by Jerri Hines
She would be at Lord Lyttleton’s mercy upon reaching the country estate, far away from London and Jake. She had no one to turn to, protect her, except Tacy and Mary. She had to make sure she kept them both beside her. She needed to bide her time. Her mind raced with a million thoughts.
The carriage rode over the bumpy country road, but Reggie slept soundly as if not having a care in the world. If he had tricked her, she could well assume that he had also done that to Jake or she would have to conclude Jake stranded her.
Cathryn tried the handle of the door. If she could break the lock, the worst she could do was open it and jump. Someone might see and help. She felt a slap against her hand.
“Be a good girl and sit back,” Reggie said, opening only one eye.
She bit her bottom lip. Her chest heaved as her anger renewed against all of the world: Reggie, Lyttleton, Jake, her father. Last year, she sat within her home, loved and protected. And now! No, her father wouldn’t want her to be like this.
Wasn’t she her father’s daughter? But deep within her was a fear, a dreadful fear of Lyttleton. She had seen it within his eyes. Oh, where was Jake!
“It will be okay,” Mary whispered. “Together we will get through this.”
Cathryn studied the young girl, one who had suffered much more than she had. She nodded. She only wished she believed the words.
The carriage slowed to a stop. The door abruptly opened. Fear gripped her on seeing Lyttleton standing at the foot hold.
“Reggie, why in the hell did you bring these other two?”
Reggie yawned. He eased out the door and stretched. “Do you not have what you want? I wouldn’t have gotten her in the carriage without them.”
“Now, I’ll have to keep them. If I let them go, they go running back to London, telling everyone where she has gone.” Lyttleton sighed, annoyed.
“Where do they think she is now?” Reggie asked.
Lyttleton ignored him. He turned his attention back to the carriage. Cathryn held tight to Mary’s hand.
“Get out,” Lyttleton ordered. “Not you, Cathryn, you stay where you are. Reggie, take the companions you couldn’t leave behind in the other carriage and follow.”
Mary hugged Cathryn and wouldn’t let go, crying hysterically. Tacy reached for the young one.
“Tell her to go, Cathryn. She will meet you at the estate. Now!”
Tacy took Mary’s hand. “It’s okay, Miss Mary. She’ll be just fine. She better be just fine.”
Cathryn, speechless, found she had no other choice but to sit back on the cushions. Her legs shook uncontrollably. All her plans she had thought dissolved upon his appearance. She tried the other door, a futile attempt. Her heart pounded as the door shut and Lyttleton sat beside her. He banged upon the ceiling and the carriage began to roll once more.
“Good morning, my dear,” Lyttleton said. “You don’t look as though you are happy to see me.”
“Please, my lord,” she whispered. “Let me go. I’ll give you whatever you want of my inheritance. I want only to return to my home. Please. You don’t want this. I know.”
“You know little about me, my dear,” he answered. “I have gone to a great deal of trouble to obtain my objective. Your pleas will fall on deaf ears unless I hear what I want.”
“And what would that be?”
“That you will be my bride.”
“That will never happen,” she uttered, breathless, for he turned and faced her. His arms went round her, pulling her up to him. She fought back, but the carriage was small. There was no escape.
“My dear, I can take you here and there wouldn’t be a thing you could do about it,” he said. Reaching for her, he brought her face to face with him. “I don’t want that, but I do want you. I have thought of nothing else as of late.”
He caressed her cheek. Terror flooded her with his touch.
“Don’t,” she pleaded. “Please.”
His eyes stared at her with his hard, cold gaze. He brought her lips to his and kissed her. His hand went to her hair, untying it and letting it fall. Pushing back against him, she struggled to free herself, but the harder she struggled the greater he seemed to enjoy it. He pinned her hands above her head with one hand. His other hand slid down from her neck to her gown. He pulled the gown off her shoulders. He leaned over and began to kiss her neck.
Tears began to fall from her eyes. He released his grip upon her. She immediately grabbed hold of her gown and pulled up on it.
