by Jerri Hines
Immediately, Cathryn searched her pocket and pulled out a letter. “I am quite aware that my father requested my half-brother to be my legal guardian, Mr. Sumner Meador. I have here the letter. I’m certain he would have also made that clear to you so that it was legal. I have no intention of going back to my grandparents. My family seems to be concerned more with my money than my own welfare.”
“Your grandfather has requested also a substantial amount of money to withdraw on your behalf. I was waiting until your health improved before I mentioned it. I believe papers could be filed to appeal your brother’s guardianship, especially with the war commencing over in the Colonies. Although you are correct, I have heard from Mr. Meador. He sent me authorization to give to you what you request. He seems to want you to return.”
“I understand quite clearly. I want you to handle the situation with my grandparents if it arises. I do not want my guardianship changed. I will write to my brother. I’m uncertain what I’m doing at the moment. It is why I want to understand my situation instead of being told,” Cathryn said. She pressed her lips together in a manner she did when she was in deep thought. “Now for my immediate wish. I have another issue I want you to handle. I want you to start eviction upon my cousins from Hestershire. I don’t care what it takes. I want them out.”
“Miss Blankenship, his lordship has only...”
“It is not my concern. He willingly helped his son kidnap me. I’m certain my brother will have no objections. Write him if you choose, but I want those people out.”
“Yes, Miss Blankenship. I will begin the process if it is your wish.”
“Thank you,” she answered. “As for my grandfather’s request for any of my money, do not give out one pence to anyone. Is that clear? The only one who can have anything he wants is my brother, Sumner Meador. Will there be a problem?”
“No, Miss Blankenship, I believe you have made your wishes clear. I will be back in touch with you shortly.”
“Thank you, sir.”
Cathryn stood at the window and watched Mr. Hamilton ride away in his carriage.
“Were you going to tell me you had called for the solicitor?”
“Jake, I didn’t hear you come in,” Cathryn said as she turned from the window. “It is nothing. I wanted to know what I had for an inheritance. That is all. If I’m to be exiled from society, then I will do so in comfort, I am told.”
“What are you up to, Cathryn? Why would you say such?”
“Why? Because you tell me nothing. Since the incident has happened, you don’t talk with me. I have become merely one of your duties. You don’t want me to testify for Mary because you are worried about my reputation. She saved me! I would be dead, reputation or not. How could you ask me such?”
“I’m trying to work around it so you don’t have to testify. You may well have to if I am not successful. I wouldn’t let the poor child suffer for saving you, especially when it should have been me to have protected you,” he said. He walked away from Cathryn.
“Is that what is wrong with you, Jake? Is that why you can’t stand to be in the same room with me?”
For a moment, he made no movement. Then he turned back to her. “Do I feel guilty? Is that what you want me to say, Cathryn? Yes! I feel damn guilty! I thought I had lost you and I had only myself to blame. I should have known. Philip suspected. I refused to believe that Lyttleton was that devious. I waited and look what happened.”
“But I’m safe now, Jake. Why are you pushing me away? Do not tell me you’re not. You haven’t once said one tender word toward me. Do you know how I yearn to hear such from you? Don’t you love me anymore?”
The words hung in the air. She grabbed his hand. “You don’t love me?” she whispered.
“Yes, Cathryn, I love you. I will always love you,” he uttered. “I have made arrangement to marry you as soon as you are well enough. Sooner if need be. Is that not what you want?”
“Since I met you, Jake, I have thought of nothing else but being your wife,” she said, trying desperately to collect her thoughts. She paused...the words he uttered. “Why did you say sooner if need be?”
“It is simple, Cathryn. If there were any consequences, I will honor you. I won’t let...”
“Consequences? You think?” She stepped back away from him. “Leave. Leave me, now.”
“What? Why? I have told you I will stand by you.”
“You don’t understand, do you? I don’t want your damn pity, Jake. Not from you!” she cried. “So this has been the reason for your distance. You can’t even look at me because you think he had me. What if he had? Would you never touch me? Could you not look at me without seeing him? Look at me, Jake. Kiss me. Tell me that you love me and mean it.”
“You’re talking nonsense. You aren’t well. We’ll talk of this later,” he said, turning away.
“No, Jake. Do you want to know why he whipped me so? Why he was driven to hurt me so badly? I told him we had been together. He saw us that night in the garden. He warned me if you ever touch me again that he would make me sorry. But I was so mad that he had kept me from you and was trying to keep us apart forever. I told him we had been together, Jake. It was what brought on his attack upon me.”
He stared at her, not fully comprehending what she was saying. She shook her head. “You don’t understand. You’re no better than he. He couldn’t stand the thought of me with you that he would have beaten the thought out of me. You would kill me with the pity you hold within your eyes.”
She wanted nothing more than for him to deny her words, to run over to her, take her in his arms, tell her he loved her like no other; nothing else mattered except they loved each other. But he stood still within the door way.
“Go, Jake, but don’t worry about coming back. I’m not your concern anymore. It is over. But know he never touched me in the way you imagined, just as you will never.”
She turned her back to him, dying inside, praying he wouldn’t leave, but she heard the door shut. She fell upon the floor.
