you know, and he would not take kindly to you if you tried."
"I don't want to prove it. I would like to forget about it!"
"How noble of you, of course, I do not believe you. There is something more behind this story of James Langdon being your father, and I just wonder what it is? I suppose Nancy Dow told you James was your father. Strange she should have told you that. I’m sure James never would have informed you of such a thing."
"No...no… it was something Maggie told me..." she darted a glance toward him.
"Ah...now the plot thickens! And I suppose you believe everything that meddling old witch informs you of?"
"She had no reason to lie to me. She didn't even know she was telling me. At first I thought James Langdon was my uncle, and I wanted to know more about him. I showed her a likeness I had of him in my locket. When I discovered he wasn't even related to Nancy Dow, I realized that he couldn't be my uncle, as she had indicated to me that he was. It was not hard to put two and two together and determine that he was really my father."
"I suppose your mother told you all about Winslow Hall and suggested you come here."
"No, she never mentioned it. She only told me about Emerson Manor and how kind Lord Emerson was. After she died, I went to Emerson Manor to see if I could discover where my uncle was. When I learned my mother had never been married, I no longer wanted to locate my uncle, so Lord Alden Emerson found me this position here. It wasn't until Maggie saw the likeness and told me who James Langdon was that I realized that he was not my uncle after all. Promise me you will not tell Alain or anyone of this. Alden Emerson does not know my relationship to anyone in the family. He only thinks I am Nancy Dow's illegitimate daughter."
"It would not profit me anything to tell anyone, I assure you. Your secret is safe with me," he assured her.
There seemed nothing else to say, and they rode in silence back to the stables.
When they dismounted, Katie started to unsaddle her horse.
"If you are as smart as you let on to be, young lady, you will take my earlier advice and go back to Windy Gates. There is nothing you can accomplish here. If James and Katherine settle in, like they are trying to do, you will only have the constant reminder of your true parentage staring you in the face every day. Somewhere along the way the truth will slip out. It can't be helped. You are better off away from this place."
"Why should you be concerned for my welfare?"
"Knowing James, he will suspect that at one point or another you will try to blackmail him. I would not think it safe for you to remain here."
"Why should I want to do that?"
"It matters not if you want to do it, or even if you would do it. What matters is that James Langdon will assume that you will do it and want you as far away from him as possible. I would not put anything past that man."
"Apparently we are surrounded by villains!" Katie exclaimed. "James thinks you are one, and you think he is one. Perhaps you both are one!"
"Then I suppose that makes you doubly unsafe. I heard someone had thrown you off a balcony the day I arrived."
Katie stopped and looked at him. "Are you threatening me or warning me?" she wanted to know.
"I’m just giving you some friendly advice. I know more about James Langdon than you think I do. There are truths, which I fear poor dead Nancy Dow did not inform you of. I would be careful if I were you, if you insist on remaining." He took the saddle from her hands. "Let me take care of that for you. Think of me as your friend, who is concerned for your safety."
"Surely you do not think that my own father would try and harm me?"
"Perhaps he might, if he felt you stood in his way."
"But I would never do that!"
"One never knows what one will do, when they are up against a wall. As I said, you know little of this whole affair. You are just a seamstress, who fell upon the scene. It is best you don't get any more involved than you already are." He turned abruptly then, and took her saddle back to the tack room, as the stable boy busied himself unsaddling the horse he had been ridding.
Katie watched him walk away with a sense of confusion. Could she believe what he said, or was he just trying to scare her for some reason? She turned and rushed out of the stable yard only to run head long into James Langdon, himself.
"It seems you are constantly trying to run me down," he exclaimed as he caught his balance. He looked down at the stricken look on her face. "What seems to be your hurry?"
"I...I have things to do!" was all she said as she tried to brush past him.
He stepped in front of her baring her way. "I saw you talking to Justin Yarnell in the stables. You were out riding with him. What are the two of you up to?"
"Nothing, I happened to run into him while I was ridding and we rode back to the stables together."
"He must have told you something to make you act so skittish around me."
"Only that you might do me some harm if you thought I stood in your way.” She watched closely to discover his reaction to the accusation.
"That’s preposterous! I would never harm my own flesh and blood. I hope you do not believe him."
"Are you afraid that I may stand in your way?"
"You know nothing that could harm me, even if our little secret did get out in the open, it does not change the fact that my niece is heiress of Winslow Hall. I do not have to accept you as my daughter if I do not wish it. Besides, you seem to be able to take care of yourself."
"Then it would not disturb you if I asked you some questions about your niece?"
James eyes narrowed. "Why is it of interest to you?"
"Because, after all, I am related to everyone in a roundabout way, and I am curious!"
"I may answer your questions if I see that it is necessary," he replied eyeing her closely.
"Well, you see, I...I have been piecing together the circumstances surrounding Katherine's return. Since she is obviously related to me, I cannot help but be interested. There are things that I do not quite understand."
"And what may they be?" He raised his eyebrow at Katie.
Katie hesitated, not sure if she should be asking him q
uestions after what Justin Yarnell had told her. "It’s... it’s just that...that if you had taken Katherine away several weeks before her mother and step-father were killed, why were you still at Emerson Manor up until the night Lady Winslow died?'
Katie thought she could see James expression stiffen, and then his face was a mask again and unreadable.
"Who tells you this?" he demanded. "Justin or that crazy old nursemaid Maggie?"
"What difference does it make? You were there weren't you?"
"Only because someone told you I was there? You have very few brains in your head if you believe what Maggie or Justin tells you!"
"You did not answer my question," she insisted.
"It is none of your concern." he told her bluntly.
"Perhaps not, but I would like an answer."
"You should not trouble your pretty little head about these matters." He paused for a moment, studying her face. His expression seemed to soften. Then he said, throwing Katie off guard, "Perhaps we should not be such strangers to one another. If events had been different...you may not believe me, but I was very fond of Nancy, and I knew your mother quite well. I...I broke a commitment to her. I am sorry for that, but I have my own family to be concerned about. You could never fully understand. I know right now the situation is a little awkward for reconciliation's, and I can understand your feelings about me, but please do not distress yourself with all these problems. There is no way you can change anything at this late date.
"If you wish, when everything has been settled and Katherine is established here at Winslow Hall, I will speak to her and perhaps arrange something for you. You do not wish to remain a seamstress all your life, or return to that horrid little village of Windy Gates, do you?"
"Thank you, but that will not be necessary. I want nothing from you." Was he trying to buy her off, she wondered? However, no amount of money could pay for the way he had treated her mother.
"I am sorry you feel that way," he said, and turned and walked away.
Katie tried to forget about her encounters with Justin Yarnell and James Langdon. They both seemed to be hiding something from her and she didn't feel she could trust either one. Instead, she turned her attention to the excitement of the coming ball.
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