Ashes and Ecstasy

by Catherine Hart

  “You know, Miss Simpson, the day will come when I am going to publicly humiliate you so badly that you will run from Chimera—and Reed—as fast as your little legs will carry you,” Kathleen promised sweetly.

  “You have already tried that, Kathleen, and failed,” Sally cooed confidently.

  A wicked gleam lit Kathleen’s green eyes, and her tinkling laugh sent chills along Sally's spine. “No, Sally Simpson. When I really try, I will get results!”

  October officially began the social season in Savannah, and though Reed had not offered to escort Kathleen to any of the functions, he had already taken Sally to town several times in the first two weeks. To Kathleen, it was the last straw. When Dominique left to return to New Orleans, and Isabel was once more free to help her, Kathleen decided to move to Emerald Hill until her child was born.

  One afternoon when Reed and Sally were out, Kathleen ordered the servants to pack up her belongings and those of Katlin and Andrea, took Peg-Leg and Isabel, and left. That evening, just as they were sitting down to dinner at Emerald Hill, Reed came bursting through the door.

  “What is the meaning of this, Kathleen Taylor?” he stormed.

  “Why, Reed! How nice of you to come calling on our first evening in residence,” Kathleen countered.

  He strode up to her and clamped a hand over her wrist. “Get your things! You are coming home!”

  Kathleen matched him glare for glare, her Irish temper on the rise. “Take your hand off me, before I carve it off at the wrist!” she snarled, her eyes snapping with emerald fire.

  Suddenly faced with her famed stubbornness and anger after months of living with a greatly subdued wife, Reed blinked in surprise and released her. Catching him off guard, Kathleen continued her attack. “I have decided to stay at Emerald Hill, Reed. Isabel and the children will be living here with me. You and your mistress can have the run of Chimera, for all I care, but I refuse to put up with your abominable behavior any longer, and I will not subject my children to such debauchery!”

  “What in blue blazes are you talking about?” he roared.

  “I am referring to that spiteful blonde viper you have been bedding at every turn!” she shouted back. “I am talking about the way you flaunt your affair under my very nose and before all of Savannah! You have humiliated me in every way possible! You have stood calmly by while that witch scorned me in my own home! Well, I am tired of it, and I have found a new home—away from you and away from her!”

  “I am still your husband, Kat! That gives me some authority, and the right to insist that you move back home.”

  “Tell that to Kate’s lawyer, and see how far you get!” she shot back. It felt good to stand straight and tall with pride, after months of groveling.

  Reed tried another tack. “Have you thought how this will look to your friends and the good citizens of Savannah? Do you know how they will talk about a woman who leaves her husband? You won’t be able to hold your head up in town.”

  Kathleen stared at him, dumbfounded that he would dare to mention public opinion. “What kind of muleheaded imbecile are you? There is not one person in Savannah who hasn’t already been scandalized because of your actions! Most of them do not even bother to hide their pity for me and scorn for you! If I go into town tomorrow, I will be able to hold my head as high as I do now—perhaps even higher now that I have regained my self-respect. My friends will understand, and no doubt applaud my actions. They, and all the rest of Savannah, have wondered how long I would put up with you and that floozy flaunting yourselves all over town and in our own home.”

  Reed was furious, and getting desperate now. “I could tell them you are carrying another man’s child, and I threw you out,” he threatened.

  Kathleen only laughed. “And humiliate yourself in the same stroke? I doubt it, Reed. Besides, what would you say, if, when the child is born, it has your coloring and features? Do you dare to chance it?”

  Reed glared at her. “Damn it, Kat! I want you to come home and stop this foolishness!”

  Kathleen shook her head, her anger swiftly turning to weary sorrow. “No, Reed,” she answered quietly. “I am sick to death of being humiliated. I will take no more abuse from you and that trollop. I am tired of being made to pay for something that was not my fault.”

  Her sudden change of mood confused him, causing him to issue what he considered the ultimate concession. “Would you change your mind if I consider sending Sally packing?”

