by Jerri Hines
“I’m trying to make amends.”
“By trying to buy my children? You understand nothing, Your Grace.” She lowered her gaze, holding her stomach once again. “Jake asked me to trust you. I can’t. I’m sorry.”
“Give me the chance to change your mind. I’m asking only at the moment that you and the children stay within our home until Jake returns and we can work out an arrangement that is agreeable to us both. I, of course, will handle the business with courts. You are the mother of my heir.”
Her head ached. “I don’t have the strength to argue with you about it at the moment. I will agree the children seem content. I see no good of upheaving their lives once more when my future is uncertain.”
“Good. It is settled.”
She stared at him. He looked well-pleased with himself, as though he had gotten his way, which in fact he had.
Chapter 10
“We are to depart for London in two days. I’m not certain if all of your wardrobe will be complete, but we should have enough to suffice.” The duchess smiled, shuffling through the dresses that had only moments ago arrived.
Shortly after her conversation with the Duke of Eversleigh the seamstress arrived, giving Cathryn no other option than to once again become presentable to society.
Cathryn stared at her reflection in the full-length mirror. The duchess straightened a ruffle. Cathryn had to admit she felt more confident the last few days.
His Grace assured her there was nothing to worry about concerning the legal issues she faced. She needed only to present herself in a favorable light to the ton.
Her impending case was set to be heard within the month. The duke wanted to make certain that Cathryn was once more accepted within the social circles of London.
“The color compliments you. The style and cut will hide your condition,” the duchess continued, “Everything is working out so splendidly as I knew it would. Moreover, I heard from Martha and she’s agreed to meet us in London. You will be surrounded by all who love you, my dear.”
“She doesn’t even know me.”
“Ah, but she loves her son who loves you dearly.”
Cathryn looked up to see Lucy run into her room. “Oh, Momma, you look bootiful! Do I get one?”
“A dress such as your mother’s, my little one, will have to wait until you are a little older.” The duchess laughed.
“Then I’ll ask Grandpapa!” she declared. Cathryn exchanged knowing looks with the duchess. Her daughter had well figured out where to go to get her way.
“Are the young ones coming to London, also?” Tacy asked, walking into the room with a tea tray.
“I believe the arrangements have been made to take them with us,” Cathryn said, stepping down off the pedestal.
“All is in readiness,” the duchess assured Cathryn. “Fanny has prepared the children’s belongings.”
At the mention of Fanny’s name, Tacy made a face that did not escape Cathryn’s notice. But Tacy needed not to say a word. She had already done so to her mistress earlier. “Don’t like her, Miss Cathryn. Don’t like her one bit. Now that little one you brought with you, Bonnie. Now, the children love her.”
Cathryn’s eyes gleamed at Lucy who sat in awe of the seamstress with her bows and ribbons. The duchess reached down and tied a stray ribbon in Lucy’s hair. The little girl squealed with glee and admired herself in the mirror.
Smiling broadly at her daughter, Cathryn glanced over at Tacy. She couldn’t disagree with her maid. There was something about Fanny she didn’t like either, but His Grace had secured only the most highly recommended of nannies for his grandchildren.
Picking up her cup of tea, a glitter from the sunlight caught her eye—her ring. The ring that Philip had given her was back upon her finger. Cathryn wasn’t certain Jake would be pleased she was wearing it as their wedding ring, but His Grace had expressed it a necessity.
Though, she was certain one bit of news would excite him. According to the doctor, their baby was due in November. She had wanted to wait until Jake’s return to tell him of her happy news, but she had not the patience. She had written him in her last letter.
She wrote not of her apprehension about his safety or that she missed him beyond comprehension. She told him of the hospitality of His Grace and how the children had grown. Most important, she expressed her love for him and wouldn’t be complete until he returned to her.
* * * *
The music carried throughout the ballroom. Cathryn had no desire to be there. It was the third ball in the last week. Moreover, her grandparents were in attendance. She realized it was inevitable that their paths would cross, but she had not comprehended the depth of the wound they had inflicted upon her until this moment.
There had been no effort for a reunion. The duke saw no need to reconcile with her family and made no attempt to hide his contempt of her grandparents.
The duchess was as Cathryn remembered. Flocks of admirers surrounded her every move, evident of the affection Society held for Her Grace. Cathryn found them suffocating.
She was tired of smiling and reciting her adventures in the colonies. She had been sought out by numerous mothers and wives of soldiers seeking any information with connection to their one loves.
She caught sight of Lieutenant Colonel Campbell. He seemed to be getting well deserved praise for his actions across the ocean. There had been few actions that had received such admiration.
The war hadn’t gone the way the King had proclaimed it would. The colonies had not buckled under the force of the British army. Since the Battle of Saratoga, the British public had questioned the wisdom of the war. Having the best army in the world defeated soundly upon a battlefield left questions aplenty.
The hope of the British now lay in the South where Cathryn heard Lord Germain said with certainty the Loyalists would stand strong with the British. He had attested numerous times to the abundant Loyalists within the South.
