The Captain of A Lady's Heart: A Historical Regency Romance Book

by Alice Kirks

  He placed his cup and saucer down on the table and gazed at her a little strangely. A look that gave Katie an unusual feeling in her stomach, a feeling of strange and sudden discomfort. A feeling she had not felt before in such a capacity, but she was aware enough to know: it was a warning.

  ‘What of the children,’ she went on, attempting to ease her sense of a sudden danger. ‘I am sure they are good company for you. Did you not mention yesterday how much they keep you busy in a caring role? Granted,’ she rambled, ‘it is not quite the same as an adult, but still, an entertaining distraction. Perhaps, if they are not yet settled, I could meet them.’

  The Baron stood from his chair and, pulling at his jacket, he straightened himself. Moving around the room, he strolled almost aimlessly behind the sofa she was currently sitting on, raising her discomfort to a much higher level.

  ‘I am afraid I have a confession to make.’ He spoke pointedly. ‘You see,’ he continued, now stationed behind her, but no longer moving. ‘When I met you yesterday Lady Katherine, I must admit, I was quite smitten.’

  Katie placed her cup and saucer down so quickly, the cup toppled, spilling the remaining tea into the saucer. Not caring one bit about the clatter of crockery, she swiftly stood from the sofa, and turned to glare at him.

  He held his hands up defensively, but shrugged and smiled amicably, as if this situation were completely ordinary and proper. As though there were nothing to be concerned about and they were not breaking every rule of society and etiquette.

  ‘I could not have known of your difficulties with Captain Barkley to begin with, only for the inference I sensed when you spoke, and of course, Duchess Stanhope-Barkley making it quite clear.’

  ‘But she did not say a word.’

  ‘You forget Lady Katherine; I have known the Duchess for some time. Many years, in fact. I am well aware of her little quirks. Even when she is silent, she speaks volumes.’

  ‘What exactly are you saying?’

  ‘Plainly? You wish me to speak plainly?’ He still smiled as he now circled the sofa. Moving back into the centre of the room and attempting to approach her.

  Katherine mirrored his movements, shuffling in the opposite direction. They appeared to be dancers, waltzing, distantly around the room, a table and a sofa the only thing separating them.

  ‘I would very much like you to speak plainly Baron Ravenscroft. Why am I really here? It is now my understanding that you have allowed me to come to you under false pretences. Have you deceived me? Where are the children?’ Katie attempted to control the tremble in her voice, but with little success.

  ‘The children?’ He chuckled loudly. ‘Good heavens look at me Lady Katherine, my children are up and grown. Surely, you allowed yourself to be deceived. Did you really suppose, at my age that I had offspring that needed a governess?’

  ‘You would not be the first.’ She replied carefully, though her heart now thumped ridiculously against her chest, and it felt as though the air in the room was thinning.

  Her eye focussed on the door of the drawing room as she continued to circle the sofa on which she had previously sat. If she could just reach it, she could run, for there was no doubt of his intent now.

  ‘Come now. I felt a certain spark between us yesterday. You were so open and amicable; I was almost certain you felt the same. Did you really not feel it Lady Katherine?’

  ‘Then you were mistaken sir, for I surely did not. I am, as you are well aware, a married woman, Baron Ravenscroft.’

  ‘And yet, you are here.’ He shrugged smugly. ‘You are not happy. Married you may be, but most intently miserable. It is written all over your face. I could make your life very comfortable here.’

  Finally, she had reached the door, grabbing hold of it and yanking it open, she ran from the room. She needed to get out. She needed to escape. To where, she knew not, but she could not stay here another second.

  In her panic, she could not remember in which direction the front door was. With little light to guide her, she scurried down the large hallway and found another door. Perhaps she could at least hide, call out for help, anything that would protect her from him in that moment.

  Quickly stepping through it, she slammed the door behind her. The room was dark, only for a small candle and a furnace burning. She now found herself in the large kitchen, and with his footsteps coming swiftly behind her, she had no idea how to escape. Sally was nowhere to be seen and it appeared as though the servants were busy elsewhere in the house. She was on her own.

  The door opened once again and the Baron walked in, closing it gently behind him. A second later, Katherine heard the distinct click of a lock being turned. Oh, good gracious, what was she to do? There would be no stopping him now. The thumping of her heart now deafening, her breath desperately trying to get through her tightened airpipe, her whole body practically shook with terror.

  ‘Lady Katherine, this is silly. It is obvious you were not happy at Winfield, but I can make you happy here, why are you fighting this? Really, there is no need for all this rashness.’ His voice was so calm. He had her trapped and he knew it.