  Kathleen shook her head. “I am sorry, Reed. A few weeks ago, that might have meant a great deal, but I am tired of fighting with you. It hurts too much to see the scorn on your face each time you look at me; to feel you turn away from me when I reach out to you. I am tired, and I need some peace of mind if I am to have a healthy, happy baby.”

  Her refusal angered him anew. “So help me God, Kathleen, if that child turns out to be Jean’s, I will find a way to break you! Perhaps it is best if you remain here until the baby is born. That way, I will be spared the trouble of tossing you out again on your blasted bottom!” With one last glare, he left her to her newfound pride and her ever-ready tears.

  Unable to budge Kathleen, Reed took to visiting Emerald Hall often in the following days, on the pretext of seeing Katlin and Andrea. Kathleen feared he was actually looking for a means to get back at her for leaving Chimera. Looking down at her ever-enlarging belly, she was disinclined to believe he might actually be missing her. Still, Kathleen was seeing more of Reed now than when they had lived in the same house.

  Visiting Emerald Hill also meant putting up with Peg-Leg and Isabel, and Reed could not decide which of Kathleen’s constant companions irritated him more. Here, Kathleen let the arrogant parrot have the run of the house, and the bird seemed to delight in tormenting Reed whenever he came by.

  “Blast it, Kat!” Reed growled, swatting at the pesky parrot and brushing crumbs out of his black hair. “Can’t you control that bloody bird?”

  Kathleen laughed, something she was doing more of these days in the calmer realm of her new home. “Peg-Leg is a law unto himself.”

  “Still, there should be limits! He followed me to the outhouse the last time I was inspecting the stables. I didn’t even realize he was in there with me, until he screeched, ‘Drop me drawers!’ He nearly scared me to death!”

  Peals of laughter escaped her, and she clapped a hand over her mouth, to no avail.

  “It is not funny!” Reed retorted. “I jumped so when he startled me, that I hit my head on the wall. If I could have caught him, I’d have dropped him down the hole and slammed the lid!”

  Peg-Leg tried to light on Reed’s head again, and Reed swung at him. “Sticks and stones! Sticks and stones!” the parrot chanted.

  “One of these days, Kat, I am going to yank his feathers out one by one!” he warned. “Maybe when he’s naked the little buzzard will learn to keep his beak shut!”

  “You will have to catch him first,” she chuckled, “and Peg-Leg can be very elusive. Besides, if I ever see you sporting so much as one wisp of his colorful plumage, you will answer to me, Reed Taylor. I happen to adore that parrot!”

  Reed’s birthday, the thirteenth of November, presented a problem. Previously, Kathleen had arranged a celebration, inviting friends and neighbors to dinner at Chimera. Now that she was living apart from him, and with Sally Simpson still residing at Chimera, this seemed inappropriate, to say the least.

  Susan provided the solution. “Why don’t we rent a hall in Savannah. Then none of us have to entertain that hussy in our homes, Kathleen won’t feel like an intruder in her own house, and we can all leave when we want.”

  As much as it aggravated her, Kathleen agreed, detesting the fact that Sally was still disrupting her life. It annoyed her further to find that Sally was using Kathleen’s own favorite seamstress to have a special gown made for the occasion. Six months pregnant, Kathleen felt huge and ungainly. As Mrs. Fitz pinned and measured and tucked in an effort to disguise Kathleen’s bulging shape, Ka
thleen fumed.

  “Any particular color of fabric you would prefer, Mrs. Taylor?” the seamstress asked through a mouthful of pins.

  “Definitely not any shade of orange,” Kathleen stated decisively. “As lovely as that rust gown was, I felt like a pumpkin in it.”

  “Might I suggest a taffeta, perhaps? The material is stiff, and would hang away from your body, rather than cling to it as satin does.”

  Mrs. Fitz brought out a bolt of midnight blue taffeta, shimmering with delicate silver threads. “If you like this, I could cut it so that it would disguise your condition fairly well.”

  Kathleen smiled gratefully. “Mrs. Fitz, you are a wizard with needle and thread!”

  The woman nodded, pleased with the compliment. “Since you first came to Savannah, my business has tripled. Everyone wants to be gowned as fashionably as the beautiful Mrs. Taylor. Any time I can be of service to you, it is my pleasure.”