Cathryn, under the duke’s suggestion, declined to talk of her fellow Loyalists, being her opinion differed from Lord Germain.
“You do not need to publicly go against Lord Germain. Not that I don’t myself question the man, but he is in a powerful position. We need not make an enemy of him,” the duke cautioned.
“But, Your Grace, I don’t know where the overwhelming support he claims is at,” Cathryn said truthfully.
“Then smile and walk away if the subject is mentioned,” he answered frankly.
Escaping out on the veranda, Cathryn welcomed a moment to herself. She would have loved nothing better than a bed to sleep in, but then it was again a source of contention with His Grace. For as soon as Cathryn had returned, so did the nightly visits of her children.
Eversleigh expressed his surprise at such an action allowed by their mother. Cathryn declared it was her decision and if the children wanted to find her bed in the middle of the night it was her issue alone.
Shortly after, only Lucy found her bed. Cathryn heard her daughter argue with her brother, who steadfastly refused because his grandfather had deemed the action an act of a baby and he wasn’t a baby. Lucy didn’t care if anyone called her a baby. Cathryn was upset by the move only because it had come from the duke.
Deep in thought, she didn’t hear footsteps come behind her, nor did she notice the man who walked beside her...not until an arm went around her shoulder. Startled, she leaped back to discover her cousin laughing at her.
“Reggie Cavanaugh, how dare you scare me so?” Cathryn declared, unsure if she was happy to see him or not.
She certainly didn’t trust him, but her heart would have been callous not to feel anything for the man in front of her. The years hadn’t been kind to him. He had the look of someone who spent too much time indoors and drank too much. He had a puffiness which obscured the hard lines of his cheeks and the dark circles cut harshly under his eyes.
“I had to come to see for myself that my cousin had returned and is just as beautiful as ever.” He bent over and
kissed her cheek. The smell of liquor overwhelmed her. She recoiled, but he did not seem to notice. “I thought I would never lay my eyes upon you again. Now, are you back to stay or only until after your case is heard?”
“How would you know of my case?” she demanded with a touch of frost.
“Do not take that manner with me, Cousin. It may serve you well to be nice to me. I have been called to testify.”
“About what? You have nothing to do with the charge.”
“See here you are, Cousin, once again underestimating the British system of justice. Did you think it would be about a charge you could defend? By the time Lord Blankenship gets through with your reputation, they won’t even remember the charge.”
“I have done nothing wrong, Cousin. I have faith in that,” she retorted, although the thought terrified her. She well remembered.
“Well, here’s Lord Blankenship offering me a certain amount for expenses, you understand, to tell his version of what happened to his son.”
“You are either drunk or mad if you think I’m going to pay you to tell the truth.”
“Then I suppose I can only remember that you begged me to help you seduce Lyttleton. Told me to arrange a meeting at his estate. Giving yourself so freely and he trying to be a gentleman, but having no desire for a marriage, you threatening...”
“You are mad, Reggie!” she cried. “Your story is filled with lies. The estate was my own! I trusted you implicitly to take me to Jake. You betrayed me! Don’t you remember it was Lyttleton who announced we were to be married? It was I who said it wasn’t! How does that explain his whipping me? And if Mary hadn’t stopped him I would be dead. I still have the scars upon my back. You drunken imbecile!”
“Do you really believe anyone will imagine that Lyttleton would do such without provocation? Once they hear my story your rebuttal will mean nothing...”
“I don’t think so,” a deep voice said from behind them. Cathryn turned to see Eversleigh standing close enough to have heard every word. “Cathryn, why don’t you go find the duchess? I believe it is time for the two of you to withdraw. Please tell Her Grace not to wait up for me this night.”
Cathryn nodded, skirting by. She glanced back over her shoulder, thinking she should feel pity for her cousin, but she could find none.
* * * *
Martha Pennington had a way with the children. Laughter and giggles echoed in the walls of the grand London home. The little ones listened intently to the tales of the legends and myths of Cornwall. She even captured Cathryn’s imagination when she described her home in such vivid detail—waves crashing against the cliffs; walking along the beach with the ocean foam flowing over her bare feet.
“You are very good with the twins, Mother Pennington,” Cathryn said when Bonnie came down to retrieve the children.
Cathryn was under orders from the duchess to rest every afternoon. She arranged it around the twins’ nap schedule. But upon seeing her nanny’s entrance, Lucy reached up for her momma to hold her and wrapped her little arms around Cathryn’s neck.
“I could lay down with you, Momma, and help you sleep,” she said, using her small hands to hold her momma’s face to ensure her undivided attention.
“You, little lady, need to go with Bonnie. I will check in with you when I awake. I promise.”
With the greatest reluctance, Lucy climbed off her momma’s lap and accepted Bonnie’s hand. Cathryn watched her daughter grudgingly leave with Bonnie, so afraid she was going to miss something.
Charles Philip, for it was the name now he asked to be called, had been obsessed with the army figures his grandfather had given for his birthday, but had already run up the stairs.
“Lucy seems quite attached to you as does your young son,” Martha said. “I was sitting here watching and wondering about the babe you carry. They are so light and fair. I can’t see Jake’s child such. He had a head full of the darkest hair and when you looked upon him all you could see was his dark eyes.”
