“No!” Katie exclaimed in horror.
“Yes!” Michael confirmed, “And that is not the worst of it. Come to find out a few months later, Anna was pregnant with his child, and the cad had no intention of marrying her! I tried to appeal to him to be be a gentleman and wed her, but he refused, and I had no financial means to bribe him. I even offered Anna my hand in marriage, for I still loved her despite everything, but she refused my offer saying she was carrying Lord Clifton’s child and would only marry him. But enough discussion of this melancholy tale,” Michael sighed his face full of distress, “Let us speak of something nicer and not continue to dredge up the past. Let us speak of you and I.” He smiled.
Katie was shocked at the story she had just heard, but she allowed herself, at least for the moment, to put the horrid character of Lord Clifton in the back of her mind. Seeing the way Michael gazed at her from across the table, made her smile and blush. How could Lord Clifton have hurt such a kind and caring man? Michael Shannon did not deserve to have his heart and hopes destroyed. Taking his hand and giving it a gentle squeeze to convey her remorse, she smiled brightly at him. “How about ya tell me something about ya? What is your favorite memory of Ireland?”
Michael’s eyes twinkled as he gently squeezed her fingers between his own. “This, being here with you right now, is my favorite.” Katie’s cheeks reddened, and she found she was pleased by his compliment.
It was nearly eleven when Robert, still sitting on the veranda, heard the sound of a car drive to the front entrance and the unmistakable sound of Katie’s voice, her happiness and amusement undeniable. Hearing her laugh, Robert realized it was a sound he had not heard, and a sound that was beautiful. Yet Michael Shannon was the recipient of her delight.
“It was a pleasure have’in dinner with ya Mr. Shannon, I mean Michael.” Katie spoke brightly.
“Likewise Miss Katie. I hope you’ll allow me the opportunity to take you out again.”
Robert heard Michael Shannon speak. His blood boiled. Katie was falling for the cad!
“I would like that very much,” she spoke softly.
“Excellent! Then I shall call on you Friday night. In the meantime,” Michael remarked, please take this poem as a small token of my longing to see you again.”
Then in the tune of an old Irish lullaby Michael sang, “Katie, oh Katie, how lovely you are. The love of my life, I am sure by far. So sweet and so kind, oh my dear bonnie lass. Till Friday my love, may it soon come at last!”
When he concluded his song, he took Katie’s hand and kissing it gazed into her blushing face and smiled. Then getting into his car, Michael drove away into the night leaving Katie speechless and staring after him. As he drove, Michael could not believe his luck. Not only was Katie an attractive woman whom he was sure was already falling for him, but as chance would have it, he had been given the perfect opportunity to ruin Robert’s life like the meddlesome prat had ruined his! This realization was simply riveting! Speeding along in the cool night air, Michael could not wait till he saw Katie on Friday, he was going to give Robert a show to remember!
How long she stood in the driveway, she did not know. But finally floating back down to earth she mounted the stairs towards the hall’s entrance. As she reached the front door, a voice came out of shadows.
“I trust you had a pleasant evening?”
Katie froze, as Robert, standing up from the chair in which he had been reclining, closed the space between them and now stood facing her, his expression pained.
“Am I to assume you shall be seeing Mr. Shannon again?” Robert spoke, his words cool and lifeless.
“Yes,” Katie stammered, “as a matter of fact, yes.” She saw Robert’s brow furrow and his face tense.
“Then, I merely hope you do not fall for his debonair facade.” He declared.
“Lord Clifton,” Katie spoke evenly, “If anyone has a debonair facade it is ya, or does the name Anna Pruitt mean nothing to ya?” And with those words as she glimpsed the storm building within his eyes, Katie charged into the house leaving Robert standing in the shadows.
Robert was furious with himself. Still standing on the front porch, he stalked back and forth along its length. He had practically thrown Katie into Michael Shannon’s waiting arms with his horrible “I forbid you” outburst, he thought frustrated. Now, Shannon had wormed his way into her mind. He was good at that Robert tutted disgustedly, and Anna Pruitt and lord knows how many others had paid the price. If anyone was truly worthy of Katie's revulsion it was Shannon, not he. Agitated and fatigued, Robert finally left the veranda and its darkness which was aiding his tormenting thoughts, seeking the solace of his chambers.