“I don’t want you crying, Cathryn,” he said softly. He touched her face again. “I want you only to realize I could have. I’m not the brute you think I am. Turn around and I’ll pull your hair back up. We don’t want anyone to get the wrong idea. At least not yet.”
He gently swept her hair around in a manner back onto the top of her head. Tresses fell around her face. He spoke to her softly. Gone were the violent movements, replaced by a man she had never seen. He helped tie her gown in the back. He gently turned her and took the seat across from her.
For the remainder of the journey, he talked of his family, the estate, and what she should expect. “I believe you will find it pleasant. I have horses. You can buy your own if you don’t like the ones I have in my stable. I want you to make yourself comfortable at your new home. The gardens will be yours to do with what you want. I heard you talking about your mother and her love of flowers.
“My mother, also, will be happy to have company. She is an invalid and stays in her bed most days. When we get upon the estate, though, Cathryn, I will have to insist upon your best behavior. My mother, you understand.”
Cathryn sat frozen in disbelief, for he spoke as if they were happily engaged, not being forced into an arranged marriage. Moreover, the more he spoke; she began to believe that he had convinced himself of the fact.
“I’m most sorry about your father. I know you were close,” he said. He glanced out the window. “We are approaching Hestershire. I don’t want to have to remind you, Cathryn. I really don’t want anything unpleasant. You can keep your maid and your so-called companion for now. I’m impressed with how you managed to obtain your companion without your grandfather hearing about her circumstance. There is much I’m impressed with about you.”
He reached over and took her hand. Instinctively, she recoiled back. He laughed. “Yes, my dear. I will hand you the world. I have so much planned for the two of us. But it all depends upon your behavior.”
“Will you take me home?”
“If all works out as I plan and we marry without issue. The crisis in the Colonies would have to subside, but I, as only a moment before told you, will give you the world. All you have to do is ask.”
He leaned over and for the first time kissed her gently without hurting her. He released her and smiled at her. The carriage pulled to a stop. He exited first and extended his hand to her. Despite her unwillingness, she accepted his hand. Glancing upward, she caught the look upon his face.
Oh, my Lord! He’s in love with me!
* * * *
Hestershire was impressive. Lord Lyttleton watched intently her reaction to the estate when she exited. He was pleased. A large red brick dwelling, a beautiful Elizabethan house, with its embattled gatehouse and the pointed arch at the entrance, the spandrels of the doorway decorated with Gothic patterns. The chimneys were in pairs and resembled classic columns, and the mullioned windows were topped with ornamental moldings.
On the smoothest and greenest of lawns she believed she had ever seen, strutted a gorgeous peacock, brilliant and disdainful, followed admiringly by his comparatively little mate. A gravel path cut across the lawn to the archway. Lyttleton directed her through the arch into a courtyard.
Lyttleton escorted her around the house after a brief rest. He had shown her personally to her room, a large beautifully furnished room with dark green velvet curtains.
He retrieved her at the appointed time. He showed her the gallery, pictures of ancestors she had never heard about. Though all the
grounds were extensive and couldn’t be covered in a day, he wanted to show her the stables.
Cathryn attempted to hide her awe, for the stables were magnificent. There was little doubt the horses were all of the finest blood line. Fine animals, beautifully formed, with the high temperaments characteristic of quality breeding. Lyttleton brought out his stallion which had the distinct markings of a highly prized animal, a stunning specimen. Cathryn quickly assessed Lyttleton’s need for perfection.
Dinner, Lord Lyttleton assured Cathryn, would be a simple affair with only Reggie, his father, and himself. His mother would take her meal in her room for she was unable to descend the stairs. He would take Cathryn to meet her in the morning. Lyttleton provided all of this information as he walked her back to her room.
“Your trunks should already be delivered,” he said. “Your maid should be able to find you something suitable. It is probably for the best that she came. As for your little companion, we shall see. Although, I’m afraid I don’t see the need for her especially after finding out her circumstances on coming to England.”
“It was none of her dealings, my lord. She was but a victim who needs to be cared for,” Cathryn said, defending Mary. “I’m much happier with her near me.”
