by Jerri Hines
Sitting beside Lyttleton, she clung to the hope of seeing Jake alone as Reggie had promised. If he left before she saw him again, she would die!
“Father would like for you to come for a visit to Hestershire estate. It was your father’s home,” Lyttleton stated, forcing Cathryn into a conversation.
“I would like to see the home of my father,” she answered truthfully. “To be honest, he has never talked much about his home.”
“It may well have been the fall out between his father and himself before he left for his assignment. I don’t know if he would have been welcome when Grandfather was alive,” Lyttleton said matter of factly, as if her father had committed a crime instead of serving his country.
“Pardon me, Lord Lyttleton,” Cathryn placed her fork down and faced him. “But I have detected a certain undertone. How can I say this correctly because I certainly don’t want to seem ignorant? Honesty is best, is it not? A certain hostility, perhaps toward me. If it is such an unpleasant task to entertain me, pray why try? I can assure you, I won’t take offense.”
Reggie, who sat upon her left side, almost choked upon the piece of meat he had in his mouth. He grabbed his wine and took a large gulp. His eyes fixed upon Lyttleton, who had turned a shade of deep red. Across from Cathryn sat Jake’s friend, Lord Tinsley, who burst into laughter, but turned his head quickly away toward his lady companion, who had a confused look upon her face.
Suddenly, Cathryn lost her appetite. She had endured this snob long enough. How dare he insult her father! She didn’t care who he was but when she turned to Reggie, she saw what a dreadful mistake she had made for he could barely contain his laughter. She hadn’t meant for anyone to hear her.
For the rest of the dinner, Cathryn made small talk with Reggie. She refused to give Lyttleton another look. From the corner of her eye, she could see her grandmother. Quite a disapproving look descended down upon her. She wanted to shout it wasn’t her fault. He had no manners and had insulted her.
Relief flooded her when dinner was finished, until Lyttleton placed his hand upon hers. Startled, she tried to jerk it away, but he didn’t let go.
“Why don’t we take a few moments to talk?” he asked. “I believe we haven’t got off to a good start. Come with me. It should be for our ears only.”
His boldness astonished her. She hesitated, but realized he wasn’t giving her no other option. He led her quietly down the corridor. He paused at the library. Opening the door, he pulled her through and promptly shut the door.
“Is this proper, Cousin?” she snapped angrily. “I’m not certain Grandmamma would approve.”
“She will probably be in here in a moment, if you give her time. Your behavior has to stop immediately.”
“Is that all? Fine.”
She started back toward the door. He grabbed her arm and abruptly wheeled her around to face him.
“You don’t listen well, do you?”
“I find you totally offensive. How dare you tell me it is my behavior! You have totally been rude and detestable toward me. Am I not visiting? Is this how you treat guests? If it is, I would happily return to my home...”
“Keep your voice down. Have you no manners at all?” He slung her arm down, releasing her. She made a move toward the door. “Go ahead and provide more talk. Your Grandmamma won’t be happy. Do you want to know why? Obviously no one has told you.”
“Told me what?” Cathryn demanded. Her eyes glared at the man who stood smug in his spot.
“It has all been arranged. Your father sent you here to marry. You should have been informed. We are to be married.”
“No, you’re lying. My father wouldn’t do that to me. He sent me away only because of the turmoil in the colonies. He was worried about me. I promised him only a year and then he promised I can return,” she cried vehemently. “And I can assure you I would never marry you.”
“Obviously, we are at different opinions here.” He paused, as if considering his words. He walked in front of her. “This has been a most unfortunate beginning. You are correct. I will have to make amends for not calling upon you when you first arrived in London. I apologize for my behavior. You must understand my position. I require a wife of good breeding. To have you thrust upon me...a woman from the colonies. I will admit reluctance until I saw you tonight. I believe our arrangement will be acceptable.”
Cathryn listened in disbelief. She felt as if she couldn’t breathe. The excitement of the night had faded to a feeling of dread at the pit of her stomach.