Chapter 26
In her room, Katie found sanctuary in her thoughts. Gazing out her window, she wrapped a shawl loosely over her shoulders. Her encounter with Ian at the bakery had been a less than desirable addition to her afternoon, but she’d had a lovely time with Michael Shannon. He was so charming and easy to talk to, unlike Lord Clifton, who having learned more about him from Mr. Shannon, continued to confound her and now appall her. Brushing her hair, she continued to stare out into the night. If only, she thought, life could be predictable. Setting her brush on her nightstand, she slipped on a pair of slippers and pulled her shawl tightly about her before quietly leaving her room.
Robert sat on the edge of his bed and pulled off his Oxfords. There was a certain feeling of satisfaction about releasing one’s feet from their prison, he thought. Pacing his room, his mind still could not get rid of the image of Katie getting out of the car with Michael Shannon, or that ridiculous love poem Shannon had sung. What was Shannon doing in Carlingford? The last time Robert had spoken to him, he had made sure Michael Shannon upheld his duty as a gentleman, even though it had not done much good. Yes, the name Anna Pruitt meant something to him, but he was pretty sure it now meant something entirely different to Katie. Still frustrated by his thoughts, Robert walked towards the window in his socks.
As he grasped the curtains, about to draw them shut, he stopped and stared at the stables. A light was shining forth from the barn’s ajar door. He had not left any lanterns lit; he’d made sure of that when he’d closed up the stables after supper, and he most certainly had not left the door open. The light did not seem to be growing, so it couldn’t be a roaring fire fed from hay, but still, uneasiness crept over him. He remembered the newspaper clipping about the British merchant ships catching on fire and killing several sailors. Although the authorities were still saying it was an accident, he and Captain Wesley both knew the ships had been sabotaged. A Carlingford gang bent on destroying British property, Robert thought, could very well be capable of starting a barn fire. Jamming his shoes back on his feet, he quickly left his room and grabbed a billiards stick on his way out the door. As he reached the stables, he saw that the door was indeed ajar. He knew for certain that he had padlocked the doors. Tightening his grip on his weapon, he slowly pushed the door open, but stepping inside suddenly froze. There, leaning over a stall was Katie, gently patting the muzzle of his horse!
Robert stood still, a silent spectator who had tread upon an image that must be a sin to disturb. Katie’s long red curls cascading over her shoulders and down her back radiated an angelic aura in the soft flicker of the lamp light that glowed from the floor. Standing in her long white night dress with her light yellow shawl slipping loosely off her shoulders, she looked like an enchanting goddess from Greek mythology, a goddess who at any moment might disappear if tranquility was broken.
Hesitating on whether to stay or quietly retreat, Robert was thrown from his thoughts when a pair of emerald green eyes turned and held his gaze. Beholding her face, he was relieved. He did not see pure and utter hatred. Perhaps Michael Shannon’s venham had not yet seduced her. Could there possibly still be a chance? Would it be too much to hope? He had to know, he had to be certain. Taking a step towards her, Robert felt his nervousness coursing through his veins. Katie had bestowed belief i
n him. She had not seen him as broken. She had hurt him...but her gaze was not full of hate. He had to be sure. He had to know if the slight waiver of hope he still held was worth keeping.
As Robert moved closer, they continued staring at one another neither one speaking, their silence saying everything their words would not allow. Stepping towards him Katie held Robert’s gaze. She felt her heart pulsating as she drew closer and wondered if he heard it racing. Inches from his face, she stared into his dark brown eyes and watched his lips slowly part. She must speak, tell him now all that Michael Shannon had confided before she lost her nerve.
Robert’s head bent towards her. No! He was a womanizing tramp! She could not allow herself to become yet another conquest. But his eyes, his eyes were full of hope, of affection. As Robert’s lips met hers, all thoughts of doubt and revulsion slipped away forgotten. Throwing her arms around his neck, Katie pressed her lips against his.