  “You could ruin Miss Simpson’s gown,” Kathleen murmured, almost to herself.

  Mrs. Fitz’s eyes widened in surprise. “Are you serious?” she asked.

  Kathleen stared at the seamstress. Finally she nodded slowly and a mischievous smile touched her lips. “Yes, I believe I am quite serious!”

  “Have you decided on a gift for Reed’s birthday, Kathleen?” Isabel asked several days later.

  “I have had it for months,” Kathleen admitted.

  “Let me guess,” Isabel laughed. “You are giving him Peg-Leg!”

  “Surely you jest! That would be condemning the poor bird to the stewpot!” Kathleen said. “No, not Peg-Leg. Do you recall my telling you about all the fabulous treasures we took from that last Spanish vessel we captured?”

  Isabel nodded, and Kathleen continued, “Among these, I found a magnificent rapier, with jewels imbedded in the guard. It is surely one of a kind, and I thought of Reed the moment I saw it.”

  Isabel shrugged. “Well, if worse comes to worst, you can always run him through in style!” she suggested dryly.

  Before the party, Kathleen vowed to keep a tight rein on her temper and maintain a calm, dignified demeanor before their friends. Her place was at her husband’s side on his special day. If anyone should feel unwelcome, it ought to be Sally. Kathleen was determined to put an end to Sally’s mischief once and for all. If everything worked as she had planned, this would be Sally’s last evening in Savannah.

  On his natal day, Reed was feeling content and almost benevolent. Under the circumstances, he was surprised that Kathleen had planned a party at all, and positively astonished when she arrived bearing a brightly wrapped and peculiarly shaped gift.

  She looked spectacular this evening, serene and confident. As she removed her cloak, Reed let his eyes rove over her figure. If he didn’t know better, he would hardly guess she was expecting a child. The blue gown was stunning, the high-waisted design almost magically disguising her pregnancy. Caught up on the crown of her head, the long red-gold hair shone in copper splendor, giving her the regal look of a queen. Reed had never seen a woman look more enticing while carrying a child. Others might appear tired or dowdy or clumsy, but Kathleen always glowed with vital energy. As he watched her smile and greet their friends, he felt himself tighten with unfulfilled desire. With a soft curse, he turned his attention elsewhere, straining to bring his lustful body under control.

  The dinner was delicious and relaxed, with good food and excellent wines from Chimera’s cellars to celebrate Reed’s thirty-two years. To his amazement, Kat seemed to go out of her way this evening to hide her malevolence toward Sally. Several times, he caught Sally deliberately baiting Kathleen, but his beautiful wife kept her temper and ignored Sally’s taunting with cool disdain. Beside Kathleen’s ripe beauty, Sally’s prettiness paled significantly. Reed admitted to himself that he only permitted Sally to stay on in order to retaliate against Kathleen, but even he became agitated when Sally took it upon herself to belittle his wife. He could barely stomach the girl by now, and he certainly was not about to entangle himself further with the greedy wench. As soon as she ceased to be useful to him, he would send Miss Sally Simpson packing.

  A small orchestra had been hired to provide dinner music and to oblige those who wished to dance afterward. Several couples were waltzing, and others milling about in pleasant conversation as Reed opened his gifts. As in the past, he had opened those from Katlin and Andrea earlier, at home in the nursery. When he opened Kathleen’s present, the magnificence of the sword stunned him. That, combined with the open look of love on Kathleen’s face, made Reed feel unworthy.

  After opening the other gifts, Reed extended his hand toward Kathleen, wanting his first dance of the evening with his wife. Sally stood watching in mute fury, a tight, angry expression pinching her features into ugliness. The hall was crowded, and someone behind her jostled Sally. She felt a slight tug on her dress, and suddenly to her horror and everyone’s utter amazement, the skirt of the gown slid swiftly and silently to the floor, leaving her standing in her bodice and bloomers. Even the musicians had stopped playing to gawk. With a strangled cry, Sally bent to retrieve her skirt. The slippery material eluded her shaking fingers, and when she finally did manage to clutch it, blushing to the roots of her hair, Sally peered about her in panic, wailing in despair. Thoroughly mortified, she wanted to melt into the floor boards, but she was frozen to the spot. She could not seem to budge, let alone run for cover. She looked around at all the eyes staring at her and heard the gasps and whispers of the crowd. These were Kathleen’s friends, but surely there was one among them who would take pity on her. Where was Reed? Why didn't someone come to her rescue?