Unconsciously, Cathryn placed her hand upon her stomach and felt movement. “I believe the little one agrees,” she said. “I have pictured the babe looking as Jake, but mostly I hope that Jake returns soon.”
“I know you worry because you haven’t heard from him, but I’ve gone months without correspondence,” Martha said in a reassuring manner. “You said yourself he was upon a mission. It must be hard for him to communicate.”
“But I have heard from my brother’s wife’s family, who is caring for my nephew,” Cathryn said. “I can’t shake this ominous feeling. Perhaps it is the case that weighs upon me. I haven’t the courage to ask His Grace if any verdict has come down. I fear he will not tell me if it goes against me.”
“I haven’t heard a word, my dear. But does it matter? We will deal with whatever happens together. We are family,” She patted Cathryn’s hand. “We have to hold to our faith.”
“You’re right, Mother Pennington. I believe I can survive anything, as long as I have Jake and the children.”
“I have been thinking, Cathryn. Would you like to come back with me to Mount Gevlyn? I would like you to see his home. And if you like, you could have the babe there. We have an excellent midwife within the community,” she said sweetly. “The children would love it. Charles Philip talks about horses and we have an adequate stable. I believe I have a pony perfect for your young one. An old gentle mare Julia rode and so good with children. She had to be with Julia, you understand.”
Before Cathryn had a chance to reply, she caught the duchess standing in the doorway from the corner of her eye. She had a strange look upon her face with a handkerchief curled tightly in her hand.
“Your Grace, is something amiss?” Cathryn asked.
The duchess walked across the room and gripped hold of Cathryn’s hand. “His Grace needs to see you in the library, my dear. He has news,” she choked back tears. “I will be here when he is done.”
Confusion rained down upon Cathryn, but she comprehended well the duke was about to deliver dreadful news. She braced herself for the worst. Then a dreadful thought crossed her mind. Had they declared her a traitor? A cold tight feeling began to form in the pit of her stomach when she entered the room.
Eversleigh rose from his chair and came across the room to meet her. “Please have a seat, my dear.”
She complied with an anxious slowness. She raised her gaze until she met the duke’s troubled frown.
“As you know I have been engrossed with the attempt by Lord Blankenship to confiscate your property. What you haven’t been aware of is that the case has become more than an attempt to confiscate your property. I should have informed you that shortly after your return that the case against you was never in any doubt. The government is not going to be confiscating your property.”
“I don’t understand, Your Grace.”
“Between General Durham and General Clinton’s reports, it became clear that you stood behind the crown without question. General Durham even commended your bravery. The only reason that it hasn’t been officially declared unsubstantiated is because within the case, questions arose concerning issues in the past. Lord Blankenship was the one first to call attention trying to relive your kidnapping, trying desperately to clear his son’s name while confiscating your money, but in so doing other questions arose.”
“So the case is closed. My inheritance is unfrozen? Why not tell me then?”
“Because the questions that have arisen lay with your father’s death. Your brother, from what I understand you call him such, sent over documents of your father’s. The army itself had records. Some of the issues lay with the fact that his death came at a time of great turmoil, but it seems that his murder may have lain with the fact of your inheritance even at that time. We are tying together a case concerning Lord Blankenship who in essence was after your estate from the beginning of your coming to England.”
Cathryn breathed in deeply. “Sumner suspected a betrayal. But I’m afraid I still don’t understand the
need to keep me in the dark, my lord.”
“It was my decision upon your return. There was no call for your inheritance to become unfrozen for I took care of all your needs. You can become angry with me, but I thought it best you believed the case was still in question so that we could get to the truth once and for all. I didn’t want to take a chance on you betraying our intentions.”
“Then is it over? Lord Blankenship was connected to my father’s...”
“No, it’s not, Cathryn. Certain witnesses we are still trying to find and tie up loose ends. It is our hope that it will be soon.”
“Then why are you telling me now? What has happened?”
“Because you don’t need another worry upon you at this time.”
He came forward and took her hands in his. Fear gripped her. She had never seen him unable to speak. Somewhat at a loss, she met his eyes. She read them before he uttered the words. He handed her a letter.
“I’m sorry, Cathryn. Truly I am.”
She looked down. Her eyes blurred; her hands trembled. Trepidation filled her, reading words that would destroy her world...her dreams. Through her tears she read what she dreaded.
Regret to inform you, Lady Pennington, Major Jake Pennington is missing in action. He hasn’t returned from his mission at his appointed time. Intelligence suggested that he may have sustained injury behind enemy lines. His information was sent by an alternative means which further suggests that he was unable to do so himself. He will be listed Missing—believed killed. Will keep you informed.
She sat in stunned silence. The paper fell from her hand onto the floor. Vaguely, words filtered through that the duke was talking, expressing his sympathy, but nothing she could comprehend.
Hot tears burned her cheeks. Her only thought—No, not her Jake, please God, no! Take my money, but not Jake. He couldn’t be dead. She would know; her heart would feel such!