“We’ll talk of it later and see your behavior warrants such,” he said. “We’ll talk to Father about the wedding this evening. I don’t want to have to correct you, Cathryn.”
“Wedding? I thought you said three months,” she responded, hoping against all hope he wouldn’t pick up on her alarm.
“I believe a more formal wedding will take place at that time. I have been around you long enough, my dear. I believe a simple ceremony can take place quick enough. Then I won’t have the worry about you disappearing on me.” He reached for her hand and kissed it. “I can’t have that, can I?”
* * * *
Cathryn tried desperately to contain her fear. As she stood at the window, her mind raced to come up with some semblance of a plan. She had none. Behind her, Tacy paced. “Stop it, Tacy. I can take no more, I can assure you,” Cathryn demanded.
“I can’t help it, Miss Cathryn. I thought for sure he would have had his way with you in the carriage. I saw it in his eyes. Are you sure?”
“Tacy! I told you. No, but it won’t last long. I have to get out of here. I don’t know where we are. Do you? Either of you?”
“No, Miss. But that damn Reggie said he thinks your lieutenant will think you returned to the Colonies. There was a ship leaving the harbor yesterday for South Carolina. I wish I had known myself.”
“Then we’re going to have to get out of this ourselves. I just don’t know how,” Cathryn said. “But whatever happens, don’t leave me alone with him. Please.”
“If he does press you, Miss Cathryn,” Mary said in voice barely above a whisper, “pretend to be sick. You can do it easy enough. I can assure you he will step back.”
Cathryn sat silent for a moment. Mary never talked much, but the poor thing, the things she must have endured. She hadn’t the time to expand upon the idea because a knock on the door interrupted their conversation. Lyttleton once more waited for her.
Dinner was an elegant affair for only four people. Lyttleton had well gone out of his way to impress her. She only half-listened to the conversation and refused to looked at Reggie. Her attention returned only when his father mentioned the wedding.
“Reverend Millbury said he would be happy to perform it at our chapel on Friday, Edmund,” Lord Hestershire said as he took a bite of his meat. “I’m assuming you have the special license. The Reverend understands the need to be quiet because of Cathryn’s father’s recent passing.”
Friday! Her eyes caught Lord Lyttleton’s. He gave her a small smile…a knowing smile. His walls were closing in with no way of escaping.
“It will be for the better. No more of this drama. Settle and make it your home.” Lord Hestershire glanced over at Cathryn. “It is hard I’m sure, but I can’t tell you how happy I am with Edmund settling down. His mother can’t wait until she can meet you, my dear. She knew your father.”
Cathryn took a sip of her wine. It was gone. She looked up for another. Lyttleton eyed her. “Do you not need to eat something, Cathryn, before another glass?”
“It is more than likely you are right, my lord, but I find I much prefer the wine than food at the moment,” she answered while her glass was refilled.
“That will be her last,” Lyttleton informed the servant, who nodded.
For once in his life, Reggie looked uncomfortable. He didn’t say much before he announced he would be retiring. “Dear cousin, pray leave my maid alone,” Cathryn said, taking another sip of her wine. “Will you not?”
“Cathryn, it may well be time for you to retire,” Lyttleton admonished her. He pushed his chair away. “How many glasses of wine have you had?”
“I don’t know.” She giggled. “Should I have counted?”
He rolled his eyes. “Come, Cathryn.”
Unable to balance herself, she leaned against him when he walked to her side. “Lord Lyttleton, I don’t know which way to go. My head is spinning so.”
“Did you not eat anything?” he asked impatiently.
“I don’t remember. My lord, why is the room moving?”
“Come with me, Cathryn,” he replied. In the next instant, he swept her up in his arms and climbed the stairs with her.
He opened her door. He carried her over to her bed. Her arms swung around him.
“Oh, I don’t feel so well.”
“I will call for your maid,” he said.
She pulled upon his neck. Her hands ran through his hair.
“Are you going to leave me?” she uttered. “I know in the carriage you wanted me. You said so. Are you going…? Oh, my lord, I think I’m going to be ill.”
The next moment Tacy was by her side. “Take care of your mistress,” Lyttleton instructed Tacy and left.