“I want to go back, now. Please,” Cathryn whispered.
Lyttleton blocked her departure. “Let’s make a small pact for tonight. I will behave as a gentleman. You will act as if you are at least enjoying my company. Then we will work everything else out in the morning.”
She stared at him. He had just told her they were to marry. Did he find it as offensive as she did? Did he mean they would straighten everything out...that they would get over this ridiculous notion?
He took her hand and brought it to his lips. “You are a quite attractive woman, Cathryn. I should have told you when I met you. Come, let us begin again. May I have the next dance?”
She agreed. She would have agreed to anything to get out of the room. He made her nervous. She wanted nothing more than to distance herself from him, but was forced to dance once more.
For a time, he imposed himself by her side while she stood by Grandmamma. No one dared asked her to dance. Cathryn had the distinct feeling Lyttleton was making a statement. Never had she been more grateful to Lord Hestershire as when he asked her to dance.
“You will have to forgive Edmund, my dear. He can be such a prude at times, but I can see you will bring the best out in him.”
She said nothing. What could she say? She felt trapped like an animal. She pulled back on the next step.
“I’m so sorry, Lord Hestershire, but I feel ever so faint. I believe I must sit.”
“But of course, my dear.” Lord Hestershire found her a chair. “I will retrieve you a refreshment.”
Cathryn watched Lord Hestershire disappear into the crowd of dancers. She found herself quite homesick. She was miserable. The night hadn’t gone as planned...
Suddenly, a hand swooped down and grasped hold of her elbow, surging her upward on her feet. For a brief moment, she feared it was Lord Lyttleton, but her racing heart eased upon the sound of the voice. Reggie!
“Don’t say a word, but come with me. I can cover for you only for a few minutes. Don’t tarry.”
Her skirts rustled as she briskly walked beside Reggie through the French doors out on the veranda. She halted only on the sight before her. Jake stood alone in the corner. Her eyes lit on him. Nothing else mattered around her. She didn’t notice Reggie withdrawing. She had eyes only for Jake, smiling...waiting in the shadows.
“It’s about time.”
He took her hand firmly in his. She followed him down the steps into the garden. He led her along the meandering path until they found a bench behind a thick boxwood. Away from prying eyes, he handed her down so she would sit. He joined her.
Fingers touched her chin and guided her face to his. Warmth spread throughout her body, an unmistakable sensation of how his presence affected her. She wanted nothing more than to stay like this forever.
“Oh, Jake, please take me away,” she pleaded.
“What is wrong, Cathryn? Your grandparents?”
“No, it’s just I can’t stay in this house. Oh, Jake, I have missed you. Why can you not take me away?”
“You know the answer, Cathryn.”
He leaned down ever so slowly. His lips touched hers. She kissed softly, but he encouraged her to open up to him, coaxing her to respond in the same manner. Her breath caught while his tongue touched her lips, sliding deep into the cavity of her mouth. The kiss deepened, more intense...more intimate.
His embrace took her to a place she had never been, floating in a world of shocking cravings. She was lost in his arms
. Every part of her body awakened with desire...provoking a yearning for something more.
He broke from her lips. “I can’t do this anymore, Cathryn. I can’t hide my feelings when I’m around you.”
“Why then hide anything? I don’t care about what anyone thinks. I know what I feel, Jake. I’m miserable without you and have only survived this month with the thought of seeing you again. I don’t belong here, Jake. They haven’t paid attention to Father’s instructions. Why that detestable man just only informed me that he thinks we are to be married! I would never! They can’t make me marry that man.”
“Marry? I thought you said.... Is something arranged, Cathryn?”
“Not by me or Father,” Cathryn said, startled by his reaction. “He just told me. I have no knowledge of such an arrangement. I don’t believe him.”
“You are talking of Lyttleton.”
Cathryn could not find her voice, but her silence answered his question. Grimacing, he stood. Immediately, she rose and reached for him.
“What is wrong, Jake?”