Chapter 9
Cathryn’s world collapsed around her, but she refused to falter for anyone else to see. Every time the door opened, a horse rode up, she hoped Jake had returned, but she heard nothing. Her Grace had not pressed her on the issue and Cathryn didn’t offer any information.
Philip tried to console her and she found comfort in his presence, but he had his own wedding to attend to and left shortly after Jake. The Duchess had set to return to London also.
“I hate to leave you like this. I had hoped you would attend the wedding,” the Duchess said, preparing to leave.
The words were kind, but Cathryn understood well she couldn’t attend.
“I’m fine, Your Grace. As I stated before, I don’t know what I would have done if not for your compassion. I need to make plans to leave. My brother wishes me to go back to Charles Town. I believe it will be for the best. I want to depart as soon as Mary is able to leave.” Cathryn hugged the Duchess. “If it is much longer, I realize I must leave here also. It’s not like I don’t have the means to do so, but I will never forget your kindness.”
“Don’t do anything without telling me, my child.” The Duchess squeezed her hand. “You know well I’ve become attached to you. I believe I see myself in you. I had so wished you and Jake...” She stopped.
“I will be fine. I need to return home. It is where I belong. I need only to take care of my issues, but I will write. I promise you.”
The house became lonely after their departure. Cathryn took long walks, but only with Mary or Tacy beside her. Her nerves wouldn’t allow another option. The attack had affected her more than she would ever admit.
Moreover, she worried. Summer would soon come to an end. Mary’s issue had yet to be settled. If it did not soon, she would be staying within England for the winter.
The thought disturbed her, for she would have to make a move. For the life of her, she hadn’t a clue where she could go. She had never felt so alone.
&
nbsp; She shielded Mary from her concerns, attempting to seem so confident of their future. The child already had too much on her mind.
There again, Cathryn hoped to hear soon about her request to evict her cousins. It had been her hope to save Mary a trial...then her answer came.
An unexpected visitor arrived less than a week after the Duchess’ departure. Cathryn had been embroidering within the drawing room when she heard an arrival. He was not announced by a footman. Instead, he simply appeared in the drawing room.
Cathryn looked up to find a tall, distinguished older gentleman storm into the room, a rather large man with wide-set eyes, dressed in a dark waist coat with a fine ruffled shirt and trousers smartly strapped. She immediately stood; without thought she knew instinctively who stood before her: His Grace, the Duke of Eversleigh, Philip’s father.
“Miss Blankenship?” he said in a voice that resounded throughout the room. “It is you, I presume.”
“Yes, Your Grace,” she responded. She found her legs quivering on her curtsey for no other reason than his loud manner.
He studied her for a moment. She eyed him in return, not liking his conduct. “Is there something I can help you with?” she asked, unsure of his purpose. “Do you want the room? I can retire. I don’t want to be a bother.”
“It is too late for that,” he answered her. “No, sit down. It is you that I have ridden all day to see. You must know I haven’t been happy with the way my wife and son have taken to you, especially with all that has hung about you.”
“I’m sorry to hear that, Your Grace,” she answered. “But if you have ridden all this way to tell me that, I find I must retire for I won’t abide such talk. I have done nothing to be ashamed of during my time here.”
“Oh, is that how you played my family? Do you suppose I am as naïve as they are? Is that what you expected? Fawning vulnerability, playing upon their sympathies. It won’t work with me. I can assure you,” he barked.
“You know, Your Grace, I find this conversation offensive and won’t sit for this.” She writhed at his words. She made her way toward the door. He reached for her arm and swung her around. She caught her breath as he did so. Immediately, fear sparked from her eyes. Trembling so, he released her.
“Pardon me, I didn’t mean to frighten you, but there is a matter I have to discuss with you,” he said, retreating a step.
“Please be brief,” she said slowly, trying desperately to compose herself.
“It has to do with Hestershire. You are evicting your cousin and his invalid wife? What manner of human being are you? They have just lost their only child...their son.” His voice rose loud and was so intense that it would have most men shaking in their boots. “Here you have been given my family’s hospitality and you have no sympathy for your own cousins?”
Hot with sudden rage, she stared at him. How dare he utter such scathing remarks! Cutting words rushed to her lips.
“You dare question me! Their son kidnapped me and tried to kill me. He almost succeeded. Would that have satisfied you? They helped him, you know. Save your pity for them. I have none. Lord Hestershire has taken no responsibility of his own. Blaming the person, a mere child who saved me, for his son’s actions! Mary could be arrested and stand trial for his son’s murder! Murder? Had it been me, what would have happened to him? Would you like to see the scars upon my back? Now, Your Grace, tell me what kind of person am I?”
His temper flared. Without question, Cathryn was certain few people stood their ground before him. He swung around and walked back over to her in an intimidating fashion.
“Who are you?” he flared. “You entrapped their son, trying to get him to marry you. Did he not find you satisfying?”
Appalled, she drew back away from him. “You are a sick man. Don’t worry, I’ll leave tonight. Have your house.”
