Winslow's Web

by Jeanie P Johnson

  Alden was kneeling beside her as she tried to sit up. "Don't move!" Alden commanded, as he held her firmly in spite of her attempts to rise. "I want to make sure there are no broken bones. You suffered a bad sprain the last time you fell from your horse, or had you forgotten?"

  "It seems that I...I am constantly falling from a horse whenever you are around," Katie groaned. "I don't think anything is broken or sprained. Only my elbow hurts a little. I...I can't understand what happened! How did my saddle fall off like that?"

  "The cinch on your saddle must have broken. Don't you ever check your gear when you saddle up?"

  "The...the saddle is new. I got it just before coming to Emerson Manor. I...I didn't think there was a reason to check it."

  Alden turned the saddle over and examined the cinch strap. His eyes looked worried as he glanced back at Katie. "I guess it was just weak leather," he said. "Next time, though, check your saddle over before you go riding, and all your other tack as well. It is the best way to prevent accidents like this one from happening."

  Alden was on his feet again. "You stay here and rest. I'll go find your horse." He then mounted Satan and rode off in pursuit of Katie's horse.

  Katie sat up a little shakily, and brushed the leaves and grass from her habit. She looked at the saddle that lay tangled beside her. Idly she picked the broken strap up in her hand and turned it over a few times. She wasn't really looking at the strap, but was remembering the terrified feeling that had raced through her just as the saddle broke loose from the horse. She was beginning to experience those feelings much too often for her peace of mind.

  Suddenly Katie's hand stopped in mid-motion as she turned the smooth leather in her palm. Her eyes had focused on the strap, and she could not believe what she saw. Alden had said it was weak leather, yet she could see plainly where the strap had been cut halfway, and then torn from the extra strain.

  Alden would have been blind not to see that, and realize what had happened. He had blamed it on faulty leather. Why did he do that? Katie tried to fight against the next thought that came to her. Was he trying to cover up for someone, or did he have more to do with all of this than she was aware of? Alain had even suggested that he was in on the hoax that she was positive the whole missing heiress incident was.

  Alden had been the one to insist that Katie go riding with him, she reasoned. Even after she refused him, he had gone looking for her to insist that she go with him anyway. When he learned she was already out riding he had gone to the trouble to search her out. Was it truly genuine interest in her, or was there something else behind it? Katie had been content to have a leisurely ride, yet Alden had wanted to race. Was there some connection? She was sure the saddle would have held if she had not raced with Alden.

  He was always trying to minimize her worries that someone was trying to scare her. Katie tried to rack her brain and remember any little thing that might tie Alden into all of this. Maybe he knew more than he was letting on.

  He had seen the small likeness of James before anyone else. Certainly he must have known something about James Langdon since he and his sister lived at Emerson Manor at one time. Alden was probably about ten or so when Katherine disappeared, and according to Maggie, James remained at Emerson Manor, quite a while after the child had been hidden away. Alden must have seen him during that time. If he saw Katie's locket and realized she had some connection to James Langdon, it would stand to reason that he would try to keep her safe at hand, rather than have her roaming around looking for the man she thought was her uncle.

  Only how would Alden Know that Katie had some tie to James and Katherine Gail Winslow back then, unless he already knew the missing heiress was about to arrive, even before Alain showed him the note?

  When Katie told Alden that James was her uncle, then he may have thought she was the lost heiress, and it would spoil his plans if this other woman was supposed to appear upon the scene soon. It must have been a relief to him to discover that James was her father and not her uncle, after all.

  Perhaps now that he was straight on that fact, there would be no reason for future accidents to happen to her. Katie felt her head pounding, and a sickening feeling come over her at the thought that Alden could be involved in all of this. Regardless of what the answers were, Alden must know more about everything concerning recent events than he was letting on that he did.

  His persistent interest in her, taking over her life the moment she came to him, and having his finger in everything she did, had bothered her from the beginning. Was he merely trying to keep an eye on her to make sure that she was kept from learning something that would ruin his plans? Just what were those plans anyway? To marry the beautiful Katherine, whether she was an heiress or not, so he could combine his Estate with Winslow Hall? If that was his motivation, then why had he bothered kissing Katie the night of the ball, and acting like he wanted to be her close friend? Nothing was making sense anymore!

  Katie’s focus turned from Alden. Even if he was involved, both Justin and James had asked her what Nancy Dow had told her? Maybe Nancy Dow knew something about the missing heiress and they thought Katie knew something too. Justin had said there were things that Nancy hadn't told her. Even James said that Nancy should have been more honest with her, but she was sure that James was talking about Nancy not telling her who her father was.

  If Alden also knew that Nancy Dow knew something, and learned that Katie was Nancy's daughter, he may have suspected that Katie knew something about the missing heiress as well. Just today, he had said that he would take care of everything from now on. Maybe he thought she was getting too close to the real truth. She remembered both Justin and James were concerned that she was meddling in something that was none of her affair. Perhaps James, Justin and Alden were in possession of more information than met the eye. If Katie was really getting too close to the real truth, then what was it? That was what puzzled her the most!