  Reed was almost too shocked to move at first. He stood as open-mouthed as everyone else. When his brain finally did start to function, he knew Kathleen had had a hand in this disaster.

  Aware that he must do something to aid Sally, Reed removed his jacket and started toward her. Smothered chuckles and titters made his own ears burn, and he could only imagine what Sally must be feeling.

  Behind him, he heard one of his friends comment, “Well, now we are all aware of what Reed has been familiar with for some time!”

  Another man answered, “Doesn’t look that great to me. Personally, I’ve seen better along the waterfront!” Another said, “Why would anyone bother with that, when he has Kathleen, I ask you?”

  Reed had almost reached the quivering girl, when Kathleen’s voice rang out crisp and clear, stopping him in his tracks. “Happy Birthday, Reed!” she chirped, her emerald eyes flashing. “I know how you love surprises!” With a marvelously wicked laugh, she added, “I do believe everything has been unwrapped now!”

  He watched in angry disbelief, his ears ringing with the laughter of the guests, as Kathleen swept by him, exiting the hall with a grand flourish.

  Sally was on her way by mid-morning of the following day. Reed didn’t know where she was headed, nor did he care. He was profoundly relieved to see her go. Now, perhaps, he could regain the respect of his friends. Without Sally’s nagging presence, he might be able to pull his life into order again. Sally had served her purpose— until Reed had made the mistake of once again underestimating his wife. He was not sorry to see Sally go. She had been a thorn in his side for much too long, and he considered himself well rid of her. He was only sorry he had not sent her away sooner.

  Kathleen was of a similiar opinion when she learned of Sally’s departure. While she knew that Sally was only a symptom to the larger problem between herself and Reed, she was one factor Kathleen was glad to see eliminated. If only the rest of her dilemma could be resolved as successfully!

  Thanksgiving was traditionally strictly a family affair, and Susan was hosting the festivities this year. Ted’s family as well as the Taylors were invited, with all their children, numbering six by now. There were Reed and Kathleen’s two, Susan and Ted’s two, and Martin and Amy had produced a baby daughter in addition to their son. Isabel attended, as she had since coming to Chimera, but Kate’s presen
ce was sadly missed; her loss was felt by everyone, but most of all by Kathleen. This was the first holiday since Kate’s death.

  Tradition and pride decreed that Kathleen attend, though she dreaded it. In the ten days since Sally’s departure, Kathleen had not seen Reed. He had come to Emerald Hill several times to see the children, but Kathleen had deliberately avoided him. She knew it was cowardice, but as much as she berated herself, she simply could not face him. Through Isabel, he had sent a message asking her to return to Chimera. Not yet ready to tackle the problem awaiting her there, Kathleen declined, saying she considered it best to wait until after the baby was born.

  It was a quiet, subdued gathering on Thanksgiving Day. Kathleen and Reed, though polite to one another, had difficulty in finding things to say. Too much had happened to them in the past months, and they were awkward and ill at ease with one another. Both were glad when the tense day was over; especially Reed, since for the first time in his memory, he felt like a pariah in his own family, all of whom blamed him and him alone for the continuing estrangement between himself and Kathleen.

  On his visits to Emerald Hill, Kathleen no longer avoided him, but she rarely entered the conversation willingly, or joined him in playing with Katlin and Andrea. Once in a while, Reed would deliberately goad her into an argument, but their encounters lacked the old intensity. Kathleen was determined to await the birth of her baby before seriously considering a relationship of any kind with him.

  It was in the midst of this war of wills that a message arrived for Reed the end of the first week in December. It was a summons from General Jackson, requesting that Reed and several of his ships come immediately to New Orleans, to aid in the defense against the British.

  On his way to Savannah, Reed stopped by Emerald Hill to say goodbye. Upon hearing his news, Kathleen was visibly upset for the first time in days.