  Katie spun her head around her, searching desperately for something to protect herself with, for she had no doubt at all, her consent was not to be sought by this man. How on earth she had measured his character so badly, she could not comprehend, and at this moment, it was not something she ought to be concerning herself with.

  In the dull light, she spotted a broom leaning against the wall in a corner. Lifting it to protect herself, she heard his approaching steps but could only see the dull outline of his person as he approached. She, on the other hand, was well illuminated, standing closest to the furnace.

  Her heart now pounded relentlessly as he approached ever closer. ‘I can make you happy Lady Katherine. You have nothing to fear.’

  Katherine could now hardly breathe as the panic overwhelmed her, but she was still able to let out a loud shriek in hope that someone, somewhere in the huge house might hear her.

  ‘Get away from me! Get away from me!’

  At that very same second, a raucous loud thumping thundered against the kitchen door, rattling the lock with its intensity and shocking the two of them. It stopped the Baron in his tracks, only a couple of feet away from her.

  ‘Open this door now, Ravenscroft!’ The banging continued as Katherine, relief suddenly flooding through her, heard Robert’s voice hollering behind it.

  ‘Open the door, I swear, if you lay one finger on her...’

  Katie could barely see the Baron’s face in the dim light, but they both knew he had little choice. Turning on his heel, he walked back across the large kitchen, unlocking the door and opening it wide. From the light of the hallway, Katherine watched Robert grabbing the older man and yanking him tersely out of his way.

  Looming towards her at speed, it took a second for her to realise, she had not moved from the spot, still gripping the broom handle with such intensity, her hands ached. Her body still shook violently as her lungs gasped for air.

  ‘My God.’ He breathed, in what appeared to be a mixture of visible relief and deep concern.

  ‘Here, let me take this.’ Gently, he peeled her fingers from the broom handle, and tossed it absently across the room. And for the first time since she fell from the horse, he wrapped his arms tightly around her and crushed her to his chest.

  ‘I am sorry Katherine. I am so, so sorry.’

  Katherine could not speak. Silent tears trickled down her face, soaked up by his woollen coat. Her trembling body suddenly safe, held tightly in his embrace and her fear, that if he let her go, her legs would give way beneath her.

  Chapter 20

  Everything had happened so quickly. Only a little while earlier, Katherine befell a pursuit by a man almost three times her age. A man who would disgrace her without giving a second thought. Until suddenly, wrapped up in Robert’s woollen top coat, she found herself bustled into a carriage by her rescuer.

  Once inside th
e rolling transport, Robert had not taken his eyes from her. His concerned stare may have possibly, under any other circumstances, left her feeling uncomfortable, but her relief to see him, put all and any discomfort to the wayside. Not wanting to imagine what could have happened had he not arrived in the moment he did, she cared less of his powerful attention.

  Having escaped to the kitchen, and being that the large darkened room was located near the rear of the manor, the Baron and herself had not heard Robert banging at the front door. A servant had hurriedly let him in and he had stormed through the house in search for her. Only her cry for help had pinpointed her location for him.

  After a few moments of comfort in a strong embrace, he had apologised profusely and gently escorted her out into the hallway, and towards the front door. Whilst he continued to give her assurance, his arms still wrapped around her person; she could not help but feel the physical shaking of his body as he attempted to contain his rage. Evidently struggling to deal with his compassion for her and his explosive wrath for the Baron.

  ‘Get the carriage ready. We are leaving.’ He demanded from a startled Sally.

  ‘Certainly sir.’ She blurted hurriedly.

  As the housemaid scurried away, Robert gently guided Katherine, leaving her to stand beside the front door. Taking a step from her, he turned to Baron Ravenscroft, who now stood in the corridor looking extremely uncomfortable, just a little distance away.

  Katherine could barely lift her face to him, but as she flitted a glance in his direction; he no longer stood proudly, his shoulders back and his chest puffed out. His demeanour was one of shame, his whole person withdrawn and shrunken, a small figure now awaiting chastisement.

  ‘How dare you!’ Robert bellowed. ‘I do not care for your peerage, for I swear, if you make any attempt to do such a wickedness again, I will ensure it is reported across the country.’

  ‘Now, Captain, Lady Katherine did come here of her own volition…’ The Baron attempted to defend himself meekly.

  ‘Under what circumstances?’ Robert demanded. ‘That you needed a governess? That you needed someone to teach your children. Your children who are older than me?’ His anger spewed from him, his voice sharp, cutting through the overbearing atmosphere of the situation. It shocked her a little. In the entire time she had known him, Katherine had never heard him speak so violently, though under these justified circumstances, she was grateful.