Feeling the warm breath of life rushing between their mouths Katie felt as though she were breathing in his soul. Robert’s arms pulled her closer, deepening their kiss. As her arms wrapped themselves tighter around his neck she felt Robert’s hands, soft and strong, hold her tighter. Nothing else in the world mattered, she knew now she had been wrong, but Lady Shelby… Lady Shelby was his fiancé….Michael Shannon...Anna Pruitt...she was not supposed to be in love with Robert! Katie abruptly pulled away from Robert’s embrace.
“This is wrong,” she murmured taking a step backwards, “First, ya left poor Anna Pruitt expect’in and alone even when Michael Shannon tried to make ya do right by marry’in her, and now Lady Shelby...no!” Katie rambled, “To think I let myself get caught up in the moment! Ya must leave Ireland! I must not see ya ever again!” In a swirl of red curls, Katie hastily ran out of the barn sobbing.
Running his hand through his hair, Robert stared at the barn door swinging on its hinges. Never before had a kiss left him so awake! He felt like he could do anything; that at this moment he could go to war again knowing he must never again turn his back on humanity so he could hold Katie once more in his arms. Katie, her vibrant eyes beckoning him to swim; to lose himself within their sparkling vivacity, had given him back the gift of life. Yet as suddenly as it had been given, he felt it slipping from his grasps with her wrongful judgments of him and her final parting words.
Chapter 27
Staring at the ceiling, Katie could not believe Lord Clifton had kissed her and that she had kissed him back. It must be a dream she thought, but touching her lips she knew it was true. What was she going to do? She had momentarily lost her senses and had kissed him! But was it really a lapse of judgement? She questioned. Had she not developed feelings for him no matter how hard she had tried not to? But he was a man she should detest...a cad who had left a pregnant woman so as to become engaged to another... the very thought of him should be repugnant! All she had gleaned of his character from Mr. Shannon and her own formed opinions clearly made him detestable...didn’t they? Lord Clifton was a vial man to be loathed… a pretentious employer... an arrogant Englishman who must not be in Ireland... a man her father would never approve...a man she was never supposed to fall in love with. She could not face him. Why must time move forward? If only, she prayed pulling the covers over her head, morning would never come. But morning did arrive, and slipping into the kitchen Katie knew it was inevitable to avoid Robert forever.
Circumstances, however, were in her favor, for as Katie arrived with breakfast on the veranda, she found to her amazement that only Charles and Emma were present. Well, she thought, it looks like I’m not the only one who is try’in to maintain avoidance. A throb of pain seared her heart. In their kiss she had not sensed the rouge Mr. Shannon had described, she had felt tenderness, longing, and quite possibly... love? She was so confused. If Robert was indeed some suave libertine, he would never love a penniless Irish girl who was employed as the cook in her own home, he would only pursue her as a mistress like Lady Shelby had suggested. She should not love him, for it would only bring her tragedy.
“Good morning Katie,” Captain Wesley spoke jovially. “I trust you had a good evening?
Did he know about the kiss? Katie thought, fumbling for words she stammered, “Ah, yes I didn’t mean…”
“Mr. Shannon must be a nice fellow then.” He replied with a wink.
“Oh...yes,” Katie breathed a sigh of relief, “yes, yes he is.” She then proceeded to set the table with breakfast.
While she was pouring tea and coffee, Mr. Dearing arrived holding the mornings post. “I have a letter addressed to Lady Shelby,” he spoke, then noticing she was not seated at the table, started to turn back towards the door.
“Allow me Mr. Dearing,” Emma offered extending her hand, “I can take it up to her room after breakfast. I have been meaning to check on her anyway.”
“Thank you, Miss Williamson,” Mr. Dearing replied handing Emma the envelop.
“Dearing,” Charles interjected. “You wouldn’t perchance have a letter for me?”
“No, I’m sorry Captain Wesley, but the letter for Lady Shelby was the only one that arrived.” The butler answered.
“Oh,” Charles replied somewhat disappointed. “Thank you Dearing.”
“Of course, Captain.” Dearing replied before excusing himself.
He had expected the Constabulary to reply to his letter by now. It was unlike them to not send a response, Charles thought uneasily. Had his letter not arrived? He would give them another day or two and then would go to them in person.