For a brief moment, he said nothing. Taking a deep breath in, he began, “I’m sorry. I should have never said the words I uttered. It was inexcusable. I don’t want you to leave. My wife would never forgive me. It is just I have known Henry a long time. I had hopes of working something out.”
“Is this the manner you work an issue out, Your Grace?” she said, regaining a semblance of composure. “I am so tired of being accused of misconduct when I don’t feel I’ve done anything to warrant their accusations. I can forgive, for it is told it is better to forgive, but don’t ever think I will ever forget the words I heard.”
“No, I don’t suppose you would. I wouldn’t.”
“Was that the reason given to justify Lord Lyttleton’s actions? You realize that I had no reason to want to marry him. I have sufficient money and care not for titles. I can assure you I’m returning to my home, but I will have my will carried out. I want my cousins out. I need not explain my actions to you or to anyone. I might add also I do not need or ask for your permission.”
He shook his head ominously and scowled. “I don’t think you did this by chance. You seem intelligent for a woman.”
She looked into his smooth readable face with indignation. “This I will tell you, if by chance all the allegations were dropped and there were no charges upon Mary...let me make myself well understood that Mary is freed and cleared of any misdoings, I might...I just might find it in my heart to allow them to continue to stay upon the estate until their deaths, given only if they pay Reggie what Lyttleton promised him. They will understand. That is my offer. I will accept nothing less. Now, excuse me.”
Cathryn didn’t wait for an answer. She walked out and hurried up the stairs. She did not stop until she was within her room.
She fell back against her door and rubbed her weary eyes. So everyone thought she had given herself to Lord Lyttleton willingly. Her reputation was in shreds. She hoped her cousins accepted her offer. She wanted only to be able to go home.
* * * *
The days passed slowly. Cathryn waited for news while she began plans to return to Charles Town. She had inquired to Mr. Hamilton for help in learning the best means in which to travel back to the colonies. He in turn sent back his concerns since the turmoil had escalated, but would look into the matter. Word had arrived of another battle in Boston. With everything that had happened to her, she had lost touch with the news concerning the Colonies.
Word that the Americans had driven the British out of Boston with the Battle of Bunker Hill had taken Cathryn by surprise. Not the desire of the Americans, but unorganized groups of men could do such to the world’s strongest army was unthinkable to Cathryn.
She thought of how proud her father was to serve his country. The memories of her father flooded back. Her father had felt the tension surrounding them. Had he been threatened before she left? Had someone threatened her? He had been so certain she would be safer within England. Safe? She wondered if she would ever feel safe again.
The Americans had formed their own army with their commander, General George Washington. She had heard the conflict wouldn’t last long. How long could a rag-tag army compete with an army such as theirs? She thought of Jake and wondered if he would be deployed once more. Her heart broken; her spirit tried. She missed him terribly, but in her heart she had known he wasn’t coming back.
She had known it before the words were spoken. He was a proud man who would martyr himself for her, but she didn’t want a martyr. She wanted him to love her no matter what had happened...not as an obligation. She couldn’t accept anything less from him.
She had lost him. She had seen it in his eyes. Perhaps, he would oversee her from a distance from the shadows, but she would never see him again. Reggie’s words haunted her that they had been doomed from the start.
The seasons changed. The leaves turned color. Beauty ascended upon the country side in which Cathryn enjoyed her walks. Mary talked during this time of her home life and memories of her mother. Mary didn’t talk of the time after her mother died, but Mary had strength within her that she lacked. Cathryn swore that Mary would never be sent to prison, or God forbid, worse, but s
he worried. She needed a plan if they made Mary go to trial.
If her plan failed to alleviate the situation, she would have to take the matter into her own hands. She would have to sneak Mary out of the country. She owed Mary her life. She would take whatever steps necessary to insure Mary’s freedom.
Less than a week from Philip’s wedding, Cathryn returned from another one of her walks. A long walk it had been for she had been lost in the wonderment of another beautiful autumn day. Her thoughts turned to Philip and his mother. She hoped Philip’s day would be as this day. It would be a grand affair, she was certain.
She found herself a tad envious. To be marrying someone you loved and loved you back. She pushed the thoughts out of her head, not that Philip had talked much of Anne. He had always managed to change the subject, other than his father had been pleased with his choice, which Cathryn took as a high accomplishment, especially after having met his father.
“I have been thinking, Mary. Do you not think we should look for a place of our own?” Cathryn said, walking along the path back to the manor. “I can’t see us leaving before the winter sets in. Perhaps we should look for something for the three of us. Something small.”
Suddenly, she paused, walking up the steps of the veranda. She caught sight of a figure of a man through the window. She stared, frozen onto her spot. Then he turned. Relief flooded her. It was Philip!
Abruptly, he leaned against the side of the couch. His face grimaced as if a surge of pain swept through him. Without hesitation, Cathryn rushed through the door.
“Philip, is something wrong?” she asked. Her hand went to his forehead. He felt a little warm. “Sit. Mary, go and get his lordship a drink. Go now. Philip, sit down. What on earth are you doing here?”
He glanced up at Cathryn with a charming smile upon his face. He took her hand and held it against his chest. “Oh! To have come home to be cared for thus! What more could a man asked for?”