“Oh, Tacy, pull the curtains. My head is pounding,” Cathryn raged.
“And well it should, my lady. A well-played performance,” Tacy said and prepared her for bed.
* * * *
Cathryn awoke to find Mary sitting at the foot of her bed, holding a wet towel. She had been sick throughout the night.
“Overplayed it quite a bit. You are lucky it didn’t backfire on you.”
“Don’t lecture me, Tacy. What time is it?” Cathryn lifted her head off her pillow, but quickly laid it back down. “It is almost noon, Miss Cathryn. Lord Lyttleton has been in on the hour to see your condition. His mother has been waiting to meet you,” Tacy said. “If she could see you now...”
“Oh, Tacy,” Cathryn pleaded. “My head. I can’t get out of bed.”
“At the moment, it may well not be a bad thing.” Tacy closed the curtains. “It has saved you for a day, Miss. Afterwards, I don’t know.”
“My head,” Cathryn cried. A knock sounded upon the door, interrupting her thoughts.
“It’ll be him again, Miss,” Tacy said in a low voice, for the door opened.
“Cathryn, you are up?”
“Oh, Lord Lyttleton, please don’t be so loud,” Cathryn cried. Bringing the pillow around her ears, she flung the covers over herself.
“Cathryn, it is well past noon. Mother is disappointed,” he stated, irritated. He swung the covers back.
“I can’t help it, my lord. I have been so sick. Have I not, Tacy?”
“Leave. Go get her some food,” Lyttleton ordered Tacy and Mary. He waited until they had left the room. He turned back to Cathryn. “You need to get up and prepare yourself.”
“I have told you, my lord,” Cathryn exclaimed, “I am sick. I can’t get out of bed.”
“Cathryn, you are feeling the effects of the wine. You will do well to watch your wine in the future.”
“I don’t want anything. My head,” Cathryn said. And then in the next instance, she glanced around. “My lord, you shouldn’t be in here. We are alone in my bedroom.
What would Grandmamma say?”
“Nothing, for we are to be wed in two days’ time. I will have none of this. Get up!” He pulled back the pillow from her head. “Look at me, Cathryn.”
“I have no choice, now, do I?” She sighed and tried to sit up. “Ooh.”
“It is a start,” he acknowledged. “I have to say I was disappointed in last night, but I well acknowledge I should have watched what you were drinking, as thinking back, you didn’t eat anything.”
His hand reached over and straightened her gown as it had twisted around her neck. His hand lingered for the moment. Cathryn sobered up quickly when she realized that she sat with him in only her gown. She reached down to pull back up her covers.
“Don’t be so modest, my dear. Last night, you wanted more. Unfortunately, you were also drunk, but the time will come.” He bent over and kissed her lightly at first. The kiss intensified with his hand sliding down the thin fabric of her gown. Her first instinct was to withdraw, but her instincts were slowed. His hand pressed against her. She gasped. He released her only when he heard Tacy coming back in with a tray.
* * * *
Cathryn grimaced with the sunlight shining in through the window. Although in her state, the sunlight in her eyes was the least of her worries. Lord Lyttleton had brought her to be introduced to his mother.
She sat in the oppressive room in silence. Lady Hestershire had immediately set upon her even before being properly introduced. Her dress was wrinkled; her hair not set; she didn’t sit correctly.
Moreover, Lady Hestershire complained Cathryn drooped when she walked. I’m fortunate I’m able to walk this morning, Cathryn thought, repressing her irritation.
Lady Hestershire was a heavy set woman whose face was hard and sagged under the chin. Thinning hair covered with a wig, though the maid had not spotted it correctly, leaving patches uncovered. Her hands, when she gripped Cathryn’s, appeared paper thin with blots upon them.
“I do wish, dear Edmund, that your wedding would be a grand affair,” Lady Hestershire complained. “It is a shame about your father dying, Cathryn.”
“I would happily wait until an appropriate time, my lady,” Cathryn replied. Immediately, she regretted the words as she looked at Lyttleton’s expression. The realization that no one came before his mother descended upon her.