“Charles, is everything alright?” Emma inquired observing the strain in his features.
“Yes, yes of course.” Captain Wesley replied with a smile, “I sent a postcard to my sister a while ago, and I was just hoping she would write me back.” He lied, thankful to see that Emma had accepted his response.
“Oh, Katie,” Charles spoke changing the subject, “if it is not too much trouble, Lady Shelby requested her breakfast be brought to her in her room this morning.” He finished taking a sip of the coffee Katie had just poured him.
“Of course,” Katie smiled, “that will not be any trouble at all. I’m sorry ya two seem to be dine’in alone this morn’in,” she added.
Emma smiled at Captain Wesley, “I think I’m rather fond of the company that is presently here.”
Captain Wesley returned Emma’s smile then replied, “Katie, it doesn’t bother us in the least. We’ve got each other and this lovely view to look at,” he gestured towards the emerald hills and fields surrounding Kerney Hall, “and out of the four of us, I would say Miss Williamson and I are probably more of morning persons then the others.”
Katie nodded, then placed a bowl of oatmeal, fruit, and muffins with tea on a tray and walked upstairs to Lady Shelby’s room, her old room she thought with a sigh. As she walked, she dwelled on Lord Clifton’s absence. Although she had no idea what she would have said to him if he had been at breakfast, she could not help but feel wounded by his evasiveness. When she reached the door, Katie gave a soft knock and forced her thoughts away from Lord Clifton.
“Enter,” Lady Shelby sounded brightly as Katie pushed open the door.
“Oh, thank you for bringing up breakfast. I just could not let Robert see me looking such a mess this morning,” Lady Shelby grinned, her long blond tresses falling softly and perfectly curled at the ends along her white silk robe.
“I just did not know what to wear you see,” she sniffed. “Tell me, Katie, which dress do you think Robert would love best. This light yellow chiffon or this lace and satin frock from Paris?” She stared at Katie beadily waiting for a response.
Katie felt her heart flutter at Robert’s name, but she quickly suppressed it. “The yellow chiffon dress is very lovely,” she uttered.
“It is rather lovely isn’t it? Robert and I are going to be so happy when we get back to England. We are going to be leaving soon, did you know that?” Lady Shelby looked at Katie then smirked snobbishly. “Well of course
not,” she continued, “it is not as if Robert would have an intimate friendship with his cook. He is afterall a nobleman born and bred with a certain decorum. On second thought,” Lady Shelby glowed looking at herself in the mirror and tossing the yellow chiffon dress on the floor, “I’m not really hungry. You can take the breakfast away. I have to keep up my figure for my wedding gown, you understand.”
Although Lady Shelby smiled, Katie saw the glint in her eyes. Her requested presence had not been merely to bring up Lady Shelby’s breakfast Katie understood, Lady Shelby had had a much different reason in mind. Taking the tray, Katie quietly excused herself, and once outside in the hallway allowed her shoulders to shake with frustration as sad and angry tears burned her cheeks. Robert was not man enough to face her, so he had let Lady Shelby command the attack she fumed. He really was nothing but an arrogant aristocrat, and the portrait of the man Michael Shannon had painted. Traipsing down the stairs her anger and disgust blinding her, Katie nearly knocked into Miss Williamson.
“Breakfast is simply delicious,” Emma spoke cheerfully as if Katie’s near collision had not been evident.
Katie looked up, still holding the try with Lady Shelby’s untouched meal. “I’m sorry, I wasn't look’in where I was go’in.” Katie murmured.
“Not to worry,” Emma remarked, “I was on my way to ask if you had any more of those delicious muffins and thought I would drop this letter off to Jocelyn if you were still bringing her breakfast.” Emma eyed the laden try. “I guess she doesn’t know what she is missing. Well, if you would be so kind to place an extra muffin at my spot, I shall enjoy it when I return.”
“Of course,” Katie smiled, “I’ll leave ya as many muffins as ya like.”
“Thank you,” Emma beamed, then continued on her way.
Jocelyn was sitting on her bed when Emma knocked on the door and entered her room.
“Why ever are you up here sulking?” Emma inquired. “You are missing a perfectly delightful breakfast with myself and Captain Wesley.”
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