by Alice Kirks
Certainly, her imagination had taken her to those places as she had been huddled in the window seat, reading and dreamily gazing outside, waiting for the day that she could see them herself. And as she gained in age, she was certain that her wishes would become a reality. But now, how could that be so?
Marriage brought with it, responsibilities. Of entertaining and visiting and being an aid to her husband. None of which would allow her the opportunity of exploratory adventure and expansion of her mind. Nor could they make her remotely happy, even if her husband-to-be were the most handsome prince in all the kingdom.
Having excused herself after breakfast, Katie found herself in the library once more. Softly tracing the spines of the books, she remembered that she had spent so many joyful years reading. The fantasies of flight, swashbuckling pirates and damsels in distress; though as she had aged, she had preferred reading about the women who had a much stronger disposition and were able to save themselves.
Whilst their governess had imported the required education and the manners expected from them, the proper etiquette and deportment, Katie had found an entirely different education in the library. One of less duty and more expression.
The likes of Aethelflaed, Lady of the Mercians, who, being the daughter of Alfred the Great, believed a knowledge of literacy encouraged piety. Using her ability in critical thinking by carefully planning her defences, she had defeated the Vikings at the Battle of Chester and formed allies with Irish mercenaries to defend her kingdom.
Or Marie de France, who popularised chivalry and the power of women through her writing. And even though her poetry challenged the Church on women being the weaker sex, Marie’s concepts were popular within the aristocracy of both France and England. Her poetry frequently elevated and featured strong women to direct their own fate, which always gave Katie hope, even though, by doing so, the women contrarily could be destroyed by their resistance to the patriarchy.
At times, Katie had often wondered how such books had found themselves into her fathers’ library, but as it was so extensive, she could only imagine it had been passed down through generations—books being added through the years, and who knew of the feelings of her ancestors.
Selecting a book to read, Katie wandered up the grand staircase and headed towards her favourite spot. A window seat with soft cushions, a place of peace and quiet that overlooked the beautiful garden and the maze hedge.
Pulling her shawl around her before she sat, she glanced out into the garden and suddenly stilled. It took a second before what she saw before her truly registered, but eventually, bringing her hand to her throat she breathed out. ‘Oh, my goodness.’
Her sister, Melinda, and Lord William Sutton were standing so very close to each other, their hands in a soft embrace and gazing longingly into each other’s eyes. There was not a doubt in Katie’s mind. They were deeply in love; it was painfully obvious. She wondered how long their secret affection had been going on.
Believing that they could not be seen in the maze hedge, it was probable they met there often. A place they could secretly spend time together without raising suspicions of Lord or Lady Ennis.
Katie suddenly remembered Melinda’s reaction to the news of her forthcoming engagement. Her look of despair and the jolting stop as they walked in the gardens. Poor Melinda. But why had she not confessed her love for Lord Sutton to her? Katie thought they shared everything.
Perhaps, Lord Sutton had sworn her to secrecy, and that her love for him was so great, she could not willingly break the vow. Whatever the reason, it mattered little now, for she had witnessed it with her own eyes.
What was she to do? Should she tell Mel that she knew? For she could certainly not marry the man that her younger sister was in love with, or he her. She could tell her mother. That would break off the announcement and engagement, but Melinda would be humiliated and disgraced. Katie could not contemplate doing such a vulgar thing to her sister, and to use her sister to release her own freedom, would be too cruel. What then, was she to do?
Katie found Lady Francine Ennis at her needlework in the drawing room. Thankfully, her father was not in the vicinity, likely tucked away in his study where he enjoyed his privacy and quiet. Perhaps if she were to explain to her mother; if her mother could understand how desperately unhappy this union would make her. Maybe, her mother could manage to persuade her father to change his mind. It seemed it may be a long shot, but she had to try.
‘Mother, I need desperately to talk to you.’
Lady Ennis raised a brow in anticipation, a look of knowing on what the desperation was about. Gently, she lay her needlework down and turned to give her daughter her full attention, though her gaze was one of toleration, rather than empathy.
Katie paced rather than sat. Agitated energy would not allow her to rest.
‘I cannot marry Lord Sutton. I will not do it.’
‘You can and you will,’ her mother replied calmly, ‘honestly Katie, I do not know what has gotten into you. He is a good man, and it is a good match.’
‘You cannot make me do this, surely mother?’
‘It is settled. You no longer have any say in the matter. We have let you take liberties long enough Katherine. There have been many suitors that have asked for your hand, but you, with your pious air, thinking always, that you are better than everyone else, have refused them.’