  ‘Katherine is my wife! You are lucky Ravenscroft, that I am an honourable man, for the things I would like to do to you right now would not be a pleasant experience for you!’

  ‘It was evident she was not happy...’ The older man replied timidly.

  ‘And that gave you the right to take her for your own? Without consent? As though she were some object with no opinion or power to refuse? You make me sick to my stomach. And to think my aunt thought so highly of you. I can inform you Baron; she is now well aware of your intent. You will never be welcome in her presence again.’

  In some numbed trance she felt nothing, as the flickering flame of the lantern at the side of the carriage held Katherine’s stare for some time. The soft wind tugged it back and forth, and it appeared to move in some form of seductive dance, changing shape and intensity of colour in a hypnotic lure.

  Dazed, cold and now suddenly exhausted, a tremor began in her body, that she was powerless to stop. The tremor built in strength until her whole body was shaking violently, the aftershock of the whole episode taking hold.

  Robert, having sat opposite her in the carriage, a place he could obviously keep her under close observation, suddenly shifted his position and came to sit beside her. Lifting her upper body with ease, he wrapped his arms tightly around her, pulling her body into his and letting her head come to rest upon his chest. He held her tightly as the violent shaking ensued, kissing her gently on the top of her head and whispering comforts, until the seizure eventually passed.

  Somewhere quite north of London, the carriage eventually stopped at an inn. They had been travelling for some time and it was now close to midnight. Robert had asked her gently, whilst they had still been at Baron Ravenscroft’s, where she had wanted to go. At the time, she had not cared. She just wanted to get away, escape, put as much distance between herself and the beastly man as possible.

  In such shock at the entire situation, she had permitted herself to be swept away by Roberts rescue. Her imagination running wild as to what may have happened. What she had allowed to nearly happen because she had been too cowardice to return home. It now almost seemed ridiculous, for there was nothing that she could face at home from any of her family members, that would in any way compare to what might have occurred tonight.

  Robert could well have taken advantage of her dazed state and took her back to Kent. To his home where he could try to persuade her to stay, but it appeared now, that they were heading home to York. As always, Robert taking the more honourable path. Katherine had made the decision to leave Winfield Manor the previous night, and up to this point, she had not voiced that her decision had changed. Evidently, he would continue to comply with her wishes.

  Even after the violent shaking had abated, he had not moved from her side. Continuing to hold her tightly beside him, he had comforted her. It was ridiculous to realise; this was the most physical interaction either had had with each other since their wedding day.

  With the distance growing ever farther from the Baron, her mind began to settle, and the prospects of her future, once again, returned to taunt her. For she loved this man. This man whose arms held her so tightly and protectively. Whose heroism had saved her from a dreadful fate. A man who had protected and defended her many times with both his words and actions. And yet, had not once pronounced any feelings that extended beyond amicable.

  Still how could she really judge him, for she herself had kept her own feelings locked well away. From the very beginning, everything she had done had been based on deceit. Even now, Robert still had no notion that on the day she fell from her horse, there had never been any loss of memory. That she had used him for her own ends. What would be his reaction if he knew?

  She had always been a straight arrow. Speaking her truth openly no matter the reaction. Her principles of honesty had even caused contentions with those around her throughout her life, particularly her mother. And yet, she had not admitted the truth to him. It was not a mystery as to why. Hoping, that at some point, he would show her any feelings deeper than she had experienced from him up to now, fear had held her back.

  For truly, how could they have a loving, trusting relationship when she could not be completely honest with him? And yet, if she were truly honest with him, could there be a chance of a loving, trusting relationship? The thoughts and questions spun continuously around her mind, taunting her, but even after some time, still no clear solution presented itself.

  Once again in the room at the inn, Robert took the chair, giving her the bed. He had offered to have food prepared, but Katherine just could not face the thought of eating at this time.

  The events of the evening had turned any appetite she may have, which had been little of late at the best of times, and all she really wanted to do was sleep. Sleep and never lift her head from the bed again, for the dire situation she now found herself in, overwhelmed her with depression.

  ‘Katherine, you need to eat.’ Robert said gently.

  ‘I cannot. I am sorry Robert, even the thought of eating makes me feel ill.’

  ‘I think you are already ill.’ He frowned down at her. Taking her wrist, he brought her arm up to the height of her face.

  ‘Look,’ he pointed to the thinness of her wrist in his large hand. ‘You are near wasting away before my very eyes.’

  Katherine had thought, not changing before him and the layers of clothes she had purposely worn, had hidden her weight loss from him. But she could do little about him seeing her wrists, for her gloves were slender and fitted.

  ‘I assure you; I am fine.’ She lied.
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