His severity lessened as his dark eyes gazed into hers. But she saw something was wrong...ever so wrong.
“Jake?”
There was no reply for a voice echoed throughout the garden that sent a shiver down her spine. Reggie’s voice resounded, “No, I haven’t seen her, Lyttleton. Are you certain she came this way?”
Jake seized hold of Cathryn’s hand and led her through a path toward a different entrance. Before he let go, he whirled her around into his arms. He uttered in soft voice, “I have to go, Cathryn. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t do this to me again, Jake. Don’t leave me. I need you so...I love you. Don’t you know I won’t stop loving you even if you leave me? I can tell you think you are trying to be noble...there is no need. I will never be happy without you. What more can matter?”
“You are so innocent to the world, Cathryn,” he said, pulling her into an embrace. He kissed her again, a different kind of kiss. His own frustration expressed with the sensuality and longing of that kiss.
He needed not to say the words. Tears welled in her eyes for she felt his pain...hers.
“Please, don’t leave me, Jake,” she whispered as their lips parted.
“I do love you, Cathryn.”
It was the last words he uttered, leaving her desolate in the garden.
Chapter 5
Cathryn slept little. Every time she closed her eyes she saw Jake telling he loved her in a way which led only to one conclusion—he had told her goodbye. It couldn’t be, she cried to herself. He couldn’t love her and leave her to that dreadful man!
If anyone thought her father would make her marry such an insolent man, they didn’t know her father. Nor would Jake desert her. No, no...she would work through everything. She needed only a plan.
Her father only wanted her happiness. He would never have sent her over to her grandparents to marry without telling her. Sumner would have told her. They would have never deceived her so, but why would her mother’s family?
Arrogance that they knew what was better for her? But had they not her father’s instructions? The longer she thought upon it, the greater her confidence grew with her assertion about her father. She needed desperately to talk to him.
She bolted up. Yes...that was what she needed. She would write to him. Slipping out of her bed, she walked over to her writing table. Tying her wrapper about her, she sat down to begin her letter when her door creaked open.
Tacy entered. “Oh, Miss Cathryn, I expected to find you sleeping with coming upstairs in the wee hours of the morning,”
“Tacy, do not tease me; I’m certain you have heard the rumblings about the dance.”
“Miss Cathryn, I knew something was amiss when you came into your room last night. What have you gone and done now?”
Cathryn wasn’t surprised. She had never been able to hide anything from her maid. She shook her head. “Don’t lecture me. I was told I’m to marry some cold-hearted soul. Oh, Tacy! That man...that man told me Father arranged it! Father could have never!”
Tacy gave her a look, one that Cathryn knew well meant Tacy knew more than she had said.
“Tacy, don’t tell me that Father agreed to this.”
“Well...” Tacy hesitated. “I do believe that something has been in the air that hasn’t been right. I haven’t told you the rumors ’cause I know how you get...you being in love with your lieutenant.”
“Father would never...”
“No, Miss Cathryn, I don’t think your father would have done this to you, but your mother may have. You know maybe she wanted you to come back here where she grew up to marry. She may have laid the groundwork without your father’s knowledge. Just my thoughts, Miss.”
“Oh, Tacy, that has to be it! Now all I have to do is write my father. He will tell them or I’ll go home. I don’t care, Tacy. You should have seen see the insufferable man. Intolerable! Conceited! Do you know the first thing he did? Oh, Tacy, he insulted Father!”
“And he expects you to marry him after such words! There’s no better man than your father. Well, Miss, I can’t say I wouldn’t feel the same, but are you sure it doesn’t have to do with your lieutenant?”
Cathryn’s face fell. “Tacy, Jake told me goodbye last night. When I mentioned that man said we were to marry, he withdrew from me. He loves me, I know, Tacy, and he left me.”
“That means something is up. Don’t like it. No, not at all. It’s the British way, Miss. Your lieutenant, now he’s like your father, a gentleman, but it could be his undoing.”
“Why, Tacy?”