  Justin claimed the heiress was dead, and maybe James had a hand in that somehow. Maybe Katherine had entrusted her brother with her child, and Charles had paid James to get rid of the child, and Justin knew. Maybe James told Nancy in a weak moment and she knew also what had happened to the child while all along Katherine thought the little heiress was safe in James care. Was that the reason that James was still at Emerson Manor the night of Katherine's death?

  The real mystery was, if Katherine was not the real heiress, then where did James come up with this woman who claimed to be the heiress, and what did Alden know about it? He seemed so anxious to welcome this woman as the missing heiress, and Alain was so sure that she was not the heiress. She said she overheard something. Now Katie was more curious than ever about what Alain had overheard.

  Katie’s thoughts turned frantically around in circles. One part of her said, no, I love Alden. He could never want to harm me. He has always shown concern, and has been almost a protector. While the other part wondered, why else would he insist that the leather had only been weak when it was plain that it had been cut? If he was not guilty, then why was he trying to cover it up as just an accident?

  Was it an accident, like being thrown off the balcony, and getting trapped in the passage? She remembered Alden was at the trap door last night. Someone had to know exactly when she had entered the passage to be able to secure the trap door before she had a chance to return. Could it be when she had refused to go riding with him that he had decided to trap her in the passage instead? Had he rushed up to her room to make sure the other door was locked tight against her as well? Then, when he discovered she had escaped, did he go out looking for her to make sure she ran her horse? Had he cut the cinch earlier, hoping that she would have a fatal fall, and when all other plans failed, did he come looking for her to make sure this one didn’t fail? But why, Katie asked herself? Was it only to scare her or to bring some sort of harm to her? Was he disappointed that she only bruised her elbow, instead of breaking her neck?

  Katie didn't have time to find a reasonable answer.
The thought jolted her mind to the fact that if he had failed in his first attempts, he might invent yet another accident for Katie to have. Katie could feel her flesh go cold as she wondered what would come next. Was this how poor little Kathy had felt when all those accidents had happened to her? She thought of that long ago young heiress who had suffered accidents at Charles’ hands. Was history destined to repeat itself, she wondered?

  As much as she didn't want to believe it, Katie had to accept the possibility and the sickening feeling that somehow Alden was involved in the attempts on her life, if that was what they were. The thought made her tremble all over. It came painfully to her that soon he would be returning with her horse. She knew she could not face him. He would be able to read the mistrust in her eyes the moment he saw her. If he ever learned that she suspected him, it might all end for her sooner than she expected.

  She sobbed inwardly as she thought how much she felt she loved him. Why was he treating her so kindly if he only wanted to be rid of her? Was it only to gain her trust? Was he hoping that she would confide in him and tell him information he thought she may have learned from Nancy? If she really did know something and told him, then what would he do with her, she wondered? It was a good thing she knew nothing, but would that fact save her if someone thought she knew more than she really did?

  How could she have been such a fool? The kiss was merely a ploy to gain her trust and confidence. He couldn’t even give her a good reason why he had kissed her. She dared not trust him. She did not feel ready to endanger herself because of an unexplainable love for someone she knew so little about.

  She sprang to her feet, forgetting about the throbbing in her bruised elbow. Her only thought was to return to Winslow Hall as quickly as possible, without Alden seeing her. She scurried into the woods, feeling much like the fox she had seen earlier, frightened and unsure as to what she should do.

  She stayed in the protection of the woods. Its leafy foliage hovering over her like the arms of a loving mother, keeping her child safe from harm, and followed along its edge, back towards Winslow Hall.

  Katie stopped once and caught her breath, her heart pounding frantically, as she saw Alden riding by slowly. He was leading Chance with her saddle secured somehow on the horses back. Katie stood very still, and hardly breathed as she saw Alden look in her direction. His eyes tried to penetrate the foliage, and then he continued on down the path at the same slow pace, scanning the landscape as he did so, and calling out her name.

  When Katie reached the Hall, she felt weak and exhausted. She slipped in as quietly as she could and hurried to the safety and comfort of her own room, and locked the door. Her heart was pounding out of control and her breath came in deep ragged rasps. Surrendering to the comfort of her bed she fell into a fitful sleep, filled with nightmares of her father and Alden chasing her, while Justin stood by laughing. She always managed to stay one step ahead of them, and was terrified to discover what would happen if they actually caught her? She woke once, when Maggie knocked on the door, calling to ask her if she was alright.

  “I’m fine,” she called back. “I just need to rest.”

  The next morning she woke, feeling tired and drained. She could barely lift her head from the pillow. The dream seemed to have tired her out as though she had actually been constantly running. She did not want to face the fear of what was before her. She felt so anxious and afraid to face anyone that she feigned sickness and remained in her room the entire day, only taking meals, when Maggie brought them to her. However, even though Maggie kept asking her questions, she waved her away, saying she wasn’t feeling well enough to discuss anything.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  Katie felt an emotional chill settle around her. She now felt more alone than she had before she came to Winslow Hall. She didn't know whom she could trust, and therefore, she trusted no one, except perhaps, Maggie, who always seemed to be there to encourage her and bolster her spirits. She tried to avoid everyone else in the house as much as possible.