‘I do not think I am better than anyone else.’ Katie defended, ‘I…’
‘You what? Want a knight in shining armour? Need him to be so tall and so broad and with blood still dripping from his sword.’ Her mother smirked.
‘Mother.’
‘Well, you spend all your time reading those whimsical novels, I am hardly surprised. But it is about time you woke up to the reality of the situation and begin acting like a Lady. For that is who and what you are. There are no knights in shining armour. There is however, Lord Sutton who may well be a gentle soul, but is a good man and will take care of you and provide for you well.’
‘But I do not love him.’
‘Love him?’ Her mother almost yelped. ‘What is this you speak of. My good Lord Katie, we do not marry for love, we marry for security and provision. Do you think I loved your father when we married? Surely, I hardly knew the man, except that he had an income of £10,000 a year.’
‘I will not be auctioned off to the highest bidder!’
Lady Ennis took a long breath in and looked sympathetically at her daughter.
‘I remember once upon time I had your spirit Katie. I wanted the world to be different, I wanted freedom. When I first met your father, all I could see was pomp and pride. A man who would secure a wife for his betterment, but eventually, I succumbed, realising that this is how society continues. And you will do the same. It is just the way it is.’
Katie then, in the most unladylike fashion, flopped onto a chair opposite her mother. ‘It is so unfair. Does a woman have no rights or say in her future at all?’
‘Lord Sutton is a good choice. You will be close by so you can see your sister anytime you wish and visit upon us. But the truth of the matter is my dear, unless some sort of miracle appears on the doorstep, your engagement will be announced the morrow and you will marry Lord Sutton by the end of hunting season.’
Chapter 4
The countless hounds yelped and frolicked at the horse’s hooves as the large group gathered for the hunt. There appeared to be well over 150 riders at the meet. The dogs were very loud and it was difficult for one to hear one’s own thoughts, but Katie was well used to them, having been on many hunts before.
Amongst those present, Lord Ennis had invited some of the officers of the local infantry. As a few of their horses had been in need of rest, he had loaned them his own, leaving Katie to use a horse she was less familiar with.
He was a beautiful white steed, but from her mounting, he had seemed restless. She feared not though, as she had been riding from nearly the age she had learned to walk, and she was sure, in her expe
rience, he would settle once they commenced.
Lord Sutton must have witnessed the restlessness and steered his own horse toward her to mention his concern.
‘Lady Ennis, you are looking particularly beautiful today in your navy riding garb.’
‘Thank you, Lord Sutton, but you are too kind.’
‘I am a little apprehensive of you joining us though. The steed,’ he nodded to the beast, ‘does seem a little feisty and riding side-saddle, your safety is not as ensured as we gentlemen.’
Katie smiled politely and assured him his concerns were unnecessary. Relaying her extensive experience with riding, she seemed to allay his fears a little. She was desperate to drop Melinda’s name, and observe his reaction. Perhaps if he knew that she was aware of their affection, may move him to put a stop to the engagement. But it would be unfair to put him in such a position for her own gain, so she thought better of it.
As the group gathered, Katie could not help noticing a tall, well-formed officer that seemed to eye her above the others. The soft brown eyes regarded her with interest, and she nodded his acquaintance, though they were too far from each other and many riders apart, to be able to converse. He returned her nod and added a dashing smile that thoroughly captivated her in the moment.
Lord Sutton was still nearby and she caught his attention once again, engaging him in conversation until she was prudently able to inquire about the gentleman.
‘Lord Sutton, there are so many unfamiliar faces here today, I wonder, who is that gentleman over the way.’
‘That is Captain Robert Barkley. His regiment are stationed not far from here. From what I know, he is the younger brother of a southern Duke, but unfortunately, the Duke of Winfield passed away recently.’
‘Oh, how tragic. What happened?’
‘I hate to say it, given as we are about to commence the hunt, but he fell from his horse whilst riding and his neck was immediately broken.’
‘Oh, how dreadful.’ Katie frowned with concern. What a horrible thing, the poor Captain must be devastated. The news only encouraged her to want to meet him. Maybe she could offer her condolences.Surely it must be a difficult time for him, though he did not look like the grief was overwhelming him at this moment.
‘I would very much like to make his acquaintance after the hunt.’
‘I will obtain an introduction if you wish Lady Ennis,’ he hesitated, ‘if I can.’
Katie tried to hide a sympathetic smile. ‘Splendid.’