“I’m not sure if it’s my place to tell you these things, Miss, but seeing who you have around you, I guess I’m all you got... It’s those unwritten rules that they live by. If one is honor bound to another, a gentleman would overstep his boundaries if he courted her. Not that much different than where you’re from, Miss.”
“But I’m not spoken for by this Lord Lyttleton and have no intention of being either!” Cathryn cried. Irritation took hold. She looked down at her pen and paper. “I will finish my letter to Father. He won’t let them force me into a marriage I do not want.”
“Now, that they can’t do. Not with you and your father,” Tacy agreed. “I have no doubt you will hold your ground, but Miss, beware, you’ll tread on toes and you’ll not make too many people happy, I’m certain.”
“Matters have taken an unfortunate turn, but I will not be pressured.”
“I have faith you will not.” A pursing smile tightened on Tacy’s face. “You need now to ready yourself. Your grandfather sent me up to request your presence. You have been summoned.”
* * * *
In the hall, Cathryn paused outside her grandfather’s study and heard a strong, authoritative voice. Lyttleton! She would have liked to have returned to her room, but Grandmamma walked up behind her.
“Good morning, Cathryn. I trust you slept well,” Grandmamma said as the footman opened the door allowing them entrance.
Cathryn did not answer, but followed Grandmamma into the room. All her instincts went on alert. Not only was Lyttleton within the room, but his father, Lord Hestershire, alongside her grandfather. Obviously, she was about to be bombarded from all sides.
“Cathryn, perhaps we should have had an understanding before the ball, but that does not excuse your behavior,” Grandmamma said as soon as they were settled.
“I’m confused, Grandmamma. My father...my father sent instructions. Father said he did... Father has never even mentioned his family. He would never arrange a marriage without telling me...never.”
“It does not excuse your behavior, Cathryn,” Grandmamma pressed the matter further. “Your grandfather has long wanted to explain the arrangement. I choose not to inform you. I have found young ladies enjoy the thrill of courtship. I wanted you to have that as well.”
“Grandmamma, my father asked me to come to visit for this was my mother’s home. I have immensely enjoyed your ho
spitality, but I don’t even know if I’m staying in England.”
“My dear, your father wouldn’t have sent you across the ocean without the intention of you marrying,” her grandmother insisted. “Your mother expressed it was her wish when you were young. I will respect your mother’s wish as I expect you to do as well.”
“I cannot imagine that my mother would want me to be pressed into a marriage I do not want.”
“It is because you don’t understand the way it is, my dear. Life changes so at your age. It has been our experience it is better if all is arranged. You will see,” her grandmother responded as if she wasn’t listening to Cathryn. “You will find yourself content as your mother, my dear. What more could you ask for? Lord Lyttleton is the catch of the Season. Many would gladly change places with you being wooed by the handsome heir to an Earldom.”
Cathryn turned upon the utterance and glanced over at Lyttleton. He was dressed immaculately with his perfectly powdered wig, crisp waistcoat and flawlessly tied cravat. He stared at her with a haughtiness that exasperated her. He looked as if it was the most natural thing that he was such a good catch that she would be a fool to think otherwise.
She couldn’t take any more of the conceited oaf. She lashed back.
“I may be young, but I know that love is essential for me in a marriage. If you think I would ever marry someone like him,” she pointed her finger at Lyttleton in a frantic manner. She stuttered over the frustration driven words, “Do you know...do you know that he treated me...in the most horrid fashion! He...he insulted my intelligence...and my father!”
“Cathryn!” Her grandmother stood. “We don’t talk in that manner.”
“Forgive me, but...”
“Miss Blankenship,” Lyttleton rose and spoke directly to Cathryn, “it is I who will apologize once more. I was under the mistaken impression that I was to be handed over a country simpleton. Obviously, that isn’t the case. I can quite understand your reluctance with the way the situation was handled. As I stated last night, I would like to make amends. Would you care to join me for a carriage ride this afternoon?”