  Katie watched, almost indifferently, from the sidelines as Katherine reinforced her position as Lady Winslow. Her story had been investigated by the lawyers, and the emerald necklace examined for its authenticity. Everything seemed to point to the fact that she was, in truth, the lost heiress of Winslow Hall, and she and James Langdon were settling themselves into the family with ease and assurance.

  Katie had tried to stay out of James Langdon's way, but every time she saw him watching her from the shadows it unnerved her and she got the chilling feeling that he was surveying her for a reason, more than out of curiosity. Finally, she decided to approach him.

  "Why do you keep watching my every action?" she accused as they passed in the hall. "Are you afraid that I am going to do something I shouldn't?”

  He looked at her blankly as though he didn't understand what she was talking about. "You are deluding yourself, Miss. You probably feel guilty about our relationship. Just because I happen to look at you now and then, does not mean I am staring at you or keeping an eye on you as you seem to mistakenly believe!"

  "I do not believe you." Her reply was bold. "I have seen you watching me. If you think I am going to reveal the fact that you are my father, you can put your mind at ease. I have no wish to make our relationship public."

  "I have never accused you of that, but I would feel more at ease if you would accept my earlier offer. You see...I ...feel...obligated. We cannot stay in the same house indefinitely and feel comfortable in one another's company. At the same time, I cannot just insist you leave your position on my behalf. You see how awkward it is."

  Katie had never thought of it in that light before, but she could see how he might feel. Was that why he had been watching her? Was he just trying to decide how to solve the problem? If she didn't concede to his offer, would more accidents happen so she would just leave on her own accord? Was that the reason all the other things had happened to her?

  "I...I suppose I could return to Windy Gates," she said reluctantly.

  James face actually looked worried. "Oh, no...I mean I don't think that would be such a good course to take. There would be no way to support yourself there. I understand that your dress shop failed to provide you a living. Isn't that why you came to hire on for this position at Winslow Hall? You have sold your home haven't you?"

  "Why, no, I have to have some place to return to if need be."

  James stroked his chin thoughtfully. "I see. Perhaps, it would be best if you sold it and found yourself a position elsewhere. I could take care of the matter for you if you wish. I would even be willing to hire someone to pack your belongings for you so you needn't bother yourself with the task."

  Katie gave him a puzzled look. He certainly was eager to be rid of her, but that was not so surprising under the circumstances. Katie still found it hard to believe that he was so concerned with her welfare that he would do all that for her. Was he afraid that even Windy Gates was too close for an illegitimate daughter to live? Or did he think she would learn something more about his background if she remained in the vicinity? Katie felt there was something that he wasn't eager for her to discover. Only what difference did it make, she thought? She had lived in Windy Gates all her life. No one had known who she was talking about when she had first begun her search for who she thought was Uncle James. So why was he so anxious to keep her away from there? Perhaps, it was just her imagination working overtime, she chided herself.

  "No thank you. I could never sell my home. Not until I know I had some other permanent place to live." She realized that she had started thinking of Winslow Hall as her home and would miss it terribly if circumstances caused her to leave. She now felt, however, that her chances of staying were slim. She did not get along well with Katherine and she had the feeling that sooner or later she would be receiving her notice, and now James was implying that he did not wish her to stay either. "I...I could never sell it because I was raised there," she continued. "It has too many fond memories for me, and it is
always some place to go back to if all else fails."

  "It is not healthy for a young lady like you to be shut away in a place like that. You should be married, and raising a family. As I said before, I could help you out..."

  "Please spare me!" Katie suddenly fumed. It was ridicules to think he suddenly cared about her future. "It is a little late to start playing the doting father. I will take care of myself, thank you."

  He almost looked a little sadly at her. "Well, let me know if you change your mind," was all he said and then continued on down the hall.

  Katie tried to shrug away her sudden anger. He was not worth it, she told herself. Why did he suddenly have to try and be so helpful? Could it be that seeing her everyday was making him feel guilty for deserting her the way he had? Was he trying to soothe his conscience by offering to sell her home and establishing her somewhere else where he thought she would have a better chance of supporting herself? Something told her that James Langdon was not that sort of person, or he would have married Nancy Dow in the first place. There was something more to this and Katie wondered how she would ever discover what it was?

  Whenever Alden was at Winslow Hall, Katie made a point of staying in her room. He had been quite disturbed with her when he discovered Katie had walked home that day, after her chinch had broken. He had come up and pounded on her door and demanded to talk to her, but she refused to respond and tried to make it clear that she wanted him to leave her alone. And so he had conceded to her wishes, which strangely made her feel even worse.

  It looked as though Katherine Gail had endless plans that involved Alden. This made it harder for Katie, since Alden came often to the Hall. There were musical events in the drawing room, intimate dinner parties, carriage rides. They traveled into London once to attend an Opera. Katie watched from the window as they departed for a picnic, which they even invited Alain to attend. When Katherine and Alden were in the garden together, talking softly and laughing, Katie would torture herself by sneaking silently out onto her balcony to get a glimpse of them together, and perhaps hear what it was that they talked about.