Poor Lord Sutton, he was such a shy character, genteel and proper in every possible way, but by no means a go-getter. A perfect companion for Melinda and no doubt why they were completely besotted with each other. Which only reminded Katie of her circumstances and how on earth she was going to escape them.
Captain Robert Barkley glanced once again in her direction and she returned his glance with a furtive smile; his attention, at the very least, distracted her. He held himself well, his broad shoulders back, his riding jacket emphasising a fine shape of his torso, his whole demeanour attracting her attention.
The horn pierced the air, and the Master took off, followed closely by the high-pitched yelping and barking of the many hounds. The huntsman led the pack and the rest of the field followed.
Katie held her own amongst the many riders, as the only female amongst them. Thundering hooves vibrated through the soil and the deafening noise competed with thse raucous of the dogs. Katie held tightly onto the saddle, riding most competently as she encouraged her horse to follow pace with the aid of her whip.
Most of the riders were now ahead of her, having the advantage of riding astride their beasts, and to add to her delay, her horse was not settling into the gallop as well as she had assumed he would. As she approached a fence, he stalled a little, unsettling her from the saddle, but took the fence as it was too late and too near for him to stop.
Landing awkwardly from the jump, Katie’s heart beat hard and a fear swept over her as she realised,she was to be thrown. There was little she could do, and knew, by trying to hold on, it may end up being graver for her; trampled by the heavy horses’ hooves. Still, she was terrified, having little time to think or prepare.
Readily, she let go of the reins, though terror gripped at her as she was a fair height from the ground. The grassy field came towards her at such great pace and then suddenly, pain shot through her body and particularly her head, as she landed. Rolling away as she had been taught and had done many times before, she ducked her head for fear of any other riders coming behind her. Her long skirts tangled around her legs, until eventually, she came to a stop.
Breathless, her heart pounding and with the wind knocked from her, she lay there motionless for what seemed like minutes, but could only be seconds, as she was suddenly aware of a horse thundering towards her.
Looking to its rider, the gallant Captain Robert Barkley guided his horse with great authority, a frown of concern as he approached. He jumped from his horse before it had hardly come to a halt, and fell to his knee beside her.
‘My God. Are you hurt?’
‘I…I do not think so.’ She breathed.
‘Please, permit me to check there are no breaks.’
‘I have fallen many times before. I think I am fine. Just a little light headed.’ Katie raised her hand to her head, where she could already feel a dull ache.
‘Here, let me help you.’ He spoke authoritatively. His voice a deep velvet to her ears.
Without waiting for her acceptance, the Captain slid his hands beneath her knees and lifted her, holding her close to his strong body. With one arm around his neck, Katie could not help but feel a little breathless at the rescue, and could actually feel the pounding of his own heart through his jacket.
The villagers who had come out to see the hunt, had now gathered in a crowd at the excitement. Still dazed, she watched helplessly, as he commanded that a hack take her to the inn where he was lodging close by. He was to follow on horseback, and before Katie really knew what was happening, she found herself lying in a bed in the inn.
The room seemed to dim from light to darkness, and Katie was aware that she was losing time. Voices came and went, and at one point, opening her eyes, she watched Captain Barkley conversing with a gentleman who had just entered the room. Two other officers stood at the open doorway watching the comings and goings and never seemed to leave the room as Captain Barkley attended to her.
Eventually, the haziness lifted, and she struggled to push herself up in the bed. This caught Captain Barkley’s immediate attention and he moved swiftly across the room to her bedside.
‘Ah,’ he smiled gently, ‘I see you have chosen to re-join us.’ He teased.
‘Where am I?’
‘You fell from your horse; I dispatched a message for your father immediately. You still do not look completely well. Do you know what day it is? Can you tell me your name?’
His questions were obviously to see if she had indeed recovered, questions that were silly, of course she remembered her name. Tt was…A sudden feeling of terror came over her as she reached but could not find something that she knew, should come quickly to her. She glared at the Captain, fear rising by the second.
‘Your name?’ He pressed; a look of concern now returned.
‘I…I do not know, oh, I cannot…’ A sudden panic overwhelmed her. Why could she not remember? It was right there, on the edge of her consciousness, but just out of reach. Oh, what was to become of her?
Calling over his shoulder towards one of the officers at the doorway he spoke with haste, ‘Collins, where is that doctor, bring him immediately.’
Turning back to her, he tried to speak with a calmness, but his facial demeanour betrayed his thoughts. ‘I think you may have hit your head. You must have amnesia.’